Center for the Origin, Dynamics, and Evolution of Planets

Undergraduate Planetary Sciences

The Earth Sciences department offers an undergraduate degree with a concentration in Planetary Sciences, described below. The Astronomy department does not offer a specific planetary sciences degree, but offers an undergraduate minor and a major in Astrophysics.

The planetary sciences concentration is designed to provide students with a quantitative background appropriate for career pathways in the interdisciplinary study of planets. The upper-division elective courses can be tailored for students interested in planetary interiors, atmospheres, and/or surfaces.

Required Lower-Division Preparation (9 courses)

Earth Sciences 10/L (recommended) or 5/L or 20/L
Astronomy 14 or 16 or 18
Chemistyr 1B/1M and 1C/1N
Mathematics 19A, 19B and 23A (prefered) or 11A, 11B and 22
Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, 5C/N (preferred), 5D recommended; or 6A/L,6B/M,6C/N

Required Upper-Division Work (9-10 courses)

Earth Science 110A/L, 110B/M, 110C/N, 119, 162, 165 or 166 or astronomy 118, 190 (optional)
Plus three electives from the following list: Earth Sciences 107, 109/L, 116, 117/L, 121, 134, 148, 165, 166, 172/272, 209, Mathematics 130, Astronomy 112, 118
Students also complete the comprehensive requirement by writing a senior thesis with an Earth Sciences or Astronomy faculty sponsorship. A topic emphasizing planetary sciences is recommended. They may also substitute one of the other options listed above.

Further details on the undergraduate experience in the Earth Sciences department may be found here.