| Earth, Oceans, & Space |
EOS #807 - Global Ecosystem Policy
Credits:
3.00
Scientific and institutional issues pertinent to global
change; scientific basis for the global Earth and
biogeochemical cycles that maintain Earth's thermostasis;
long-term effects of major human perturbations (greenhouse
warming of the atmosphere, ozone depletion, deforestation,
desertification, and biotic and soil impoverishment) and
human-environment feedback mechanisms on the viability of
the Earth versus the survival of the human species;
effectiveness of existing and alternative national,
regional, and international institutions in responding to
global change. Prereq: permission.
EOS 810 - Introduction to Astrophysics
Credits:
4.00
Review of the sun, stars, Milky Way, external galaxies, and
expansion of the universe. Recent discoveries of radio
galaxies, quasi-stellar objects, cosmic black-body
radiation, x rays, and gamma rays precede a discussion of
Newtonian and general relativistic cosmological models,
steady-state big-bang theories, and matter-antimatter
models. (Also offered as PHYS 810.) Cr/F.
EOS 812 - Physics of the Ionosphere
Credits:
4.00
Introduces basic plasma physics using a case study of the
Earth's ionosphere and its connection both to the upper
atmosphere and to the Earth's magnetosphere. Topics include
single particle motion, fluid and kinetic descriptions of
ionospheric plasma, wave propagation, and instabilities.
Prereq: electrical and magnetic I or equivalent;
calculus II. (Also offered as PHYS 812.)
EOS 813 - Biogeochemical Dynamics
Credits:
3.00
Examines the influence of biological processes on
geochemical transformations and elemental cycles from the
molecular to the global scale involving both microorganisms
and higher plants and animals; factors that regulate cycles;
interactions among biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and
atmosphere; transformations of C, N, S, and trace elements.
Prereq: one semester each biology and chemistry.
EOS 815 - Global Atmospheric Chemistry
Credits:
3.00
Introduction to the principles of atmospheric chemistry and
their relationship to biogeochemical cycles, climate, and
global change. Focus is on understanding the basic
physical and chemical processes that determine the trace gas
distribution in the global troposphere. An introduction to
atmospheric vertical structure and global circulation
dynamics provides the foundation. Chemical cycles of
important C, S, and N molecules examined, including their
possible perturbation by human activities. Basic
photochemical processes outlined, particularly with respect
to reactive nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and the
production/destruction of ozone. Prereq: one year college
chemistry. (Also offered as ESCI 815.)
EOS 816 - Atmospheric Aerosol and Precipitation Chemistry
Credits:
3.00
This course describes and examines the processes determining
the chemical and physical characteristics of atmospheric
aerosol particles and precipitation. Important foci include
the role of aerosol particles in the long-range transport
and deposition of geochemical materials, optical properties
of these particles and their impact on the global radiative
balance, cloud microphysical processes relevant to both
radiative effects and precipitation scavenging, and
heterogeneous reactions at the solid-liquid, solid-gas, and
liquid-gas interfaces in the atmosphere. Major segments of
the course are devoted to the removal of gases and particles
from the atmosphere by wet and dry deposition processes.
Most attention will be paid to processes active in the
trophosphere, but important differences between the
trophosphere and stratosphere, radiative effects of
stratospheric aerosol particles, and exchange between the
trophosphere and stratosphere are addressed. Prereq: one
year of college chemistry or permission. (Also offered as
ESCI 816.)
EOS 817 - Macro-Scale Hydrology I
Credits:
4.00
Focus on the numerous roles of water in the Earth System.
Topics include the global water cycle, impacts of the
greenhouse effect and other anthropogenic disturbances,
hydrologic modeling, soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer
schemes, water quality, GIS and water-related remote sensing
tools. based on extensive reading of current scientific
literature, the students and instructors jointly select a
research topic in macro-scale hydrology which will result in
the preparation of a manuscript for publication in a
refereed scientific journal. Course designed to be taken
two consecutive semesters (fall and spring). Prereq:
principles of hydrology or permission. (Also offered as
ESCI 817.)
