Earth Science

The Earth Science program at Rice University offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding our planet's complex systems and processes. Designed for students passionate about exploring the Earth's physical properties, history, and dynamic processes, this program provides a solid foundation in geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, and environmental science. Students will engage in rigorous coursework that combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, and field investigations, enabling them to develop critical analytical skills and a deep understanding of Earth's structure, composition, and evolution.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to work closely with distinguished faculty members who are leaders in their fields. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing graduates for careers in environmental consulting, natural resource management, hazard assessment, and research. In addition to classroom learning, students participate in hands-on experiments, field trips, and research projects that foster experiential understanding of geological formations, climate systems, and ocean dynamics.

Rice University's state-of-the-art facilities support student research and learning, including advanced laboratories, seismic and geophysical instrumentation, and access to extensive field sites across Texas and beyond. The program also encourages undergraduate research and offers opportunities for internships and collaborations with industry partners, government agencies, and research institutions. Graduates of the Earth Science program are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to address some of the most pressing environmental and geological challenges facing society today, such as climate change, natural disasters, and resource sustainability.

With a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and technological proficiency, the Earth Science program at Rice University prepares students not only for immediate employment but also for advanced study in geosciences, environmental policy, and related fields. Upon completing the program, students will have a broad understanding of Earth's systems, the ability to analyze geological and environmental data, and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to scientific research and societal problem-solving.

Students pursuing the BS degree with a major in Earth Science (ESCI) must complete:

• A minimum of 20-22 courses (69-73 credit hours) depending on course selection to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 129-133 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• The requirements for one area of specialization (listed below)

The ESCI areas of specialization are listed below:

• Geology Specialization 
• Geochemistry Specialization 
• Geophysics Specialization 
• Environmental Earth Science Specialization 
• Self-Designed Specialization 

CORE REQUIREMENTS 

Students must complete a total of 14-16 courses (45 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the Earth Science major's Core Requirements.

• MATH 101 Single Variable Calculus I [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 102 Single Variable Calculus II  [ 3 credit hours ]
• CHEM 121 General Chemistry I [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 123 General Chemistry Lab I [ 1 credit hour ] 
      or CHEM 151 Honors Chemistry I [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 153 Honors Chemistry Lab I [ 1 credit hour ] 
• CHEM 122 General Chemistry II [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 124 General Chemistry Lab II [ 1 credit hour ] 
      or CHEM 152 Honors Chem. II [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 154 Honors Chem. Lab II [ 1 credit hour]  
• PHYS 101 Mechanics (with Lab) [ 4 credit hours ] and PHYS 103 Mechanics Discussion [ 0 credit ] 
      or PHYS 111 Mechanics (with Lab) [ 4 credit hours ] 
• PHYS 102 Electricity & Magnetism (with Lab) [ 4 crdit hours ] and PHYS 104 E & M Discussion [ 0 credit ] 
      or PHYS 112 Electricity and Magnetism (with Lab) [ 4 credit hours ]
• ESCI 301 Introduction to the Earth [ 4 credit hours ]
• ESCI 321 Earth System Evolution and Cycles [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 322 Earth Chemistry and Materials [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 323 Earth Structure and Deformation [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 324 Earth’s Interior [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 334 Geological Techniques [ 3 credit hours ] 

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
To fulfill the remaining ESCI major requirements, students must complete the requirements for one of the following areas of specialization.

GEOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

Students must complete a total of 8 courses (24 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the requirements for the Geology specialization.

Required Courses 
Students must complete a total of 4 courses (12 credit hours) as listed below.

• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 390 Geology Field Camp [ at least 3 hours ]
• COMP 110/NSCI 230 Computation in Natural Science [ 3 credit hours ] 
      or CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 412 Advanced Petrology [ 3 credit hours ] 
      or ESCI 430 Principles of Trace-Element and Isotope Geochemistry [ 3 credit hours ]

Electives
To fulfill the remaining Geology specialization requirements students must complete a total of 4 additional courses (12 credit hours) from the following two groups. 2 courses must be completed from Group A and Group B.

Group A  

• ESCI 421 Paleoceanography [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 427 Sequence Stratigraphy [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 431 Geomorphology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 435 Mechanics of Sediment Transport [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 504 Siliciclastic Depositional Systems [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 506 Carbonate Depositional Systems [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 552 Marine Geology Systems [ 3 credit hours ]

Group B  

• ESCI 410 Optical Mineralogy and Petrography [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 418/CEVE 418 Quantitative Hydrogeology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 419 Materials Characterization [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 426 Interpretation of Regional 2D Seismic Data [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 429 Magmatic, Volcanic and Hydrothermal Processes [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 442 Exploration Geophysics [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 463 Structure and Evolution of Tectonic Systems [ 4 credit hours ]
• ESCI 464 Global Tectonics [ 3 credit hours ]   
• ESCI 467 Geomechanics [ 3 credit hours ]

GEOCHEMISTRY SPECIALIZATION

Students must complete a total of 9 courses (27 credit hours) as listed below to satisfy the requirements for the Geochemistry specialization.

