The Department of Earth
and Planetary Sciences concentrates on the geological
aspects of Earth and other planets. Always closely allied to
practical concerns, the field is rapidly expanding and becoming
more quantitative. Offerings range from general courses surveying
the concepts, methods, and results of Earth and planetary sciences,
suitable for any nonmajor, through a program of fundamental,
modern, quantitative studies that will prepare students for the
full range of opportunities in the geosciences in the 21st century.
The department's courses focus on the application of quantitative
methods of chemistry, biology, and physics to Earth sciences, and
on the nature of Earth's resources together with the resulting
constraints on human activity. The study of resources and their
management, environmental processes, and the social, historical,
and philosophical contexts of natural science will interest the
general student, as well as students in related disciplines such
as biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, and physics.
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