270.102 (N)

FRESHMAN SEMINAR: CONVERSATION WITH THE EARTH Marsh   Limit 32 (16 per section) 15   Freshmen only

Sec. 01: 2 credits (normal participation)

Sec. 02: 3 credits (requires term paper)

A discussion of current topics on Earth’s origin, evolution, and habitability. Topics will include extinction of life from meteorite impact, global warming, ozone depletion, volcanism, ice ages, and catastrophic floods, among others.

Sec.  01

02

ThF 11

ThF 11

270.114 (N)

GUIDED TOUR: THE PLANETS (3) Marsh
An introduction to planetary science and planetary exploration primarily for non-science majors.  A survey of concepts from astronomy, chemistry, geology, and physics applied to the study of the solar system.

Sec. 01

MT 2-3:15

270.120 (N)

EXTINCTION OF THE DINOSAURS (3) Jahren   Limit 100 35   Recommended: High-school math, chemistry, and physics A study of current and past theories concerning what caused the extinction of the dinosaurs; emphasis placed on potential linkages between climate change and extinction.

Sec. 01

MWF 12

270.220 (N)

THE DYNAMIC EARTH (3) Veblen/Ferry Limit 30   Prereq or Coreq: 030.101 or 171.101-102   270.121 is also a corequisite for EPS majors and Environmental Science Majors

Basic concepts in geology, including plate tectonics; Earth’s internal structure; geologic time; minerals; formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; development of faults, folds, and earthquakes; geomagnetism.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

270.221

LAB: THE DYNAMIC EARTH (1) Olsen Coreq: 270.220  This course is a hands-on learning experience for introductory geological concepts and techniques using geological tools, such as mineral/rock samples, microscopes, and maps. Field trips are its essential part.

Sec. 01

T 2-4

270.224 (N)

OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERES (3) Haine/ Olson     A broad survey of the Earth’s oceans and atmospheres, and their role in the environment and climate.  Topics covered include waves, tides, ocean and atmosphere circulation, weather systems, tornadoes and hurricanes, El Niño, and climate change. For science and engineering majors

Sec. 01

MW 1:30-3

270.231 (N)

ECOLOGY OF A CHANGING PLANET (3) Szlavecz     This course focuses on large-scale ecological patterns and effects of humans on the Earth’s biota. Topics include the biosphere’s energy, productivity, community change, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and introduction of species.

Sec. 01

MTW 11

270.315 (N)

PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL CATASTROPHES (3) Olson   Limit 35 
For science and engineering students. A survey of naturally occurring catastrophic phenomena, with emphasis on the underlying physical processes. Topics include hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions and climate change. Intended for students in science and engineering.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

270.332 (N)

SOIL ECOLOGY (3) Szlavecz    Limit 10 Prereq: General Biology, Population Ecology or Geobiology.  The course introduces basic aspects of cycles and flows in the soil ecosystem, and provides students with an overview of the higher groups of soil organisms. Laboratory and field surveying methods are also covered.

Sec. 01

F 1-4

270.350 (N)

SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS (3) Hardie    Perm. Req=d   Limit 20     Introduction to sedimentary processes and petrology of sedimentary rocks. Origin of siliciclastic, carbonate, and chemical deposits with emphasis on depositional models and facies complexes. Weekend field trips.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

270.351

SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS LAB (1.5) Hardie   Coreq: 270.350. Laboratory work in petrology of sedimentary rocks.

Sec. 01

M 1-4

270.369 (N)

GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT (4) Sverjensky   Prereq: 270.103 or 270.114 or 270.220 or 270.222. The chemical principles needed to understand and predict how the elements migrate through the Earth and the sub-surface environment. Applications to metallic resources and nuclear waste migration.

Sec. 01

TTh 4-5:30

270.378 (N)

PRESENT AND FUTURE CLIMATE (3) Arking   Prereqs: 110.108-109 (Calculus I & II) and 171.101-102 (Physics) Intended for science majors who are interested in the science that underlies the current debate on global warming, the focus is on recent observations, and what one can glean from model simulations.

Sec. 01

MW 3-4:30

270.401 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY (3) Haine/Osborn  
This course is designed for first year graduate students in oceanography, graduate students in engineering disciplines that will involve ocean processes (Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering departments, and advanced undergraduates that want to understand the application of their knowledge of physics and mathematics to the ocean.  This first semester of the sequence is an introduction to a wide range of oceanic phenomena.

Sec. 01

ThF 1-3

270.422 (N)

GEOCHEMISTRY OF ORE DEPOSITS (3) Simon    Prereq: First year Chemistry and Geology or Perm. Req'd.   Covers the physical and chemical processes leading to the formation of precious- and base-metal-rich ore deposits and the economics of mining them. Upper level undergrad or graduate students. Course added 12/03/04

Sec. 01

M 1-2:30
Th 3:15-5

270.475 (N)

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION (3) Garven    Prereq: Knowledge of hydrology and aquatic chemistry   Principles of groundwater chemistry; sources of contamination; theory for solute transport in porous media; mapping contaminant plumes; monitoring; site remediation; pollution case studies.

Sec. 01

MTW 10

270.496 (W)

SENIOR THESIS (4) Staff Preparation of a substantial thesis based upon independent student research, supervised by at least one faculty member in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Open to Sr. departmental majors only. Required for department honors.

Sec. 01

TBA

270.502

INDEPENDENT STUDY

270.508

INTERNSHIP

270.604

GEOPHYSICAL PETROLOGY SEMINAR Marsh Discussion of present research topics in geophysics and igneous petrology.

Sec. 01

W 12

270.606

JOURNAL CLUB Hardie Review and discussion of new geologic literature and current research. All geology students participate and deliver at least one paper a year.

Sec. 01

Th 12

270.613

METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY SEMINAR  Ferry   Discussion of recent research topics in metamorphic petrology and geochemistry.

Sec. 01

W 12

270.622

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY: THEORY AND UNDERSTANDING  Veblen/Hemker  
Prereq: 270.621     This course, which follows and complements 270.621, introduces the student to more detailed aspects of kinematical and dynamical theories of electron diffraction. Theory of conventional TEM imaging, phase-contrast imaging (high-resolution electron microscopy), X-ray and energy loss analytical TEM, and computer-based image simulation are included.

Sec. 01

T 4-5:30
Th 1:30-3

270.625

GROUNDWATER AND GEOLOGIC PROCESSES  Garven     Theory and modeling techniques for the study of the effects of groundwater flow on weathering, sediment diagenesis, petroleum migration, hydrothermal ore formation, metamorphism, and earthquakes.

Sec. 01

ThF 9-10:30
MTW 2

270.634

MACROEVOLUTION (3) Stanley  Perm. Req’d.   Rates, trends, and patterns of evolution as seen through the application of biological principles to the fossil record.

Sec. 01

W 1-3

270.660

SEMINAR IN OCEANOGRAPHY II Haine Perm. Req’d   This class is on topics in physical oceanography and geophysical fluid dynamics. For graduate students with research interests in these areas.

Sec. 01

F 4-6pm

270.673

TIME SERIES AND DATA ANALYSIS Osborn   Spectral analysis, digital filtering, convolutions, and other techniques for processing data will be covered.

Sec. 01

TTh 11-12:30

360.605

SEMINAR: ENVIRONMENT AND APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS Meneveau Cross-listed with Mechanical Engineering, Interdepartmental, and Geography and Environmental Engineering

Sec. 01

F 10:30-11:45

270.808

RESEARCH