Welcome to the student gateway
to all courses available in Geosciences. You can
use this site as a quick portal to all classes
that are offered in Geosciences and Earth Sciences,
or visit this page
to see what's offered this semester.
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First
Year Seminars
First year seminar is required for all entering EMS first year students at University Park. |
EM
SC 100S:
First Year Seminar, section 002
Earthquakes & Civilization
This course will explore causes and consequences of earthquakes and will involve research on specific historical earthquakes and the impact they had on society. We will also consider the modern distribution of earthquakes and the potential effects of future earthquakes in areas of high risk.
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Instructor:
Don Fisher |
EM SC 100S: First Year Seminar, section 009
Climate Change: Past, Present and Future
This class will explore the climate change debate from several different angles, evaluate the scientific arguments for it, adn discuss the implications and possible mitigations for the future. In addition, the class will design a museum exhibit on this topic.
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| Earth
Sciences Courses |
Earth
002 (GN) - GAIA - The Earth System
An interdisciplinary introduction to the processes,
interactions and evolution of the earth's biosphere,
geosphere and hydrosphere.
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Contact:
Jim Kasting
Klaus Keller
Website:
Dr.
Kasting's Site
Dr. Keller's Site |
Earth
100 (GN) - Environment Earth
Introductory geological analysis of the global,
regional, and local impact of humans on the earth's
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere.
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Earth
101 (GN) - Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality
Analysis of the causes and consequences of natural
disasters; comparison of popular media portrayal
of disasters with perspective from scientific
research.
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Earth
103 (GN) - Earth in the Future: Predicting Climate
Change and Its Impacts Over the Next Century
Climate predictions for the coming century are
utilized to examine potential impacts on regions,
sectors of society, and natural ecosystems
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Earth
105 (GN;GI) (AAA S) - Environments of Africa:
Geology and Climate History
Significant natural features of Africa and their
relationship to human endeavor; case studies of
the Nile, Sahara/Sahel, and Rift Valley.
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Earth 106 (GN)
The African Continent: Earthquakes, Tectonics & Geology
Study of Earthquakes and seismic waves to learn about the geology and plate tectonics of the African continent. Hybrid course. Coming Fall 2007!
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Earth 111 (GN;US) Water: Science and Society
In this course, we will explory the relationships between hydrology and human populations with emphasis on water resources and quality in the Western U.S., and how these have shaped history and modern politics.
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Earth
150 - Dinosaur Extinctions and Other Controversies
Dinosaur extinctions and other major and controversial
events in the history of life.
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Earth 240 - Coral Reef Systems
The geography, geology, and chemistry of coral reef ecosystems; threats to reef environments; and techniques for reef surveying and monitoring.
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Earth 296 - Independent Studies
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Earth 497 - Special Topics
Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
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| Geoscience
Courses |
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100
Level Courses |
Geosc
001 - Physical Geology
Earth processes and their effects on the materials,
structure, and morphology of the Earth's crust.
Practicum includes field work, study of rocks,
minerals, dynamic models, and topographic maps.
(This course includes from one to several field
trips for which an additional charge will be made
to cover transportation). Fall and Spring semesters.
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| Geosc
010 (GN) - Geology of the National Parks
Introduction to geology, geological change, and
environmental hazards, as seen in the national
parks. Fall and Spring semesters.
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Contact:
Richard Alley
Eric Spielvogel
Sridhar A.
Website
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Geosc 020 (GN) -
(lecture) Planet Earth
(3) Dr. Engelder, E. Richardson
Nontechnical explanation of earth processes,
materials, and landscape. Practicum includes
field trips for the gathering and analysis of
geological data as well as laboratory exercises
in the interpretation of geologic processes.
(This course includes from one to several field
trips for which an additional charge will be
made to cover transportation). Fall and Spring semesters.
Geosc 020 (GN) -(laboratory) Planet
Earth
Nontechnical explanation of earth processes,
materials, and landscape. Practicum includes
field trips for the gathering and analysis of
geological data as well as laboratory exercises
in the interpretation of geologic processes.
(This course includes from one to several field
trips for which an additional charge will be
made to cover transportation).
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Contact:
Terry
Engelder
Website |
Geosc
021 (GN) - Biodiversity and Earth History
An introduction to the geological history of biodiversity
and the influence of the changing Earth environment
on the biosphere. Fall and Spring semesters.
