需要科学知识（物理学，化学，地质学，生物学）和数学知识（微积分），才能从根本上理解自然系统。对某一特定科学领域（即地质，生物学，化学，物理学，数学或计算机科学）的深入了解，足以进行有意义的研究并深入了解影响自然系统的问题。对地球系统的理解尤其是对它们之间的相互联系以及自然和人为因素随时间变化的认识（地球系统包括海洋，大气层，固体地球及其子系统）。对科学的社会背景以及实地问题对社会的深远影响的理解和了解。对扎实的地球领域受过科学训练的个人的潜在职业道路的认识。从事地球行业或相关领域的研究生学习所需的科学背景
A flexible program for students interested in interdisciplinary areas while maintaining emphasis in earth and environmental sciences. Students are encouraged to take electives in their field of interest, including some outside the department. These should form a coherent group and be approved by the adviser. The department adviser will consult with each student individually to arrange an optimal program in geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, geophysics, or environmental geoscience. In recent decades, the Earth Sciences have undergone major changes, stimulated in part by the reinterpretation of Earth history and processes occurring within both modern and ancient environments. The past 15 years have been exciting, as new understanding of the interconnectedness among air, water, and solid Earth has come into sharper focus. We address key topics ranging from the biogeochemistry of local waterways to the evolution of our planet.