An introduction to the physical environment of the ocean. Origin and evolution of ocean basins; sea-floor morphology; origin, distribution, historical record, and economic significance of marine sediments; ocean currents, waves, tides, and changing sea level; beaches, shorelines, and coastal processes; marine resources, pollution, and human impacts on the oceans. Students may also enroll in and receive credit for Ocean Sciences 1.
The role of catastrophic processes in shaping Earth and the environment in which we live. The physical processes causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, windstorms, landslides, and meteorite impacts will be described, along with the role played by these rapid processes in the geological and biological evolution of the planet. Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding these phenomena will be discussed. The entire time scale from formation of the universe to the present Earth system will be considered.
Geologic concepts and processes responsible for shaping our national parks including mountain building, volcanic and earthquake activity, sedimentation, weathering, erosion, and glaciation. An understanding of how geology impacts our lives is emphasized. Appropriate for both science and non-science majors who wish to enhance their knowledge, enjoyment, and appreciation of our national parks.
An introduction to physical geology emphasizing the minerals, rocks, volcanoes, mountains, faults, and earthquakes of California. In-class field trips to study the caves, rocks, and landforms of the campus and the Monterey Bay area. Discussion-1 hour. Concurrent enrollment in 5L is required for majors and minors.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 5 with particular emphasis on rock and mineral identification and map interpretation. Field trip. Laboratory three hours. Students are billed a materials fee.
An examination of the major events in the history of life, from the origin of life approximately four billion years ago, to the wave of extinctions that has decimated plants and animals around the globe over the past 30,000 years.
A sweeping tour of planets, satellites, and small bodies in and out of the solar system. Focuses on major scientific results from telescopes and spacecraft missions. Topics include planetary system architecture, planetary atmosphere, surface and interior, planetary formation and evolution, astrobiology, extra-solar planets. Open to all students.
Introduction to the scientific study of Earth, the materials composing it, and the processes shaping it. Topics include minerals and rocks, Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, oceans and the atmosphere, the formation of landscapes and global change. A one-day, optional field trip is included. Concurrent enrollment in 10L is required for majors and minors.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 10, with particular emphasis on rock and mineral identification and map interpretation. Laboratory 3 hours. In-lab field trips. Students are billed a materials fee.
Causes and effects of earthquakes. How do we measure, mitigate, and try to predict earthquakes? Plate motion, frictional faulting, earthquake triggering, wave propagation, earthquake damage, related hazards, and other social effects. Hazard reduction through earthquake forecasting and earthquake-resistant design. Class includes one full day weekend field trip to local faults. Advanced algebra and high school geometry recommended.
Many meteorological phenomena are familiar to us: clouds, fog, rain, snow, wind, lightning, and severe storms. Climate is the sum of weather over long periods and is changing (e.g., greenhouse warming, ozone depletion, urban smog) due to mankind's activities. Conceptual understanding of how and why the present-day atmosphere behaves as it does and how this may change in the future is the primary goal of this course.
Introduction to aspects of geology which affect and are affected by humans. Addresses a broad range of topics including resource management, geologic hazards, air and water issues, population and land use, energy costs and effectiveness, and global change, all from a unique geological/environmental perspective. Lectures include strategies for mitigating these issues. Includes a one-day field trip. Concurrent enrollment in 20L required for majors and minors.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 20, with emphasis on rock and mineral identification, geologic hazard assessment, geologic resource management, and land use planning. In-lab field trip. Laboratory 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee.
Broadly explores how components of the water cycle (precipitation, evapotranspiration, streamflow, groundwater) influence the structure of different environments as well as the communities, cultures, and people within these environments.
Explores the origin, evolution, and extinction of dinosaurs with emphasis on paleobiology and paleoecology. Covers fundamental paleontological and evolutionary principles, dinosaur anatomy and behavior, the hot-blooded/cold-blooded debate, dinosaur-bird relationships, diversity, and exploits of the great dinosaur hunters. One and a half hour of discussion each week. (Formerly EART 65.)
Practical, evidence-based strategies for maximizing learning in the Earth and planetary sciences. Introduces how learning occurs in the brain and how you can use those principles to optimize reading, note-taking, problem-solving, and studying. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.
