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The BS in Earth Sciences provides a strong foundation for understanding and improving the utilization of land, water, and atmospheric resources. The program emphasizes a wide range of disciplines in natural resources and in the cultures that use and modify them. The core of the earth sciences curriculum is composed of soil science, geography, and geology, and is strengthened by a diverse array of related topical and technical specialties.

The Earth Sciences major provides detailed and thorough training in the natural and cultural processes that govern the relationship between humans and their habitats. The program also furnishes students the marketable expertise to assess, repair, and improve this fragile relationship while acquiring a well rounded education in both the natural and social sciences. In addition, majors can meet the educational requirements for professional certification in a number of areas and will find their training ideal for graduate school preparation in a number of related disciplines.

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the Earth Sciences major, students have access to diverse faculty and laboratories in the various colleges. The degree program, itself, is administered by the Soil Science department, within the College of Agriculture. The department and its students have access to several thousand acres of agricultural, forest, and range land managed by this school. Additionally, California's Central Coast offers a diverse environmental and cultural setting for real-world training and experiences in the earth sciences.

Undergraduate students majoring in Earth Sciences will earn the credentials for useful careers in resource assessment and administration. They will graduate with a substantial and well rounded education in the natural and social sciences. Moreover, Earth Sciences graduates will possess the understanding, flexibility, and tools to appreciate and adapt to a changing world and its employment opportunities.