Fall 2024 Class Schedule
Fall 2024 class Schedule
| Course | Title | Instructor | Day/Time | Lab(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | The Ocean, the Atmosphere, & Our Climate | Blair | TTh 9:30am-10:50am | F 11am-12:50pm F 1 pm-2:50pm |
| 203 | Earth System History | Horton | MWF 12pm-12:50pm |
|
| 310 | Aqueous Geochemistry | Jacobson | MWF 1pm-1:50pm | |
| 342 | Contemporary Energy and Climate Change | Axford | TTh 11am-12:20pm | |
| 361 | Scientific Programming in Python | van der Lee | TTh 9:30am-10:50am | |
| 370 | Geobiology | Osburn | TTh 2pm-3:20pm |
Fall 2024 course descriptions
EARTH 106 – The Oceans, the Atmosphere, and Our Climate
Most of our planet's surface is blanketed by ocean. The dynamic nature of the oceanic environment and how it influences the Earth as a whole will be explored in this course. The interconnectivity of ocean characteristics (chemistry, physics, geology, biology) will be stressed. This course includes short walking field trips to the lake front during class time.
EARTH 203 – Earth Systems History
This course covers the evolution of the Earth's dynamic systems and its record through geologic time. Emphasis of this course is centered on the physical, chemical and biological components of the Earth system that interact to regulate Earth's surface environment and how these processes have changed through time. Topics include the systems approach to Earth science, the co-evolution of life and Earth's surface environment, the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate, Snowball Earth events, and mass extinctions.
EARTH 310 – Aqueous Geochemistry
Basic principles of aqueous geochemistry applied to geologic and environmental problems. Topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, acids and bases, pH and alkalinity, carbonate equilibria, surface phenomena, redox chemistry, chemical weathering, and numerical modeling. Recommended Background: At least 1 year of introductory chemistry is required. EARTH 310 draws from Calculus, Thermodynamics, Physical Chemistry, and Differential Equations, but these courses are not strictly required. Problem sets require basic use of Microsoft Excel.
EARTH 342 – Contemporary Energy and Climate Change
The increasing worldwide demand for energy presents a number of complex interdisciplinary challenges, from resource depletion to climate change. This class will challenge students to answer the question, How shall we power the world in the 21st century? We will examine the history and geography of energy use; links between energy and climate change; inequities in climate impacts; challenge of sustainability; and the fundamental science of climate change.
EARTH 361 – Scientific Programming in Python
Introduction to coding, scientific computing, and visualization for analyzing data in the physical sciences. Emphasis on Python, but Unix, shell scripting, and Generic Mapping Tools are also introduced. Students undertake a significant final coding project individually or in pairs.
EARTH 370 – Geobiology
A technical overview of the major topics of geo(micro)biology highlighting the fossil record, biogeochemical cycling, biomineralization, key tools of the field, historical geobiology, and astrobiology. Recommended Background: EARTH 201-0 (concurrent enrollment acceptable) and first-year chemistry.