Required Courses 
Students must complete the following 3 courses (9 credit hours):

• BIOC 201 Introductory Biology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 391 Earth Science Field Experience [ at least 3 credit hours ] 

Electives
To fulfill the remaining requirements for the Geochemistry specialization, students must complete a total of 6 additional courses (18 credit hours) as listed below.

Geochemistry Specialization Electives in Earth Science
Students must complete a total of 4 courses (12 credit hours) from the following: 

• ESCI 340/EBIO 340/ENST 340 Global Biogeochemical Cycles [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 410 Optical Mineralogy and Petrography [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 412 Advanced Petrology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 419 Materials Characterization [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 421 Paleoceanography [ 3 credit hours ]   
• ESCI 425/CHEM 425/ENST 425 Organic Geochemistry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 426 Interpretation of Regional 2D Seismic Data [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 429 Magmatic, Volcanic and Hydrothermal Processes [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 430 Principles of Trace-Element and Isotope Geochemistry [ 3 credit hours ]

Geochemistry Electives
Students must complete a total of 2-4 courses (6 credit hours) depending on course selection from the following or from any departmental (ESCI) course offerings at the 300-level or above.

• BIOC 211 Intermediate Experimental Biosciences [ 2 credit hours ] 
• CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ]
• CEVE 401 Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science Lab [ 4 credit hours ] 
• CEVE 434/534 Fate and Transport of Contaminants of the Environment [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CEVE 550 Environmental Organic Chemistry [ 3 credit hours ]  
• CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 213 Organic Chemistry Discussion [ 0 credit ] 
• CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 214 Organic Chemistry Discussion II [ 0 credit ] 
• CHEM 310 Physical Chemistry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CHEM 415 Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CHEM 495 Transition Metal Chemistry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• COMP 110/NSCI 230 Computation Science and Engineering [ 3 credit hours ]
• EBIO 202 Introductory Biology II [ 3 credit hours ]  
• MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus [ 3 credit hours ] 

GEOPHYSICS SPECIALIZATION 

Students must complete a total of 10 courses (28 credit hours) to satisfy the requirements for the Geophysics specialization. Courses chosen from ESCI course offerings must be 3 credit hours or more.

Required Courses
Students must complete a total of 6 courses (16 credit hours) as listed below.

• COMP 110/NSCI 230 Computation in Natural Science [ 3 credit hours ] 
      or CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 391 Earth Science Field Experience [ at least 3 credit hours ]
• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus [ 3 credit hours ] 
• PHYS 201 Waves and Optics [ 3 credit hours ] 
• PHYS 231 Elementary Physics Lab II [ 1 credit hour ] 

Electives
To fulfill the remaining requirements for the Geophysics specialization, students must complete a total of 4 courses (12 credit hours) as listed below.

ESCI Upper-Level Electives
Students must complete a total of 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following:

• ESCI 418/CEVE 418 Quantitative Hydrogeology [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 426 Interpretation of Regional 2D Seismic Data [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 440 Geophysical Data Analysis: Digital Signal Processing [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 441 Geophysical Data Analysis: Inverse Methods [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 442 Exploration Geophysics [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 450/CEVE 450 Remote Sensing [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 452 GIS for Scientists [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 461 Seismology I [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 462 Tectonophysics [ 3 credit hours 
• ESCI 463 Tectonic Systems [ 4 credit hours ]
• ESCI 464 Global Tectonics [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 467 Geomechanics [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 542 Seismology II [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 564 Seismic Reflection Data Processing [ 3 credit hours ]

Geophysics Specialization Electives 
Students must complete a total 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following:

• Any course from ESCI course offerings between ESCI 410 and ESCI 475, except for research and special studies
• Any course from MATH, CAAM, or PHYS course offerings at the 300-level or above
• CHEM 311 Physical Chemistry [ 3 credit hours ]

ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

Students must complete a total of 8-9 courses (27 credit hours) depending on course selection as listed below to satisfy the requirements for the Earth Science specialization.

Required Courses 
Students must complete a total of 5 courses (16 credit hours) as listed below.

• BIOC 201 Introductory Biology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• COMP 110/NSCI 230 Computation in Natural Science [ 3 credit hours ] 
      or CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 391 Earth Science Field Experience [ at least 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ]  
• STAT 280 Elementary Applied Statistics [ 4 credit hours ]

Electives
Students must complete a total of 3-4 courses (11 credit hours) depending on course selection from the following. At least 2 courses (6 credit hours) must be taken from ESCI course offerings.

