Department of Geography and Earth Sciences
448 McEniry Building
704-687-2295
http://wwwgeoearth.uncc.edu
Degrees
M.S. Earth Sciences
Ph.D. Infrastructure and Environmental Systems (With the
Coordinator
Dr. John F. Bender
Graduate
Faculty
Craig Allan, Associate Professor
John Bender, Professor
Andy Bobyarchick, Associate Professor
M. C. Eppes, Assistant Professor
Brian Etherton, Assistant Professor
John Diemer, Associate Professor
Scott Hippensteel, Assistant Professor
Walter Martin, Associate Professor
Mark Thomasson, Assistant Professor
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EARTH SCIENCES
The Department of Geography and Earth Sciences offers a
Master of Science in Earth Sciences degree with opportunities for study and
research in the areas of geology, hydrology, atmospheric science and
environmental science. We also offer, in conjunction with the
Our combined Geography and Earth Sciences Department offers Earth Sciences graduate students personal guidance typical of a relatively small department, with the field, laboratory, GIS and cartographic facilities and resources that accompany a much larger Earth Sciences department. Within this context, you will find a healthy combination of both field- and model-based Earth Sciences research as well as applied and academic research opportunities.
Our Earth Sciences faculty offer classes and are active in specific research areas that include surface and groundwater hydrology, vadose zone processes, geochemistry, marine geology and volcanology, biogeochemistry, mineralogy, structural geology, remote sensing, soil science, Quaternary geology, surficial processes, fluvial processes and depositional environments, clastic and carbonate sedimentology, basin analysis, stratigraphy, coastal geology, paleoecology, macro- and micropaleontology, environmental geology, hydrology and sedimentology, applied climatology, and numerical weather prediction and tropical meteorology.
The program is designed to address a range of student needs and to be completed in two years of full-time study. Graduates of the program will employ their expertise in a wide variety of activities and will be prepared for careers such as environmental consultants, geologists in the energy and mining industries, regulators in governmental agencies, students in doctoral programs, and earth science teachers in secondary schools. The M.S. in Earth Sciences prepares students for admission to traditional Geology and Earth Science Ph.D. programs as well as interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs such as Infrastructure and Environmental Systems.
Please refer to the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences Graduate Handbook for more details on deadlines and procedures.
Additional
Admission Requirements
It is the policy of the Department to provide equal opportunities to all students regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin. The Department requires applicants to demonstrate evidence of suitability for the program.
All applications for admission are reviewed by the Earth Sciences Graduate Committee. The Department admits applicants on a competitive basis as space in the program allows.
1) Grade Point Average (GPA): The Department expects an overall GPA of at least 2.75 (3.0 for junior and senior years). However, exceptions may be made if the other elements of the application are strong.
2) Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of reference are required. Letters from college or university teachers who have worked with and/or taught applicants are preferred. These letters are evaluated on the basis of how well the applicant is suited in terms of intellect, preparation and motivation to perform graduate work.
3) Personal Essays: Applicants must write a personal essay which directly addresses reasons for the desire to conduct graduate work in earth sciences as well as the desire to participate in the M.S. program at UNC Charlotte. Applicants should comment on their expectations regarding the benefits of an M.S. in Earth Sciences. Lastly, applicants should address directly how the program at UNC Charlotte fits their career and/or professional goals and how they would benefit from and contribute to the M.S. in Earth Sciences at UNC Charlotte. The essay is very important in determining the applicant's commitment to graduate education and to a professional career in earth sciences or a related field. Careful preparation of the essay is time well spent.
4) Scores on the Graduate Record Exam: In general the Department expects minimum scores of 1000 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Exam. Lower scores will not automatically exclude applicants if the remainder of the applicant's file is strong.
5) Transcripts of College Course Work: The transcripts are evaluated on the basis of performance in a range of earth sciences, physical sciences and mathematics courses in order to determine the applicant’s preparation for graduate level course work.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants: Applicants whose native language is not English must score at least 557 (paper based) or 220 (computer based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Prerequisite
Requirements
Minimum Requirements for Students
Entering the Program:
All prospective graduate students must demonstrate competence in undergraduate subject matter in their area of study. While the Department does not require that applicants have a degree in Earth Sciences, prospective graduate students should provide evidence that they are prepared to immediately take full advantage of graduate level course work in Earth Sciences.
