UCSB的地球科学系在从喜马拉雅山的最高山峰，南极洲的旷野到尚未发现的海底深处的各个地区进行了实地研究。我们的研究生和本科生直接参与探索隐喻的兴奋。由杰出和敬业的教师授课（包括美国国家科学院的几名成员，以及UCSB杰出教学奖的获得者），学生们将发现正在展开的行星戏剧。与学士学位相比，文学学士学位需要更多的通识教育课程和更少的高等地质学课程。该专业适合攻读双重专业的学生。
The B.A. in Earth Science is similar to the B.S. degrees, but allows more flexibility in upper-division Earth Science courses and requires slightly fewer credits. As a B.A. student, you'll be required to take the same pre-major requirements in math, chemistry, physics and introductory Earth Science, and four core upper division courses on field methods (104A), Earth's climate (105), mineralogy (114), and data analysis (134). In addition, students take courses on optical mineralogy and analytical methods (115), sedimentation and stratigraphy (122), and choose 18 units of upper division Earth Science electives. Students are generally encouraged to choose one of the B.S. emphases within the Earth Science major, however, the B.A. is an option for students who want more flexibility within the major or to design a degree that crosses over multiple emphases.<br><br>The Department of Earth Science at UCSB conducts many field studies in geographic areas ranging from the tallest mountain peaks of the Himalayas, the wilderness of Antarctica, to the vast undiscovered depths of the ocean floor. Our graduate and undergraduate students participate directly in the excitement of exploring unknown terra incognita. Taught by a distinguished and dedicated faculty (including several members of the National Academy of Sciences and winners of the UCSB Distinguished Teaching Award), students in Earth Science experience the wonder of discovery and come to appreciate and connect to the unfolding planetary drama of which they are part. Because Earth Science students acquire such diverse tools and skills in mapping, analyzing, visualizing, computing, and problem-solving, they are well-prepared for a broad range of careers in the private sector, government, K-12 education, academia, and the industry.