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Earth Science encompasses the study of geological systems and processes, extending to celestial bodies within our solar system, along with a focus on Earth’s environment and resources. Serving as an interdisciplinary platform, Earth Science converges various natural science disciplines. Research within this field delves into Earth’s structure, minerals, soil, atmosphere, climate, water, and energy resources. Earth scientists investigate the current operations of natural systems, and their historical behaviors, and make predictions about future trends. The societal significance of Earth Science is profound, impacting our daily lives.
The Department of Earth Sciences offers a contemporary educational program leading to a BSc in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Our program provides a foundation for students to pursue advanced degrees (MSc and PhD) in the aforementioned topics. Through our high-quality education, we aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for socially and ethically responsible professional careers across various Earth and Planetary Science fields.
The Department of Earth Sciences stands as an internationally recognized center of excellence in both education and research. Positioned among the leading Earth and Planetary research and educational centers in the Middle East, our graduates are well-prepared to contribute to the local and international energy, environment, climate, and space industries. Additionally, they find ample career opportunities in governmental and non-governmental institutions.
Upon completion of the BSc in Earth and Planetary Sciences, graduates will be able to:
Earth and Planetary Sciences graduates have diverse career options in sectors such as oil and gas, energy storage, CO2 capture and sequestration, geothermal energy, mining, hydrogen energy, renewable energy, climate science, planetary sciences, environmental consulting, sustainability, and research. Their versatility makes them sought-after professionals locally and internationally.
The increasing demand for alternative energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management is expected to drive the need for geoscientists. Rising public awareness of environmental hazards and population growth’s impact on the environment is set to boost demand for environmental scientists.
Earth and Planetary Sciences graduates can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts, managing water resources, conserving biodiversity, protecting cultural heritage, and optimizing material flows and waste management for enhanced value creation. Job opportunities in local governmental entities (for example the Environmental Agency and the Department of Culture and Tourism) and consulting industries are anticipated, focusing on analyzing environmental issues and developing solutions for community health, waste reduction, pollution prevention, and resource conservation.
Environmental scientists will be essential in helping planners construct buildings, utilities, and transportation systems that safeguard natural resources. Earth and Planetary Sciences graduates will be integral in monitoring construction projects to ensure compliance with regulations for preserving the natural environment and handling archaeological and historical sites. Atmospheric and climate scientists will play a key role in assessing global climate change threats to local and national water supplies and biodiversity.
Graduates with a background in planetary sciences will be highly skilled professionals contributing to scientific research, space programs, and strategic partnerships in the space science field. They will support the mission of the UAE Space Agency by organizing and guiding the space sector, contributing to the national economy, and aiding sustainable development.
Despite evolving trends, there remains a significant demand for skilled geoscientists in the oil and gas sector. Employers like Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Petroleum, Dolphin Energy, Dragon Oil, and various national and international service companies (for example, Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, CGG, Weatherford, etc.) engaged in oil exploration and production continue to seek skilled professionals in this field.
By choosing from various tracks such as Petroleum Geosciences, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, and Planetary Geosciences, graduates can pursue roles in governmental organizations, private consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. The Earth and Planetary Sciences program is designed to address the needs of UAE society by enhancing the employability of UAE nationals and providing skilled graduates to manage the environment and natural resources, contributing to the economic and technical development of the country. This extends to, but is not limited to, the following sectors:
The Department of Earth Sciences laboratories are located in the Bu Hasa and Ruwais buildings on the Sas Al Nakhl (SAN) Campus. The laboratories include geology and geophysics laboratories, dedicated core-layout areas, laboratories for sample and equipment preparation, and dedicated geosciences computer laboratories equipped with a wide range of industry-standard geoscience software, a scanning electron microscopy laboratory, petrographic microscopy laboratory and geophysical equipment storage and testing laboratory. The laboratories support the teaching and research needs of the department. Additionally, a dedicated lab for climate and environmental studies (the ENGEOS lab) is located in the Arzanah building (SAN campus) and operates several meteorological and atmospheric instruments as well as advanced numerical models combined with satellite observations.