• CEVE 401 Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science Lab [ 4 credit hours ] 
• CEVE 406/ENST 406 Introduction to Environmental Law [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CEVE 412 Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CEVE 434 Fate and Transport of Contaminants in the Environment [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I [ 3 credit hours ] and CHEM 213 Organic Chemistry Discussion [ 0 credit ] 
• CHEM 310 Physical Chemistry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• EBIO 202 Introductory Biology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 340/EBIO 340/ENST 340 Global Biogeochemical Cycles [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 410 Optical Mineralogy and Petrography [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 418 Quantitative Hydrogeology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 419 Materials Characterization [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 421 Paleoceanography [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 425/CHEM 425/ENST 425 Organic Geochemistry [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 426 Interpretation of Regional 2d Seismic Data [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 429 Magmatic, Volcanic and Hydrothermal Processes [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 431 Geomorphology [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 435 Mechanics of Sediment Transport [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 442 Exploration Geophysics [ 4 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 452 GIS for Scientists [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 463 Structure and Evolution of Tectonic Systems [ 4 credit hours ]
• ESCI 467 Geomechanics [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 504 Siliciclastic Depositional Systems [ 3 credit hours ]
• ESCI 506 Carbonate Depositional Systems [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 540 Earth's Atmosphere [ 3 credit hours ] 
• ESCI 552 Marine Geology Systems [ 3 credit hours ]
• PHYS 201 Waves and Optics [ 3 credit hours ] 
• PHYS 231 Elementary Physics Lab II [ 1 credit hour ]

SELF-DESIGNED SPECIALIZATION

The department recognizes the interdisciplinary nature of modern earth science and the opportunity for students to specialize in nontraditional and emerging fields. Therefore, students can design their own specialty track, normally in close consultation with one faculty member and followed by approval from the department’s undergraduate advisor. In addition to required earth science courses and related courses, these tracks will generally comprise 18 additional hours that target a coherent theme from an approved list of 300- or higher-level courses, from inside or outside the department. Interested students are expected to submit a statement of rationale by the beginning of their third year.

Electives
To fulfill the Electives requirement for the Self-Designed Specialization, students must complete 9 courses (27 credit hours) as listed below.  

Earth Science Field Experience 
Students must complete the following course:

• ESCI 391 Earth Science Field Experience [ at least 3 credit hours ]

Self-Designed Electives 
Students must complete 2 courses (6 credit hours) from the following:

• BIOC 201 Introductory Biology [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CAAM 210 Introduction to Engineering Computation [ 3 credit hours ] 
• CHEM 311 Physical Chemistry I  [ 3 credit hours ]
• CHEM 312 Physical Chemistry II  [ 3 credit hours ]
• COMP 110/NSCI 230 Computation in Natural Science [ 3 credit hours ]  
• MATH 211 Ordinary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra [ 3 credit hours ] 
• MATH 212 Multivariable Calculus [ 3 credit hours ] 
• PHYS 201 Waves and Optics [ 3 credit hours ] 

Directed Electives in Self-Designed Specialization
Students must complete a total of 6 courses (18 credit hours) at the 300-level or higher targeting a coherent theme selected with the approval of the department's undergraduate advisor.

• The Coalition Application, or theCommon Application and Rice Writing Supplement, or the Universal College Application and the Rice Supplement
• $75 nonrefundable application fee orfee waiver
• Official high school transcript. Transcripts must be submitted by your high school and will not be accepted by fax or email.
• Official Test Scores: either the SAT and two Subject Tests related to your proposed area of study, or the ACT.
• School Report (counselor recommendation)
• One Teacher Evaluation (teacher recommendation)
• Midyear Report (to be submitted when senior midyear grades become available)
• The Rice International Student Financial Statement
• If English is not your first language or your language of instruction in school, you must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

Rice University will offer need-based financial aid to a limited number of international undergraduate applicants entering Fall 2017. Citizens of foreign countries who apply under Early Decision or Regular Decision and request need-based aid will be reviewed as a separate group.

The Earth Science program at Rice University offers students a comprehensive education in the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape our planet. This program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in geology, environmental science, geophysics, and atmospheric sciences, preparing them for careers in research, environmental consulting, resource exploration, and policy development. The curriculum combines rigorous coursework with hands-on laboratory and field work, emphasizing practical skills and real-world applications. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced laboratories, seismic imaging equipment, and geological sample collections, enabling immersive learning experiences. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering to address complex earth system challenges such as climate change, natural resource management, and earthquake hazards. Faculty members are active researchers who often collaborate on national and international projects, offering students opportunities to participate in ongoing research initiatives. The university's location near Houston, a major hub for the energy industry and environmental organizations, provides valuable internship and employment opportunities. Rice University emphasizes a collaborative academic environment, fostering mentorship and innovation among students and faculty. Graduates of the Earth Science program are well-equipped to pursue advanced degrees or enter professional fields, contributing to sustainable development and scientific understanding of Earth's processes. The program's commitment to experiential learning, research excellence, and community engagement reflects Rice University's mission to educate leaders who will make a positive impact on society through earth sciences.