EOS 818 - Macro-Scale Hydrology II
Credits:
4.00
A continuation of EOS 817. Students and instructor jointly
select a research topic in macro-scale hydrology to be
analyzed in-depth during the course of the semester. A
primary goal is the preparation of a manuscript for
publication in a refereed scientific journal. Extensive
library research, reading of recent and relevant scientific
literature, technical analysis, writing. Course designed to
be taken two consecutive semesters (fall and spring).
Prereq: macro-scale hydrology I. (Also offered as ESCI 818.)
(Alternate years only.)
EOS #824 - Introduction to Ocean Remote Sensing
Credits:
3.00
Introduction to a wide range of remote sensing techniques
and applications in oceanography. Surveys a variety of
different sensors including satellite imaging systems that
operate in the visible and infrared spectral range, both
passive and active microwave systems, and airborne remote
sensors. The goal is to provide students with an
understanding of the physical basis for remote sensing
measurements, exposure to image and data analysis
techniques, and the variety of remote sensing applications
that exist in oceanography. Research on future remote
sensing techniques and applications discussed. (Offered
every other year.)
EOS 830 - Terrestrial Ecosystems
Credits:
3.00
Processes controlling the energy, water, and nutrient
dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems; concepts of study at the
ecosystem level, controls on primary production,
transpiration, decomposition, hebivory; links to earth
system science, acid deposition, agriculture. Prereq:
forest ecology; introduction to botany or principles of
biology;/ or permission. Lab. (Also offered as NR 830.)
EOS #831 - Systems Approach to Biological Ocean Science
Credits:
3.00
Broad survey of biological ocean science for advanced
undergraduate and graduate students. Uses an
interdisciplinary, "systems" approach to focus on major
opportunities and challenges for ocean science in the future
Classes meet for one three-hour session each week and
include lecture, discussion, demonstration and laboratory
sessions appropriate to the subject material with
presentations by guest speakers. Focus of the course is
different each time it is offered; topics have included
temporal and spatial scales of variation, estuarine
ecosystem dynamics. May be repeated. Prereq: permission.
(Also offered as ZOOL 831.)
EOS 850 - Biological Oceanography
Credits:
4.00
Biological processes of the oceans, including primary and
secondary production, trophodynamics, plankton diversity,
zooplankton ecology, ecosystems and global ocean dynamics.
Field trips on R/V Gulf Challenger and to the Jackson
Estuarine Laboratory. Prereq: one year of biology or
permission of instructor. (Also offered as ZOOL 850,
ESCI 850.) Special fee. Lab. (Not offered every year.)
May be repeated.
EOS 854 - Ocean Waves and Tides
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to waves: small-amplitude, linear wave theory,
standing and propagating waves, transformation in shallow
water, energy and forces on structures, generation by wind a
specification of a random sea, long waves with rotation, and
internal waves. Introduction to tides: description of tides
in ocean tidal generation forces, equilibrium tide, and
tidal analysis. Lab/project: field and lab measurements with
computer analysis. Prereq: general physics; differential
equations;/ or permission. (Also offered as OE 854.) Lab.
EOS #860 - Introductory Dynamic Oceanography
Credits:
3.00
Basic physical laws governing ocean and atmospheric
circulation under the influence of Earth rotation, density
stratification, and friction. Topics include surface waves,
wind-driven and thermohaline ocean circulation,
ocean/atmosphere interaction, instabilities, fronts, and
climate. Simplified mathematical models demonstrate the
important principles. Prereq: college physics and
differential equations or permission. (Also offered as
ESCI 860.)
EOS 864 - Introduction to Paleoclimate Analysis
Credits:
4.00
An overview of paleoclimate indicators for the last one
million years in the context of global teleconnections
(atmosphere-lithosphere-hydrosphere-cyrosphere) and
mathematical tools developed to interpret and link the
different records of climate change. Prereq: one year
calculus; one year chemistry; basic statistics;/ or
permission. (Also offered as ESCI 864.)
