UC Davis Earth and Planetary Sciences

Please note: Our department officially launched the Earth and Planetary Sciences major in Fall 2026. This is our new undergraduate degree program. The Geology major is no longer accepting new students, but the Geology page remains available through the menu for reference.

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.

Earth and Planetary Sciences Major

Bachelor of Science in Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS)

Explore EPS Major

Marine and Coastal Science Major

Bachelor of Science in Marine and Coastal Science (MCS)

Explore MCS Degrees

MAST

CalTeach / Mathematics and Science Teaching

Prepare yourself for a career in mathematics and science education

Learn more

Minors

Geology Minor

Available in Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Oceanography, Paleobiology

Learn more

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.

Smiling older woman with glasses and gray hair, portrait photograph on blue background

Dawn Sumner Elected as Fellow of the American Geophysical Union

Dawn Sumner — a UC Davis geologist, planetary scientist and astrobiologist — is among the 53 scientists newly elected as fellows of the American Geophysical Union, or AGU, for outstanding achievements and contributions to earth and space science. “I deeply appreciate this international recognition...READ MORE

Close-up of irregular, cratered gray asteroid floating against black space

Some Asteroids and Meteorites Formed Less Than 2 Million Years After Solar System’s Birth

To understand the nascent stages of our roughly 4.6-billion-year-old solar system, researchers rely on cosmic time capsules, such as asteroids and meteorites. These materials capture the chemistry of the environments in which they formed, and one of the most pristine and primitive is a class...READ MORE

Black-and-white photograph of silhouetted onlookers watching thick smoke rise over burning city

California Earthquakes and What the Next ‘Big One’ Could Look Like

Michael Oskin was camping with his friends atop San Gorgonio Mountain, southern California’s highest peak, when the infamous Lander’s earthquake struck just before 5 a.m. on June 28, 1992. As aftershocks from the 7.3 magnitude earthquake rolled through the campsite, trees..READ MORE

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.

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.