Geographic Information Systems (GIS) comprises a complex system of tools that facilitate the collection, display and analysis of geospatial (location-based) data. A GIS is effective in supporting work across the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Specific applications include environmental sciences, public health, urban planning, conservation biology, geology, digital humanities, military and education, and continues to increase as technology advances.

This course examines the wide variety of geologic, physical, chemical, and biologic evidence for the nature, duration, timing, and causes of climate change throughout the long history of our planet. In general, the course proceeds chronologically through geologic time. As the course approaches the modern world, students examine the paleoclimate record in progressively greater detail, and consider increasingly complex explanations for the patterns seen.

Earth is largely a "water planet" - the only planet we know of that has liquid water on its surface. Oceanography has developed from early mythological explanations of the present use of high technology to study their features and workings. The oceans played an integral role in the exploration of Earth and the spread of humankind across the planet, as well as being a continuing source of food and other resources. In the Puget Sound region, we feel the effects of the nearby ocean daily, from the weather we have to food we eat.

Physical geology is a survey of the physical processes operating on and in the earth and the results of these processes through time. Topics covered range in scale from the atomic to the galactic. The formation of the minerals and lavas, types of volcanoes, and the creation of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks make up the first third of the course; this introduces the materials of the earth.

Environmental Studies & Sciences equips students to explore the complex and evolving issues through an approach combining natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.