A supervised learning experience involving practical application of lower division Earth sciences knowledge while working with approved companies, governmental agencies, or research organizations. Students consult weekly with supervising faculty and prepare a final report of their work, to be evaluated both by the sponsoring agency and the faculty supervisor. Consult sponsoring agency for enrollment criteria; after instruction on resume preparation and interview skills, student must interview and be selected for internship by approved sponsoring organizations.
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Introduction to vertebrate history, with an emphasis on vertebrate relationships and the co-evolution of organisms and environments. Specific topics include vertebrate origins, systematics and classification, adaptive revolutions, mass extinctions, and the rise and fall of dinosaurs. Students are billed a materials fee.
Comparative anatomy and functional morphology of vertebrates, and preservation of vertebrate hard parts, using modern and fossil specimens. Laboratory three hours and one 1-day field trip.
An introduction to paleobiology; the use of fossil evidence to pose and solve evolutionary and geologic questions. Students are billed a materials fee. (Formerly The Fossil Record.)
Systematics, ecology, and evolutionary history of the major groups of fossil-forming animals. Laboratory 3 hours and one 1-day field trip. (Formerly The Fossil Record Laboratory.)
Geology of the marine environment. Topics include controls on the types, origin, and distribution of marine sediments; geology of oceanic crust; evolution of continental margins and plate boundaries; introduction to paleoceanography. Discussion: 1 hour. Students cannot receive credit for this course and Ocean Sciences 280.
The recognition, evaluation, and mitigation of geologic hazards: earthquakes and faulting, tsunamis, volcanism, landslides and mass movements, and flooding. Students are billed a materials fee.
An investigation of the evolution, morphology, and processes in the coastal zone including the terrestrial (marine terraces, dunes, estuaries, sea cliffs) and marine (beaches, continental shelves, sea level changes, shoreline erosion and protection, waves, tides) components and their interaction. Laboratory: 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee.
Comprehensive assessment of the impacts that the human population is having on the coastal zone globally and the diverse ways in which geologic processes and coastal hazards impact human settlement and development in the coastal zone.
Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) as valuable tools in the study of geology. Covers application of GIS/RS to study of surface processes, including landslides, hydrologic basins, coastal erosion, modern floods, volcanic activity and surface deformation.
Basic tools and techniques used in geologic fieldwork. Preparation, analysis, and interpretation of geologic maps. Nine to 10 days of weekend field trips required, including a six-day geologic mapping exercise. Laboratory: 3 hours. Recommended for courses 120, 130, 150, and required for 188A-B. May not be taken concurrently with course 120, 150, or 188. Students are billed a materials fee. Enrollment is restricted to majors and minors in Earth and planetary sciences and the combined majors with anthropology and environmental studies.
Laboratory exercises essential to the successful completion of fieldwork required in course 109. Topics include topographic maps, Brunton compass, rock identification and description, geologic map analysis, structure section construction, and landslide recognition.
Investigation of the processes and mechanisms that have produced the present Earth system, with an emphasis on the temporal evolution of the earth from the Archean to the present. Specific topics covered include cyclicity in Earth processes and the evolution of, and interplay between the planet's crust, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
The chemical properties of Earth materials and the chemical processes by which the planet has evolved to its present state. Specific topics covered include properties of minerals; the genesis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; and the linkage between the solid Earth and the hydrosphere. Enrollment is permitted by permission code with equivalent or exceptional background, or if enrolled concurrently in Chemistry 1B.
Physical processes occurring in the interior of the earth, at its surface and in the oceans and atmospheres including plate tectonics, structural deformation of rocks, and material and heat transport. Students are billed a materials fee.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 110A. Emphasis is on quantifying and evaluating different phenomena related to thermal, tectonic, climatic, and evolutionary processes.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 110B. Emphasizes identification of the major rock-forming minerals and common rock types; principles of basic crystallography.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 110C.
Series and sequences, vectors, 3D analytic geometry, partial differentiation, matrix algebra, and differential equations with applications in the Earth sciences. Topics include matrix manipulation, systems of linear equations, least-squares, Taylor series, gradients, optimization, analytic and numerical solutions to differential equations.
Introduces processes involving water on and near Earth's surface, including meteorology, water properties, surface flows in steams and runoff, flood analysis, ground water, water budgets, sediment transport, erosion, and water quality. Problem set and laboratory each week. Laboratory/field: 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee. Alternates annually with course 146. Enrollment is restricted to majors and minors in Earth and planetary sciences and the combined majors with anthropology and environmental studies.
