Faculty of Science Earth System Science

Offered As:	Major
URL:	https://webapp.science.hku.hk/sr4/servlet/enquiry?Type=Major&Code=MajorInEarthSystemSc&AdmissionYear=2026
*Open to students of other Faculties:	Yes
Selection process required:	No
Credits:	96
What is it about?	Earth System Science seeks to understand the Earth as an integrated system, including its past, present and future behaviour, from the environments where life evolves on the surface to the interactions between the crust and its fluid envelopes (atmosphere and hydrosphere), with interests extending to the Earth's interior. Core courses in the major focus on understanding the composition, structure and processes of the solid earth, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere, the biosphere, and their interactions.
Offering Faculty/ Department/ School/Institute	Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Pre-requisite requirements and/or other conditions for declaring the major/minor	Students are recommended to take PHYS1240 Physics by Inquiry and CHEM1041 Foundations of Chemistry if they do not have level 3 or above in HKDSE Physics and Chemistry, respectively, or equivalent. Please refer to the course prerequisites of the required courses. For details, please check with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Career opportunities	Students will be equipped with knowledge to help manage geological resources and natural hazards. Throughout the curriculum there is consistent emphasis on transferable skills, learning through fieldwork, laboratory studies and research based classes, designed to enhance students' ability to think critically, to communicate effectively and to develop solutions to complex problems. Graduates from the major can pursue further studies in the Earth Sciences and careers in a wide variety of geoscience-related areas including resource management, hazard mitigation, environment and life conservation and teaching. For details, please check with Faculty or CEDARS (Careers & Placement).
Further information	https://webapp.science.hku.hk/sr4/servlet/enquiry?Type=Major&Code=MajorInEarthSystemSc&AdmissionYear=2026
Contact	E: earthsci@hku.hk T: 3917 1084

* Note: Students pursuing curricula with major / minor programme(s) must complete at least one major programme from their home Faculties upon graduation. Disclaimer: The information is provided by the Faculties/Schools as of August 2026 and is subject to change by respective units. Students are advised to consult their Faculty/School Office(s) in case of doubt.