Mission Statement

The Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center is a joint center between the University of Maryland departments of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science, Geology, Geography and the Earth Sciences Directorate at the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center.

The goal of ESSIC is to enhance our understanding of how the atmosphere, ocean, land, and biosphere components of the Earth interact as a coupled system and the influence of human activities on this system. This is accomplished via studies of the interaction between the physical climate system (e.g., El Nino) and biogeochemical cycles (e.g., greenhouse gases, changes in land use and cover).

Research Approach

The major research thrusts of the center are studies of Climate Variability and Change, Atmospheric Composition and Processes, the Global Carbon Cycle (including Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems/Land Use/Cover Change), and the Global Water Cycle. The manner in which this research is accomplished is via analyses of in situ and remotely sensed observations together with component and coupled ocean-atmosphere-land models. Together this provides a foundation for understanding and forecasting changes in the global environment and regional implications. Data assimilation and regional downscaling provide the means by which the observations and models are linked to study the interactions between the physical climate system and biogeochemical cycles from global to regional scales. Please see the ESSIC Research Section for further information.

Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites

ESSIC also administers the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS), which is sponsored by the NOAA National Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS) and the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS) was created in July 2009 through an agreement between the University of Maryland, College Park(UMCP) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). CICS is hosted by the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) and consists of CICS-MD, CICS-NC and a broad consortium of participating scientists and institutions. CICS performs collaborative research aimed at enhancing NOAA's ability to use satellite observations and Earth System models to advance the national climate mission, including monitoring, understanding, predicting and communicating information on climate variability and change.

Education

Prospective students interested in Earth System Science are encouraged to contact the three participating departments, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Department of Geography, and Department of Geology, depending on the aspect of Earth System Science of interest. General areas of interest pertinent to Earth System Science in each department are as follows:

• Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science offers PhD/MS degrees in atmospheric and ocean sciences.
• Department of Geology offers PhD/MS and combined BS/MS in topics related hydrologic processes, isotope geochemistry, and paleoclimate.
• Department of Geography offers PhD/MA related to human-environment interactions, land cover/land use, and human influences on biogeochemical cycles.

When applying to the graduate program in one of the three departments, perspective students should indicate their interest in designation as an Earth System Fellow enabling participation in ESSIC activities.  Please see the ESSIC Education Section for further information.

ESSIC Seminar Series

As a mechanism for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, ESSIC has developed an innovative lunch-time Seminars series, held on Mondays during the calendar school-year. ("Pizza" and soft-drinks are generally provided by 11:45.) The talks are held from 12:00-13:00 in room 4102 of the M-Square Building (University of Maryland Research Park). Parking is free. (Please check the "current" on-line schedule for a listing of dates/speakers, as well as any deviations from the normal schedule/routine.)

For further information or if you're interested in speaking at a seminar, please contact the ESSIC Seminar Series Coordinator Isaac Moradi.

ESSIC Business Office

The ESSIC Business Office (EBO) is the financial and business management component for the University of Maryland, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) and its Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites (CICS). Co-located at the UMD Research Park ("M-Square"), the EBO provides an array of administrative and financial services, in support of the Center, faculty, & staff.

Location

ESSIC & CICS are co-located at M-Square, the University of Maryland Research Park. Residing approximately two miles east of the main University of Maryland College Park campus, M-Square is a public-private partnership between Corporate Office Properties Trust and the University of Maryland (UMD). The park is adjacent to the College Park-UMD Metro and the College Park MARC Commuter Rail stations & is served by the UMCP Department of Transportation Shuttle-Bus "River Road 109," from the College Park Metro Station. (There is ample free-parking at M-Square for ESSIC visitors.) For directions to ESSIC, please click the following link.

Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC)

5825 University Research Court, Suite 4001

College Park, MD 20740-3823 USA

(301) 405-0050

Navigational Systems:
(Decimal: 38.9710709, -76.9230219)
(Degree/minute/second: 38° 58' 15.8556" -76° 55' 22.8756")
(GPS: N 38 58.264 W 76 55.381)