Our Mission
It is our mission to be the premier undergraduate Earth and Soil Sciences program in the nation, by providing excellent science-based classroom and laboratory instruction as well as outstanding undergraduate research opportunities in the fields of earth and soil sciences. We also aim to promote a broader understanding of our natural environment by providing opportunities for collaborative interactions among the disciplines of earth sciences, soil and environmental science, geology, geography, and agriculture. This ensures that our graduates are well prepared for successful, dynamic, and challenging careers in private industry, teaching, or government.
Opportunities
The quality of our program has been demonstrated over the years by our highly qualified graduates who enter the workforce or graduate school each year. We have been told time and again by employers and graduate programs across the nation that students graduating with a B.S. degree in earth sciences or soil science from Cal Poly are able to contribute from day one of employment or graduate school. Moreover, we are committed to meeting the needs of a changing workforce and environment. In this vein, we constantly review our curricula, with the help of an advisory council, to ensure our program is up to date and that our graduates have the necessary knowledge base and skills to find meaningful employment and to positively affect the workforce through their knowledge and understanding of the earth and soil.
Who We Are
Earth scientists are addressing increasingly challenging problems that confront a growing human population as we begin the twenty-first century: dwindling water, mineral, and energy resources; earthquake prediction and natural hazard identification; human impacts on the environment; and degradation of ecosystems. The goal of this program is to expose students to the complex interplay of Earth systems through active hands-on learning. Therefore we go far beyond the traditional classroom with extensive rock collections, GPS and GIS training, sustainable agriculture, mapping, field trips, and many summer internships.
Soil scientists are becoming more involved in the need for environmental assessment of all kinds. Soil Science has developed into a strong environmental science program with a continued effort in working with and supporting agricultural production. The recent public awareness for the need of trained personnel in land evaluation, water quality, bioremediation, wetlands, and restoration projects can and will continue to involve soil scientists. Students focus on the basic sciences to understand the principles and then their integrated course work provide the fundamental skills and knowledge to put these to practice in the field.
We believe the Earth and Soil Sciences Department and our programs’ core ideas are leaders in the integration of land, water, air, and food within today’s society.