Earthquakes and their relationship to plate tectonics. Topics include seismological analysis of earthquake faulting, types of seismic waves, seismicity distributions, thermal and rheological structure of plates, and seismic investigation of plate dynamics.
Introduction to programming for Earth and environmental scientists. Course assumes no prior programming experience. Develops useful Python skills for prospective scientists, rather than cover all aspects of the computer language.
Stratigraphic principles used in classifying sedimentary rocks. Fundamentals of sedimentary mechanics. Analysis and interpretation of facies and depositional systems. Introduction to seismic facies and basin analysis. Course includes three Sunday field exercises. Students arebilled a materials fee.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics in course 120, including sedimentary petrology, sedimentary structures, sequence stratigraphy, and geohistory analysis.
Course focuses on understanding basic atmospheric weather and climate phenomena starting from the fundamentals of physics and chemistry. Using this approach, covers topics such as atmospheric circulation, precipitation, clouds, storms, urban and regional air quality, atmospheric aerosols, and climate and global change. Students are billed a materials fee.
A hands-on course in climate modeling with emphasis on computer programming (Python) exercises. Topics include the physical laws governing climate, the hierarchy of model complexity, parameterizations, using models for prediction versus understanding, and application to past and future Earth climates.
Project-based introduction to analytical methods, such as univariate and multivariate statistics, cluster analysis and ordination, and maximum likelihood estimation, using a conceptual approach. Introduction to analysis and programming using the R software package. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 225.
Introduces the methodology for measuring the timing of events in Earth's past. Topics include: radiogenic and stable isotopes, chemostratigraphy and paleomagnetism. Case studies focus on reconstructing the timing of major extinction and climatic events in Earth's history. (Formerly Radiogenic Isotopes.)
Explores the fundamentals and concepts of stable, radiogenic, and cosmogenic isotope chemistry with applications relevant to Earth, marine, and biological sciences.
Covers the science of past and future climate change. Topics include: drivers of radiative forcing; carbon cycle; climate history of Earth; climate feedbacks; detection and attribution of climate change; climate change responses, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation.
Introduction to the relationship between tectonic environments and the genesis of rock assemblages, primarily igneous and metamorphic. Examples from California and elsewhere are used to illustrate petrogenetic processes and characteristic petrologic features of rocks from all major tectonic settings.
An introduction to optical mineralogy and the petrography of igneous rocks. (Formerly Magmas and Volcanos Laboratory.)
Introduction to the thermodynamic and kinetic principles with a strong emphasis on applications to Earth materials. Implications for phase equilibria, geothermometry/geobarometry, element partitioning, and physical properties of minerals, magmas, and solutions.
Provides hands-on exposure to geochemical instrumentation with a focus on data collection. Practical labs apply sample imaging, isotopic major- and trace-element measurements to natural samples. Laboratory sessions are supported by instruction, geochemistry, and Earth science.
An introduction to the evolution of the Earth's landscape, with emphasis on the processes responsible. Review of climatic and tectonic forcing followed by detailed discussion of weathering, glaciers, hillslopes, wind, rivers, and coastal processes with emphasis on their geographic distribution. One single day and one three-day field trip.
Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 140. These extensive laboratory exercises emphasize the quantification of the geomorphic processes and forms, and on the writing of concise summaries of the science in the form of abstracts. Students are billed a materials fee.
Introduction to the formation, composition, and classification of soils; the chemical interaction of soil and groundwater; and basic soil mechanics: stress-strain behavior, effective stress concept, consolidation, soil testing methods. Applications to problems including slope stability, landslides, liquefaction, subsidence, soil creep, debris flows. Laboratory: 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee.
Explores saturated and unsaturated fluid flow below Earth's surface, well hydraulics, and recourse evaluation and development. Introduces modeling, field techniques, geochemistry, and contaminant transport and remediation. Problem set and laboratory each week; final paper. Laboratory: 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee. Alternates annually with course 116. Enrollment is restricted to majors and minors in Earth and planetary sciences and the combined majors with anthropology and environmental studies. Course 5L or 10L or 20L and Physics 6B/M are recommended as preparation
Introduction to the role of snow and ice in the dynamics of the earth surface system. Snow deposition and metamorphosis. Heat and mass balance at snow and ice surfaces. Flow of glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice. Methods of climate reconstruction. Ice age theories. Students are billed a materials fee.
