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Courses

Fall 2009

Undergraduate

GEO 102A/ENV 102AClimate: Past, Present, and FutureAn introduction to the processes and conditions that control Earth's climate; an overview of past climate evolution from the time of Earth's origin to the period of human history; and an investigation of ongoing climate changes and those predicted for the future, including the capacity of human activities to alter climate and the impacts of climate change on environment and society. Intended primarily for students not concentrating in science or engineering. 102A: three lectures per week (2 research papers over the semester)
GEO 102B/ENV 102BClimate: Past, Present, and Future(ST)An introduction to the processes and conditions that control Earth's climate; an overview of past climate evolution from the time of Earth's origin to the period of human history; and an investigation of ongoing climate changes and those predicted for the future, including the capacity of human activities to alter climate and the impacts of climate change on environment and society. Intended primarily for students not concentrating in science or engineering.
GEO 203/CEE 235Geology(ST)An introduction to the study of Earth systems, physical processes operating in and on the surface of the Earth, and Earth history. Topics include plate tectonics, formation of minerals and rocks, earth structure, earthquakes, volcanoes, faults, mountain building, weathering, erosion, flooding, landslides and the development of landscape. Although this course counts towards ST requirements, the class is designed for those interested in majoring in the Geosciences.
GEO 255Life in the Universe(QR)This course introduces students to a new field, Astrobiology, where scientists trained in biology, chemistry, astronomy and geology combine their skills to discover life's origins and to seek extraterrestrial life. Topics include: the origin of life on Earth, the prospects of life beneath the surfaces of Mars and Europa, a moon of Jupiter; extra-solar planets nearby that offer targets for NASA space telescopes searching for life.
GEO 297/ENV 399Environmental Decision-Making(QR)Use of scientific data and arguments in formulating environmental policies, international development, poverty reduction, economic growth, conflict, and risk assessment. Class format consists of case studies for which students analyze the scientific arguments, evaluate the data upon which they are based, and determine the scientific credibility, political feasibility, and economic consequences of the various decisions.
CEE 305/GEO 375Environmental Fluid MechanicsThis course introduces the basics and the environmental implications of the dynamics of fluid flows. The equations we use to describe these dynamics are first reviewed, with a special focus on their application in environmental systems. The turbulent flow regime is then given special attention due to its ubiquity in the environment. Specific environmental flow problems of importance are then studied including: flow in the atmospheric boundary layer, fluid-structures interactions and flow in urban areas, open channel and river flows, lake dynamics, flow in estuaries, and coastal dynamics. The course includes an applied final project.
GEO 361/CEE 360/ENV 361Physics of the Ocean and AtmosphereThe habitability of our planet depends critically on the motion of the oceans and atmosphere, which determines our weather and climate. Associated phenomena include hurricanes, tornadoes, the Jet Streams, the Gulf Stream, El Nino, La Nina, and the recurrent Ice Ages of the past million years. The course includes the use of an idealized computer model (which runs on a laptop) to study how these phenomena depend on the Earth's rotation and sphericity, and to explore the predictability of weather, and of long-term changes in climate, including future global warming.
GEO 361/CEE 360/ENV 361Physics of the Ocean and AtmosphereThe habitability of our planet depends critically on the motion of the oceans and atmosphere, which determines our weather and climate. Associated phenomena include hurricanes, tornadoes, the Jet Streams, the Gulf Stream, El Nino, La Nina, and the recurrent Ice Ages of the past million years. The course includes the use of an idealized computer model (which runs on a laptop) to study how these phenomena depend on the Earth's rotation and sphericity, and to explore the predictability of weather, and of long-term changes in climate, including future global warming.
GEO 363/CHM 331/ENV 331Environmental Geochemistry: Chemistry of(STX)Covers topics including origin of elements; formation of the Earth; evolution of the atmosphere and oceans; atomic theory and chemical bonding; crystal chemistry and ionic substitution in crystals; reaction equilibria and kinetics in aqueous and biological systems; chemistry of high-temperature melts and crystallization process; and chemistry of the atmosphere, soil, marine and riverine environments. The biogeochemistry of contaminants and their influence on the environment will also be discussed.
GEO 363/CHM 331/ENV 331Environmental Geochemistry: Chemistry of(STX)Covers topics including origin of elements; formation of the Earth; evolution of the atmosphere and oceans; atomic theory and chemical bonding; crystal chemistry and ionic substitution in crystals; reaction equilibria and kinetics in aqueous and biological systems; chemistry of high-temperature melts and crystallization process; and chemistry of the atmosphere, soil, marine and riverine environments. The biogeochemistry of contaminants and their influence on the environment will also be discussed.
GEO 365Evolution and CatastrophesThis course introduces students to the evolution of life and mass extinction's based on a broad survey of major events in Earth history as revealed by the fossil record. Concepts and techniques of paleontology are applied to all aspects, including colonization of the oceans, invasion of land, mass extinction's and evolutionary radiations. The roles of major catastrophes in the history of life are evaluated, including meteorite impacts, volcanism, climate change, and oceanic anoxia.
GEO 371/PHY 371Global Geophysics(STX)An introduction to the fundamental principles of global geophysics. Four parts, taught over three weeks each in an order allowing the material to build up to form a final coherent picture of (how we know) the structure and evolution of the solid Earth: 1. Gravity and 2. Magnetism: the description and study of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields. 3. Seismology: body waves, surface waves and free oscillations. 4. Geodynamics: heat flow, cooling of the Earth, and mantle convection. The emphasis is on physical principles including the mathematical derivation and solution of the governing equations.
GEO 373Structural Geology(ST)The origin and geometry of deformation (brittle and ductile) in the earths crust considered at scales from atomic to continental mountain building and rifting.
GEO 425/MAE 425Introduction to Physical OceanographyThe study of the oceans as a major influence on the atmosphere and the world environment. The contrasts between the properties of the upper and deep oceans; the effects of stratification; the effect of rotation; the wind-driven gyres; the thermohaline circulation.
CEE 471/GEO 471/URB 471Intro to Water Pollution TechnologyAn introduction to the science of water quality management and pollution control in natural systems; fundamentals of biological and chemical transformations in natural waters; indentification of sources of pollution; water and wastewater treatment methods; fundamentals of water quality modeling.
GEO 499/ENV 499Environmental Change, Poverty & ConflictWe will evaluate both the national and international impact of environmental change as manifested through natural hazards. In particular, we explore what constitutes a natural disaster & predict the future humanitarian, economic, & political impact of such events given changes in sea level, climate variations, & demographic trends. Students will work in teams to assess risk and to develop economically realistic & scientifically sound policy recommendations. The results of the class will be submitted for publication, and the class will present their analysis to the appropriate policy-makers and/or business leaders.