Students applying to the program should, at a minimum, be familiar with the concepts and materials offered in courses such as: Physical Geography, Physical Geology, Earth History, Introductory Chemistry, Introductory Physics, and calculus-based Mathematics. These courses or their equivalents are required for admission to the UNC Charlotte M.S. in Earth Sciences program. Courses in Computer Sciences are also considered important. Any student wishing to pursue additional training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) should have basic cartography preparation and computer file management and data base skills.
All decisions concerning the equivalency of courses in an applicant’s transcript to those listed as minimum requirements for entry in the M.S. in Earth Sciences are the responsibility of the Graduate Committee and the Department Chair.
Assistantships
Assistantships are much like a part-time job for the student. As we try to find work settings that fit the student's academic interest, these assistantships can also offer valuable training opportunities and work experience. The nature of a research assistantship depends entirely on the needs of the supervising faculty member. Teaching assistantships are assigned on the basis of the student’s academic background.
Graduate assistantships are arranged for either one entire semester or for an entire academic year (2 semesters or 9 months). They are normally scheduled for 16 weeks per semester and the student is expected to work 20 hours per week. The Department makes every effort to provide funding to every full-time student in the program.
Degree
Requirements
The program requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate
credit. Up to six graduate credits may be accepted as transfer credit. Only
courses with grades of A or B earned at an accredited university are eligible. Transfer
credits are not automatic and require the approval of the Graduate Coordinator
and the
A student is expected to achieve A’s or B’s in all course
work taken for graduate credit and must have at least an average of B (3.0) in
order to graduate. A grade of “C” in any course will result in the student
being placed on academic probation. An accumulation of more than two marginal
“C” grades will result in suspension of the student’s enrollment in the
graduate program. A grade of “U” will result in the immediate suspension of
that student’s enrollment in the graduate program. Readmission to the program
would require approval of the Graduate Coordinator, Department Chair and Dean
of the
The student must complete at least 18 of the 36 credit hours in courses at the 6000-level or above. Of these at least nine credits will consist of 6000-level applied research. Students can select one of three options: 1) a 9-credit research thesis; 2) a community/industry based 9-credit internship; or 3) two faculty directed research projects ranging from 3 to 6 credits each. Students also must pass a two-part comprehensive examination covering 1) general aspects of the Earth Sciences discipline, and 2) a defense of one research project before receiving the M.S. degree.
Elective
Courses
We anticipate that students will select electives from among civil engineering, biology, chemistry, physics and geography courses in support of particular emphases within our program. For example, certain geotechnology or waste disposal courses in Civil Engineering may be appropriate for the student pursuing problems in environmental earth sciences. Students examining the interaction of geology and the biosphere may include ecology or botany courses in the Biology Department or organic chemistry courses in the Chemistry Department in their program of study.
Advising
Upon admission to the program each student is assigned an initial faculty advisor from the student's declared area of interest. This advisor guides the student through the design and implementation of a program of study tailored to the student’s specific needs and career goals. The advisor generally is available to the student for advice on academic and other problems. Students must confer with their advisors regularly concerning academic matters.
Once the student has become familiar with the program and the faculty, it is possible to change advisors by obtaining prior approval from the faculty member with whom the student wishes to work. Advisors are chosen to match, as nearly as possible, the student's academic and career interests. No student will be allowed to register for classes without the signature of his/her advisor.
All students are required to formulate a complete plan for their M.S. after completion of 18 hours. This plan will include at a minimum the names of the student’s thesis or internship committee members, or the names of faculty sponsoring the directed studies, a plan of study for coursework that will be completed during the degree, and a brief proposal of the research project(s). The course of study and the research proposal(s) must be approved by the student’s research committee as well as the Earth Sciences Graduate Coordinator, and serves as a guide to their course of study and research while at UNC Charlotte.
Committees
All final research projects are evaluated by a faculty committee known as the research committee. Research committees must have a minimum of three members composed of the graduate faculty of the Department or associated departments. Additional members are acceptable and in many cases outside members, other departments, or internship coordinators from off-campus agencies are advisable.
