| Earth Sciences |
ESCI 803 - Fluvial Hydrology
Credits:
4.00
Mechanics of natural open channel flows: forces, the
continuity and energy principles, velocity distributions,
flow resistance, fluvial erosion and sediment transport,
channel form, computation of flow profiles, weirs,
hydraulic jumps, and stream flow routing. Lab and field
exercises. Prereq: one year each of calculus and physics.
Special fee.
ESCI 805 - Principles of Hydrology
Credits:
4.00
Physical principles important in the land phase of the
hydrologic cycle, including precipitation, snow melt,
infiltration and soil physics, and surface and subsurface
flow to streams. Problems of measurement and aspects of
statistical treatment of hydrologic data. Field trips.
Transportation fee. Prereq: one semester of calculus and
one year of physics. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 810 - Groundwater Hydrology
Credits:
4.00
Principles for fluid flow in porous media with emphasis on
occurrence, location, and development of groundwater, but
with consideration of groundwater as a transporting medium.
Major topics include well hydraulics, regional groundwater
flow, exploration techniques, and chemical quality.
Laboratory exercises involve use of fluid, electrical, and
digital computer models to illustrate key concepts. Prereq:
ESCI 805 or permission. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 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, N molecules are 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 EOS 815.)
ESCI 816 - Atmospheric Aerosol and Precipitation Chemistry
Credits:
3.00
Description and examination of the processes determining
the chemical and physical charateristics 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 troposphere, but important differences between the
troposphere and stratosphere, radiative effects of
stratospheric aerosol particles, and exchange between the
troposphere and stratosphere are addressed. Prereq: one
year college chemistry or permission. (Also offered as EOS
816.)
ESCI 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 instructor 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 EOS
817.)
ESCI 818 - Macro-scale Hydrology II
Credits:
4.00
Students and instructors 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 EOS 818.)
(Alternate years only.)
ESCI 825 - Igneous Petrology
Credits:
4.00
The evolution of igneous rocks as determined from field,
petrographic, chemical, experimental, and theoretical
studies. Application of thermodynamics to igneous
petrogenesis. Physical properties of magmas. Prereq:
mineralogy; petrography; adequate background in calculus,
chemistry, and physics. Field trips. Special fee. Lab.
(Offered alternate years with ESCI 826.)
ESCI 826 - Metamorphic Petrology
Credits:
4.00
The metamorphism of pelitic, mafic, and calc silicate
rocks as determined from field, petrographic, mineral
chemistry, experimental, and theoretical studies. Closed-
and open-system reactions, multisystems, reaction space.
Calculation of pressure, temperature, time paths. Prereq:
mineralogy; petrography; adequate background in calculus,
chemistry, and physics. Field trips. Special fee. Lab.
(Offered alternate years with ESCI 825.)
ESCI 832 - Regional Geology and Advanced Structure
Credits:
4.00
Readings, discussion, and field/lab exercises in the
tectonic analysis of mountain systems. Emphasis on the
northern Appalachian Orogen. Application of modern
structural analysis. Prereq: structural geology or
permission. Field excursion; lab fee.
ESCI 834 - Applied Geophysics
Credits:
4.00
Gravity, magnetic, seismic, and electrical methods of
investigating subsurface geology. Fieldwork and use of
computers in data analysis. Prereq: one year of calculus;
introductory geology; one year of college physics;/ or
permission. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 841 - Geochemistry
Credits:
4.00
Thermodynamics applied to geologic processes; geochemical
differentiation of the earth; the principles and processes
that control the distribution and migration of elements in
geological environments; stable and radiogenic isotopes in
geologic processes. Prereq: one year of mineralogy or
permission.
ESCI 845 - Isotope Geochemistry
Credits:
4.00
Discussion of element abundance and isotope formation;
radioactive decay as applied to geologic systems, detailed
investigation of K-Ar, Rb-Sr, U-Pb, and Sm-Nd systems, and
geologic-oceanographic applications of stable isotopes. Lab
involves mass spectrometric and chemical techniques of
isotopic analysis. Course includes the completion of a
laboratory project. Prereq: ESCI 841 or permission. Special
fee. Lab.
ESCI 846 - Analytical Geochemistry
Credits:
4.00
Introduction to the theory, instrumentation, and
applications of analytical methods in geochemistry.
Prereq: one year of chemistry or geochemistry;/ or
permission. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 847 - Aqueous Geochemistry
Credits:
4.00
Processes that determine the geochemical characteristics
of water bodies. Emphasis on the geochemical continuum of
terrestrial water and its geochemical evolution. Topics
include the influence of cyclic salts, the nature of
weathering reactions, the CO2-CACO3 system, the formation
and dissolution of salts and authigenic mineral formation.
