Earth and Space Sciences

070 Johnson Hall

Earth and space sciences seeks to further the understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and their histories. The scope extends from the center of Earth to the rim of the solar system, and activities cut across traditional disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and mathematics. The discipline examines Earth's interior structure, chemistry, motion, and dynamics; geologic hazards; processes affecting the surface environment and climate; the surrounding space environment; planetary processes; and geobiology.

Undergraduate Program

Adviser
070 Johnson Hall, Box 351310
206-616-8511
advising@ess.washington.edu

The Department of Earth and Space Sciences offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in earth and space sciences, with options in biology, physics, and environmental earth sciences
• The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in earth and space sciences
• A minor in earth and space sciences

The Bachelor of Science degree is designed for students interested in geology and geophysics, and a career path in graduate studies or in the private sector, where field and technology experiences and problem-solving skills are an important asset. The Biology Option enables B.S. students interested in paleontology and paleobiology to emphasize biology courses. The Physics Option allows for an emphasis in physics and geophysics. The Environmental Earth Sciences Option is designed for students interested in environmentally focused courses and careers. The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to obtain a broad understanding of earth sciences as a background for careers such as science journalism, environmental law, K-12 teaching, or environmental policy.

Bachelor of Science

Suggested First- and Second-Year Courses: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126; PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123 or PHYS 114/PHYS 117, PHYS 115/PHYS 118, PHYS 116/PHYS 119; CHEM 142.

Department Admission Requirements

Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.

Major Requirements

90 credits as follows:

1. Science Core (35 Credits):
1. Basic Supporting Science (20 credits): MATH 124, MATH 125 or equivalent; PHYS 114/PHYS 117 or PHYS 121; CHEM 142. (Students wishing to pursue the ESS Physics Option must take PHYS 121.)
2. ESS Required Core Courses (15 credits): ESS 211, ESS 212, ESS 213. (Students in the ESS Physics Option may substitute ESS 205 for one of these.)

2. ESS Options (Minimum 55 Credits):
1. Standard Option.
1. Supporting Science (13-15 credits): MATH 126 or equivalent; PHYS 115/PHYS 118 or PHYS 122; and one of PHYS 116/PHYS 119 or PHYS 123, CHEM 152, MATH 307, MATH 308, STAT 311.
2. ESS Required (22 credits): Two of ESS 311, ESS 312, ESS 313, ESS 314; ESS 400.
3. ESS Electives (18-20 credits): ESS 400-level courses or any ESS 311-series course not taken as a required course, above. (May not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499.)

2. Biology Option.
1. Supporting Science (21 credits): CHEM 152, CHEM 162 or equivalent; BIOL 180, BIOL 200 (or two from BIOL 201, BIOL 202, BIOL 203).
2. ESS Required (22 credits): Two of ESS 311, ESS 312, ESS 313, ESS 314; ESS 400.
3. ESS Electives (12 credits): ESS 400-level courses or any ESS 311-series course not taken as a required course, above. (May not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499.)

3. Environmental Earth Sciences Option
1. Supporting Science (10 credits): STAT 311 or Q SCI 381; CHEM 152 or CHEM 220.
2. ESS required (35 to 37 credits): ESS 201; one of ESS 311, ESS 312, ESS 313, ESS 314, ESS 326; two from ESS 315, ESS 421, ESS 426, ESS 427, ESS 455, ESS 456, ESS 459; ESS 400.
3. Electives (10 credits): Additional courses chosen from any ESS 311-series course not taken as a required course above, from ESS 400-level courses (may not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499), or from an approved list of courses outside ESS.

4. Physics Option
   1. Supporting Science (32-35 credits): MATH 126, MATH 308, MATH 324 or MATH 136, MATH 324; PHYS 122, PHYS 123, PHYS 227, PHYS 228, PHYS 321, PHYS 322.
   2. ESS Required (5 credits): One of ESS 311, ESS 312, ESS 313, ESS 314.
   3. ESS Electives (15-18 credits): ESS 400-level courses or any ESS 311-series course not taken as a required course, above. (May not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499.)

All courses counted toward the major must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0.

Bachelor of Arts

Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: Q SCI 291, Q SCI 292 or MATH 124, MATH 125; PHYS 114/PHYS 117 or PHYS 121; CHEM 142.

Department Admission Requirements

Students in good academic standing may declare this major at any time.

Major Requirements

90 credits as follows:

1. Supporting Science (35 Credits):
1. Basic Supporting Science (20 credits): CHEM 142; Q SCI 291, Q SCI 292 or MATH 124, MATH 125; PHYS 114/PHYS 117 or PHYS 121.
2. Additional Courses: 15 credits from department's approved list of courses in science and mathematics. See adviser for current list.
2. ESS Courses (55 Credits):
1. Required Courses (15 credits): Two of ESS 211, ESS 212, ESS 213. One of ESS 311, ESS 312, ESS 313, ESS 314.
2. Elective Courses: 40 upper-division credits (300- and 400-level) with at least 10 credits at the 400-level. (May not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499.)

All courses counted toward the major must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0.

Minor

Minor Requirements: 30 ESS credits with at least 15 at the upper-division level (300- or 400-level) of which at least 3 credits must be at the 400-level. (May not include independent study or seminar courses numbered ESS 489 through ESS 499.) All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Instructional and Research Facilities: See below.
• Honors Options Available: With College Honors; With Distinction (Departmental Honors). See adviser or department Web site for requirements.
• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Job and internship possibilities are posted in the department and forwarded by email to all undergraduate students.
• Department Scholarships: A limited number of departmental scholarships are available. Scholarship applications are invited from all undergraduate students in the major during spring quarter. The awards are applicable to the following academic year.
• Student Organizations/Associations: Geo Club organizes field trips and social gatherings. Information about meetings and events is forwarded to undergraduate majors by email.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
070 Johnson Hall , Box 351310
206-616-8511
advising@ess.washington.edu

The Department of Earth and Space Sciences offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in both geological sciences and in geophysics. The programs emphasize a rigorous quantitative approach in conjunction with detailed in-situ and/or laboratory observations to address significant problems that will lead to a better understanding of the Earth and its environment.