Graduate

GEO 505Fundamentals of the Geosciences IA year-long survey, in sequence, of fundamental papers in the geosciences. Topics in 505 (Fall) include the origin and interior of the Earth, plate tectonics, geodynamics, the history of life on Earth, the composition of the Earth, its oceans and atmospheres, past climate. Topics in 506 (Spring) include present and future climate, biogeochemical processes in the ocean, geochemical cycles, orogenies, thermochronology, rock fracture and seismicity. A core course for all beginning graduate students in the geosciences.
GEO 523/CEE 572GeomicrobiologyThe course focuses on microbial interactions with a wide range of terrestrial environments. The course is part lecture and part seminar and contains a computer lab. This year¿s course will focus on the bioenergetics of microbial respiration coupled to mineral diagenesis and hydrocarbon degradation. Students will learn how to utilize Geochemist Workbench and PhreeqC to model their own experimental or field data and how to construct thermodynamic data sets using SUPCRT92. Undergraduates who have taken GEO331 or GEO417/428 or who can convince the instructor that they have adequate geochemical and microbiological training are welcome.
AOS 527/GEO 527Atmospheric Radiactive TransferStructure and composition of terrestrial atmospheres. Fundamental aspects of electromagnetic radiation. Absorption and emission by atmospheric gases. Optical extinction of particles. Roles of atmospheric species in Earth's radiative energy balance. Perturbation of climate due to natural and antropogenic causes. Satellite observations of climate system.
ENV 531/CEE 583/GEO 531Topics in Energy and the EnvironmentAn introduction to the fundamentals of hydrocarbon accumulation, phase behavior of petroleum fluids, fluid flow in porous media, and material balance. Drilling and production operations are overviewed and followed by a focus on primary, improved and enhanced recovery schemes which provides a platform for examining definitions of reserves and resources, a distinction further clarified when petroleum economics are included. Consideration is given to running safe and environmentally-responsible operations. The course concludes with an investigation of the role of oil and gas in the current and future energy mix.
GEO 543Rock FractureApplication of fracture mechanics to a wide range of geologic processes, including jointing, dike propagation, fault growth, and earthquake rupture. Topics include engineering fracture mechanics, analytic solutions for cracks in elastic media, numerical boundary element methods, and applications to geologic examples including observed fracture paths and patterns, small-scale structures associated with faults and dikes, and interpretation of geodetic data.
GEO 567GeochemistryA review of the chemical composition of Earth's major realms, the governing processes, & their temporal evolution. This course will examine the origin & chemistry of the solar system; chemistry of the core, mantle, and oceanic crust, and continental crust; the origin and evolution of the oceans and atmosphere, the modern cycles of nutrients, carbon, and O2; and weathering. These topics will be reviewed through the prisms of the theory of the origin of the solar system, geodynamics, biogeochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, and radiogenic isotope geochemistry.

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