Earth & Planetary Sciences is an interdisciplinary field that employs principles from physics, chemistry, and biology to study the nature and evolution of the Earth and other planetary bodies. It encompasses a diverse range of topics from natural resources to natural disasters, climate change, and the origin and evolution of planets and life.
Studying Earth & Planetary Sciences
This Major offers a modern curriculum designed to provide students with fundamental training in Earth and planetary sciences. The technical skills acquired by the student through field and laboratory work, computer programming, machine learning, and big data analysis will equip them for diverse professional careers or advanced research.
Major Highlights
- Core courses establish a comprehensive foundation across the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, while equipping students with essential technical skills
- Elective courses extend this core knowledge to provide students with specialised expertise in three themes:
- Applied geoscience
- Climate, ocean and atmosphere
- Planetary science
Curriculum
| Major in Earth & Planetary Sciences (96 credits) |
| Provide students with the flexibility to design a personalised curriculum that aligns with their academic interests and career objectives |
Career Prospects
Graduates of the Earth & Planetary Sciences Major possess a deep understanding of the field and a broad range of transferrable skills. The expertise opens doors to careers in resource management, natural hazard mitigation, green industries, and education. The transferrable skills also enable them to excel in various sectors.
Industry
► Engineering Geologist
► Environmental Geologist
► Hydrologist
Commercial
► Environmental Compliance Specialist
► Geospatial Analyst
► Renewable Energy Consultant
Government
► Natural Resource Specialist
► Land Use Planner
Education
► High School Earth Science Teacher
► College Earth & Planetary Science Professor
Postgraduate Studies
Hear from Our Student
Ho Ling Holly CHAN
BSc graduate (major in Earth System Science)
“Majoring in Earth System Science completely reshaped my life philosophy. Exploring the intricate connections between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere, and anthroposphere, the major built a comprehensive worldview. Integrating hands-on observations, laboratory data analysis and overseas fieldwork sharpened my scientific reasoning skills, linking micro-scale reactions to macro-scale global systems across immense temporal scales. HKU’s flexibility also allowed me to connect diverse electives to my major, truly deepening my planet-wide understanding.”
Chi Hang HUI
BSc graduate (major in Earth System Science)
“One of the highlights of my studies was a series of overseas field trips, where I embarked on journeys to remote places. Scientific knowledge was not the only asset I gained from my studies, as the Earth System Science Major provided me with a holistic experience.”
*Subject to approval