Concentration
Descriptions and Courses
Concentrations are designed to aid in the focus of study for students who have clear ideas of the direction that they foresee taking in the future. The concentrations are Solid Earth Sciences, Climatology and Hydrology, and Environmental Systems Analysis. There are no specific course requirements for the three concentration areas. A program of study that fits the needs of the individual student will be arranged between the advisor, the student’s committee and the student.
This Masters in Earth Sciences graduate program generally follows a traditional numbering scheme with 5000 and 6000 level courses. The 5000 level numbers identify courses that cover accepted bodies of knowledge within the earth sciences with the emphasis placed on mastery and critical assessment of the theoretical and empirical foundations within the discipline. The 6000 level courses are divisible into two categories. The first category is the Earth Systems topic courses wherein graduate students review and analyze the dominant current working hypotheses that drive contemporary research within conceptual areas such as geodynamics, global biogeochemical cycles, or climate change. The second 6000 level category is the directed research courses. This category provides the framework for graduate students to complete the research requirements within the program and also identifies the area of concentration of the directed research. This framework permits the assignment of appropriate faculty for research supervision.
Solid Earth Sciences
Overview
The Solid Earth Sciences concentration offers course work in Environmental Geology, Geochemistry, Geologic Mapping, Geomorphology, Hydrogeology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Remote Sensing, Sedimentology, Soil Science, Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, and Tectonics.
This concentration prepares students for licensure as Professional Geologists and for employment in the environmental consulting, energy and mining industries as well as government agencies charged with assessing natural resources and monitoring their utilization. The concentration also prepares those students who choose to undertake further graduate study or become earth sciences teachers.
Course Work
The following courses are available in the concentration in Solid Earth Sciences:
ESCI5170 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
ESCI5180 Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing
ESCI5210 Soil Science
GEOL5100 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
GEOL5105 Geomorphology
GEOL5110 Stratigraphy
GEOL5115 Applied Geophysics
GEOL5120 Geologic Mapping and Interpretation
GEOL5125 Geologic Summer Field Camp
GEOL5130 Optical Mineralogy
GEOL5135 Tectonics
GEOL5145 Hydrogeology
GEOL5165 Aqueous Geochemistry
GEOL5175 Geochemistry
GEOL5185 Mineralogy, Economics and the Environment
GEOL5410 Applied Soil Science
GEOL6101 Earth Systems Analysis: Geodynamics
GEOL6102 Earth Systems Analysis: Paleoenvironments
GEOL6103 Earth Systems Analysis: Solid Earth Geochemistry
GEOL6651 Workshops in Geology
GEOL6800 Individual Study in Geology
Research Credit
Options
GEOL6110 Directed Research in the Solid Earth Sciences
GEOL6120 Directed Internship in the Solid Earth Sciences
GEOL6130 Thesis Research in the Solid Earth Sciences
Climatology and Hydrology
Overview
The Climatology and Hydrology concentration offers course work in Aqueous Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Climatology, Erosion Studies, Geomorphology, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Meteorology, Remote Sensing, Stream Geomorphology and Watershed Science.
This concentration prepares students for careers in both the private and public sectors concerned with the study, management and regulation of water and air resources. Examples of such careers include water quality modeling, water supply analysis, forest hydrology, watershed management, storm water studies, stream restoration, erosion control, underground storage tank permitting and groundwater remediation, environmental regulation and planning, and weather prediction. This concentration is also of interest to secondary school Earth Sciences educators who wish to pursue advanced studies in atmospheric and hydrological sciences. The program will also prepare students who wish to pursue additional graduate study at the Ph.D. level in hydrological and/or atmospheric sciences and biogeochemistry.
Course Work
The following courses are available in the concentration in Climatology and Hydrology:
ESCI5140 Hydrologic Processes
ESCI5150 Applied Climatology
ESCI5155 Fluvial Processes
ESCI5170 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
ESCI5180 Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing
ESCI5222 Watershed Science
ESCI6060 Earth Sciences Field Investigations
ESCI6201 Earth Systems Analysis: Climate
ESCI6202 Earth Systems Analysis: Biogeochemical Cycles
ESCI6250 Urban Air Quality
GEOL5105 Geomorphology
GEOL5145 Hydrogeology
GEOL5165 Aqueous Geochemistry
Research Credit Options
ESCI6210 Directed Research in Climatology and Hydrology
ESCI6220 Directed Internship in Climatology and Hydrology
ESCI6230 Thesis Research in Climatology and Hydrology
Environmental Systems Analysis
Overview
The Environmental Systems Analysis concentration offers course work in Environmental Geology, Environmental Site Characterization, Geographic Information Systems, Planning, Remote Sensing, Soil Science, Spatial Decision Support Systems, Stream Restoration, and Water Resources.
