Earth and Planetary Science
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/earth-and-planetary-science-ab-scb Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
Earth and Planetary Science is a highly interdisciplinary concentration employing principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to understand processes on and in the Earth and other planetary bodies.
Degree Type
A.B., Sc.B.
department
Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences
CIP Code
40.0601ℹ
The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.
Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes
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Earth and Planetary Science
Earth and Planetary Science is a highly interdisciplinary concentration employing principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to understand processes on and in the Earth and other planetary bodies.
Concentrators can study Earth and planetary interiors, including the formation of rocks and minerals, movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates, and mountain building and volcanism. Other areas emphasize surface processes, such as coastal erosion, formation of water resources, and desertification. This concentration is a good choice for students who seek a broad scientific understanding of the processes that shape the physical world around us.
Both A.B. and Sc.B. degrees are offered, requiring 12 and 19 courses, respectively. These degrees build skills in critical thinking, data analysis and modeling, finding solutions to complex problems, and written and oral communication. DEEPS provides a highly collaborative learning environment that emphasizes process-oriented, hands-on approaches in the classroom, in labs and on field trips. There are many opportunities for students to do paid research during the summer or academic year.
Students interested in this concentration may also wish to consider related concentrations: Earth, Climate and Biology, Geophysics and Climate Physics, and Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Understand fundamental processes that shaped the Earth, the other planets and their environments through time
- Study chemical, physical and biological interactions in the climate system and the solid Earth, including those that lead to natural hazards, climate change and environmental concerns
- Apply multidisciplinary scientific approaches to finding solutions to societal problems
- Develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, theory and modeling, computing, speaking and writing, and teamwork and leadership
- Build a strong foundation for diverse careers
Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)
Student Leaders: Evan Donnachie, Gabriel Traietti
After graduation, concentrators find success in a wide variety of career options. These span research and management positions in: the private sector (e.g. environmental consulting, sustainable energy and climate solutions, technology); government agencies (e.g. the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Departments of Energy and State); and non-governmental organizations and non-profits, many of which are devoted to the environment. Concentrators also excel as faculty in universities and colleges, and in education at all levels, including work in museums. Concentrators are highly sought after by top-notch graduate programs across the nation, including programs in Earth, environmental and planetary science, and also science policy, law, journalism and education.
What are Earth and Planetary Science concentrators doing…
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.