Prereq: one year of chemistry or geochemistry;/ or
permission. Lab.
ESCI 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, EOS
850.) Special fee. Lab. (Not offered every year.)
ESCI 852 - Chemical Oceanography
Credits:
3.00
Water structure, chemical composition, and equilibrium
models; gas exchange; biological effects on chemistry;
trace metals; and analytical methods. Prereq: permission.
Optional 1 credit lab (see ESCI 852L).
ESCI #852L - Chemical Oceanography Lab
Credits:
1.00
Optional lab for ESCI 852. Includes short cruise aboard
R/V Gulf Challenger. Special fee.
Co-requisites:
ESCI 852
ESCI 854 - Sedimentology
Credits:
4.00
This course focuses on modern sedimentary processes and
ancient sedimentary records through the examination,
identification, and interpretation of sediments and
sedimentary rocks. Topics such as sediment transport
mechanisms, depositional environments, and time in
sedimentary records will provide a strong framework for any
student studying Earth processes and sedimentary systems.
Special fee.
ESCI 855 - Analytical Techniques for Sediments
Credits:
2.00 to 4.00
A laboratory course focusing on applied analytical
techniques geoscientists use in sediment sampling; coarse-
and fine-grained textural analysis, and some aspects of
mineralogical composition. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 858 - Introduction to Physical Oceanography
Credits:
3.00
A descriptive treatment of atmosphere-ocean interaction;
general wind-driven and thermohaline ocean circulation;
waves and tides; continental shelf and near-shore
processes; instrumentation and methods used in ocean
research. Simplified conceptual models demonstrate the
important principles. Prereq: college physics; introduction
to oceanography;/ or permission.
ESCI 859 - Geological Oceanography
Credits:
4.00
Major geological features and processes of the ocean
floor; geological and geophysical methods; plate
tectonics. Prereq: permission. Lab.
ESCI 862 - Glacial Geology
Credits:
4.00
Survey of glacial processes and glacier dynamics with
emphasis on understanding the physics of glaciers, glacial
geologic processes, and interpretation of glacial deposits
and landscapes. The course includes discussion of the role
of glaciers and ice sheets in the Earth's climate system,
analysis of glaciological and glacial-geologic data, short
field exercises, and one mandatory field trip that explores
the glacial landscape of New England. Prereq: ESCI 561 or
permission. Special fee. Lab.
ESCI 864 - Data Analysis in Earth System Science
Credits:
4.00
An overview of paleoclimate indicators for the last one
million years in the context of global teleconnections
(atmosphere-lithosphere-hydrosphere-cryosphere) 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 EOS 864.)
ESCI 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.
ESCI 866 - Volcanology
Credits:
4.00
This course reviews the present state of knowledge about
volcanoes. Lecture topics include the generation and
properties of magma, tectonic settings of volcanism,
eruption styles, volcanic landforms and products,
monitoring of active volcanoes, volcanic hazards and
mitigation, and volcanism on other planets. Labs involve
hand sample observation, topographic map interpretation,
analysis of geophysical-volcanological data, and two short
field trips. Lectures and labs are supplemented by slides
and videos. Because volcanology is a rapidly developing
field of active research, the course will incorporate
discussions of emerging scientific papers from the primary
literature. Class participation will involve student-led
summaries of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report from the
Global Volcanism Program/U.S. Geological Survey. Prereq:
one year calculus & one ESCI course or permission. Special
fee.
ESCI 870 - Fundamentals of Ocean Mapping
Credits:
4.00
An introduction to the principles and practice of
hydrography and ocean mapping. Methods for the measurement
and definition of the configuration of the bottoms and
adjacent land areas of oceans, lakes, rivers, estuaries,
harbors and other water areas, and the tides or water
levels and currents that occur in those bodies of water.
(Also listed as OE 870.) Prereq: college physics. Lab.
ESCI 871 - Geodesy and Positioning for Ocean Mapping
Credits:
3.00
The science and technology of acquiring, managing, and
displaying geographically-referenced information; the size
and shape of the earth, datums and projections;
determination of precise positioning of points on the earth
and the sea , including classical terrestrial-based methods
and satellite-based methods; shoreline mapping, nautical
charting and electronic charts. Prereq: one year of
calculus and one year of college physics. (Also offered as
OE 871.)