This concentration prepares students for employment in the environmental consulting industry, government agencies charged with assessing and monitoring land use, water and air quality, and storm water monitoring. The concentration also prepares those students interested in further graduate work or a career as an earth sciences teacher.
Course Work
The following courses are suggested for the concentration in Environmental Systems Analysis:
ESCI5140 Hydrologic Processes
ESCI5155 Fluvial Processes
ESCI5170 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
ESCI5180 Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing
ESCI5210 Soil Science
ESCI5222 Watershed Science
ESCI5233 Geoenvironmental Site Characterization
ESCI6060 Earth Sciences Field Investigations
ESCI6301 Earth Systems Analysis: Human-interactions
ESCI6302 Earth Systems Analysis: Statistical and Risk-based Decision Support Systems
GEOL5105 Geomorphology
GEOL5115 Applied Geophysics
GEOL5120 Geologic Mapping and Interpretation
GEOL5135 Tectonics
GEOL5145 Hydrogeology
GEOL5175 Geochemistry
GEOL5410 Applied Soil Science
GEOG5120 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
GEOG5130 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
GEOG5165 Environmental Planning
GEOG6615 Advanced Seminar in Spatial Decision Support Systems
Research Credit Options
ESCI6310 Directed Research in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems
ESCI6320 Directed Internship in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems
ESCI6330 Thesis Research in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems
Thesis/Internship/Directed
Research Projects
Thesis Option: The thesis
option allows the student to pursue a single research problem in an area of
his/her individual interest. Students who ultimately plan to pursue a Ph.D.
degree might be more inclined and encouraged toward that option. The same is
true of students who wish to complete their master’s program with that kind of
individual research activity. Completion of the thesis includes adhering to the
requirements of the
Internship Option: Students may opt to complete a research option that involves working on an applied project as an intern for a consulting firm or a government agency. Not every student can expect to engage in a paid internship because the number of students frequently exceeds a matching number of opportunities funded in that manner. Unpaid internships provide the same caliber of experience and training in an applied environment. In some cases, that experience may link students with non-profit agencies that simply do not have the resources to fund an internship. In either case, the topic of the internship is defined by the client’s problem or needs.
Directed Research Option: Students may choose to complete two faculty directed research projects, usually one three credit and one six credit project. These research projects must be based in at least two of the three program concentrations (i.e. Solid Earth, Climatology and Hydrology, and Environmental Systems Analysis). See the Earth Sciences Graduate Handbook for more details.
Comprehensive
Examination
To complete the program, each student must pass a two-part comprehensive examination covering 1) general aspects of the discipline, and 2) a defense of their adopted research project. It is the responsibility of the advisor for the thesis project, internship, or the larger of the research projects, in consultation with the student, to arrange each of the exams. In every instance, before either part of the exam can be administered, every member of the graduate faculty of the Department must receive written notification.
The Written Exam
Part I of the comprehensive exam is a written exam in which the student must respond to questions submitted by the faculty. These questions will examine knowledge from at least two of the program concentrations. The questions are solicited from the entire graduate faculty of the Department by a memo from the student's primary research advisor who then administers the examination. The written comprehensive exam is normally taken during the third semester (for full-time students) and in no case should the student take this exam before accumulating 27 hours of course work including courses in progress. This exam may not be administered if the student has outstanding incomplete grades in any graduate course work.
The Defense of the Research Project
Part II of the comprehensive exam is the defense of the research project (either thesis, internship, or one directed research project). This exam is generally administered at the discretion of the student’s advisory committee and the student. When the advisor is satisfied that the student's research and writing has progressed sufficiently the research document is provided to the other members of the research committee. If they agree that the document is ready for a defense, an oral exam is scheduled. The advisor must then notify, in writing, every member of the Department's graduate faculty of the date, time, place and the topic (title with abstract) of the defense.
