College of the Pacific

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences

“Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.”
                                                           – Will Durant

Opportunities for learning in the outdoors: Most of our courses include one or more field trips: some one-day; others two-, three-, or four-days long. At a minimum, majors will study and explore areas including the California coast, the Mojave Desert and Death Valley, Owens Valley, Klamath Mountains, Yosemite and Sierra Nevada, and the southern Cascades and Modoc Plateau before graduation.

Close-knit community: Earth & Environmental Science classes are small and laboratory sessions are taught by faculty. All courses offer active learning opportunities in the laboratory and/or field experiences that encourage both informal and formal interactions. Together, these aspects foster a close-knit environment between students and faculty in our Department that is ideal for exploring the Earth and the environment.

Active, hands-on education: The Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences emphasizes a hands-on, field-oriented approach to the study of geology and environmental science. Our department offers a wide variety of exciting research, outreach & service, and field-based opportunities & experiences.