Principles and methods of analysis of brittly and ductily deformed rocks. Includes descriptions of structures, field analysis of structures, and mechanics of deformation. Three day-long field trips on weekends. Students are billed a materials fee.
Structural analysis of faults, folds, and maps. Use of stereographic projections. Cross section construction and balancing from field data.
The processes, techniques, and interpretations involved in the study of active crustal movements; constraints from plate tectonics; horizontal and vertical motions and rates; geodesy, including GPS; stress measurement; image interpretation; fault system analysis; paleoseismicity; fluid effects. Examples from the circum-Pacific. Laboratory-3 hours. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 207. Students are billed a materials fee.
Broad introduction to planetary science. Topics include the fundamental characteristics of solar system bodies; space exploration of these bodies; formation and evolution of surfaces, atmospheres and interiors of planets, satellites and small bodies.
The chemical and thermal structure and evolution of silicate planet interiors. Topics include equation of state of mantle and core materials, thermal history of the mantle and core, dynamics of mantle convection, geophysical determination of interior structure. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 262.
Comparative study of surfaces and atmospheres of planetary bodies in solar system, focusing on comparative planetology and geophysical processes at work, including differentiation, impact cratering, tectonics, volcanism, and geomorphic evolution. Explores terrestrial planets, giant planets and their moons. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 263.
A quantitative study of the origin, chemistry, dynamics, and observations of the atmospheres of terrestrial and gas-giant planets. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 264.
Introduces solar system history and geochemistry. Observation methods and tools discussed include major and trace element geochemistry, geothermometry, radiogenic and stable isotopes. Solar system reconstructed through the examination of meteorites from different parent bodies.
Introduces fluid motion influenced by rotation. Topics include the Coriolis force, geostrophic flow, potential vorticity, the shallow water model, quasigeostrophic approximation, planetary waves, Ekman theory, thermal wind, models of the large-scale oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and equatorial dynamics. Taught in conjunction with course 272. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 272.
Three weeks of summer field study in geologically complex regions in the White-Inyo Mountains of eastern California. Activities include geologic field mapping on topographic and photographic base maps, stratigraphy, petrology, and structure analysis. A fee is required for participation. Contact sponsoring agency for details. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements; courses 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences majors. Concurrent enrollment in course 188B is required. Interview only via application filed with department.
Introduction to basic principles of geographic information systems (GIS). Visualization of earthscapes with applications to problem-solving in the Earth sciences. Laboratory exercises in loading, manipulation, and interpretation of data sets. Field investigations of phenomena visualized in laboratory, including geological description, interpretation, and written report preparation. Lecture and laboratory portions of course occur during spring quarter. Field investigations and report-writing occur in the summer following spring quarter. A fee is required for participation. Contact sponsoring agency for details. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements; courses 109/L, 110A/L, and 110B/M. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences majors. Concurrent enrollment in course 188A is required. Interview only via application filed with department.
Introduces Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for geologic mapping and interpretation. Students gain experience with satellite, air photo, and digital elevation model (DEM) interpretation, and research the geology, tectonics, paleontology, and stratigraphy for field sites in eastern California. Prerequisite(s): courses 109, 109L, 110A, and 110. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences majors, and combined Earth sciences/environmental studies majors. Enrollment via an application.
Students spend three weeks in this field course on advanced geologic mapping acquiring and analyzing original data and then another 11 days refining their interpretations. Emphasis is on geologic mapping, stratigraphy, structure and tectonic analysis, and petrology. Students are billed a fee. Prerequisite(s): courses 109, 109L, 110A, 110L, 110B, 110M, and 189A and satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences and combined Earth sciences/environmental studies majors. Enrollment via an application.
Faculty research activity, analytic facilities, and career counseling in three separate Earth sciences laboratories are offered with varied formats including field trips, discussions, and equipment demonstrations. Three different faculty participate in each offering.