Admission
to Candidacy Requirements
An application for admission to candidacy should be filed
upon successful completion of a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate work
and no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which
the student expects to complete all requirements for the degree. Completed
forms should be forwarded to the
Courses In Earth Sciences And Geology
Earth Sciences
ESCI 5000. Selected Topics in Earth Sciences. (1-4) Prerequisites: ESCI 1101, GEOL 1200-1200L, or permission of the instructor. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of the earth sciences. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
ESCI 5140. Hydrologic Processes. (4) Prerequisite: ESCI 1101 or GEOL 1200-1200L or permission of the instructor. Atmospheric, soils and geologic aspects of surface and ground water processes. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab per week. (Fall)
ESCI 5150. Applied Climatology. (3) Prerequisite: ESCI 3250 or consent of instructor. Methods of acquiring and analyzing climatic data in various types of applied problems. Emphasis on methods to assess and reduce the impact of weather and climate upon human activities. (Spring)
ESCI 5155. Fluvial Processes. (4) Prerequisites: ESCI 1101-1101L, GEOL 1200-1200L, or permission of the instructor. Hydrologic and geomorphic study of the transport of water and earth materials within stream systems. Erosion, mass wasting, open channel flow, sediment transport, flooding, stream channel morphology, morphometry of drainage basins, and related topics. Three lecture hours, three lab hours per week. (Spring)
ESCI 5170. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing. (4) Prerequisite: ESCI 1101 and GEOL 1200, or consent of the instructor. Physical fundamentals of remote sensing and overview of airborne and satellite systems operating in the visible, infrared, and radar regions, and a review of applications for resource exploration, environmental studies, land use and land cover analysis, and natural hazards. One 2-1/2 hour lecture, and one three-hour lab per week. (On demand)
ESCI 5180. Digital Image Processing in Remote Sensing. (4) Prerequisite: ESCI 5170 or consent of instructor. Scientific and computational foundations of digital image processing techniques for extracting earth resource information from remotely sensed data. Three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. (Spring)
ESCI 5210. Soil Science. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 3124, GEOL 3115 or permission of instructor. Study of soils, soil-forming processes and soil morphology with an emphasis on soils as they relate to geologic landscapes and surficial processes. Students will learn how to describe and interpret soils in the field. Three hours lecture, three hours lab per week with occasional field trips. Graduate students will fulfill the requirements of ESCI 4210. In addition, graduate students will be required to acquire laboratory and interpretive skills in soil chemical analyses and will have additional writing assignments for the course. (Fall)
ESCI 5222. Watershed Science. (3) Prerequisites: ESCI 4140/5140 or permission of the instructor. Examination of the cycling of water and chemical elements in natural and perturbed watersheds with emphasis on linkages between the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes which control runoff water quality. Topics include runoff processes, evapotranspiration, nutrient export and stream, riparian and hyporheic zone hydrochemical dynamics. (On demand)
ESCI 5233. Geoenvironmental Site Characterization. (4) Prerequisites: Earth
Sciences, Geology and M.A. Geography majors: ESCI 4140 or 4155. Others require
consent of the instructor. Advanced field-based examination of hydrologic and
geologic conditions in the southeastern
ESCI
5250. Advanced Dynamic
Meteorology. (3) Prerequisites: ESCI 3250 and ESCI 3251, or instructor
consent. An extension of ESCI 3250 to provide an in-depth
examination of atmospheric dynamics, focusing on the structure and evolution of
synoptic scale dynamical and convective weather systems, and atmospheric
modeling. Three hours of lecture per week. (Fall, On demand)
ESCI 5251. Advanced Synoptic Meteorology. (3) Prerequisites: ESCI 3250 and ESCI 3251, or
instructor consent. An extension of ESCI 3251 sufficient to
develop an integrated view of dynamic and synoptic meteorology. Included
are a survey of conceptual models and analysis techniques for mesoscale atmospheric features, cumulus convection, and
tropical storms. Three hours of lecture per week. (Spring, On demand)
ESCI 5400. Internship in Earth Sciences. (3-6) Prerequisite: consent of the Graduate Committee. Research and/or work experience designed to be a logical extension of a student's academic program. The student must apply to Graduate Advisory Committee for an internship by submitting a proposal which specifies the type of work/research experience preferred and how the internship will complement his or her academic program. The Graduate Committee will attempt to place the selected students in cooperating community organizations to complete specified research or work-related tasks which are based on a contractual arrangement between the student and community organization. The student can receive three to six hours credit, depending on the nature and extent of the internship assignment. (On demand)
ESCI 5800. Individual Study in Earth Sciences. (1-4) Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and credit hours established in advance. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
ESCI 6000. Selected Topics in Earth Sciences. (1-4) Prerequisites: permission of the Earth Sciences Graduate Coordinator. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the concentrations in earth sciences (Solid Earth Sciences; Climatology and Hydrology; Environmental Systems Analysis). May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
ESCI 6060. Earth Sciences Field Investigations. (1-6) Prerequisite: consent of instructor. A concentrated field investigation of selected earth sciences topics. Course subject matter, credit hours, location and duration will be specified each time course is offered. May be repeated for credit. Pass/No Credit grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6201. Earth Systems Analysis: Climate. (3) Current working hypotheses and research methods are reviewed for the study of climatology and climate change. Theories and mechanisms of climate change, as well as the interrelationships between the components of the climate system, are discussed towards understanding and explaining past, present and possible future climatic behavior. (On demand)
ESCI 6202. Earth Systems Analysis: Biogeochemical Cycles. (3) This course examines the Earth’s water and major elemental cycles including those of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and the major crustal elements. Uncertainties in the current state of understanding of global elemental cycles are examined. Special emphasis is placed on how these cycles are currently being modified through human activities. (On demand)
ESCI 6210. Directed Research in Climatology and Hydrology. (3-6) A one or two semester research project, performed under the direction of a member of the faculty within Climatology and Hydrology. The project must be hypothesis-driven, and include formulation, implementation, analysis and presentation of research components. May be repeated for credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6220. Directed Internship in Climatology and Hydrology. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Committee. Community/industry sponsored research/work experience in hydrological and/or climatological sciences with a well-defined applied research focus. While each internship may vary in its content, the student must submit and have approved a well-defined statement of research which details how the internship will complement his or her academic program. Each proposal must identify both a community/industry research supervisor, and a faculty internship advisor. A final report detailing the research experience and results is required. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6230. Thesis Research in Climatology and Hydrology. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Committee. The student will conduct hypothesis-driven research involving contemporary issues in Climatology and/or the Hydrological Sciences. This option is most commonly chosen when a student works under an assistantship in association with a funded faculty research project. The student will prepare and defend a traditional thesis upon completion of their research. A thesis proposal must be approved by the student’s examination committee prior to registration for thesis credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6250. Urban Air Quality. (3) Prerequisites: M.S. Earth Science, M.A. Geography, and Ph.D. INES and Public Policy students: ESCI 4150 and STAT 2221 or consent of instructor. Examination of the relationships between climatic processes and urban air quality with emphasis on trends and patterns. Topics will include health and environmental effects of air pollution, ozone climatology, pollutant transport, transportation related emissions, risk assessment, and air quality management. (On demand)
ESCI 6301. Earth Systems Analysis: Human Interactions. (3) Current working hypotheses and research methods are reviewed for the regional and global scale coupling of categorical human activities and earth processes. The focus is on GIS-based modeling frameworks for parametric impact assessment. (On demand)
ESCI 6302. Earth Systems Analysis: Statistical and Risk-based Decision Support Systems. (3) Statistical and risk-based research/decision support methods are reviewed for local and regional environmental assessment and management. The focus is on parametric statistical analysis of large temporal and spatial datasets for the human-interface with the local and regional air, water and land resources. Valuation, ranking, prioritization, and indexing models for environmental management are also discussed. (On demand)
ESCI 6310. Directed Research in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems. (3-6) A one or two semester research project, performed under the direction of a member of the faculty within the environmental monitoring and decision support systems area. The project must be hypothesis-driven, and include formulation, implementation, analysis and presentation of research components. May be repeated for credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6320. Directed Internship in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Committee. Community/industry sponsored internship in the area of environmental monitoring and decision support systems with a well-defined research focus. While considerable flexibility exists in the research problem design, each internship must have a well-defined statement of the research problem wherein the independent research to be performed by the intern is clearly stated. In addition both a community/industry research supervisor, and a faculty internship advisor must be identified prior to registration. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6330. Thesis Research in Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Advisory Committee. Traditional hypothesis-driven research thesis focused on contemporary issues in the area of environmental monitoring and decision support systems. This option is most commonly chosen when a graduate student works under a research assistantship in association with a funded faculty research project. A thesis proposal must be approved by a faculty member in the Environmental Monitoring and Decision Support Systems area prior to registration for thesis credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
ESCI 6650. Workshop in Geography. (4) A series of lectures on the subject matter of the atmosphere and hydrosphere with accompanying laboratory sessions. (On demand)
ESCI 6800. Individual Study in Earth Sciences. (1-4) Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and credit hours established in advance. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
ESCI 7999. Master's Degree Graduate Residence. (1) Permission needed from department.
