Three hikers with backpacks on rocky trail overlooking alpine lake and snow-capped peaks
MEET OUR NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS

Learn about the newest members of the EPS community through photos and bios.

Meet the 2026 Cohort

Earth and Planetary Sciences

White sandstone fin rising from arid valley, shrubs and distant mountains under blue sky

Geology Student Learning Objectives

Graduates of the UC Davis Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences should be able to:

  1. Apply the fundamental principles of geology, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to address geological issues.
  2. Identify common Earth materials at all spatial scales.
  3. Describe the origin of the solar system and Earth and be able to understand our planet in comparison with other planets. 
  4. Comprehend the 4.6 billion year history of Earth and the evolution of the solid earth, the cryosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere.
  5. Understand the chronology of life on Earth and the fundamentals of biologic evolution.
  6. Describe the origin and distribution of resources such as water, minerals and energy.
  7. Be aware of natural hazards, their impact on civilization and efforts at mitigation.
  8. View Earth as a dynamic system of solid, liquid, gaseous and living components, connected through the cycling of matter and energy.
  9. Recognize the relatively recent arrival of humans on the Earth and their disproportionate impact on the planet.
  10. Understand how science works via inquiry, observation, verification, reason and critical thinking.
  11. Synthesize and communicate their knowledge of geological concepts through written, oral and graphical representation.
  12. Apply the tenets of professional, ethical and responsible conduct as geoscientists.

 - Faculty of the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department
January 2013

Earth and Planetary Science connects geology, chemistry, biology and/or physics with deep time perspective for how the Earth works and the practical implications of these processes in our everyday lives. 

Our Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) program provides flexible pathways for interdisciplinary study and research. Students explore Earth’s ancient and modern environments, the processes that shape our planet, and the connections between Earth systems and society.

A significant component of EPS is understanding the interactions between humans and our planet and, more broadly, planetary environments. This includes a focus on topics such as natural resource management and the minerals needed for a sustainable future, freshwater resources in a warming world, and the mitigation of hazards including earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, and droughts.

What sets the EPS major apart is its foundation in deep time, grounded in the rock and fossil record. By studying how Earth and its life have changed over millions and billions of years, students gain a perspective that helps them understand the challenges facing our planet today and anticipate those of the future. For an EPS major, understanding the past is key to understanding the present and the future.