Explores the scientific basis of current and pending climate change, and the state of climate policy issues in California, the nation, and the world. Work includes foundational lectures on both public policy and climate science; additional guest lectures from policy makers, politicians, and scientists. Students are introduced to and become familiar with addressing climate-change issues from both policy and scientific perspectives; research papers and public presentations are required activities.
Examines a crosscutting topic in planetary sciences (e.g., volcanism) to satisfy the senior capstone requirement. Students are assessed on the basis of an oral presentation and a written report in which a synthetic review is present.
Hands-on practice analyzing real-life observational data including earthquake catalogs, seismograms, gravity, and GPS data. Emphasis on data collection, and access and manipulation skills. Introduction to MATLAB programming included. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 266.
Students write a paper on a lesson plan developed after their CalTeach internship courses. This independent study is supervised by Earth and planetary sciences faculty or ocean sciences faculty, as well as a member of the CalTeach staff or Education Department.
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. Enrollment is restricted to seniors. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements.
Students facilitate laboratory and field exercises in conjunction with faculty and teaching assistants in various Earth sciences courses. May not count toward upper-division major requirements. Approval of sponsoring agency; interview, and selection by primary instructor of specific courses required. (Formerly Teaching Earth Sciences in the University.)
Students facilitate laboratory and field exercises in conjunction with faculty and teaching assistants in various Earth sciences courses. May not count toward upper-division major requirements. Approval of sponsoring agency; interview. and selection by primary instructor of specific courses required. Enrollment restricted to Earth sciences, Earth sciences/anthropology, and environmental studies/Earth sciences majors.(Formerly Teaching Earth Sciences in the University.)
A supervised learning experience involving practical application of Earth sciences through working with approved companies, governmental agencies, or research organizations. Students consult weekly with supervising faculty and prepare a final report of their work. Consult sponsoring agency for enrollment criteria. After instruction on resume preparation and interview skills, students must interview and be selected for internship by approved sponsoring organizations. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences, Earth sciences/anthropology, and environmental studies/Earth sciences majors.
A supervised learning experience involving practical application of Earth sciences through working with approved companies, governmental agencies, or research organizations. Students consult weekly with supervising faculty and prepare a final report of their work. May not be counted toward upper-division major requirements. Consult sponsoring agency for enrollment criteria. After instruction on resume preparation and interview skills, student must interview and be selected for internship by approved sponsoring organizations. Enrollment is restricted to Earth sciences, Earth sciences/anthropology, and environmental studies/Earth sciences majors.
Introduction to research in laboratory, field, or theoretical subjects as an independent study. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Introduction to research in laboratory, field, or theoretical subjects as an independent study. May not be counted toward upper-division major requirements. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.
Intended for new Earth sciences graduate students. Focus on preparation, assessment, and feedback. Classroom techniques, organizational and time management strategies, practice teaching sessions specific to laboratory and/or science instruction. Required follow-up meetings to discuss practical teaching experience.
Provides a comprehensive overview of key concepts, dominant paradigms, and research frontiers in Earth and planetary sciences in plenary talks by multiple faculty. Provides a required foundation course for all incoming students pursuing graduate degrees in Earth and planetary sciences. Students are billed a materials fee.
Exposure to the most important ideas in the Earth sciences through exploration of the primary literature. Seminal papers in different subdisciplines of the Earth sciences are read and analyzed to provide breadth and improve students' ability to think critically.
An overview of tectonic theory and processes for application to the Earth sciences. The course explores the primary tools of tectonic interpretation including plate kinematics, rheology, plate boundary dynamics, and the behavior of active fault systems. Taught in conjunction with course 152. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 152.
Addresses methods used to reconstruct aspects of paleoclimates and paleoenvironments from the geologic record, focusing primarily on terrestrial records. Topics to be covered include dendrochronology and dendroclimatology, paleopalynology, paleobotany, ice cores, and paleosol studies. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory work.
Introduction to building and using models to solve hydrogeologic problems. Modeling methods include mainly analytical and finite-difference. Emphasis on using models rather than the details of their functioning, although some coding is required. Comfort with mathematical methods and computers expected. Course designed for graduate students, but available to qualified Earth science majors.
Using a conceptual approach, this course is a project-based introduction to analytical methods, such as univariate and multivariate statistics, cluster analysis and ordination, and maximum likelihood estimation. Introduces analysis and programming using the R software package. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 125.