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Contact:
Mark Patzkowski
Website
*password protected
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Geosc
040L (GN) - (lecture) The Sea Around Us
Introduction to marine science, including physical,
chemical, biological, and geological aspects of
oceanography; the sea as a multipurpose natural
resource. Laboratory. Fall and Spring semesters.
Geosc 040P (GN) - (laboratory)
The Sea Around Us
Introduction to marine science, including physical,
chemical, biological, and geological aspects of
oceanography; the sea as a multipurpose natural
resource. Laboratory.
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Contact:
Dr. Michael
Arthur
Dr. Chris Marone
Website |
Geosc
071 - Physical Geology for Engineers
Principles of physical geology, with emphasis
on the engineering point of view; practicum
includes field work, study of rocks, minerals,
dynamic models, and topographic maps. (This
course includes from one to several field trips
for which an additional charge will be made
to cover transportation). Prerequisite: CHEM
13.
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Geosc
109H - Earthquakes and Society - honors
(Fall)
The nature of earthquakes and nuclear
explosions and the science and policy issues linking
them.
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Geosc
110H - Science of Gemstones - honors (Spring)
An exploration of the geological uses
of gems and of the physical and chemical properties
underlying their brilliance and color. Prerequisite:
high school chemistry and trigonometry
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Geosc 111 - (GN) Forensic Geoscience
Covers fundamental geoscience concepts such as stratigraphy, mineral and soil identification, seismology, and geochemistry within the context of forensic investigation.
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| 200
Level Courses |
Geosc
200 - Geology of Caves and Karst
Geology and hydrology of carbonate terrains; cave
origin; sedimentation processes in caves; water
supply and land use in karst areas. (This course
includes from one to several field trips for which
an additional charge will be made to cover transportation).
Laboratory.
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Geosc
201 - Earth Materials
Elements of crystallography and crystal chemistry;
classification and origin of sedimentary, igneous,
and metamorphic rocks in a plate tectonic context.
Laboratory and field trips. Prerequisite: CHEM
012, third-semester standing. Prerequisite or
concurrent: GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020. Fall and Spring semesters.
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Geosc
202 - Chemical Processes in Geology
An in-depth examination of the application of
chemical principles to geological processes. Laboratory.Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001, MATH 140, third-semester standing.
CHEM 015. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
203 - Physical Processes in Geology
An in-depth examination of the physics of geological
processes including surface processes, heat flow
and thermal transport, gravity and potential fields,
plate tectonic motions, sedimentary transport,
seismic waves, fluid flow, earthquake physics,
and deformation of Earth materials. Laboratory.
Prerequisite: Geosc 001 or 20, Math 140, and fifth-semester
standing.
Prerequisite or concurrent: PHYS 211/212. Fall semesters.
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Geosc 204 - Geobiology
An introduction to how biological processes and
materials are used to solve geological problems.
(This course includes from one to several field
trips for which an additional charge will be made
to cover transportation).
Prerequisite: BIOL 110 ; GEOSC 001 or GEOSC 020
Spring semesters.
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Geosc
228 (GN) - Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs and other large Mesozoic reptiles: their
morphology, stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental
distribution, preservation, collecting, classification,
lifestyles, origins, evolution, and extinction. Spring semesters.
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Geosc 296 - Independent Studies 1-8
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Geosc
297 - Special Topics 1-9 |
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| 300
Level Courses |
Geosc
303 - Introduction to Environmental Geology
Survey of geologic problems created by the interation
of humanity with the Earth, such as landslides,
water supply and polution, coastal erosion, and
waste disposal. Laboratory. (This course includes
from one to several field trips for which an additional
charge will be made to cover transportation). Fall semesters.
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Geosc
310 - Earth History
The principles of stratigraphy and paleontology
and their use, in combination with plate tectonics,
in reconstructing the Earth's history. Laboratory.
Prerequisite: fifth-semester standing. Prerequisite
or concurrent: GEOSC 201. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
320 - Geology of Climate Changes
Geologic evidence for climate change and mechanisms
of change, especially from the Ice Age through
the near future. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
340 - Geomorphology
Physical and chemical processes operating at the
Earth's surface and their resultant land forms.
Laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOSC 201. Fall semesters.
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Contact:
Eric Kirby
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Geosc
397 - Special Topics |
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| 400
Level Courses |
Geosc
402Y - Natural Disasters
Case studies of the causes and consequences of
natural disasters; analysis of disaster impact
in different economic, cultural, and social conditions.
Prerequisite: fourth-semester standing. Spring semesters.
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Geosc 405 - Hydrogeology
Soil and water interactions across scales, integrated studies of landscape- soil-water relationships, fundamental processes of water flow and chemical transport.
Prerequisite: Soils 101
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Geosc 409W - Geomicrobiology
Investigation of modern and ancient microbial interactions with soils, sediments, the atmosphere, minerals, rocks, nutrients, and pollutants.
Prerequisite: CHEM 112; GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020, GEOSC 040, EARTH 002, BIOL 110 or MICRB 201
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Geosc
410 - Marine Biogeochemistry
Exploration of the ways in which life influences
and is influenced by chemical, physical, and geological
processes in the ocean. Prerequisite: CHEM 013;
EARTH 002 OR GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020, GEOSC 040 OR
METEO 022. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
412 - Water Resources Geochemistry
Aqueous geochemistry of silica, alumina, carbonate
minerals, and selected metals; organic species
in water; isotope geochemistry applied to water.
Prerequisite: CHEM 012 GN, CHEM 013 GN.
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Geosc
413W - Techniques in Environmental Geochemistry
This course teaches techniques needed for the
collection, chemical analysis, and data analysis
of environmental geochemical measurements. Prerequisite:
one of the following: CE 475, CHEM 402, GEOSC
202, GEOSC 412. Fall semesters.
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Website |
Geosc
416 - Stable and Radioactive Isotopes in Geosciences
Intro Discussions on theories for natural isotopic
and element variations and their applications
to the solution of geologic and cosmologic problems.
Prerequisite: GEOSC 001 or GEOSC 020 and CHEM
012, CHEM 013, CHEM 014, CHEM 015. Spring semesters.
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Website |
Geosc 418 - Soil Environmental Geochemistry (Soils 418)
Introduction to chemical constituents and processes occurring in soils. Topics include mineral weathering, soil solution chemistry and adsorption of solutes.
Prerequisites: Chem 013, Soils 101
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Geosc
419 - The Organic Geochemistry of Natural Waters
and Sediments
Composition, sources, and fates of particulate
and dissolved organic matter in natural environments;
biogeochemical processes; organic geochemistry
of anthropogenic contaminants.Prerequisite: CHEM
012 GN, CHEM 013 GN. Every other fall semester.
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Website |
Geosc
420 - Paleobotany
Classification, morphology, phylogeny, and stratigraphic
occurrence of fossil plants; practicum includes
field trips and study of paleobotanical techniques
and specimens. Prerequisite: any 3 credit introductory
course in historical geology or plant biology. Every other spring.
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Geosc 422 - Vertebrate Paleontology
Course covers scientific thinking and skills in scientific writing, the history of vertebrates, and modern evolutionary theory applied to vertebrates.
Prerequisite: GEOSC 001 and BIOL 110
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Geosc
424 - Paleontology and Fossils
Concepts and procedures using fossils to solve
problems in systematics, evolution, biostratigraphy,
correlation, sedimentation, paleoecology, and
global change. Prerequisite: GEOSC 002 GN, GEOSC
021, or GEOSC 310, GEOSC 001 or GEOSC 020. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
428 - Micropaleontology
Biology and ecology of microfaunas and microfloras
(e.g., foraminifera, coccolithophores, radiolaria,
diatoms, dinoflagellates) and applications in biostratigraphy
and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Prerequisite:
GEOSC 204 . Spring semesters.
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Geosc
434 - Volcanology
Phenomena and products of volcanic eruptions;
physical characteristics of lava and pyroclastic
material. Laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOSC 201.
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Geosc
439 - Principles of Stratigraphy
An introduction to the description and genesis
of sedimentary rock bodies, the determination
of their stratal geometries, and their correlation.
(This course includes from one to several field
trips for which an additional charge will be made
to cover transportation). Laboratory. GEOSC 002
GN or GEOSC 310 or consent of the instructor.
