Welcome to Earth & Planetary Sciences!
Many of the grand challenges for present and future generations concern issues deeply embedded within the Earth Sciences. The human capacity for environmental stewardship, and societal needs for understanding the availability and development of key resources require an understanding of the depth of geologic time and the Earth processes that affect rock, air, and water. Education and the scientific investigation of the Earth, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, other planetary bodies, and the solar system are central to the activities within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico.
The Department offers a large and expanding variety of introductory and intermediate courses for undergraduate students who are interested in learning about how our fascinating planet works (including an option for a Minor in Earth Sciences). Undergraduate programs emphasize a solid foundation in a broad range of Earth and Planetary Science disciplines, with research opportunities for advanced undergraduates in particular fields. Graduate students may pursue studies emphasizing climatology and paleoclimatology; crystallography and materials science; environmental geology; geochemistry; geomorphology; geophysics; geodynamics; geospatial analysis; hydrology; igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology; invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology; mineralogy; paleomagnetism; planetary sciences, sedimentology; soils; stratigraphy; structural geology; tectonics; and volcanology.
This website is designed for those who have an interest in learning more about the Earth and Planetary Sciences to find out some of the work in which we are involved. For those who have an interest in pursuing a career with us, the site provides the ability to contact your potential mentors for graduate or undergraduate studies. For those at other institutions looking for collaborators or laboratory services, we have a lot to offer in those areas also. There is a lot of information here, so please explore our site.
Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory Acknowledgement
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.
Land Acknowledgment Brown Paper [PDF]
Land Acknowledgement White Paper [PDF]
Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory Acknowledgement Graphic [PNG]
Indigenous People's Land and Territory Acknowledgement Graphic - Spanish [PNG]
Territory Acknowledgement
A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
We gratefully recognize the authors of the White Paper and the Land Acknowledgement:
- Dr. Lorenda Belone, Health Exercise & Sports Science
- Dr. Jennifer Denetdale, American Studies
- Dr. Kimberly Huyser, Sociology
- Dr. Lloyd Lee, Native American Studies
- Dr. Tiffany Lee, Native American Studies
- Dr. Glenabah Martinez, Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies
- Dr. Robin Minthorn, ED LEAD & Native American Studies
- Dr. Leola Tsinnajinnie, Native American Studies
