The Geochemistry and Environmental Chemistry concentration offers two different emphases. Low-temperature geochemistry involves study of chemical and biochemical processes on and near Earth’s surface, including land, oceans and freshwater bodies, and how the geochemical record reflects climate conditions. High-temperature geochemistry includes study of the formation and evolution of the Earth and other planets, magma formation and properties, volcanic activity, and metamorphism.
Both A.B. and Sc.B. degrees are offered, requiring 12 and 19 courses, respectively. These degrees build skills in critical thinking, data analysis and modeling, finding solutions to complex problems, and written and oral communication. DEEPS provides a highly collaborative learning environment that emphasizes process-oriented, hands-on approaches in the classroom, in labs and on field trips. There are many opportunities for students to do paid research during the summer or academic year.
Students interested in this concentration may also wish to consider related concentrations: Earth, Climate and Biology, Geophysics and Climate Physics, and Earth and Planetary Science.
Standard program for the A.B. degree
This program is recommended for students interested in applying chemical and physical principles toward an understanding of Earth and planetary history and processes, and environmental and resource issues, while pursuing diverse academic goals. The program prepares students for careers in environmental science, Earth and planetary science, and global change. Some course requirements may be flexible based on consultation with the concentration advisor.
Note - For students still enrolled with the prior Concentration in Geology-Chemistry A.B., please refer to the Archived Bulletin link on left hand navigation for your requirements for the year you declared.
| Three basic supporting science courses | ||
| CHEM 0330 | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| Two courses to build quantitative skills: | 2 | |
| Statistical Analysis of Biological Data | ||
or APMA 1650 | Statistical Inference I | |
| Single Variable Calculus, Part I (or higher) | ||
| Engineering Statics and Dynamics (or higher) | ||
| Computing Foundations: Data (or higher) | ||
| Applied Ordinary Differential Equations (or higher) | ||
| Foundations of Mechanics (or higher) | ||
| Nine Concentration courses | ||
| Two of these four fundamentals courses: | 2 | |
| Understanding Earth and Environmental Processes | ||
| Geochemistry: Earth and Planetary Materials and Processes | ||
| Earth: Evolution of a Habitable Planet | ||
| Computational Approaches to Modelling and Quantitative Analysis in Natural Sciences: An Introduction | ||
| Three additional chemistry courses such as: | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Two courses from the following: | 2 | |
| Mineralogy | ||
| Petrology | ||
| Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Two additional upper-level EEPS courses or substitutes with approval from the concentration advisor. | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Standard program for the Sc.B. degree
This program is recommended for students interested in more in-depth study in geochemistry, climate science, planetary science and related fields, potentially including graduate school and wide-ranging careers in these areas. Some course requirements may be flexible based on consultation with the concentration advisor.
Note - For students still enrolled with the prior Concentration in Geology-Chemistry Sc.B., please refer to the Archived Bulletin link on left hand navigation for your requirements for the year you declared.
| Basic Supporting Science Courses: | ||
| CHEM 0330 | Equilibrium, Rate, and Structure | 1 |
| Four courses to build quantitative skills: | 4 | |
| Single Variable Calculus, Part I (or higher) | ||
| Statistical Analysis of Biological Data | ||
or APMA 1650 | Statistical Inference I | |
| Computing Foundations: Data | ||
| Engineering Statics and Dynamics (or higher) | ||
| Applied Ordinary Differential Equations (or higher) | ||
| Foundations of Mechanics (or higher) | ||
| Computational Approaches to Modelling and Quantitative Analysis in Natural Sciences: An Introduction | ||
| Fourteen Concentration Courses | ||
| EEPS 0220 | Understanding Earth and Environmental Processes | 1 |
| EEPS 0230 | Geochemistry: Earth and Planetary Materials and Processes | 1 |
| EEPS 0240 | Earth: Evolution of a Habitable Planet | 1 |
| EEPS 1370 | Environmental Geochemistry | 1 |
| EEPS 1410 | Mineralogy | 1 |
| Three additional chemistry courses such as: | 3 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Two upper level courses from EEPS such as | 2 | |
| Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | ||
| Environmental Stable Isotopes | ||
| Petrology | ||
| Three additional upper-level science or math courses with approval from the concentration advisor | 3 | |
| EEPS 1970 | Individual Study of Geologic Problems | 1 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |