Earth and Planetary Sciences

Olin 301

Students can: Major Minor

Degrees Offered: BA, PhD

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences offers programs of study and research in the basic earth sciences, including: geology, the science of the solid earth; geochemistry, devoted to understanding the chemistry of the solid earth and natural waters; geophysics, concerned with a quantitative description of physical processes in the earth and planetary sciences; physical oceanography, the study of ocean currents and waves, and their role in climate; atmospheric sciences, particularly the dynamics of atmospheric circulation both on Earth and other planets and their satellites; and ecology and paleoecology, the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment today and in the geologic past.

The department offers two majors: students can choose to major in earth and planetary sciences (EPS) or in environmental science and studies (ENVS).

The EPS major is for undergraduates interested in the study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that shape the Earth and the other planets, drawing on the disciplines of geology, geochemistry, hydrology, ecology, geobiology, oceanography, and atmospheric science.

The ENVS major is an interdepartmental program introducing students to the science of the Earth and its living and nonliving systems, as well as how humans interact with Earth and its natural systems and how humans can use powerful tools, such as policy and communication, to harm or help those systems. The goals are to advance awareness of the magnitude and consequences of these issues and to train the next generation of problem-solvers who will address the effects of global environmental change.

What can you do with your degree?

Graduates of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences use their skills and knowledge in fields such as environmental consulting, government agencies, and natural resources industries. Students are also well prepared for professional school.

Related Programs and Centers

Biophysics

Biophysics Website

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Jenkins 110

Students can: Major

Degrees Offered: BA, BA/MA, Masters, PhD

In the 21st century, new fields of scientific inquiry are emerging at a breathtaking pace. In the biological sciences, emphasis will be increasingly on quantitation and prediction of living systems—precisely the focus of biophysics. Biophysics is a discipline that sits at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computation, and engineering. It is uniquely well suited for the study of biology in the post-genomic era. Besides its role in contributing fundamental understanding of the properties of molecules, cells, and complex biological systems, biophysics is also central to the development of novel medical technologies and to the bioengineering and biopharmaceutical industry.

Biophysics was first established as an independent discipline at Johns Hopkins. The Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics has a remarkable tradition of excellence in research and teaching and of developing leaders in the scientific community.

The undergraduate major in biophysics constitutes a rigorous program of study that will help students develop the broad set of skills in science, math, and computation necessary to compete in the interdisciplinary environment of modern science, medicine, and engineering. The biophysics major emphasizes independent thinking and critical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and it teaches students how to move with ease across disciplines.

What can you do with your degree?

Biophysics majors follow many different professional paths after leaving Hopkins. A very large number of biophysics majors are accepted each year to medical schools in the nation. Biophysics majors also enter highly ranked graduate programs in biophysics, cell biology, public health, physiology, computational, quantitative and systems biology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience. Many of our graduates are active in biomedical research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical R&D. Others pursue degrees in law or environmental sciences, or become involved in consulting, governmental regulatory agencies, science education, science journalism, and other fields.

Related Programs and Centers

Biology

Biology Website

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Mudd 144

Students can: Major

Degrees Offered: BA, BS, MS, PhD

The Johns Hopkins Biology Department is home to 25 research laboratories investigating a wide range of biological problems, with the unifying goal of obtaining explanations or models in quantitative and molecular detail. As one of the first biology departments in the United States, it has a long history dating back to the inception of Johns Hopkins University in 1876.

Biology faculty train students and researchers pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as postdoctorals and visiting scientists. In addition to the BA in biology, the department offers a BS in molecular and cellular biology, a five-year combined BA or BS/MS program, and a PhD program.

The department emphasizes molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, biochemistry, and biophysics. Department members use the Integrated Imaging Center, the BioNMR center, the X-ray crystallography facility, and many other university resources to pursue their research and teaching objectives.

The Department of Biology plays a prominent role in training and educating undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, and visiting scientists to prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

What can you do with your degree?

The requirements of the biology major satisfy all the requirements for admission to medical school.

In addition to medical school, graduates of the program are prepared for graduate school and a variety of professions.

Related Programs and Centers

The Program in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics (CMDB)