Requirements
The table below shows the study plan for the BSc in Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Year 1
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Year 2
Fall Semester
| EPSS 223 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I | 3 |
| EPSS 211 | Physics of the Earth | 4 |
| COSC 114 | Introduction to Computing Using Python | 4 |
HUMA 105 / 106
| Emirates Society / Emirates Studies | 3 |
Spring Semester
Year 3
Fall Semester
| EPSS 331 | Igneous &Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| EPSS 305 | Sedimentology | 4 |
| EPSS 321 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| EPSS 300 | MATLAB for Earth Scientists | 3 |
HUMA 107 / 108
| Introduction to Arabic and Islamic Heritage / Arabic and Islamic Heritage | 3 |
Spring Semester
| BUSS 322 | Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| EPSS 310 | Remote Sensing and Geomatics | 4 |
| EPSS 323 | Solid Earth Geophysics | 4 |
| | |
HUMA XXX
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Or | |
BUSS XXX
| Business Elective | 3 |
| | |
| GENS 300 | Career Preparation | 1 |
Summer Semester
Year 4
Fall Semester
| EPSS 400 | Planetary Sciences | 4 |
| EPSS 497 | Senior Research Project I | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective | 3 |
Spring Semester
| EPSS 415 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| EPSS 498 | Senior Design Project II | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective | 3 |
| GENS 400 | Enhancing Employability and Job Readiness | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: 125
Optional Earth and Planetary Sciences Technical Tracks
Sets of recommended elective courses are provided to help students who have specific interests and/or employment goals. These tracks are provided as a guide for the selection of courses and do not show up as a separate transcript record. The Earth and Planetary Sciences degree offers three tracks: Petroleum Geosciences, Planetary Geosciences, and Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences. Selection of electives courses must be agreed with the academic adviser at the beginning of the sophomore year and approved by the department.
Note, a student is also free to choose any out-of-track technical elective from all electives offered by the Earth Sciences Department or other out-of-program electives if offered by the concerned department and in line with the program objectives.
Petroleum Geosciences Track
The Petroleum Geosciences track provides a high-quality education in petroleum geology and geophysics and prepares students for careers in the petroleum industry and other geosciences sectors.
Electives
| EPSS 312 | Reflection Seismology | 4 |
| EPSS 401 | Petrophysics and Logging | 4 |
| EPSS 413 | Geology of Mars & Other Planet | 4 |
| EPSS 461 | Reservoir Characterization | 4 |
| EPSS 410 | Reservoir Geophysics | 3 |
| EPSS 381 | Rock Mechanics and Reservoirs | 3 |
| | |
| EPSS 293 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 393 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 493 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| | |
| EPSS 294 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 394 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 494 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
Planetary Science Track
This track offers students the necessary tools to build a career in space exploration or related academia. While the track focuses on surface (geological) aspects of planetary science, it also offers a wider perspective through variable electives, and the ability to acquire courses from other departments in Khalifa University, to diversify research interests and broaden the student’s skill set.
Electives
| PHYS 203 | Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| PHYS 211 | Computational Physics | 4 |
| EPSS 413 | Geology of Mars & Other Planet | 4 |
EPSS XXX
| GIS for Planetary Sciences | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Planetary Atmospheres | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Remote Sensing of Solar System Bodies | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Ice in the Solar System | 2 |
EPSS XXX
| Volcanism and Tectonics in the Solar System | 2 |
EPSS XXX
| Small Bodies in the Solar System | 2 |
EPSS XXX
| Astrobiology | 2 |
| | |
| EPSS 293 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 393 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 493 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| | |
| EPSS 294 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 394 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
| Or | |
| EPSS 494 | Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 1-3 |
Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Track
This track offers courses focused on Earth Systems, exploring the interaction between the oceans, atmosphere and environment to understand our dynamic planet. The courses are designed to enable students to understand the fundamental science underlying Earth processes including atmospheric phenomena, climatic and environmental change, as well as natural hazards while exploring the role and impact of humans within these processes. It also provides students with a comprehensive overview of our Earth Systems as well as the methods and techniques used to study, analyze and predict past, present, and future changes to our planet.
Electives
EPSS 3XX
| Climate and Environmental Change Science and Policy | 3 |
| EPSS 412 | Hydrogeology | 3 |
| EPSS 322 | Geomorphology and Geohazards | 4 |
| EPSS 411 | Atmosphere and Climate Dynamics | 3 |
EPSS 4XX
| Engineering Solutions to Climate and Environmental Change | 2 |
Additional Out of Program Technical Electives
| CHEM 311 | Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 461 | Environmental Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 342 | Modern Techniques for Chemical Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 463 | Methods for Environmental Trace Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 462 | Pollution Science and Control - Management, Technology and Regulations | 4 |