Earth System Science • Lewis & Clark College Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Library Giving The Source Newsroom Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre
Our students—especially those in our natural science classes—regularly learn outside of the classroom on field trips, like this recent excursion to Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm in Oregon. Photo taken by Olivia Bruce BA ’24.
Home / Earth System Science Earth System Science When you minor in Earth system science, you will use connections across scientific disciplines to develop a framework for understanding large-scale transformations of our planet and their consequences. You will learn tangible skills that apply across disciplines, all while benefiting from our proximity to Portland and the diverse natural environments of the Pacific Northwest. Majors Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology Chemistry Classics Computer Science Computer Science and Mathematics Data Science Economics English Environmental Studies French Studies German Studies Hispanic Studies History International Affairs Mathematics Music Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Sociology and Anthropology Student-Designed Major Theatre World Languages Minors Art and Art History Artificial Intelligence Asian Studies Chemistry Chinese Classics Computer Science Cybersecurity Dance Data Science Earth System Science Economics Education English Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation Environmental Studies Ethnic Studies French Studies Gender Studies German Studies Health Studies Hispanic Studies History Japanese Latin American and Latino Studies Law and Policy Mathematics Middle East and North African Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Political Economy Political Science Religious Studies Rhetoric and Media Studies Russian Theatre Why Choose a Minor in Earth System Science? Our program directly engages with the science of some of today’s most pressing questions: How do changes in atmospheric composition affect climate? How do shifts in global land cover affect nutrient loading of the world’s waters or the abundance and distribution of different life forms? You will graduate with experience in the physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes that drive planetary functions, giving you valuable professional training with diverse practical applications. Apply Visit What You’ll Study Our interdisciplinary program provides structure and recognition to students wishing to integrate geoscience learning with other relevant offerings in natural and mathematical sciences. Our students focus their learning on key Earth components, including the slowly churning rocky substrate, the liquids circulating through and atop it, the patches of ice crowning its poles, the thin envelope of air surrounding it, and the organisms that populate its surface. Many of our students earn course credit toward their Earth system science minor while on an overseas program. Outside the classroom, the environmental studies program sponsors an annual student-led symposium on the broad theme of Environment Across Boundaries (ENVX) . This multiday, interdisciplinary event encourages students to expand their search for new scholarly concepts and skills, transcend geographic boundaries as they explore environmental issues around the world, and engage with people on all sides of these issues, ideally working toward mutual respect and collaborative solutions. The symposium offers the Lewis & Clark community and general public an opportunity to experience this broader approach to studying the environment. Paid summer research opportunities are also available through the Rogers Summer Science Program. Curriculum Connect With Lewis & Clark! After you hit submit, we will follow up with information about L&C, and you will have the opportunity to share a bit more about yourself. Loading...
Favorite Class
Environmental Geology
We covered so much in one semester, but the content was genuinely fascinating and each new unit built on the last to show how interconnected earth systems are.
Unnatural Disasters with Associate Professor Liz Safran
I have always been interested in natural disasters, and this course was able to provide a wide scope of information, through perspectives I had never thought of before, but now think are crucial for everyone to learn about.
Medicine, Healing, and Culture with Assistant Professor Sepideh Bajracharya
As a STEM student, this sociology and anthropology class was very different from anything I had ever taken before. It was extremely mind expanding, and I now think about and approach subjects in a completely new way.
Complement Your Education With One of These Majors The most popular majors for our Earth system science minors are biology , environmental studies , and mathematical sciences . What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark I chose the Australia biology study abroad program because I have always wanted to experience the incredible amount of biodiversity there. I am also really excited to see the Great Barrier Reef and take more hands-on STEM classes related to my major and minor. Lilah Shapiro BA ’25 Biology | Earth System Science | Pahoa, Hawai‘i More about Lilah Being an Earth system science minor has given me the ability to understand the physical and chemical processes that are the foundation of concepts I have believed in vehemently my whole life. Kaylee Howser BA ’24 Environmental Studies | Earth System Science | Santa Cruz, California More about Kaylee The Climate Science class I took as a part of my ESS minor introduced me to the wonders of biogeochemical cycles. Zoey Keepper BA ’26 Environmental Studies | Earth System Science More about Zoey What Can You Do With a Minor in Earth System Science? Our alumni use their minor in Earth system science in a variety of careers in academia and at companies and agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey, Sanborn Map Company, and National Center for Atmospheric Research Earth Observing Laboratory. Many go on to pursue advanced degrees in environmental engineering, geology, hydrology, and other fields. Dedicated Faculty Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth. Meet the Professors I love the moments of insight when students suggest things that I hadn’t considered. Associate Professor of Environmental Studies; Director of Environmental Studies Program Jessica Kleiss More about Jessica 19 Average class size for undergraduate students 96% Within six months of graduation, 96% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2024 was already changing the world through employment (71%), continuing studies (22%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps. 29+38 Lewis & Clark offers 29 majors and 38 minors . U.S. News Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” list . 47 U.S. states represented in our undergraduate student body Invest in Yourself A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think . Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate in four years with their bachelor of arts degree that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition . Find Your People Students can join a variety of student-run organizations that relate to their Earth system science minor, like the ENVX: Environment Across Boundaries symposium or Students Engaged in Eco-Defense (SEED) . Don’t see what you’re looking for on the club list ? Start something new and build your own community of peers! Featured News Shaking Up Disaster Preparedness With Video Games Cascadia 9.0 was developed as part of an ongoing research project to determine what motivates young adults to prepare for earthquakes and other natural disasters. Using video games as research and outreach tools, L&C researchers take an interdisciplinary approach to disaster preparedness. Read the story More News and Events → Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
