Research in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) at the University of Houston addresses fundamental questions in the Earth and planetary sciences. Our transformative and interdisciplinary research refines the understanding of how major Earth and planetary systems develop and interact.

We inform society on a broad range of topics from modern storm-induced urban hazards to when and how some of the first-formed solids in the solar system developed.

Our broad and cross-disciplinary departmental expertise engages major questions in the following areas:

• Energy & Earth Resources
• Earth & Planetary Dynamics
• Atmospheric & Earth Surface Systems

Education & Student Training

Student education and training are fundamentally enhanced by our broad research areas. The academic divisions in the department offer B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Geology, Geophysics, or Atmospheric Sciences, a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, and a B.A. in Earth Sciences. Professional M.S. programs in either Petroleum Geology or Petroleum Geophysics are offered at convenient hours for geoscientists already working in the petroleum industry and seeking to expand their career options. Also offered are certificate programs in GIS and hydrogeology.

Experiential student education is a major strength of EAS. Coursework is often integrated with hands-on and immersive activities offered through the Geoscience Learning Center, the Yellowstone-Bighorn Research Association (YBRA) geology field course in Montana, the geophysics field course, or as course field trips in our curriculum. EAS students are engaged in field research on seven continents and across the world oceans.