The Earth and Planetary Club, an integral part of our program, is dedicated to supporting students as they embark on their careers in the geosciences field. Beyond mentorship and guidance, the club organizes a variety of social activities, enhancing the overall experience for geoscience students at the University. Recent activities have included guest seminars, lectures, field trips, social evenings, and sporting events, providing a well-rounded and enriching experience for our students.
The Department of Earth Sciences proudly hosts the first American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) student chapter in the UAE. In addition to AAPG, our program boasts professional student chapters affiliated with the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG). These chapters offer a plethora of programs and opportunities, facilitating students’ engagement with the professional geosciences community both within and beyond academia. By participating in these chapters, students gain access to unique learning experiences, leadership development opportunities, member benefits, and eligibility for grants. Actively engaging in these chapters is not only an avenue for professional growth but also a means to cultivate essential leadership and management skills, fostering a sense of professionalism.
EPSS 210 Earth Materials (2-3-3)
Prerequisites: EPSS 221; CHEM 116
This course introduces the fundamentals of mineralogy, including systematic chemistry and crystallography and physical and optical properties of minerals, emphasizing the carbonate group and silicate minerals. Students learn to use the petrographic microscope and to describe and identify a variety of rock-forming minerals in hand samples and petrographic thin-sections.
EPSS 221 Introduction to Geology and Geophysics (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: Freshman standing
An introduction to geology and geophysics, emphasizing the processes that form and shape Earth, petroleum geology and geophysics, and the geology of the UAE and the Middle East. Course topics include: origin of minerals and rocks; seismology; Earth’s gravity; geomagnetism; geologic time; plate tectonics; structural geology; sedimentary transport and the depositional environments of reservoirs; geo-hazards; hydrology; economic geology. The course includes at least one all-day field trip.
EPSS 222 Geobiology: History of Life on Earth (3-0-3)
Pre-requisites: EPSS 221; BIOL 101
Co-requisite: None
This course introduces the origin of the solar system and the early Earth; the origin and evolution of life and how this is documented in the geologic record; the tectonic, stratigraphic, and geographic evolution of continental plates. This course also introduces the concept of human impact on natural processes and the consequences of natural and anthropogenic climate changes. Principles of stratigraphy and tectonics are applied to infer the geologic history of the Arabian Plate.
EPSS 223 Introduction to Geochemistry (3-3-4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 116, EPSS 221
This course introduces the chemical principles that are used to explain the mechanisms that control geological systems and the evolution of these systems, including Earth’s mantle, the crust, oceans and atmosphere, and the formation of the solar system. This course provides an introduction to the fundamental geochemical tools used in geology and Earth sciences.
EPSS 230 Geological Maps (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 221
An ability to read, interpret and apply geological and topographic maps to the Earth System is fundamental to the Earth Sciences. The accurate collection, recording and interpretation of high-quality fieldwork data is essential to a geologist’s understanding of Earth processes and environments. Through the application of practical exercises, students will learn to apply static two-dimensional representations in order to construct and understand three-dimensional sub-surface geometries. Students will learn to employ the primary data-gathering techniques used by geologists in the field and the reasons for these.
EPSS 300 Matlab for Earth Scientists (2-3-3)
Prerequisites: MATH 231
The course will introduce algorithms to numerically solve mathematical problems relevant to earth sciences problems with a focus on numerical methods programming using Matlab. First the course will cover the basics of Matlab operating environment and language for computing and plotting. It will be followed by solving nonlinear algebraic equations, systems of linear equations, linear curve fitting, polynomial curve fitting, finite differences, numerical integration and differentiation and finally basic applications to earth sciences problems.
EPSS 311 Sedimentary Petrology (3-3-4)
Prerequisite: EPSS 221
Sedimentary Petrology is concerned with the origin of sediment and sedimentary rock. The course covers sedimentary processes, facies and diagenesis. Emphasis is on petrographic analysis of microfacies and diagenesis and on carbonate reservoirs and source rocks. Students learn how to characterize reservoirs using limited subsurface information from petrographic thin sections and cores. The course includes a compulsory four-day field trip.