Major areas of interest are the internal and surface structures and materials of the Earth and planets, dynamic processes within the earth, oceans, atmosphere, and space environments, their history and the interaction of life with these environments. The required curriculum is flexible to facilitate interdisciplinary research approaches. The department is also one of the core departments (with the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the School of Oceanography) in the interdisciplinary graduate Program on Climate Change and a participant in the astrobiology program.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

1. Official test scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
2. Official TOEFL scores for international applicants Note: TSE scores are not required.
3. One copy of official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, in sealed envelopes, if possible. International transcripts must be in the original language and accompanied by a certified English translation.
4. Three letters of recommendation (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission)
5. Departmental application form (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission
6. Personal resume and personal statement (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission)

Degree Requirements

Since the Department of Earth and Space Sciences encourages interdisciplinary courses of study tailored to each student, there are few formal requirements for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees beyond those specified by the Graduate School.

Departmental requirements for graduate students in both geological sciences and geophysics include the following:

1. Courses determined in consultation with the student’s advisory committee to insure both depth and breadth
2. ESS 594, each quarter of the first year
3. ESS 599, every quarter (except summer)
4. Preliminary Examination (see below)

With Thesis: 36 credits, of which 18 must be in courses at the 400 level or above and up to 9 may be for thesis (ESS 700). Final examination consists of oral presentation and defense of thesis.

Without Thesis: 45 credits, of which 18 must be in courses at the 400 level or above, which includes a 5-credit research paper (ESS 600). Final examination is oral and is administered by a supervisory committee.

Preliminary Examination: An ESS requirement for every graduate student in the department’s program. Provides one component the department uses to evaluate admission to the Ph.D. program early in the student’s second year. Along with the first-year research seminar sequence, the Preliminary Examination encourages students to learn how to develop and present a research project, and get an early, structured start on graduate research.

For the Preliminary Examination, a graduate student must demonstrate the ability to think critically, logically, and creatively and to communicate effectively; and must show knowledge of the disciplines that underlie the student's general area of interest (e.g., geology, geophysics, physics, math, chemistry, biology).

All entering graduate students (both M.S. and Ph.D.) must present and defend a research proposal before a Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) at the end of their first year or at the beginning of their second year in the department.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

1. Official test scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
2. Official TOEFL scores for international applicants. TSE scores are not required.
3. One copy of official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, in sealed envelopes, if possible. International transcripts must be in the original language and accompanied by a certified English translation.
4. Three letters of recommendation (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission)
5. Departmental application form (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission)
6. Personal resume and personal statement (submitted via the UW World-Wide-Web Application for Graduate Admission)

Degree Requirements

Since the department encourages interdisciplinary courses of study tailored to each student, there are few formal requirements for the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees beyond those specified by the Graduate School.

Departmental requirements for graduate students in both geological sciences and geophysics include the following:

1. Courses determined in consultation with the student’s advisory committee to insure both depth and breadth
2. ESS 594, each quarter of the first year
3. ESS 599, every quarter (except summer)
4. Preliminary Examination (see below)

Preliminary Examination: An ESS requirement for every graduate student. Provides one component the department uses to evaluate admission to the Ph.D. program early in the second year. Along with the first-year research seminar sequence, the Preliminary Examination encourages students to learn how to develop and present a research project, and get an early, structured start on graduate research.

For the Preliminary Examination, a student must demonstrate the ability to think critically, logically, and creatively and to communicate effectively; and must show knowledge of the disciplines that underlie the student's general area of interest (e.g., geology, geophysics, physics, math, chemistry, biology).

All entering graduate students (both M.S. and Ph.D.) must present and defend a research proposal before a Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) at the end of their first year or at the beginning of their second year in the department.

Research Facilities

Extensive laboratory facilities are available for a wide range of experimental/field work. These include a wet chemistry laboratory, a JEOL 733 Superprobe with EDS/WDS and a high resolution laser Raman spectrometer for mineral analysis, a thermal-ionization mass spectrometer, a multi-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometer and associated clean laboratories for analysis of stable and radiogenic isotopes, a computer laboratory, a remote-sensing laboratory with an image-processing system with LANDSAT tape library and spectral reflectance equipment, and high temperature controlled atmosphere furnaces. There is also field equipment for electromagnetic induction studies; a high-pressure/temperature laboratory, including a laser-induced phonon spectrometer and diamond anvil cells for studying such rock and mineral properties as compression, sound velocities, and thermal conductivity; a permanent, regional seismic network; a portable telemetered seismic network for studying volcanoes and active faults in western North America; geodetic-quality global-positioning-system receivers; a cold laboratory for studying problems in snow-cover geophysics, glaciology, and sea-ice research; a geophysical-fluids laboratory; two cloud microphysics laboratories; a space physics and aeronomy laboratory for preparing ground-based, balloon, rocket, and satellite experiments; and a laboratory for the study of advanced plasma propulsion concepts. Additional facilities are provided by the Quaternary Research Center (which houses state-of-the art cosmogenic isotope and stable-isotope research laboratories, palynology, snow and ice research, and a periglacial laboratory) and the Burke Memorial Washington State Museum (which houses paleontological laboratories and extensive reference collections of invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant fossils, and minerals).

Financial Aid

Most graduate students receive support in the form of teaching or research assistantships, and endowed fellowships and scholarships.