Earth, Climate and Biology
Source: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/earth-climate-and-biology-ab-scb Parent: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs
Students in Earth, Climate and Biology apply principles from geology, biology, chemistry, and physics to understand how major components of the Earth, such as its atmosphere and oceans, interact with and sustain life in the past, present, and into the future.
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
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomed
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Geological Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
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Earth, Climate and Biology
Students in Earth, Climate and Biology apply principles from geology, biology, chemistry, and physics to understand how major components of the Earth, such as its atmosphere and oceans, interact with and sustain life in the past, present, and into the future.
Many courses emphasize climate change, environmental quality, and biogeochemistry, so this concentration is a good match for students interested in studying the environment. Other areas emphasize Earth history, including climate change, extinction events, and using the Earth’s sedimentary record to investigate environmental change.
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: Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Geophysics and Climate Physics, and Earth and Planetary Science.
Student Goals
Students in this concentration will:
- Understand fundamental processes that shaped the Earth and our environment through time
- Study the interactions between life, climate, and the solid Earth in the past and present, including those that lead to 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, 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, Climate and Biology 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.