Covers the origin and evolution of the Earth, its atmosphere, and oceans, from the perspective of biogeochemical cycles, energy use, and human impacts on the Earth system.

Earth System Science 1 and 25 may not both be taken for credit. (II)

The science of the Earth as a system has implications for many fields of study. Students interested in understanding how the Earth’s systems work can earn a bachelor’s degree, while completing the requirements for a minor in Earth and Atmospheric Science.  The program is primarily designed for students in the natural sciences and engineering who wish to explore interdisciplinary problems and broaden their studies to include the application of their fields to understanding the Earth system.

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability trains students to understand the changes that are needed for the human population to live in a sustainable relationship with the resources available on this planet.

The Department of Earth System Science (ESS) offers many opportunities for undergraduates to engage in research. By reading about faculty members and their research groups, a student can better gauge what area he or she is most interested in.

ESS students go on to graduate school programs and careers as research scientists in academic, public, or private institutions. Students are prepared to enter the workforce directly as scientists in a diverse array of fields including:

The following set of frequently asked questions was developed for undergraduates in the department of Earth System Science at UC Irvine.  If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us!  

The Department of Earth System Science (ESS) at UC Irvine offers two interdisciplinary undergraduate degrees covering the science of the Earth as a system, the causes of current environmental problems, and pathways toward global sustainability. In addition to coursework, students may conduct undergraduate research, field work, and participate in the UC Irvine Education Abroad Program.