FAQs

Will I get a good job with an Earth Science degree?

Yes! Obviously, no one is guaranteed a job :(  But Earth Science majors are on average among the most highly paid college graduates [see this link] across a range of employment types. Geoscience graduates often find themselves in jobs that involve spatial reasoning, data analysis, practical application of theoretical skills, travel, and a good balance of desk work with outdoor site visits. If any/all of that sounds appealing, you should be considering this career path! See here for a list of geoscience job sites.

Do you have to know what emphasis you want to go into to start the major?

You do have to select an emphasis to join the major, but you can change your emphasis at any time. There is a set of lower-division and upper-division courses that are required for all the emphases, so even if you are unsure of what emphasis you want to pursue when you join the major, you can take these core courses while you decide on an emphasis. If you think you might want to change emphases after joining the major, just be aware of what the course requirements are for the different emphases, to make sure you meet the requirements for whatever emphasis you ultimately choose.

Who do I go to with my major-related questions?

Your first port of call should be Shannon Dalton (sdalton@geol.ucsb.edu), and you can also ask your faculty advisor, if you have been assigned one. The Department of Undergraduate Education also have lots of helpful resources.

Do you need to go camping to be a geoscience major?

No. There are several routes through the major that comprise classes involving no camping at all, because many disciplines in the geosciences don't involve regular fieldwork. Fieldwork can be and has been a formational event for many geoscientists, however, so our department aims to provide a safe and comfortable outdoor experience for all students interested in our field offerings. We have several classes that involve field trips (some of which entail staying in cabins, others in tents) that we are actively revising to be more accessible. We also have lots of shared gear that will allow you to participate in those classes without having to buy yourself any extra kit, if that would help you. Several of our classes connect field-based research to computational and lab-based learning.

Do you need to complete physically strenuous hikes/fieldwork  or go to remote locations on your own to be a geoscience major?

No and no! As above, while we do have some classes in our department that involve getting out into the field and hiking around for geological mapping (and to experience geologic structures/outcrops in person), none of these classes is required to make it through the major. We welcome majors with the full spectrum of physical abilities, and we recognize that not everyone feels equally comfortable (or are equally safe in our society) in all fieldwork locations. Even within our more field-intensive tracks/classes, we are extremely flexible in adapting activities/assignments to suit individuals' needs and abilities. For the parts of the major that do involve fieldwork, we see it as our responsibility to continue the work of making the outdoors a more inclusive space in light of historical and ongoing inequities, and we work to create an environment where all of our students feel they belong.  

Is there somewhere I can rent out gear for field trips if I don’t have everything I need?

Yes! There are several options:

1. The Department of Earth Science has a gear lending agreement with Adventure Programs. Through this program, the department will cover the cost of any gear rentals related to Earth Science courses. To use the program, please contact Shannon Dalton and let her know what gear you need to borrow and what class trip you need the gear for. You can find a list of gear that AP rents here.

2. The UCSB Muckers manage a Gear Library that can be accessed by emailing Geol-muckers@ucsb.edu. The Muckers lend gear for field trips, camping trips, and any Earth Science related work.

3. The Excursion Club at UCSB offers gear rentals to club members.

Also, don’t worry at all about having the latest and most fashionable clothing or gear - the whole point of geology is to do science, not to look like a Patagonia model. As long as you are going to be protected from the elements (heat/rain/cold/ankle support) and comfortable, you’re doing well

How do I get involved in research?

Email a faculty member whose research you are interested in. There is actually a list of Earth Science department research projects here. You can also look into projects advertised across the university through the Faculty Research Assistance Program. Also browse around in here. You can also talk to graduate students about whether they need research assistance. Be warned, however, sometimes faculty/grads will not have any projects available, and sometimes there will be important prerequisites (courses or skills) that you might not yet have. It helps to be patient and persistent - ask to get involved early and often! No one will be annoyed or offended at your interest. Also be flexible; you may ideally want to work on a hydrology project, but actually a geochemistry project would provide you with useful applied skills and still be a lot of fun. Recognize, also, that research will take a lot of time - it is not uncommon to spend up to 10 hours a week on this (although you can also spend as little as 1 hr/week; be explicit about your time availability with the prospective faculty research advisor). So before you commit to a project, ask yourself realistically if you can balance this commitment with your many other courses, extra-curriculars, and employment if applicable.

