Undergraduate Program

Our undergraduate program offers exposure to a broad range of science disciplines, technology, and applications to environmental and economic endeavors. You’ll experience an unparalleled undergraduate research environment and exciting learning experiences outside the classroom in our tight-knit community with a low student-to-faculty ratio.

These are intellectually exciting times for Earth and planetary sciences — unprecedented in their importance to contemporary society. Our department is driven to better understand the consequences of human activities for the Earth’s atmosphere, the oceans, the solid Earth, and the organisms that live on it.

As a student in Earth and Planetary Sciences, you’ll take on these critical questions and challenges with our interdisciplinary approach, all under the guidance of dedicated faculty at the forefront of their field.

Career Paths

Our graduates possess a strong set of interdisciplinary skills and are equipped to pursue a diverse range of career paths spanning the private, government, and academic sectors, including:

  • Research and environmental litigation at NASA, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency, and the Environmental Protection Agency
  • Public service and administration such as environmental monitoring and analysis, operation and management of environmental facilities
  • Leadership and direction of companies in the renewable and fossil energy sectors
  • Entrepreneurial development of companies specializing in resources, natural hazards, waste repositories, cleanup, and environmental impacts
  • Graduate study in sciences, law, business, and medicine

Curriculum Requirements

We focus on a broad intellectual foundation that is beyond what is typically possible in a “pure” science program. Find out everything you need to know about concentration and secondary field requirements.

Courses

Our course offerings span the boundaries between biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, mathematics, and the Earth sciences themselves.

Undergraduate Research

Find out how you can get paid or receive course credit by working with faculty and graduate students on major research projects.

Field Opportunities

Gain real-world field experience during summer, winter break, on a class field trip, or on our annual department-funded field trip.

Senior Thesis

With guidance from our EPS faculty, you can turn your original research into a senior thesis, gaining invaluable experience and contributing to our vital field.

Why EPS? Find out in the “Green Book”

In Harvard’s senior survey, EPS consistently ranks at the top in student satisfaction. Explore the Green Book (PDF) to compare all your options in environmental sciences.

Meet Our Students

Just like our interdisciplinary approach to Earth and planetary sciences, we are a deeply connected department. Our students are an integral part of the innovative research that happens here every day.

Meet Our Students