Geology
GEOL 5000. Topics in Geology. (1-4) Prerequisites: ESCI 1101, GEOL 1200-1200L, or permission of the instructor. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of geology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
GEOL 5100. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3115. Classification, mineralogy and chemical properties of igneous and metamorphic rocks including the tectonic processes by which they formed. Lab emphasizes hand specimen and petrographic description and interpretation of rocks in thin sections. (On demand)
GEOL 5105. Geomorphology. (3) Prerequisite: ESCI 1101; GEOL 1200 and 1200L. Surficial processes and landform development as controlled by climate, tectonics, rock characteristics and time with emphasis on plate tectonic, weathering, erosion, mass wasting, surface water, groundwater, glacial, wind coastal processes and climate change in landscape development. (On demand)
GEOL 5105L. Geomorphology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or co-requisite: GEOL 5105. Analysis of landforms and the surficial processes responsible for landform development. One lab period of 3 hours per week. (On demand)
GEOL 5110. Stratigraphy. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 1210 and 3124. Vertical and horizontal relationships of layered earth materials as a key to understanding basin history, past depositional environments and their transformation through time. Three lecture hours, three lab hours per week. (Spring)
GEOL 5115. Applied Geophysics. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 3115, 3130 and introductory physics or consent of instructor. Instrumental analysis of the earth's physical parameters. Study of human-induced seismic and electrical signals, and natural magnetic and gravitational fields for the purposes of locating faults, ore bodies, ground water and other earth hazards or resources. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour lab per week. (On demand)
GEOL 5120. Geologic Mapping and Interpretation. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 3130 and 5100 or consent of instructor. Field and lab oriented study using principles of mineralogy, petrology and structural geology. Involves collection and resolution of field data, techniques of presenting data, development of geologic maps, and critical reviews of existing literature. Two hours of lecture, four hours of lab/field work per week. (Alternate years)
GEOL 5125. Geologic Summer Field Camp. (6) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Concentrated field investigation of geologic features. Data collection in the field, geologic mapping, report and map preparation and time management. Location of field camp will be specified each time course is offered. (Summer)
GEOL 5130. Optical Mineralogy. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3115. Light optics theory, the behavior of plane polarized light in a solid medium. The laboratory emphasizes the use of petrographic microscope oil immersion techniques and identification of the common rock forming minerals. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour lab per week. (On demand)
GEOL 5135. Tectonics. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3130 or consent of the instructor. A systematic examination of the evolution and dynamics of the earth from the perspective of plate tectonics theory. Three lecture hours, one three-hour lab per week. (Alternate years)
GEOL 5145. Hydrogeology. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200, MATH 1241, CHEM
1251 or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of groundwater
hydrology. Principles of flow and transport in
groundwater aquifiers and the vadose
zone. Topics include: storage, compressibility, capillarity,
Darcy’s Law, aquifer parameters, steady and transient flow equations, well
hydraulics, geological controls on groundwater flow, and transport of
non-reactive chemical species by advection, diffusion and dispersion in porous
media. A series of experiments and problems illustrating flow and transport in
porous media, together with applied problems. Three hours of
lecture, and three hours of lab per week with occasional field trips. (Fall)
GEOL 5165. Aqueous Geochemistry. (4) Prerequisites: CHEM 1251 and 1252 and GEOL 3115, or consent of instructor. Interaction of rocks, minerals, and gases with water under natural conditions, including an overview of the compositions of natural waters from a variety of environmental and geologic settings emphasizing a rigorous thermodynamic approach to understanding water-rock interactions. Three hours of lecture, three hours of lab per week. (Fall)
