Earth Sciences

Courses

NOTE: The program will endeavor to offer the courses outlined below. However, unforeseen circumstances (particularly changes in ship schedules) sometimes mandate a change of scheduled offerings, especially the quarter offered (F,W,S). Students are strongly advised to check the Schedule of Classes or to contact the Earth Sciences Program Office (Galbraith Hall, room 188, Revelle College, (858) 534-8157) to obtain up-to-date information.

Lower-Division

ERTH 1. The Planets    Space exploration has revealed an astonishing diversity among the planets and moons in our solar system. The planets and their histories will be compared to gain insight and a new perspective on planet Earth. Prerequisite: none. (S)

ERTH 10. The Earth (4)    A basic introduction to geology for students with little previous science background. The course stresses understanding of the concepts of the structure of the Earth and the processes which have formed it and continue to modify it. The course emphasizes material which every educated citizen should know for appreciation and enjoyment of the world around us, for understanding geological events as reported in the news, and for participating in making intelligent decisions regarding the future of our environment. Three-hour lecture plus optional local field trips. Prerequisite: none. (W)

ERTH 12. History of the Earth and Evolution (4)    Evolution of the Earth from its origin in the early solar system to formation of continents and ocean basins, and how the planet became habitable. It examines the geologic record of evolution, extinction, plate tectonics, and climate changes through time. Three-hour lecture. Prerequisite: none. (S)

ERTH 15. Natural Disasters    An introduction to environmental perils and their impact on everyday life. Geological and meteorological processes are explored, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, large storms, global climate change, mass extinctions throughout Earth’s history, and human activity that causes and prevents natural disasters. Prerequisite: none. (F)

ERTH 20. The Atmosphere (4)    Descriptive introduction to meteorology and climate studies. Topics include global and continental wind and precipitation patterns, weather forecasting, present climate and past climate changes (including droughts, El Ni–o events), man-made modification of climate, including CO2 and other “greenhouse” gases effects, ozone destruction, “little ice ages,” acid rain. Three-hour lecture. Prerequisites: some high school physics and chemistry background recommended. (W)

ERTH 30. The Oceans (4)    Presents modern ideas and descriptions of the physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography, and considers the interactions between these aspects. Intended for students interested in the oceans, but who do not necessarily intend to become professional scientists. Three-hour lecture, one-hour discussion. Prerequisite: some background in high school chemistry recommended. (F)

ERTH 35. Water (4)    This course will examine the properties of water that make it unique and vital to living things. Origin of water on Earth and neighboring planets will be explored. Socially relevant issues concerning water use and contamination will be covered. Prerequisite: none. (S)

ERTH 96. Frontiers in the Earth Sciences (2)    An introduction to current research in the earth sciences. Background in science not required, but may be useful for some topics. Areas covered vary from year to year. (S)

Upper-Division

ERTH 101. Introduction to Earth and Environmental Science (5)    This course is an introduction to how our planet works, focusing on the formation and evolution of the solid earth, and the processes affecting both its surface and interior. Laboratories and field trips complement and extend the lecture material. Prerequisites: one year each of college-level math, and chemistry, or consent of instructor. (F)

ERTH 102. Introduction to Geochemistry (4)    A broad introduction to the chemical composition and evolution of the Earth and the solar system. This course explores applications of chemical methods to elucidate the origin and geologic history of the Earth and the planets, the evolution of the oceans and atmosphere, and the impact of humankind on the environment. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, Chemistry 6A-B-C or equivalent, first-year, mathematics, and physics, or consent of instructor. (W)

ERTH 103. Introduction to Geophysics (4)    An introduction to the structure and composition of the solid earth. Topics include seismology, the gravity and magnetic fields, high-pressure geophysics, and concepts in geodynamics. Emphasis is on global geophysics, i.e., on the structure and evolution of the planet. Prerequisites: Math. 20A-B-C-D and Physics 2 sequence or equivalent, ERTH 101, or consent of instructor. ERTH 160 recommended. (F)

ERTH 104. Geobiology (5)    Introduction to the major biological transitions in earth history from the origins of metabolism and cells to the evolution of complex societies. The nature and limitations of the fossil record, patterns of adaptation and diversity, and the tempo and mode of biological and environmental change. Laboratories and field trips complement and extend the lecture material. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, BILD 3 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. (S)

