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。这是我们的主要专业，它专注于一般地质，并且可以选择集中于工程地质。
The Geology Emphasis of the Earth Science major studies the past and on-going processes that have formed and modified the Earth's mantle and crust, and shaped the Earth's surface. This emphasis explores volcanism, faulting and seismicity, the growth and erosion of mountains, the development of sedimentary basins, the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, the origin and evolution of the continents, and the theory of plate tectonics. It emphasizes how the rock record is used to understand Earth processes and reconstruct Earth's history. Courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the full range of skills used by Earth scientists today, including field, analytical, and geospatial (GIS) techniques. The Geology Emphasis is recognized for its extensive field component.