What Should I Do if I’m interested in Earth Sciences?
Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability offers several different undergraduate majors, minors, and myriad introductory courses. There are six majors: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth System Science, Oceans, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Geophysics, Energy Science & Engineering, Earth Systems. Here are some suggestions for getting started that address both classes and other opportunities. Depending on your particular interests, you may want to take chemistry and calculus during your first year, as those may be prerequisites for other courses that interest you. Speak to your Academic Advisor for more information.
What Should I Do if I’m Interested in Earth Sciences?
Interested in understanding our planet’s history and its future, natural hazards that impact a growing population, the energy and resource base that supports society, a changing climate, and the challenge of sustainability? The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability offers five undergraduate majors and a myriad of opportunities that will prepare you to meet Earth’s challenges. Be sure to explore the programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Earth Systems, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Energy Science and Engineering, Geophysics, and Oceans.
Finding Courses
Take time during your first year to explore and find fields that speak to you.
- Apply for an Introductory Seminar. IntroSems are a great way to leap right into an interesting subject, and these small seminar settings give you the opportunity to develop a close relationship with a professor.
- Use keyword search in ExploreCourses to follow a thematic interest – such as energy, sustainability, environment, earth, or whatever occurs to you.
- Browse the prefixes in ExploreCourses for Doerr School of Sustainability programs: EARTHSYS, ENERGY, ENVRES, ESS, GEOLSCI, GEOPHYS, OCEANS, SUSTAIN, and SUST (Intro courses will typically have lower numbers).
- Check out classes offered through our Doerr School partners at the O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm and the Hopkins Marine Station. We offer unique immersive learning opportunities that deepen your educational experience.
- During autumn quarter, ask your Doerr School professors for course recommendations for the winter, spring, and summer, or meet with a student services officer or peer advisor in a department where you’d like to take a course
Interested in Research Opportunities?
Do innovative research that addresses real world challenges that our planet faces today at the Doerr School of Sustainability. Students have opportunities to participate in diverse research from the oceans to climate change, energy resources and the evolution of life. We help answer both the timely and the timeless questions. Learn more about doing research with the Doerr School. And, don’t be afraid to email faculty whose work you want to learn more about.
Interested in Field Opportunities?
At the Doerr School of Sustainability, students can engage in field courses and experiences in a variety of locations around the globe. You have access to a wide range of opportunities from one-credit classes to quarter long field experiences, and any special gear you might need is provided. Students have gone on field trips to Joshua Tree over spring break or Owens Valley over Memorial Day weekend. The school also runs a quarter in Hawaii program every other year. Keep an eye out to see specific times and places announced each quarter. Learn more about field courses and opportunities with the Doerr School.
More Opportunities with the Doerr School of Sustainability
- Attend a talk. Check out the Roble Living Laboratory for Sustainability at Stanford, which hosts the Hard Earth Speaker Series, where speakers present groundbreaking research across the disciplines on topics of sustainability. And sign up for the Earth Matters newsletter to stay up to date on science and insights from people who care about Earth, its resources, and its environment.
- Learn about career opportunities. Explore the wide range of careers School of Sustainability majors pursue and connect with professionals through the Stanford Alumni Mentoring Network. Check out Career Education for career coaching appointments and summer internships. The Haas Center for Public Service also offers resources for students interested in government or nonprofit.
Have Questions?
- Email sustainadvising@stanford.edu to talk with a Sustainability Peer Advisor.
- Subscribe to one of the School of Sustainability's newsletters or social media accounts to get notified about events and opportunities.
Interested in the Environment?
If you are a sophomore or junior and you are interested in the environment, there are several additional opportunities you might want to investigate.
Udall Scholarship
The Udall Scholarship is for sophomores and juniors who intend to become leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaskan Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.
Be prepared to submit an application in January of your sophomore or junior year, but begin talking to faculty and the Udall advisor well before that.
More details about the Udall, including contact information.
Mel Lane Student Grants Program
The Mel Lane grants are organized by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and allow students to propose a project to enact change for increased sustainability (but do not support thesis research or other academic requirements). These are often team grants. Expect a deadline in late fall quarter.