ESCI 895 - Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Study on an individual or group basis in geologic,
hydrologic, or oceanographic problems, under members of
the graduate staff. Topics include: geochemistry,
geomorphology, geophysics; glaciology; groundwater,
structural, and regional geology; crystallography,
mineralogy; petrology; thermodynamics; ore deposits; earth
resource policy; paleontology; sedimentation; stratigraphy;
water resources management; chemical, physical, and
geological oceanography; earth systems; earth science
teaching methods. Prereq: permission of staff concerned.
May be repeated.
ESCI 896 - Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
See description for ESCI 895.
ESCI 897 - Colloquium
Credits:
Presentation of recent research in the earth sciences by
guest speakers and department faculty. May be taken four
times. Cr/F.
ESCI 898 - Directed Research
Credits:
2.00
Research project on a specified topic in the Earth
Sciences, guided by a faculty member. Cr/F.
ESCI 899 - Master's Thesis
Credits:
1.00 to 6.00
Cr/F.
ESCI 903 - Advanced Hydrology
Credits:
3.00
Application of quantitative methods to selected hydrologic
problems. Critical examination of deterministic and
stochastic models with emphasis on conceptualizing the
hydrologic problem, developing appropriate models,
obtaining solutions, and evaluating models and solutions in
terms of basic assumptions, data requirements, and
verification of results. Prereq: ESCI 805; computer
methods; basic statistics.
ESCI #904 - Contaminant Hydrology
Credits:
3.00
Physical mechanisms of the migration and dispersion of
miscible and immiscible contaminants through the saturated
and unsaturated zone. Deterministic and stochastic models
of transport phenomena including both analytical and
numerical solutions. Term project. Prereq: groundwater
hydrology; college chemistry; and computer methods.
(Offered alternate years.)
ESCI 906 - Statistical Hydrology
Credits:
4.00
Application of statistical principles to hydrologic
problems. Covers laws of probability; parameter
estimation; discrete and continuous distributions of
importance in hydrology, inference, regression and
multivariate analysis, and elementary time series analysis.
Prereq: ESCI 805; basic statistics;/or permission. (Offered
alternate years with ESCI 803.)
ESCI 907 - Geostatistics
Credits:
3.00
Introduction to statistical methods of quantifying spatial
variability with emphasis on the application of these
methods to the earth and environmental sciences. Topics
including sampling strategy; variography; kriging;
simulation; and Monte Carlo techniques. Prereq: basic
statistics or permission. (Offered alternate years.)
ESCI 952 - Advanced Chemical Oceanography
Credits:
3.00 or 4.00
Readings on physical, chemical, and biological processes
that affect the distribution of chemical components in
estuaries and the open ocean. Lab includes projects
investigating selected processes. Prereq: ESCI 852 or
permission.
ESCI 972 - Hydrographic Field Course
Credits:
4.00
A lecture, lab, and field course on the methods and
procedures for the acquisition and processing of
hydrographic and ocean mapping data. Practical experience
in planning and conducting hydrographic surveys. Includes
significant time underway (day trips and possible multi-day
cruises) aboard survey vessel(s). Prereq: Introduction to
Ocean Mapping; Geodesy and Positioning for Ocean Mapping;
or permission. Special fee. (Also listed as OE 972.)
ESCI 973 - Seafloor Characterization
Credits:
3.00
Remote characterization of seafloor properties using
acoustic (echo sounders, sub-bottom profilers, side-scan,
multibeam and interferometric sonars) and optical (video
and laser linescanner) methods. Models of sound interaction
with the seafloor will be explored as well as a range of
possible geologic, geotechnical, morphologic, acoustic, and
biologic descriptors. Prereq: permission. (Also listed as
OE 973.)
ESCI 993 - Advanced Seminar
Credits:
1.00
Focused seminar in a discipline of earth sciences: earth,
ocean, atmosphere, or hydrology. May be repeated.
ESCI 994 - Advanced Seminar
Credits:
1.00
See description for ESCI 993.
ESCI 995 - Advanced Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Advanced work on an individual or group basis. Prereq:
permission. May be repeated.
ESCI 996 - Advanced Topics
Credits:
1.00 to 4.00
Advanced work on an individual or group basis. Prereq:
permission. May be repeated.
ESCI 997 - Seminar in Earth Sciences
Credits:
1.00
Readings, discussion, and presentation of recent
investigations in the earth sciences. Required of all M.S.
students in Earth Sciences. Cr/F.
ESCI 998 - Proposal Development
Credits:
1.00
Introduction to research in the earth sciences and
development of thesis and directed research proposals.
Required of all M.S. students in Earth Sciences.
ESCI 999 - Doctoral Research
Credits:
Cr/F.