Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences

Earth & Ocean Sciences Earth & Ocean Sciences

Interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of our planet and its many incredible natural systems? You’ve come to the right place. Our faculty research all spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) of the Earth and their interactions using cutting-edge techniques and technologies.

Our Degree Programs

Undergraduate With your choice of four different bachelor’s degree programs, you’ll find your niche in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. You’ll get hands on experience doing cutting edge research with our talented faculty in your area of interest. Jump In

Graduate Our program develops professionals capable of conducting research and applied work in the geosciences through the broad study of modern and ancient Earth and ocean processes as well as human-environment interactions. Learn More

Want to See Your Education in Action?

Our students can choose from over 60 internship sites that range from geological, applied geography, coastal resources and marine science; government, not-for-profit and profit; local and across the country; endless possibilities.

Dive Deeper

Register for 26th Annual GIS Day

November 19th, 10am-2pm, Discovery Hall, Room 1070 Through interactive discussions, we’ll examine how geospatial tools are evolving and how we can apply them to solve real-world challenges—from coastal resilience to immersive teaching and interdisciplinary research.

Details and Registration Form Here

Professor Klotsko co-authors paper

Professor Shannon Klotsko is a co-author of a paper in the journal World Archaeology titled “Re-evaluating terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene settlement patterns with Chirp subbottom data from around California’s Northern Channel Islands”.

Professor Haproff co-authors paper

Professor Peter Haproff is a co-author of a new paper in the journal Geosphere titled "Paleoproterozoic-Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Longshou Shan, western North China craton".

Professor Mead Awarded a UNCW Research Momentum Grant

Professor Ralph Mead and Nursing Professor Jen McCall were awarded a UNCW Research Momentum Grant for a collaborative project entitled "Discovering the Role Replacement Per- and Polyfluoralkyl Substances Play in Chronic and Acute Inflammation."

Professor Mike Benedetti is a co-author of a new paper

Professor Mike Benedetti is a co-author of a new paper in the prestigious journal Nature Communications entitled "SPIN enables high throughput species identification of archaeological bone by proteomics".

Professor Ralph Mead Awarded Fellowship

Professor Ralph Mead has been awarded the inaugural North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Applied Research Fellowship to advance the science of PFAS in the state.