EOS 865 - Paleoclimatology
Credits:
3.00
Review of past changes in Earth's climate system with
emphasis on the nature and causes of climate
variability during the Quaternary period (the last
~1.8 million years -- a time interval dominated by cycles
of global glaciation). Topics include evidence for climate
change, techniques used to reconstruct paleoclimate records,
and proposed mechanisms of global climate change. Course
incorporates discussion of recent scientific papers from the
primary literature. (Also listed as ESCI 865.)
EOS 895 - Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Study on an individual or group basis of topics not covered
by the other listed courses. Topics may include any area
relevant to interest in Earth, ocean, atmospheric, and space
studies. (May be repeated.) Lab.
EOS 896 - Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for EOS 895.
EOS 901 - Seminar
Credits:
1.00
Introduction to the fundamental components of the Earth
system, such as the biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, and
its environment in space. Basic concepts are presented in a
lecture format by selected EOS faculty according to their
research specialization. To familiarize the student with the
literature in earth, oceans, and space science and
engineering, students are expected to contribute to a
discussion of current topics of interest in the literature.
Cr/F.
EOS 930 - Modeling of Forest Ecosystems
Credits:
3.00
Computer modeling of energy, water, and nutrient dynamics of
forest ecosystems; review of existing ecosystem models,
modification of an existing model. Original programming of
new model required as course project. Prereq: EOS 830 or
permission. (Also offered as NR 930.)
EOS 954 - Solar Wind and Cosmic Rays
Credits:
3.00
The solar wind and its effects on cosmic rays. The basic
equations of the solar wind: mass, momentum, angular
momentum, and energy balance. Transport processes. Waves,
shocks, and instabilities in the solar wind. The basic
equations of energetic particle transport. Solar modulation
of solar and glacatic cosmic rays. Interaction of energetic
particles with shock waves. Salient data are reviewed.
(Normally offered every other year.) Also offered as
PHYS 954.
EOS 955 - Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Credits:
3.00
The principles of fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics,
applied to the Earth's atmosphere and oceans and to space
plasmas. Emphasis on common problems and techniques. Topics
include mass, momentum, and energy conservation; static
equilibriums; quasigeostrophic flow; wave (acoustic-gravity,
planetary, magnetoacoustic); surface waves in the ocean and
in space; instabilities (convective, baroclinic
Rayleigh-Taylor, Kelvin Helmholz); boundary layer
problems (Ekman layers, Stewartson layers, tearing modes;
resonance absorption); supersonic flows (the solar wind,
shock waves). Prereq: MATH 845 and 846, or PHYS 931.
(Also offered as PHYS 955.) (Not offered every year.)
EOS #964 - Advanced Paleoclimate Analysis
Credits:
4.00
Extensive readings and problem solving concerned with the
interpretation of climate change focused on new developments
in the interpretation of ice core records. Ice core records
viewed as a framework for other proxy records of climatic
change and as analogs for future change. Prereq: EOS 864 or
ESCI 864;/ or permission. (Also offered as ESCI 964.) May be
repeated.
EOS 987 - Magnetospheres
Credits:
3.00
Introduces plasma physics of the interaction of solar and
stellar winds with planets having magnetic fields, most
predominately, the Earth. Both MHD and kinetic descriptions
of internal and boundary processes of magnetospheres as well
as treatment of the interaction with collisional
ionospheres. Flow of mass, momentum, and energy through such
systems. Prereq: PHYS 951; 952;/ or permission. (Also
offered as PHYS 987.) (Normally offered every other year.)
EOS 988 - High Energy Astrophysics
Credits:
3.00
One-semester course on the physical principles underpinning
the field of high energy astrophysics. Subjects covered
include production, detection, and transport processes of
neutral and charged high energy particles and photons.
Emphasizes the applications of these processes to the
detection and measurement problem and theory of telescope
design. Uses astrophysical examples to illustrate the
subject matter. First part serves as a basis for discussing
the astrophsyics of the heliosphere, including solar flares,
galactic and solar cosmic rays, and the influence of the
Earth's magnetic field on cosmic rays. Prereq: PHYS 941;
942; 944. (Also offered as PHYS 988.) (Normally not offered
every year.)
EOS 995 - Special Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
EOS 996 - Special Topics
Credits:
3.00 to 4.00
See description for EOS 995.