About the Department

Whether you are interested in studying the world beneath your feet, or worlds farther away, the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Washington University provides the tools for understanding the processes that shape our planet and other solar system bodies.

Our faculty are leaders in their fields, and they are passionate about their work and training the next generation of scientists. Our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities allow our faculty to push the boundaries of their fields and give our students the chance to do their own research. We apply geology, mineralogy, petrology, biology, chemistry, physics, and math to investigate diverse topics such as early life on Earth, the structure of the Earth's deep interior, the nature of contaminant transport, and the evidence for water on Mars. Our students are uniquely poised to help solve some of society's most pressing problems through careers in government, non-profit organizations, academia, and industry.

Introducing the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences

Introducing the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences

Inno Under 25: WashU student channels ambition into defense job with NGA

Inno Under 25: WashU student channels ambition into defense job with NGA

Flooding and Erosion from Climate Change, Shifting Rivers and Changing Landscapes

Claire Masteller, Assistant Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences is engaged in collaborative research that will help scientists distinguish between climate-driven change and the natural variability of river channels.

From Missouri to Mars: WashU alum engineers career in space research

From Missouri to Mars: WashU alum engineers career in space research

Is it possible to turn Venus from boiling hellscape to liveable world?

Is it possible to turn Venus from boiling hellscape to liveable world?

The professors in this department have a commitment to their students learning outside of class and development as thinkers. I have made meaningful connections many of my professors, but Dr. Mike Krawczynski in particular is one with whom I now feel comfortable simply walking into his office and asking about anything I've been pondering, and from those conversations I have learned more than I have from many classes.

―Ian HutchisonAB 2023