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
Spring Semester
Year 3
Fall Semester
| EPSS 300 | MATLAB for Earth Scientists | 3 |
| EPSS 305 | Sedimentology | 4 |
| EPSS 321 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| EPSS 331 | Igneous &Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
BUSSXXX/HUMAXXX
| Business-Humanities-Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Spring Semester
| BUSS 322 | Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| EPSS 310 | Remote Sensing and Geomatics | 4 |
| EPSS 323 | Solid Earth Geophysics | 4 |
| GENS 300 | Career Preparation | 1 |
BUSSXXX/HUMAXXX
| Business-Humanities-Elective | 3 |
| EPSS 415 | Environmental Geology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Summer Semester
| EPSS 397 | Field Geology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Year 4
Fall Semester
| EPSS 400 | Planetary Science | 4 |
| EPSS 497 | Senior Research Project | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective (3) | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective (3) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Spring Semester
| EPSS 498 | Senior Design Project II | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective (3) | 3 |
EPSS XXX
| Elective (3) | 3 |
| GENS 400 | Enhancing Employability and Job Readiness | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer Semester
| EPSS 499 | Earth &Planetary Science Internship | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 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
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
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
Additional Out of Program Technical Electives
Students are permitted to select up to a maximum of three (3) credits of technical electives from programs outside their own, provided these courses align with their individual study plan. To ensure academic coherence and relevance, these out-of-program courses must be discussed with and approved by the student's academic advisor and receive final authorization from the department.