Understanding and caring for our planet requires an appreciation of the sweeping arc
from the solid earth, to freshwater and marine systems, to the relationship of humans
to those environments. Our mission at the School of the Earth, Ocean & Environment
is to achieve an understanding of Earth’s diverse environments and human relationships
through research, and to convey that understanding through education, and outreach
to the broader community.
Our Faculty
Our students have access to an unusually broad and diverse group of faculty , with more than 40 scholars from a range of synergistic disciplines. This diverse
platform for creative, interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues will help
equip you with the skills you need to address today's pressing environmental challenges.
Our Degrees and Programs
Depending on your field of interest, as an undergraduate , you can earn a B.A. in environmental studies, or a B.S. degree in marine science,
environmental science, geological sciences, or geophysics.
At the graduate level , we offer a Ph.D. and an M.S. in geological sciences or marine science; a Master
of Earth and Environmental Resources Management (MEERM) degree; and dual MEERM and
Juris Doctor degrees in collaboration with the USC School of Law . The latter is a streamlined program for students seeking both a Master’s and Law
degree.
Our Role on Campus and Beyond
The SEOE plays a primary role in promoting awareness of environmental issues on campus.
Sustainability matters to us and we take an active role in promoting it.
We reach beyond the campus in a multitude of activities. Students and faculty regularly
participate in outreach to schools and other public venues. We collaborate with federal
and state agencies and the private sector in research and education.
Our Goal
We must learn to use the wealth of our earth, oceans, and the environment wisely in
order to ensure a sustainable future for our children and generations beyond. Our
goal is to give our students the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and confidence
to take on leadership roles in this field.
Research Spotlight
More than 11,000 researchers from around the world issued a grim warning of the "untold
suffering" that will be caused by climate change if humanity doesn't change its ways. The group said that as scientists, they have
the "moral obligation to tell it like it is."
See what our own Dr. Z has to say about this latest report published in BioScience .
Watch WIS-TV interview .