The Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT is the most interdisciplinary of its kind in the world. It is more common for universities and research institutes to study together the earth's oceans and atmosphere, than to combine the study of the earth's crust and planets, but it is unique for all these sciences to be grouped together. What distinguishes EAPS from its counterparts is the wide range of disciplines its faculty brings to the department, from atmospheric chemistry to rock physics to marine geology, and the willingness of theorists as well as experimentalists to explore new science at the boundaries of traditional divisions. A large faculty of over thirty members meets weekly to discuss topics and exchange ideas. Research conducted in labs and computer rooms is discussed among peers.
EAPS scientists undertake projects and write papers across disciplines.
Topics studied are of worldwide interest, sponsored equally by government and industry. Yet EAPS is currently housed in facilities that are not conducive to interaction. The department is split between two main buildings, one deteriorated and destined to be demolished, the other a tall tower of very small footprint. Both are nearing the end of their systems' lifecycle. The department needs to consolidate and to grow.