Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences

Undergraduate Concentrations

DEEPS provides a highly collaborative learning environment that emphasizes process-oriented, active learning in courses, in research labs, and on field trips.

Our concentrations build students' skills in critical thinking, applying systems approaches to solving complex problems, data analysis and modeling (including remote sensing and machine learning), written and oral communication, and teamwork and leadership.  With these skills, students are well-prepared for a wide variety of careers in governmental agencies and NGOs, environmental consulting companies, data science and the tech industry, university faculty positions, and education at all levels, and much more.  

DEEPS undergraduate students are offered the flexibility of A.B. or Sc.B. degrees in four concentration options (Geology-Biology, Geology-Chemistry, Geology-Physics/Math and Geological Sciences), which integrate concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, math, and computing to study processes at the surface and in the interior of the Earth and other planetary bodies, including key problems related to the environment and our changing climate, and natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

There are typically 60+ concentrators within the department and 20 graduates per year, 80% of which complete a capstone Senior Thesis. Undergraduates also have many opportunities to engage in research throughout their years at Brown and to enjoy other hands-on learning experiences.

 

Geological Sciences

Geosciences is a highly interdisciplinary concentration employing principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to understand the structure of the Earth and other planetary bodies. Concentrators can study Earth and planetary interiors, including the formation of rocks and minerals, movement of the Earth's tectonic plates, and the circulation of the planets' core and mantle. Other areas emphasize surface processes, such as the movement and storage of water.

This concentration is a good choice for students who seek a broad scientific understanding of the processes that shape the physical world around us. The ScB requires more (19) courses, including a research course.

  1. Four basic supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330 (or equivalent)
    • Three courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Nine concentration courses
    • EEPS 0220, 0230, 0240
    • Three of EEPS 1240, 1410, 1420, or 1450
    • Two additional upper level EEPS courses or an approved substitute such as a field course
    • One additional upper level science or math course with approval from the concentration advisor
  1. Five basic supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330 (or equivalent)
    • Four courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0230, 0240
    • Three of EEPS 1240, 1410, 1420, or 1450
    • Four upper level science or math courses with approval from the concentration advisor
    • EEPS 1970 (Senior Research Thesis)

Geology-Biology

Students in Geology-Biology apply principles from geology, biology, chemistry, and physics to understand how major components of the Earth, such as its atmosphere and oceans, interact with and sustain life in the past, present, and into the future. Many courses emphasize climate change, environmental pollution, and biogeochemistry, so this concentration is a good one for students interested in studying the environment. Other areas emphasize Earth history, including climate change, extinction events, and using the Earth’s sedimentary record to investigate environmental change. The ScB requires more (19) courses, including a research course.

  1. Four basic supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330 (or equivalent)
    • BIOL 0200 (or equivalent)
    • Two courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Ten (10) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0240, 1240, and 0230 or 0250
    • Three upper level biology courses such as BIOL 0410, 0420, 0430, 0440, 0480, 1470, and 1480
    • Three upper level DEEPS courses such as EEPS 0850, 1120, 1130, 1150, 1310, 1320, 1370, 1615, or 1970
  1. Five basic supporting science courses:
    • BIOL 0200 (or equivalent)
    • CHEM 0330 (or equivalent)
    • Three courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0240, 1240, and 0230 or 0250
    • Three upper level biology courses such as BIOL 0410, 0420, 0430, 0480, 1470, and 1480
    • Three upper level DEEPS courses such as EEPS 0850, 1120, 1130, 1150, 1310, 1320, 1330, 1370, 1430, or 1615
    • Three upper level science or math courses with approval from the concentration advisor
    • GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis)

Geology-Chemistry

Geochemists investigate low-temperature and high-temperature processes operating on scales that range from atoms, to the Earth, to the solar system. Low-temperature geochemistry focuses on chemical and biochemical processes on and near Earth's surface, including environmental geochemistry, pollution in the ocean and freshwater bodies, and how the Earth's geochemical record reflects past climate conditions. High-temperature geochemistry focuses on the formation and evolution of the Earth and other planets, magma formation and properties, volcanic activity, and metamorphism. The ScB requires more (19) courses, including a research course.

  1. Four basic supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330
    • Three courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Ten (10) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0230, 0240
    • Three additional chemistry courses such as CHEM 0350, 0360, 0500, 1060,1140, 1150 or BIOL 0280
    • Two courses from: EEPS 1410, EEPS 1420, EEPS 1130, EEPS 1370
    • Two additional upper-level EEPS courses or substitutes with approval from the concentration advisor
  1. Five basic supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330
    • Four courses to build quantitative skills in APMA, CSCI, ENGN, MATH, or PHYS, chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor
  2. Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0230, 0240, 1370, 1410
    • Three additional chemistry courses such as 0350, 0360, 0500, 1060, 1140, 1150, or BIOL 0280
    • Two upper level courses from EEPS 1130, 1240, 1380, 1420 or 1730
    • Three additional upper-level science or math courses with approval from the concentration advisor
    • GEOL 1970 (Senior Research Thesis)

Geology-Physics/Mathematics

Geophysics addresses many pressing and fascinating topics including Earth's changing climate, the mitigation of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and the internal structure and dynamics of our planet. This concentration is a good choice for students who enjoy quantitative thinking and are keen to study the Earth, its environment, and other planets. The ScB requires more (19) courses, including a research course.

  1. Five supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330 or equivalent
    • A course involving mechanics: PHYS 0050, 0070, ENGN 0040, or equivalent
    • Three courses in APMA or MATH, one of which must be APMA 0330, 0350, or equivalent
  2. Nine (9) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0230 or 0240, 0250 or 0350, and 1430 or 1610
    • Two upper-level courses from EEPS 0850, 1310, 1410, 1420, 1430, 1450, 1510, 1520, 1610, 1620, 1670, 1680
    • One additional EEPS course such as 1130, 1330, 1560, 1650, 1810, 1820, 1660, 1970, a field or sea course, or any EEPS course listed above
    • Two courses in physics or engineering such as PHYS 0060, 0470, 0500, 1600 or ENGN 0310, 0490, 0510, 0810, 1370
  1. Five supporting science courses:
    • CHEM 0330 or equivalent
    • A course involving mechanics: PHYS 0050, 0070, ENGN 0040, or equivalent
    • Three courses in APMA or MATH, one of which must be APMA 0330, 0350, or equivalent
  2. Fourteen (14) concentration courses:
    • EEPS 0220, 0230 or 0240, 0250 or 0350, 1430, and 1610
    • Three upper-level EEPS courses from 1310, 1410, 1420, 1450, 1510, 1520, 1620, 1670, or 1680
    • One additional EEPS course such as 0850, 1130, 1330, 1560, 1650, 1810, 1820, 1660, a field or sea course, or any EEPS course listed above
    • Three courses in physics or engineering such as PHYS 0060, 0470, 0500, 1600 or ENGN 0310, 0490, 0510, 0810, 1370
    • One additional upper-level science or math course with approval from the concentration advisor
    • EEPS 1970 (Senior Research Thesis)