Grand Prismatic Spring with steam rising above
The 2025-2026 Graduate Admissions Application is now open!
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Our Vision and Mission Statement

Together we create and share knowledge at the forefront of Earth and Planetary Sciences to cultivate informed stewardship and inspire curiosity.

We provide a world-class, stimulating intellectual and educational environment that prioritizes people. As a community we are committed to conducting cutting-edge research in Earth and Planetary Sciences to address challenging scientific and societal problems.

View our Strategic Plan

Majors and Programs

Explore the majors and programs offered by the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences below.  

Rockhammer

GEL

Geology Major

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees

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Brown coral.

MCS

Marine and Coastal Science Major

Bachelor of Science

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Fractal leaves.

MAST

CalTeach / Mathematics and Science Teaching

Prepare yourself for a career in mathematics and science education

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Trilobites.

Minors

Geology Minor

Available in Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Oceanography, Paleobiology

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Geoscientist outdoors

Grad school

Applying to Grad School

Graduate school in the geosciences may be a good choice for your career. How do you decide if it’s right for you?

Where to start

Department News

Check out the latest news, research, and announcements from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences below. 

The cover of Special Paper 563 with various entries

GSA Special Paper Honors Emeritus Professor Cathy Busby

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences is proud to celebrate Emeritus Professor Cathy Busby, whose distinguished career in volcanology, sedimentology, structural geology, and tectonics has been honored with the publication of a new Geological Society of America Special Paper...READ MORE
A laboratory sits on the coast with the sea in the background.

Protecting the Ocean We Have

Fourth-year UC Davis geology student Sonia Somasundaram was studying in the Cadet Hand Library at the Bodega Marine Laboratory when a fellow student burst through the library’s doors. “This one student came running into the library, screaming about a whale,” recalled Somasundaram, who’s minoring...READ MORE
An aerial view of Isleton

Flood Insurance Uncertainty Looms for 180,000 Californians

Featured in the LA Times article below, Dr. Nicholas Pinter, Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, emphasized the critical role that federal flood insurance plays in protecting vulnerable communities. Without NFIP support, he warns, many properties in low-lying areas could...READ MORE
Asteroid Ryugu

Hayabusa-2 Sample Return Mission Suggests Protracted Wetter Asteroids

New results from the Hayabusa-2 space probe show that asteroids formed at the very beginnings of our Solar System retained substantial amounts of water for hundreds of millions of years, potentially delivering water to Earth and other planets for much longer than previously thought...READ MORE
Amanda Thomas headshot

meet

Amanda Thomas

I study tectonic, volcanic, and surface processes, integrating data collection, analysis, interpretation, and simplified numerical modeling to understand Earth's complex physical systems, and predict and respond to geohazards.

i am a geophysicist.
Isabel Montanez in her lab sitting at a table doing research.

meet

Isabel Montañez

I study ancient climates and how the Earth responded to climate change. Our study of ancient climates provides insight into how rainfall patterns, surface temperatures, and ecosystems will respond to future warming.

i am a paleoclimatologist.