Earth & Environmental Science
Planet Earth as a system: geology, climate, water resources, geophysics, and GIS.
34 Topics
Atmospheric Science
This discipline studies the Earth's atmosphere, its chemical processes, and its interactions with the oceans and land. Learners will understand the physical principles driving weather patterns, climate variability, and atmospheric composition.
Biodiversity & Conservation
This field studies the variety of life on Earth and the methods used to protect threatened species and habitats. Learners will understand ecological relationships, the drivers of biodiversity loss, and scientific strategies for habitat restoration and species preservation.
Climate Change
Climate change examines the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies associated with global warming. Learners will understand the scientific mechanisms of climate disruption, evaluate future projections, and analyze ecological, economic, and societal adaptation strategies.
Climate Science
This topic introduces the fundamental physical and chemical principles driving Earth's climate system. Learners will understand the greenhouse effect, carbon cycles, atmospheric circulation, and the scientific evidence behind global temperature changes and extreme weather patterns.
Ecology & Ecosystems
Ecology and ecosystems study the interactions between organisms and their physical environments. Learners will understand energy flow, nutrient cycling, population dynamics, and how ecosystems respond to natural disturbances and human-induced environmental changes.
Energy & Renewables
This topic covers global energy systems, focusing on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Learners will understand the operation of solar, wind, and bioenergy systems, alongside energy storage technologies and the infrastructure required for sustainable power.
Environmental Policy & Law
This subject explores the legal frameworks and policy instruments used to address environmental degradation. Learners will understand how environmental statutes, treaties, and regulatory agencies function to protect air, water, endangered species, and public health.
Environmental Science
This field examines the interactions between physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. Learners will understand human impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity loss, and the scientific principles behind sustainability and conservation strategies.
GIS & Remote Sensing
This technical field covers the acquisition, visualization, and analysis of spatial data using satellite imagery and geographic information systems. Learners will develop skills to map geographic features and analyze spatial patterns.
Geology & Plate Tectonics
This field studies the Earth's solid materials and the large-scale movements of its lithospheric plates. Learners will understand the mechanisms driving continental drift, mountain building, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and rock formation.
Geomorphology
Geomorphology investigates the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical, or biological processes. Learners will analyze how wind, water, and ice shape landscapes over geological time.
Geophysics
This discipline applies physical principles to study the Earth's structure, composition, and dynamic processes. Learners will understand seismic wave propagation, gravity and magnetic fields, and how to image the subsurface for resource exploration.
Historical Geology
This subject explores the geological history of Earth and the evolution of life through the rock and fossil record. Learners will understand geological time scales, major extinction events, and continental reconstructions.
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the distribution, movement, and quality of water across the Earth. Learners will understand the water cycle, groundwater flow, watershed management, and how to address water scarcity and flooding issues.
Hydrology & Water Resources
This field examines the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth, alongside its management. Learners will analyze the hydrological cycle, groundwater flow, watershed dynamics, and sustainable water allocation strategies.
Introduction to Earth Science
This foundational course covers the interconnected systems of the Earth, including the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Learners will understand basic geological processes, weather systems, and the planet's place in the solar system.
Introduction to Earth Sciences
This introductory study examines the physical processes shaping the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere. Learners will understand the fundamental principles of geology, meteorology, and oceanography, and how these systems interact globally.
Meteorology
Meteorology focuses on the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere to understand and predict weather phenomena. Learners will analyze atmospheric data, interpret weather maps, and understand the mechanisms behind storms, fronts, and daily weather patterns.
Meteorology & Climatology
This field studies the Earth's atmosphere, weather patterns, and long-term climate systems. Learners will understand atmospheric thermodynamics, weather forecasting techniques, and the natural and anthropogenic drivers of global climate change.
Mineralogy
This branch of geology studies the chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Learners will understand how minerals form, how to identify them in the field and laboratory, and their industrial and geological significance.
Mineralogy & Petrology
This discipline focuses on the chemical composition, crystalline structure, and formation of minerals and rocks. Learners will identify major rock-forming minerals and analyze the igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary processes that create them.
Natural Hazards & Disasters
This subject analyzes the physical causes and human impacts of extreme natural events. Learners will understand the mechanics of earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and hurricanes, alongside risk assessment and disaster mitigation strategies.
Oceanography
Oceanography explores the physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects of the world's oceans. Learners will understand marine ecosystems, ocean currents, seafloor topography, and the ocean's critical role in regulating global climate.
Paleontology
Paleontology is the study of prehistoric life through the analysis of plant and animal fossils. Learners will understand evolutionary history, ancient ecosystems, and the methods used to date fossils and reconstruct past environments on Earth.
Petroleum Geology & Engineering
Where the barrel comes from and what turns it into products: source rocks and traps, seismic, drilling and well control, reservoir drive mechanisms and recovery factors, production engineering and artificial lift, then distillation, cracking and refinery economics. Learners will be able to follow a well from prospect to product slate and explain why a shut-in is expensive.
Physical Geology
This course examines the materials composing the Earth and the internal and external processes that shape its surface. Learners will understand plate tectonics, rock cycles, weathering, erosion, and the formation of landforms.
Plate Tectonics
This geological theory explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates and the resulting geological features. Learners will understand the mechanisms driving continental drift, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountain ranges and ocean basins.
Pollution & Waste
This subject covers the sources, transport, and environmental impacts of chemical, physical, and biological pollutants. Learners will understand waste management systems, toxicology, and engineering methods used to remediate contaminated soil, water, and air.
Sedimentology & Stratigraphy
This field studies the formation, transport, and deposition of sediments, alongside the correlation of rock layers. Learners will analyze sedimentary structures to reconstruct past environments and interpret the geological history of a region.
Soil & Agriculture
This topic covers soil formation, chemistry, and biology in relation to agricultural productivity. Learners will understand soil conservation techniques, nutrient cycling, and sustainable farming practices that preserve soil health and food security.
Structural Geology
This branch of geology investigates the deformation of Earth's crust and the resulting geological structures. Learners will analyze faults, folds, and joints to reconstruct tectonic forces and locate underground resources like water and hydrocarbons.
Sustainability & Green Tech
This field focuses on developing and applying technology to conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impact. Learners will understand renewable energy systems, waste management technologies, and sustainable manufacturing processes to design eco-friendly solutions.
Sustainability & Policy
This subject examines the laws, regulations, and economic frameworks used to address environmental degradation. Learners will understand how governments and organizations design, implement, and evaluate policies to promote sustainable development and resource conservation.
Water Resources
Water resources engineering focuses on the management, distribution, and treatment of water. Students analyze hydrological cycles, design hydraulic structures like dams and channels, model watershed behavior, and develop strategies for flood control and water supply.