ERTH 105. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)    This course will examine sedimentary environments from the mountain tops to the deep sea across a variety of time scales. The focus will be to understand how depositional processes form the stratigraphic record. The central goal of the course is to develop the skills to interpret stratigraphy and read the history of the earth that it records. Prerequisite: Erth 101. (F)

ERTH 110. Introduction to GIS for Earth and Environmental Scientists (4)    A hands-on introduction to geological and environmental applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Students acquire data through field surveys and digitization, design and construct GIS using ESRI's ArcGIS software, analyze spatial data, and present the finished products as maps. Prerequisites: ERTH 101 or ESYS 102 or the equivalent, or consent of instructor. (S)

ERTH 120. Introduction to Mineralogy (4)    This course focuses on the symmetry, crystal structure, chemical, and physical properties of minerals with special emphasis on the common rock-forming minerals, and highlights the applications of mineralogical and X-ray crystallographic techniques to a spectrum of important problems in the earth sciences. The laboratory will introduce the students to the polarizing microscope and X-ray powder diffraction methods for the study of rock-forming minerals. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, ERTH 102 (may be taken concurrently with ERTH 102). (W)

ERTH 130. Geodynamics of Terrestrial Planets (4)    Planetary differentiation through geodynamical processes is the fundamental agent controlling the evolution of the planet on geological time scales. Similarities and differences between the Earth, Venus, Mars, and other terrestrial planets and satellites teach us about the processes which shape a planet’s formation and evolution. The course includes a computer-oriented lab. Prerequisites: Math. 20A-B-C-D and Physics 2 sequence, or consent of instructors. (S)

ERTH 135. Satellite Remote Sensing (4)    Satellite remote sensing provides global observations of Earth to monitor changes in the environment of land, oceans, and ice. This course is an overview of the physical principles of remote sensing including orbits, electromagnetic radiation, diffraction, electro-optical, and microwave systems. Prerequisites: Physics 2A-B or Physics 4A-B-C. (W)

ERTH 142. Atmospheric Chemistry and the Biochemical Cycles of Atmospheric Trace Gases (4)    Evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere, from the earliest days of the planet to the present, and into the future. The atmospheres of other terrestrial planets are discussed to provide a planetary perspective. Discussions will include effects of “greenhouse” gases such as H2O, CO2, and CH4 in climate modification, and other influences of civilization’s byproducts on atmospheric chemistry, e.g., the destruction of the ozone layer. The biogeochemical cycles of the radioactively important trace gases will be examined. Prerequisites: Chemistry 6 sequence or equivalent. Offered in alternate years (offered winter 2004). SIO staff. (W)

ERTH 143. Marine Paleoecology (4)    Paleoecology of marine plankton, nekton, and benthos. Patterns and changes in marine communities and ecosystems over geological time in relation to changes in the physical, chemical, and geological environment and biotic interactions. The preservation filter and inference of ecological processes from fossils and biogeochemical proxies. Biotic interchanges, incumbency, escalation and trends, mass extinctions, and recovery. Lectures, seminar discussion, and field trips. Prerequisites: Bachelor’s degree in science or consent of instructor; open to undergraduates with completion of ERTH 104 and either BIEB 130 or BIEB 140 or equivalent. (S)

ERTH 144. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry (4)    Isotopic ratios of various elements serve as natural tracers, as chronometers, and as geothermometers. Thus isotope measurements have become an indispensable tool for earth scientists. This course introduces students to the theory of radioactivity, geochronology, and stable isotope fractionation and shows how these principles are used to investigate important geochemical problems. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, ERTH 102, ERTH 120. (F)

ERTH 150. Environmental Perils (4)    An advanced field-oriented course for engineering and science students stressing the geologic basis for environmental perils such as earthquakes, erosion flooding, and waste disposal. Two one-hour lectures and a two-hour lab/field trip each week. One Saturday field trip. Prerequisites: Math. 20A-B-C-D, sequence and Physics 2A-B-C sequence or equivalent. (S)

