Earth Sciences

Earth science applies the basic sciences of physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics to understanding processes that have shaped the earth through the last 4.5 billion years. Here at the UO, we are well positioned to study these processes using the natural laboratory found in Oregon, where subduction drives volcanoes and earthquakes, which uplift mountains and inspire surface processes of erosion and deposition. These in turn have in turn fostered an unparalleled fossil record of the age of mammals.

What You Can Do with a Degree in Earth Sciences

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Earth sciences are qualified for careers as laboratory technicians, professional geologists, geophysicists, or geochemists. They can find employment in a wide range of fields, including:

  • Resource management
  • Geotechnical and environmental consulting
  • Urban and rural planning
  • Petroleum and mining industries
  • State and federal agencies such as the USGS, USFS, NOAA, EPA, and DEQ
  • Teaching in K-12 schools
Hazard Resilient equipments

Community Resilience

The Oregon Hazards Lab (OHAZ) and the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) use science and technology to improve statewide resilience to geologic hazards. OHAZ is building an advanced sensor network that detects natural disasters as they emerge, while CRESCENT works with scientists and communities from across the country to improve our understanding of the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

Our Degree Programs

Earth science at the University of Oregon includes the study of geology, oceanography, paleontology, and geophysics. These studies are inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on the knowledge and techniques of other physical and natural sciences such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

A faculty member interacting with students in the field in Struble, Yachats

Learn from Experts in the Field

Our faculty conduct numerous individual and collaborative studies that take advantage of our proximity to the Cascade volcanoes and the tectonic complexity of the western North American margin. Many of our projects are funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the US Geological Survey.

Student climbing a hill

Get Real-world Experience

Students in the Department of Earth Sciences can get their hands dirty through a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities, including multiple two-week field camps each summer term. With the field camp, students gain practical experience applying their Earth science knowledge in the field while exploring wildlands in Oregon and the broader American West.

Scholarships and Funding

Undergraduate students can seek funding through the College of Arts and Sciences, which awards various scholarships to both incoming students and those who are already attending the UO. The Department of Earth Sciences awards annual scholarships to undergraduate students and offers graduate employee appointments to help fund graduate students while pursuing their degree.

Undergraduate Scholarships
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Students in the Department of Earth Sciences can seek support from our faculty advisors or from the academic and career advisors in Tykeson Hall. Tykeson advisors can assist with career and course planning; answer questions about core education requirements as well as university policies and procedures; and connect students with other resources for success.

Undergraduate Advising
Support for Graduate Students

Earth Science News and Events

EARTH SCIENCES - The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT) has awarded 14 grants to researchers across the US and beyond to study the Cascadia subduction zone, a massive fault along the West Coast that could generate a magnitude 9.0+ earthquake at any moment. The CRESCENT Seed Grant Program was established to enlist more researchers in the effort to meet those goals.
EARTH SCIENCES - More than 100 scientists and community partners recently convened to discuss resilience and preparedness planning in a workshop hosted by the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT), a new multi-institution earthquake research center led by the University of Oregon. Attendees discussed the latest science and resilience planning needs of communities related to a better understanding of the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Three College of Arts and Sciences researchers have received the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious honor for early-career faculty members in the past year: Luca Mazzucato (biology, mathematics and physics), Brittany Erickson (computer science and earth sciences) and Julia Widom (chemistry). Known as the CAREER Awards, the organization recognizes and fosters rising stars by funding innovative research.

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Media Industry Professions: Insights from the Business Side
Oct11
Media Industry Professions: Insights from the Business Side Oct 11 Lillis Business Complex
Beyond the Dissertation: Preparing for the Academic Job Market
Oct11
Beyond the Dissertation: Preparing for the Academic Job Market Oct 11 Hendricks Hall
Boston Career Forum Prep Seminar
Oct11
Boston Career Forum Prep Seminar Oct 11 Fenton Hall
How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair
Oct14
How to Be Ready for the BIG10 Academia Career Fair Oct 14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop
Oct14
How to: Resume and Cover Letter Tips Workshop Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics”
Oct14
Physical Chemistry Seminar: “Spectroscopic Studies of Nucleic Acid Structure, Dynamics and Photophysics” Oct 14 Willie and Donald Tykeson Hall
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?"
Oct14
History Pub Lecture Series: "Malaria Eradication in Africa, 1920-2020: A History of Failures, but What About the Present?" Oct 14 Whirled Pies Downtown
Department of History Coffee Hour
Oct15
Department of History Coffee Hour Oct 15 McKenzie Hall
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together
Oct15
Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Student Time Together Oct 15 Susan Campbell Hall
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars
Oct15
The Roots of Polarization: From the Racial Realignment to the Culture Wars Oct 15 William W. Knight Law Center

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