Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences

Introduction

The Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences (EMES) provides instruction and conducts research into the physical, chemical, and biological processes that operate within the Earth and its oceans. Research seeks to understand how the dynamic interplay among these processes shape the Earth’s surface, govern environmental change, generate natural hazards, supply energy and resources, and sustain life. The department has a strong tradition of undergraduate students conducting independent and guided research as part of their training.

Advising

All majors and minors have a primary academic advisor from the Academic Advising Program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor and review their Tar Heel Tracker each semester. The department’s director of undergraduate studies works with current and prospective majors by appointment. Departmental academic advising is particularly important for those majors who are considering continuing graduate education. Further information on courses, undergraduate research opportunities, the honors program, career opportunities, and graduate schools may be obtained from the department’s website. Prospective students in the department are encouraged to meet with one of the directors of undergraduate studies.

Facilities

The department maintains laboratory facilities, many of which are available for undergraduate students to use in research and classroom learning. These include several microscopes and mass spectrometers for isotopic, geochronology, and geochemical research, geophysical and seismic imaging facilities, environmentally controlled laboratory spaces, a paleoclimate laboratory, an aquarium research facility, and a clean room for trace metal research. The department also shares the interdisciplinary Joint Fluids Lab with researchers in applied mathematics. In addition, the Institute of Marine Sciences, located in Morehead City, N.C., houses laboratory buildings with dock and ocean access and a modern vivarium space for marine research. The institute operates a modern 48-foot coastal vessel, the R.V. Capricorn, as well as a fleet of outboard-powered boats.

Graduate School and Career Opportunities

Graduates of Earth and Marine Sciences programs are prepared for a wide range of careers in environmental consulting, natural resource management, conservation, government agencies, research, and biotechnology, and also provides excellent preparation for graduate and professional study. Students leave our programs ready to analyze complex environmental problems, work across disciplines, and apply scientific evidence to real-world challenges such as climate change, coastal resilience, water quality, and sustainability.

Majors

Minors

Graduate Programs

Courses

Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences (EMES)

Distinguished Professors

Joel Fodrie, Christopher S. Martens, Richard A. Luettich, Brent A. McKee, Rachel Noble, Tamlin Pavelsky, Michael Piehler.

Professors

Jaye E. Cable, Karl Castillo, Drew S. Coleman, Jonathan Lees, Niels Lindquist, Adrian Marchetti, Laura Moore, Janet Nye, Antonio Rodriguez, Harvey Seim, Donna Surge.