GEOL 5175. Geochemistry. (3) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200, 1200L and Chemistry 1251 or consent of instructor. Geochemical survey of origin, evolution and present composition of the earth. (Alternate years)
GEOL 5175L. Geochemistry Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 5175 or consent of instructor. Analytical methods and sample preparation techniques used by geochemists. One three hour meeting per week. (On demand)
GEOL 5185. Mineralogy, Economics and the Environment. (3) This course will focus on the origin, distribution, and consumption rate of the Earth’s mineral resources. This lecture-based class will promote an understanding of not only the geologic, engineering and economic factors that govern mineral production, but also the resulting environmental pollution problems. (Alternate years)
GEOL 5410. Applied Soil Science. (4) Prerequisites: ESCI 4210/5210 or permission of the instructor. Students will read and discuss current literature pertaining to the application of soils to various fields of research such as surficial processes, active tectonics, ecology, stratigraphy, archaeology, and environmental assessment. Topics covered will vary depending on the interests of the students. Students will create and execute a semester-long soils-based field or laboratory research project of their choosing. Graduate students will fulfill the requirements of GEOL 4410. In addition, graduate students will have additional writing assignments throughout the semester. Graduate students’ semester project must contain both field and laboratory components. Three hours seminar, three hours field or lab each week. (On demand)
GEOL 6101. Earth Systems Analysis: Geodynamics. (3) Current working hypotheses and research methods are reviewed for the study of crustal and lithospheric processes on time scales from the seismic cycle to the long-term geologic evolution of basins and mountain belts and on physical scales ranging from the fracture and flow of rock masses to regional deformation and mountain building. (On demand)
GEOL 6102. Earth Systems Analysis: Paleo-environments. (3) Current working hypotheses and research methods are reviewed for the study of paleo-environments. The interrelationships of tectonics, paleogeography, biogeography, and orbital climate forcing, as represented in the geologic record, are discussed and reviewed in light of modern concerns for climate change. (On demand)
GEOL 6103. Earth Systems Analysis: Solid Earth Geochemistry. (3) Current working hypotheses and research methods are reviewed for the study of the geochemical evolution of the Earth's continental and oceanic crust. Hypotheses regarding coupling between solid earth geochemical processes and the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans are also briefly discussed. (On demand)
GEOL 6110. Directed Research in the Solid Earth Sciences. (3-6) A one or two semester research project, performed under the direction of a member of the faculty within the Solid Earth Sciences. The project must be hypothesis-driven, and include formulation, implementation, analysis and presentation of research components. May be repeated for credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
GEOL 6120. Directed Internship in the Solid Earth Sciences. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of Graduate Committee. Community/industry sponsored research/work experience in the Solid Earth Sciences with a well-defined applied research focus. While considerable flexibility exists in the research problem design, the student must submit and have approved a well-defined statement of the research and how this will complement his or her academic program. In addition, the proposal must identify both a community/industry research supervisor, and a faculty internship advisor. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
GEOL 6130. Thesis Research in the Solid Earth Sciences. (9) Prerequisite: Consent of the Graduate Committee. Hypothesis driven research on contemporary issues in the Solid Earth Sciences. This option is most commonly chosen when a student works under an assistantship in association with a funded faculty research project. The student will prepare and defend a traditional thesis. A thesis proposal must be approved by the Graduate Committee prior to registration for thesis credit. Pass/Unsatisfactory grading. (On demand)
GEOL 6651. Workshops in Geology. (4) A series of lectures on subject matter of the lithosphere and space science with accompanying laboratory sessions. (On demand)
GEOL 6800. Individual Study in Geology. (1-4)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor and credit hours established in
advance. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. (On demand)
GEOL 7999. Master's Degree Graduate Residence. (1) Permission needed from department.