What is a senior honors thesis?

A senior honors thesis is a year long research project with a faculty member. You enroll in a four credit course each quarter (EARTH 196). A minimum overall and major GPA of 3.2 is required to complete a thesis. The form of the research project and final thesis is decided between the student and faculty advisors, but students typically write-up an in-depth final report (think ~30 pages) on the research they completed. This will typically be due in the Spring quarter, but individual schedules can be accommodated. Students who complete a senior thesis receive “Distinction in the Major”. Please see the Senior thesis handbook for details on the thesis program.

How do I figure out the difference between the different emphases and which is best for me?

Read the various pamphlets on each geo-emphasis on our department website. They give a nice overview of what each emphasis will allow you to concentrate on, what courses the emphases require/include, and what career prospects each emphasis most naturally might lead to. However, don’t be too concerned about the emphasis pigeon-holing you into a sub-field; it is normal to focus on one area at undergrad and then switch focus for a job or for graduate school. This website also includes names and emails of the individual emphasis faculty advisors, who can give you more information on each emphasis and why you might want to consider it (or avoid it!)

Can I study abroad as an Earth Science major or participate in other opportunities outside of UCSB?

Yes! Please speak with Shannon Dalton (sdalton@geol.ucsb.edu) to discuss your options and to make sure you are taking the proper courses while abroad or at another institution. If you plan to use courses taken abroad to satisfy your major requirements, be sure to discuss this before you leave, as many of the courses offered through EAP programs do not correlate with our course requirements.

Are there any scholarships available to cover course and field-related expenses?

ASK SHANNON (sdalton@geol.ucsb.edu)

What’s the difference between a Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Arts in Earth Science?

Take a look at the emphasis pamphlets and the requirements for the various B.S. emphases and the B.A. on this webpage. In short: the B.A. is an option that requires slightly fewer credits and allows more flexibility in upper-division courses in comparison to the B.S.. The B.S. is the degree you get if you do an “emphasis” within the Earth Sciences, and is a slightly more prestigious degree sitting on your CV. The B.A. is a great solution if you don’t have the time (e.g. because you are a late-declaring major) to fulfil the requirements for the B.S. within any emphasis or simply want to take courses in the Earth Sciences that satisfy your interests rather than making sure you tick all the boxes of an emphasis. Think of the main distinction as breadth (B.A.) versus depth (B.S.).

Does our department offer a BS/MS program to get my Bachelors and Masters degrees in 5 years?

The department offers a five-year B.S./M.S. degree program in Earth Science. The five-year B.S./M.S. degree program provides exceptional undergraduates with the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in combination with their work towards a bachelor’s degree. Students interested in enrolling in this program are advised to complete as much of their undergraduate course requirements as possible by the end of their 3rd year. In the 4th year, students act as both a senior undergraduate and a first-year master's student, then transition to full-time graduate work in their 5th year. Interested students should contact the undergraduate and graduate student coordinator as early as possible in their degree program. Applications are due in the Spring quarter of a student's junior year and a GPA > 3.3 is required to enter the program.

Are there resources for Undocumented Students?

The Earth Science Department is pleased to host the Monarch Opportunity Scholarship, a new program for undergraduate students who are undocumented Americans. Thanks to generous matching funds from UCSB, we will offer at least one $3000 scholarship each year, and possibly more depending on applications. The goal of this scholarship is to provide career development opportunities to students who would otherwise be ineligible for existing programs and for whom the associated time commitment would otherwise present a financial hardship. Successful applicants will conduct research projects with our department’s faculty and/or graduate student advisors. Eligibility is limited to students who are not eligible for federal work study, but who are eligible for the AB 540 exemption. Students can verify their eligibility for the program by checking the Professional Experience Opportunity section of their Financial Aid Offer via My Aid Status. Feel free to pass this information on to friends and classmates. 

To apply, go to https://bit.ly/MOSEarthSci where you will find more information. You can also contact Rosa Salamanca (rosasalamanca@ucsb.edu), the Director of UCSB Undocumented Student Services, who is a confidential resource.