Introduces the methodology for measuring the timing of events in Earth's past. Topics include: radiogenic and stable isotopes chemostratigraphy and paleomagentism. Case studies focus on reconstructing the timing of major extinction and climatic events in Earth's history. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 127.
Explores how natural variations in stable isotope ratios answer questions in ecology, paleobiology, and other environmental sciences. Format includes lectures by the instructor and student presentations on applications following literature-based research on each topic.
Introduces inquiry-based instructional strategies for communicating a passion for science. These strategies, combined with content knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing it, equips college students to introduce science to K-8 students and teachers in local schools.
Focuses on atmospheric and oceanic processes that are important within the Earth's climate system, especially those that operate on annual to centennial time scales. Format includes lectures by the instructors, paper readings, and discussion.
Weekly lectures/readings/presentations focused on the key events in the long-term evolution of Earth's climate (i.e., before the Pliocene), including early Archean, faint, young-sun period; Proterozoic snowballs; Paleozoic glaciations and greenhouse events; the mid-Cretaceous oceanic anoxic events (OAEs); and Paleogene thermal maxima and glacial intervals. Considerable emphasis on evaluating the proxies of climate and mechanisms of climate change (e.g., greenhouse gasses, paleogeography).
The chemical and thermal structure and evolution of silicate planet interiors. Topics include equation of state of mantle and core materials, thermal history of the mantle and core, dynamics of mantle convention, geophysical determination of interior structure. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 162.
Comparative study of surfaces of planetary bodies in our solar system, focusing on comparative planetology and geophysical processes at work, including differentiation; on-impact cratering; tectonics; volcanism and geomorphic evolution; and exobiology. Explores terrestrial planets, giant planets and their moons, and trans-Neptunian objects, focusing on modern exploration. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 163.
Quantitative study of the origin, chemistry, dynamics, and observations of the atmospheres of terrestrial and gas giant planets. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 164.
Practice in making rough estimates and leading-order approximations in physical and chemical processes.
Theoretical and practical aspects of digital signal analysis including data sampling, spectral estimation, digital filtering, statistical estimation, correlation tools, and principle-component analysis. Emphasis on practical examples of geophysical time series. Multivariable calculus and linear algebra are required and used extensively in the course. Taught in conjunction with course 191C. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 191C.
Introduction to quantitative earthquake and global Earth structure seismology. Topics include basic elasticity, wave characteristics, seismic ray theory, wave reflection, surface waves, normal modes, seismic instrumentation, application of seismic waves to reveal Earth structure and resulting models, representation of earthquake sources such as explosions and faulting, earthquake rupture scaling, modern methods of modeling seismic recordings to study source complexity, and an introduction to seismotectonics. Laboratory: 3 hours.
Students and instructor lead discussions of recent and significant publications in geophysics and chemistry of deep Earth. Articles structured around current theme of interest are selected by participants and approved by instructor. Emphasis on defining multidisciplinary significance of each article and its relationship to fundamental processes in deep Earth, including core and mantle. Designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Introduces fluid motion influenced by rotation. Topics include the Coriolis force, geostrophic flow, potential vorticity, the shallow water model, quasigeostrophic approximation, planetary waves, Ekman theory, thermal wind, models of the large-scale oceanic and atmospheric circulation, and equatorial dynamics. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 172.
Why do earthquakes happen? Topics include friction, fracture, earthquake triggering, stress in the crust, observed source scalings, and seismicity statistics. Emphasis on observations and current research topics. (Formerly course 290J, Topics in Earthquake Physics.)
Elastic wave propagation. Advanced topics in ray theory, WKBJ solutions in seismology, singularities and nonlinearities, surface wave theory, propagating matrices, normal modes, and inversion theory. Selected topics in time series analysis and seismic signal processing, seismic wave dispersion.
Addresses specialized topics in atmospheric and/or climate science that are too narrow for a full (5-credit) format. Examples include: cloud physics; atmospheric boundary layer; aerosol physics and chemistry; atmospheric radiation; atmospheric thermodynamics.
Advanced review of the physics and chemistry of ice and snow. Mass and heat balance of ice masses. Motion of glaciers and ice sheets. Subglacial and englacial hydrology. Thermodynamics of ice masses and the linkage to climate.
