Over the course of the past century and a half, physics, chemistry, and mathematics have evolved into interdependent but separate intellectual disciplines. This development is reflected in the departmental structure of the School of Physical Sciences. In the same period, these fundamental disciplines have moved into domains of abstraction unimagined by early scientists. 

This trend to abstraction with its concomitant increase in understanding of the physical universe provides the major challenge to the student of the physical sciences. Mathematics, physics, and chemistry, while providing the foundation of the technology that dominates contemporary civilization, underlie to an ever-increasing extent the new developments in the biological and social sciences.

Earth system science is grounded in the traditional physical sciences while breaking new paths in the quantitative study of changes in the global environment.

Influence of atmospheric chemistry on climate and air quality. Role of microbial diversity of ocean biogeochemistry. Energy transport across the Earth's oceans, atmosphere, and cryosphere. These are just a few of questions being answered by researchers who study the science of the Earth as a system. The Bachelor of Science program provides students with a solid scientific understanding of Earth system science, which can lead to careers in science, research, or technical fields.