Earth Science focuses on all aspects of our planet, including the solid earth (soil and rock), water (fresh water and marine), atmosphere, and their interactions with living systems. Each aspect of earth interacts with the others in many important ways and the study of these interactions is increasingly vital to society.

The need for Earth Scientists is as broad as the discipline. For example, those with a breadth of knowledge are needed in education to teach about the world we live, and to motivate students in all of science by using the most exciting and accessible of all laboratories--the outdoors. Scientists are needed as interpreters in national parks, museums, and other places where the public learns about the earth. Furthermore, the Earth Science degree may be applied to a range of other career choices requiring a general knowledge of science.