Earth and Environmental Sciences Major:
Facts and Figures

Both the major and the minor consist of a set of required core courses and a group of elective courses drawn from offerings in Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Social Ecology. The core courses provide a broad scientific foundation of the physical, chemical, and biological principles needed to understand the complex interactions of the atmosphere, ocean, and land that drive the Earth's climate and biogeochemical cycles.

In their junior and senior years, ESS students are encouraged to focus on a particular area within Earth System Science and to choose electives within ESS and campuswide that build a coherent core of knowledge. Focus areas include but are not limited to climatology, biogeochemical cycles, oceanography, hydrology, terrestrial sciences, atmospheric sciences, environmental policy and planning, and resource management. Alternatively, the focus could be on chemical, physical, or biological processes across these disciplines. This flexible program is designed to accommodate the particular interests of each student. Majors are encouraged to become directly involved in scientific research working with a faculty member by taking Earth System Science 199 for several quarters, typically in the senior year. The UCI upper-division writing requirement may be fulfilled by taking Earth System Science 199 and 198 in the senior year.

A. The following courses are required for the ESS major:

Earth System Science 25*, 51, 53, 55, 114, 116, 191

Mathematics 2A-B-J

Chemistry 1LB-LC, and either 1A-B-C or H2A-B-C

Physics 3A-B-C, 3LB-LC, or 7A-B-E, 7LA-LB

* Other approved courses may be substituted for Earth System Science 25 by petition.

B. Seven electives from the following (at least four must be Earth System Science courses):

Earth System Science 112, 124, 126, 130, 132, 138, 142, 144, 164, 166, 168, 190C, 199 (may be counted once toward degree)

Chemistry 51A and 51LA, 51B and 51LB, 51C, H52A and H52LA, H52B and H52LB, H52C, 130A, 130B, 130C,131A, 131B, 131C

Physics 51A, 51B, 115A, 120, 134A, 134B, 137, 144, 145; Mathematics 3A or 6C, 2D, 3D, 105A, 112A, 131A, 131B, 131C

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) 91, 130A, 164, 180, 185

Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) 132, 162, 171, 172, 174, 176, 178

Biological Sciences 93, 94, 98, 105, 106, 126, 133, 134, 167, 178, 179, 179L, 181, 186, 189

Environmental Analysis and Design E105U, E110, E132U, E145U, E155U, E160, E160L, E161, E165L, E168, E173

Criminology, Law and Society C148

Computing Skills (one of the following may be counted toward degree): Information and Computer Science 21, Engineering EECS10, Engineering MAE 10, Physics 53, or other approved programming course.

Here is an example of a student schedule:

* Fulfills major requirement

Some students (particularly transfer students) take Earth System Science 51, 53, and 55 in the junior year.

See current courses here.

The School of Physical Sciences Student Affairs Office handles general advisement questions for our students. 

Link to UCI Catalog