EPSS 321 Structural Geology (3-3-4)
Prerequisites: PHYS 121; EPSS 221; EPSS 230
Structural geology is the study of deformed rock. The course deals with the range of structures produced in rock by deformation; with the role of structures in trapping petroleum and their effect on production and with application of structural methods in E and P. Course topics include stress and strain; rheological behavior of rock; effects of time, temperature, and pressure on deformation; kinematic and dynamic analysis of deformed rock; the origin and mechanisms of fractures, faults, and folds; structural interpretation from seismic reflection, well, and other E&P data; mapping of subsurface structures from industry data; regional structural geology of the UAE. The course includes one three-day field trip.
EPSS 322 Geomorphology & Geohazards (4-0-4)
Prerequisite: EPSS 321
In this course, students learn about landscape form and its evolution over time and space, and how it is impacted by the complex interplay between climate, tectonic, hydrological and cryospheric processes. Geomorphology is relevant to understanding how landscape is used and how it is altered, as it is also important for understanding the causes and effects of geohazards. An important focus for the course is landform development in different climate, space, and time perspectives. Field excursions are included in the course.
EPSS 323 Solid Earth Geophysics (3-3-4)
Pre-requisite: EPSS 221, PHYS122
This course is an introduction to the quantitative analysis of Earth structure and plate tectonics using earthquake seismology, seismic reflection and refraction, gravity, magnetics, and heat flow. Methods covered in this course are applied in environmental geology, mining, petroleum, and seismology.
EPSS 324 Earth Systems Science (3-0-3)
Prerequisite: BIOL101, EPSS 200, EPSS 223
This course provides a look at the Earth system as a whole. Emphasis will be on the interrelationships between atmosphere, biology, geology, climatologic, and human systems on continental and global scales. The links between these systems will be illustrated by present-day processes and by the geologic record of selected events in Earth history.
EPSS 331 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 210
An overview of igneous and metamorphic rocks as a background for discussing their origin and distribution in relation to plate tectonics. Course topics include rocks and Earth structure, structures, textures, chemistry, and mineralogy of igneous rocks; phase rule and phase diagrams; origin and movement of magmas; metamorphism and metamorphic rock texture, structures and mineralogy, metamorphic facies and metamorphic phase diagrams.
EPSS 341 Paleontology (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 220
Paleontology is the study of past life. The course covers the application of taxonomic procedures to the identification of fossils and the application of paleontology in paleo-environmental and bio-stratigraphic analysis. Students learn about the fundamental morphology, modes of life, evolutionary trends, and time ranges of major macrofossil and microfossil groups. Emphasis is on fossil types that are important in the analysis and interpretation of petroleum reservoirs of the Middle East. The course includes at least one all-day field trip.
EPSS 361 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (2-3-3)
Prerequisites: EPSS 222; EPSS 311
Stratigraphy instructs in the sedimentological and stratigraphic methods used to analyze and interpret sedimentary sequences. Students will learn to interpret physical processes and depositional environments from sedimentary structures and textures, and to apply sequence stratigraphic methods to interpret and model facies and sedimentary basin evolution. The course incorporates modern and ancient examples from the Middle East, particularly from the UAE. The course includes five days of fieldwork.
PGEG397 Field Geology (0-0-4)
Prerequisites: EPSS 321; EPSS 361
Field Geology is concerned with the study of lithologies and structures in the field. Students are trained to observe and map primary and secondary structures at selected international localities. Field examples and comprehension of primary geological processes and morphologies can be used as analogues for features imaged by remote sensing techniques. The course addresses vertical and horizontal variability in sedimentary rock facies and their physical characteristics in three dimensions. The course includes up to four weeks of fieldwork, each followed by two weeks of data integration and report writing.
