Taiwan is where the world’s largest continent and largest ocean meet; where some of the world’s most powerful ocean currents converge; where typhoons visit more frequently than almost anywhere else; and where earthquakes are an ever-present part of life. It is home to the highest peak in East Asia, the Tropic of Cancer runs across the island, and its mountain-building processes and river erosion rank among the most significant in the world. Taiwan has also been shaped by the settlement and development of Austronesian and Han peoples, and has historically encountered European powers including the Dutch, Spanish, and French. Today, Taiwan is a dynamic part of the East Asian economic region and one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Against this remarkable natural and human backdrop, the College of Earth Sciences at National Central University (NCU) is the only college in Taiwan dedicated to Earth sciences as an integrated academic field. Established in 1998, the College was formed by integrating Earth science-related departments and institutes that had previously been part of the College of Science, including the Institute of Geophysics, which dates back to NCU’s re-establishment in 1962.

Over the years, the College has grown into a major center for integrated Earth science education and research in Taiwan. It currently comprises the Department of Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, the Department of Space Science and Engineering, the Graduate Institute of Applied Geology, the Graduate Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences, the Bachelor’s Program in Earth Sciences, and the TIGP International Graduate Program in Earth System Sciences, jointly operated with Academia Sinica. Together, these programs are committed to advancing education and research aimed at understanding the Earth, exploring its complex systems, and promoting its sustainable stewardship.

Educational Mission and Goals

The College strives to provide students with a strong foundation in professional knowledge while cultivating an appreciation for the integration of the humanities and natural sciences. Through education and hands-on training, we develop students’ practical skills, research capabilities, and capacity for innovation, preparing them to become forward-looking professionals with a global perspective. We hope our graduates will contribute to the advancement of science and technology, create new knowledge, and promote sustainable development for both humanity and the natural environment.

Accordingly, the College’s educational goals focus on cultivating three core competencies:

1. Personal Development
To cultivate responsible and capable individuals who can distinguish right from wrong, uphold ethical values, embrace lifelong learning, and develop a clear sense of purpose in life.

2. Professional Competence
To provide students with a solid foundation in Earth system sciences, including information technology, environmental science, energy, remote sensing, and disaster prevention, while developing their abilities to apply knowledge and conduct research in the Earth sciences.

3. Civic Responsibility
To encourage innovation and foster a global outlook, while cultivating modern citizens who are willing to embrace challenges, pursue continuous improvement, and demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

Research and Educational Strengths

The College employs diverse approaches to investigate the Earth system, including field observations, ground-based measurements, satellite-based observations, numerical modeling, and data analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on practical applications and field-based learning. Our departments and institutes are equipped with a wide range of conventional and state-of-the-art instruments and facilities for teaching and research, supported by abundant and high-performance computing resources.

The College has maintained steady growth in both faculty and student enrollment. It currently has 55 full-time faculty members and approximately 800 students, nearly half of whom are graduate students.

The Department of Earth Sciences and the Graduate Institute of Applied Geology conduct research and education in areas including seismology, seismic exploration, geology and geochemistry, geoelectromagnetism, gravity, and hydrogeology. Research on the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake and the drilling project through the Chelungpu Fault has achieved international recognition.

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences and the Department of Space Science and Engineering cover research ranging from the atmosphere to the ionosphere and magnetosphere. With a strong portfolio of radar facilities and integrated research capabilities, the College has established distinctive strengths in these fields in Taiwan.

The Graduate Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences takes a broad perspective on the Earth’s hydrosphere, encompassing terrestrial hydrology as well as the physical and chemical changes occurring throughout the global ocean. The Institute contributes to the development of expertise essential to Taiwan’s engagement with the marine environment and its future as an ocean-oriented nation.

Toward an Integrated Earth System Science

Understanding the Earth as an integrated system is critical to the survival and sustainable development of humanity. In recent years, increasingly evident global climate and environmental changes, together with frequent natural disasters, have underscored the importance and urgency of approaching Earth science as an integrated system science. Traditional disciplinary boundaries are therefore being reexamined and reconfigured in response to emerging scientific and societal challenges.

Building on its existing strengths and in response to the needs of society and the nation, the College of Earth Sciences at NCU will continue to advance toward a more integrated approach to Earth system science in its future teaching and research. We are committed to providing comprehensive education and cultivating the next generation of professionals and leaders in the Earth sciences, contributing to a more sustainable future and the well-being of humanity.