ERTH 152. Petrology and Petrography (4)    Mineralogic, chemical, textural, and structural properties of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; their origin and relations to evolution of the Earth’s crust and mantle. Includes rocks of both the continents and ocean basins. The laboratory emphasizes both hand specimens and microscopic studies of rocks in thin sections. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, ERTH 102, and ERTH 120 or their equivalents. (S)

ERTH 155. Igneous and Metamorphic Processes (4)    This course provides an overview of the Earth from a geochemical and petrogenetic point of view. Topics include the formation and chemical differentiation of material in the solar system, the formation and differentiation of the Earth into core, mantle, crust and atmosphere/hydrosphere, the generation of magma in a variety of plate tectonic settings, and isotope and trace element geochemistry of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Literature readings will be assigned for most topics and discussion is expected of everyone. Prerequisite: ERTH 152, or consent of instructors. (W)

ERTH 160. Introduction to Tectonics (4)    The theory of plate tectonics attempts to explain how forces within the earth give rise to continents, ocean basins, mountain ranges, earthquake belts and most volcanoes. In this course we will learn how plate tectonics works. Prerequisites: ERTH 101 or consent of instructor. (F)

ERTH 162A. Introduction to Field Geology (4)    Mapping and interpretation of geologic units and structures in the field. Field observations at the surface are related to theory and extrapolated to three dimensions. Field work is done on weekends in local areas; field data are discussed and evaluated through applicable geologic principles in the laboratory. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, ERTH 120 or consent of instructor. To be taken concurrently with ERTH 162L. (F)

ERTH 162L. Structural Analysis for Field Geology (4)    Principles of stratigraphy and structural geology applicable to field geologic studies. Discussion and laboratory exercises. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, ERTH 120, or consent of instructor. To be taken concurrently with ERTH 162A. (W)

ERTH 170. Introduction to Volcanology (4)    This course teaches fundamental aspects of physical and chemical volcanology with a major field study component on an active volcano on Hawaii. Subjects are introduced in lectures and reinforced and expanded in field exercises. Prerequisites: ERTH 101, Chem. 6A, upper-division standing or consent of instructor; eighteen years or older and ability to walk up to fifteen miles a day over rough terrain. (Offered summer session only)

ERTH 180. Geophysics of Natural Resources (4)    Introduction to seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electrical methods used in exploration geophysics on scales of hundreds of kilometers to tens of meters. These are the principal means of discovering energy and mineral resources such as oil, gas, and ore deposits. Emphasis is on the underlying physical principles of the methods, instrumentation, and data interpretation. Prerequisites: Math. 20A-B-C-D and Physics 2 sequence or equivalent, or consent of instructor. ERTH 182 must be taken concurrently. (S)

ERTH 182. Field Geophysics (4)    Introduction to design and execution of simple geophysical field experiments, including seismic, gravimetric, geoelectrical, and geodetic techniques. The focus is on a simple geological problem that can be solved by geophysical experiments. Computer-aided data analysis and interpretation. Prerequisites: ERTH 180 (must be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor. (S)

ERTH 190. Special Topics in Earth Sciences (2-4)    A seminar course designed to treat emerging or topical subjects in the earth sciences. Involved reading from the literature and student participation in discussion. Topics vary from year to year.

ERTH 194. Research Seminar in Washington, D.C. (4)    Course attached to six-unit internship taken by students participating in the UCDC program. Involves weekly seminar meetings with faculty and teaching assistant and substantial research paper. Prerequisites: departmental approval. Participating in UCDC Program.

ERTH 196. Honors Thesis Research (4)    Independent reading or research on a problem. By special arrangement with a faculty member. (Letter grade only.)

ERTH 197. Earth Science Internship (2-4)    The Earth Science Internship program is designed to complement the program’s academic curriculum with practical field experience. Prerequisites: consent of instructor, upper-division standing, minimum GPA of 2.0, department stamp.

ERTH 198. Directed Group Study (2–4)    This course covers a variety of directed group studies in areas not covered by formal ERTH courses (P/NP grades only.) Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

ERTH 199. Independent Study for Undergraduates (4)    Independent reading or research on a problem. By special arrangement with a faculty member. (P/NP grades only.)

ERTH 211. Research Seminar (2)    A three quarter required sequence for BS/M.S. Earth Sciences students to prepare students for thesis writing. (F,W,S)