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Undergraduate Program

We offer a major and minor in Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS) that involves a number of core courses and various electives. Students can choose to pursue a focused track under the overarching GPS major and minor. The Division also offers an Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) major and minor. Students can pursue the ESE major along two tracks: environmental physics and environmental chemistry.

Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes

The Caltech Core Curriculum provides:

Substantive experience in problem solving, collaboration, and communication.

Students will be able to:
a. Manage increasing academic challenges while developing resilience and confidence.
b. Develop and satisfy their intellectual curiosity.
c. Collaborate effectively and ethically, recognizing diverse models of academic collaboration.
d. Communicate to a range of audiences through a variety of media.

A broad and rigorous foundation in the sciences.
Students will be able to:
a. Demonstrate understanding of foundational concepts from the sciences.
b. Use disciplinary thinking, analytical skills, and a range of methods in the sciences.
c. Apply their knowledge and skills to diverse problems within and across disciplines.

Significant study in the humanities and social sciences.
Students will be able to:
a. Explore and expand upon learning in fields beyond intended areas of specialization.
b. Appreciate and understand the contributions of the humanities, social sciences, and arts to human endeavors.
c. Engage in informed analysis of cultural, political, and economic issues.