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Geosc
440 - Marine Geology
Chemical and physical processes affecting the
topography and sediments of the sea floor. Prerequisite:
5th semester standing. Spring semesters.
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Geosc 444 - Matlab Applications for Geoscience
A field course dealing with the processes operative in the environmental systems of a segment of the mid-Atlantic coast.
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Geosc
445 - Coastal Geology
A field course dealing with the processes operative
in the environmental systems of a segment of the
mid-Atlantic coast.
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Geosc
451 - Natural Resources: Origins, Economics &
Environmental Impact
Introduction to the study of mineral deposits.
Laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOSC 001 or GEOSC 020.
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Geosc
452 - Hydrogeology
Hydrologic cycle: occurrence, movement, quality, and quantity of groundwater; solute transport; quantitative hydrogeologic methods; role of water in geologic processes. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee may be charged to the student.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 013; GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020, or GEOSC 071; MATH 140 or MATH 110 |
Contact:
Kamini Singha
or
Demian Saffer
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Geosc
454 - Geology of Oil and Gas
Properties, origin, migration, and occurrence
of oil and gas. Laboratory. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
461 - Geology of North America
Evolution of structural-stratigraphic framework
of the North American continent from the Archean
to the present. Prerequisite: GEOSC 001 or 020;
GEOSC 004 or 201. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
465 - Structural Geology
Geometry, kinematics and dynamics of deformation
in the Earth's crust; practicum includes analysis
of structural data gathered in thefield. Prerequisite:
GEOSC 203, GEOSC 310. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
470W - Introduction to Field Geology
A field-based capstone experience for Earth Science
majors; preparation and interpretation of geologic
maps, diagrams, and stratigraphic sections. Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001; GEOSC 002 GN or GEOSC 310. Prerequisite
or concurrent: GEOSC 021.
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Contact:
David Eggler
Website
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Geosc
472a&b - Geosciences Summer Field School
A capstone summer field course built around five
mapping exercises of diverse geologic terrains
in the Rocky Mountain states. This course is taught
in two 3-week sections and involves extra transportation
and lodging costs in addition to summer tuition.
Prerequisites: 472a: GEOSC 310; 472b: GEOSC 310,
GEOSC 465 and GEOSC 472a
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Contact:
Dave Bice
Website |
Geosc
474 - (BIOL) Astrobiology (3)
In depth treatment of principles/concepts of biochemical
evolution, the origin/evolution of life; evaluation
of distribution of life in the universe. Prerequisite:
BIOL 110, CHEM 012. Spring semesters.
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Geosc
479 - Advanced Stratigraphy (3)
Modern topics of sequence stratigraphy are addressed,
with a heavy emphasis on field and laboratory
data analysis
and interpretation. Every other fall semester.
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Geosc
483 - Environmental Geophysics (3)
This course presents the principles and applications
of the variety of techniques geophysicists use
to address environmental problems. Prerequisites:
MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, PHYS 213. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
484 - Geophysical Surveying
Principles and interpretation of seismic, gravity,
magnetic, electric, and electromagnetic methods;
applications to geologic, mining, petroleum, and
engineering problems. Prerequisite: PHYS 211,
212, or 213.
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Geosc
487 - Analysis of Time Series (4)
Nonstatistical approach to data analysis; spectral
and correlation analysis; filter theory; signal-to-noise
improvement applied to seismic problems. Laboratory.
Prerequisite: CMPSC 201; or CMPSC 201F.
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Geosc
488 - An Introduction to Seismology(4)
An overview of the observations, methods, and
frameworks used in seismogram analysis for earthquake
and earth-structure investigations (includes laboratory).
Prerequisite: MATH 140 , MATH 141. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
489 - Dynamics of Earth (4)
Constitution and dynamics of the solid earth;
mechanics and consequences of plate tectonic processes.
Laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOSC 203, GEOSC 310;
PHYS 211, 212, or 213 or PHYS 204. Fall semesters.
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Geosc
494W - Senior Thesis (1 - 4)
Supervised student activities on research projects
identified on an individual or small group basis.
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Geosc
495 - Internship (1-18)
Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including
field experiences, practica, or internship. Written
and oral critique of activity required.
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Geosc
496 - Independent Studies
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Geosc
497A-F - Special Topics
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Geosc
498 - Special Topics (1 - 9)
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