Different problems and approaches will be stressed from year to year such as geotectonics, paleomagnetism, or properties and processes in the mantle and core.
Selected topics illustrating relationships between igneous and metamorphic rocks and plate tectonics are explored in detail. Designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
We examine one well-defined topic in planetary science, beginning with a summary of current knowledge and concluding with the latest research literature. Topics will vary from year to year and may include planetary collisions, terrestrial planets, origin of planetary systems, small bodies, the New Mars, and satellites of Jupiter. Achievement will be evaluated based on class participation, exams, and a research project.
Instructor and students lead discussions and make presentations on current research, problems, and publications in coastal processes. These topics include littoral drift, sediment transport and storage on the inner shelf, shoreline erosion/change and its documentation, and related issues.
Explores different problems of special interest in global tectonics with the approach of integrating marine and terrestrial geologic and geophysical information. Course designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Selected topics in groundwater, hydrothermal systems, and related subjects. Discussion of theoretical models, field and laboratory approaches, and recent research. Topics vary from year to year. Course designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Discussion of journal articles focused on a theme in contemporary geomorphology. Topics include: coupling of climate; tectonics and landscape evolution; mechanics of bedrock river channels; fundamentals of fluvial gravel transport; and inference of tectonic rates and processes from analysis of topography.
Seminar discussion based on current readings in the literature around some topic in the history and evolution of life.
Explores current issues and recent developments in the field of past, present, and future climate change. Topic is different each year, but focuses on the interaction between different components of Earth's environment and the effect of that interaction on climate change. Designed for graduate students but open to qualified undergraduates.
Selected topics encompassing atmospheric physics and chemistry. Topics vary from year to year. Sample topics include: atmospheric physics, atmospheric chemistry, boundary layer meteorology, aerosol science, and atmospheric thermodynamics. (Formerly Topics in Atmospheric Chemistry.)
Selected topics encompassing the physics and chemistry of Earth's interior, planetary physics, high-pressure experimental geophysics and material properties at high pressure and temperature. Topics vary from year to year.
Selected topics in watershed hydrology and related subjects. Discussion journal articles focused on fundamental concepts, scientific breakthroughs, and innovative methods. Topics include: water storage, runoff generation and thresholds, hydrologic connectivity, and ecohydrology.
An understanding of the chemical and physical properties and processes in the earth is sought by integrating information from several subdisciplines in the Earth sciences. Topics vary from year to year, focusing on areas of active research. Course designed for graduate student but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Exploration of the planets and satellites beyond the asteroid belt, with an emphasis on the underlying physical processes at work. Course includes lectures, computer practicals, and student presentations.
Explores problems and current research developments in the application of physics and chemistry to planetary interiors. Topics differ from year to year and include, but are not limited to, research related to the accretion, differentiation, evolution, and structure of the terrestrial planets. Course is designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Students and instructor lead discussions of recent and significant problems in paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. Articles structured around current themes of interest are selected by the instructor. Emphasis on major climatic transitions or events which noticeably influenced evolution of biota. Course is designed for graduate students but available to qualified Earth sciences majors.
Surveys the use of thermochronometry to quantify the rates of tectonic processes. Topics include heat conduction and diffusion; radioactive decay; analytical methods; and modeling of thermochronologic data. Seminars review seminal papers from the literature.
Introduces computer modeling of thermal convection in planetary interiors. Students learn to write and run a basic computer code using spectral and finite-difference methods, then are shown how to improve the numerical method and physics. Basic computer programming experience is required (for example, in Fortran, C, IDL, or MATLAB).
Weekly seminar attended by faculty, graduate students, and upper-division undergraduate students.
Weekly seminar series covering a broad spectrum of topics in the Earth sciences. Graduate students give 15- to 20-minute oral presentations on current or anticipated research.
Permission of instructor required.
Permission of instructor required.
Permission of instructor required.
Permission of instructor required.
A supervised learning experience involving practical, graduate-level application of Earth sciences through working with approved companies, governmental agencies, or research organizations. Students consult weekly with supervising faculty and prepare a final report of their work. Consult sponsoring agency for enrollment criteria. After instruction on resume preparation and interview skills, students must interview and be selected for internship by approved sponsoring organizations.
Permission of instructor required.
Permission of instructor required.
Permission of instructor required.