Robert Dunbar, W.M. Keck Professor; Victoria P. and Roger W. Sant Director, Earth Systems Program

The Earth Systems Program remains vibrant as we enter our 20th year at Stanford! I am happy to report that we are seeing record levels of interest in our Program. We've seen a remarkable growth in our Program over the past several years. We now have around 200 majors and an all-time record of 60 coterminal masters students. I attribute this growth to a number of new course offerings and options, several new environmental faculty members, and increased awareness and interest in environmental issues. I continue to be inspired by the energy, creativity, and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff!

The Earth Systems Program emphasizes the interaction between the geological sciences, ecology and evolution, economics, and environmental technology. The Program provides Stanford students with a unified, coherent, and demanding interdisciplinary curriculum on environmental topics. It draws its strength from the excellent faculty in the schools of Earth Sciences, Humanities and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Business, Education, and Law. The Stanford Earth Systems Program is widely known and respected, and it serves as a model for curriculum development at a number of institutions around the country. 

The Earth Systems Program continues to draw enthusiasm at both the undergraduate and coterminal master’s levels. Over 70 faculty contribute as teachers and mentors. The Program’s superb staff continue to provide the “home” for the program: Deana Fabbro-Johnston (Associate Director for Administration), Julie Kennedy (Associate Director for Academics), Emily Burns (Student Services Officer), Katie Phillips (Lecturer), and Melissa Vallejo (Administrative Associate), and numerous student peer advisors and program T.A.s work together to maintain the Program's excellence.

Robert Dunbar, Director