EPSS 399 Internship (1-0-1)
Pre-requisite: EPSS 351 Solid Earth Geophysics; EPSS 361 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy; EPSS 322 Geomorphology and Geohazard
Students are assigned to a variety of private and governmental companies/entities where they will work on short-duration projects allowing them to apply the acquired knowledge from the degree program, gain practical experience and become acquainted with the industry’s working environment. Each student is required to submit a written report and deliver a presentation on his/her work assignment.
EPSS 400 Planetary Science (3-3-4)
Prerequisite: EPSS 322, EPS 324
This course will examine the evolution of our solar system and the geology of planetary bodies, including Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. We will discuss the origin of the Solar System from a geological perspective and explore how scientists combine observations from extraterrestrial samples such as meteorites, with data returned by satellites and rovers to develop and test hypotheses related to planetary evolution. Emphasis will be on comparing geologic processes on these bodies to well-understood processes on Earth, results from past, current, and upcoming planetary missions, and the future of human and robotic exploration of space.
EPSS 411 Atmospheric and Climate Dynamics (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 324
This course covers the processes that drive weather patterns, the general circulation of the atmosphere, oceans, and climate on Earth. Weather phenomena occur on short time scales, and form the basis for understanding climate, the study of changes over longer time scales. Topics include the structure and composition of the atmosphere, sources of energy that drive atmospheric processes, weather forecasting, the hydrological cycle, forces that create severe weather, the influence of humans on the atmosphere, and factors that influence climate, climate variability and climate change.
EPSS 412 Hydrogeology (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 324, EPSS 422
This course introduces geology concepts related to the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth’s crust. It covers a range of topics related to water in the lithosphere, and its interactions with the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Specifically, the course topics include the hydrological cycle, groundwater flow, aquifer testing, and pollution with a special emphasis on the UAE fresh water systems.
EPSS 413 Geology of Mars and Other Planetary Bodies (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 331, EPSS 422, and senior standing
This course combines GIS, and Remotely Sensed and up-to-date NASA planetary mission data to enable students to interpret and understand geological features on Mars, Mercury, Venus and the Moon. The course evaluates how geomorphological features on Earth can help students to better understand and interpret remotely sensed data from other planets including evidence of volcanism, ice, water and soil. Furthermore, it examines the future of planetary exploration and potential of terraforming planets.
EPSS 422 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (2-3-3)
Prerequisite: EPSS 322
This course introduces to the concepts of geospatial analysis and digital mapping. The principles of spatial data structures, coordinate systems, database development and design, and techniques of spatial analysis are covered. This is an applied course, primarily using ESRI-based geographic information system software. The focal point of this course is the completion of student-selected research project employing GIS methods.
EPSS424 Remote Sensing for Earth Sciences (2 Lectures, 3 Laboratories – 3 Credits)
Pre-requisite: EPSS422 Introduction to GIS
The course covers the basic principles and essential skills of remote sensing using image visualization, processing and GIS (Geographical Information System) for geological, environmental, and/or planetary mapping. After completing the course, students should understand the physical principles of remote sensing and be familiar with the major remote sensing satellites and datasets. The students will learn the basic skills of image visualization, processing, interpretation and data manipulation for mapping. The course emphasizes the use of satellite images as essential information source for fieldwork and application to planetary sciences.
EPSS 497 Senior Research Project I (1-2-3)
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
This course comprises the development and initiation of an independent research project within the fields of the Earth Sciences. Prior to commencing the course, students must arrange for supervision from a Geosciences member of faculty and the topic of study must be approved by the Geosciences Program. The course comprises a significant taught component focusing on the methodologies and ethics of project proposal preparation. Following the preparation of the acceptance of the written proposal and the successful defense of the proposal presentation the student will commence work on the project.
EPSS 498 Petroleum Systems Project II (1-6-3)
Pre-requisite: EPSS 490
This course involves completion of a project in the student’s area of interest in some area of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Students must have arranged for supervision from an instructor and the project must have been approved by the Earth Sciences Program. The course consists mostly of independent project work.