Studying the past and the present of the Earth, including interactions among the non-living environment, humans and other forms of life, to inform responsible decisions about the future.
Educational Programs
Undergraduate
Two undergraduate majors in Earth Science and in Environmental Studies equip our students with thorough understanding of nature and environmental issues through classroom education combined with practical learning in the lab and the field.
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Professional Masters
Two Professional Masters programs in Environmental Studies and in Applied Geosciences prepare full or part-time students to become experts in managing complex environmental problems.
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PhD
A PhD program in Earth and Environmental Science enables students to become successful independent researchers in academia or non-academic settings.
Learn MoreResearch done by our faculty, postdoctoral scientists and students focuses on a wide variety of the Earth system’s non-living and living components to increase the understanding of how our planet works and responds to perturbations, such as the global environmental change brought about by human activities.
Our guiding principle is to embrace all dimensions of human diversity, both because it is morally just and because fostering diversity, equity and inclusion enhances scientific creativity and is key to achieving an environmentally sustainable future.
Housed in the Earth and Environmental Science Department, The Water Center combines water science with policy innovation to develop integrated new strategies for solutions to the most challenging urban water problems.
The Water Center homepage can be found here - https://watercenter.sas.upenn.edu/.
News
Michael E. Mann Honored With Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence
Stroud Water Research Center has bestowed the 2022 Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence upon Michael E. Mann, one of the…
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'Switzerland: Living Sustainability' Led by Prof. Reto Gieré
Prof. Reto Gieré was the faculty leader of “Switzerland: Living Sustainability”, a field trip organized by Penn’s Lauder…
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Prof. Reto Gieré and Catherine Nabukalu Publish New Paper with United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Professor Reto Gieré and Catherine Nabukalu (Penn MES alumna) have recently published “Charcoal as a global commodity: Is it…
Read MoreJoseph Francisco Receives American Chemical Society Philadelphia Section Award
Joseph Francisco, President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science and Professor of Chemistry, has…
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Joseph Francisco Wins Royal Society of Chemistry Prize
Joseph Francisco, President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science and Professor of Chemistry, has won…
Read MoreCongratulations to our EES 2022 Graduates!
Congratulations to our EES 2022 Graduates! The Earth and Environmental Science Department would like to highlight some of…
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Climate Scientist Michael E. Mann to Join Penn Faculty
Environmental scientist Michael E. Mann will be joining the Penn faculty as of September 1, 2022 as a Presidential…
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Congratulations to Dr. Joseph S. Francisco, 2022 Willard Gibbs Medal Recipient!
Dr. Joseph S. Francisco, President’s Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences and of Chemistry, has been…
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EES Ph.D. Student Sophie Silver Awarded Ahuja Family Fellowship Endowment
Earth and Environmental Science Ph.D. student Sophie Silver has been announced the recipient of the Ahuja Family Fellowship…
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