An introduction to the evolution of Earth and a glimpse into Earth’s future. We will examine pivotal moments in Earth’s history, from the formation of Earth’s moon, to the rise of oxygen, to colliding continents, and the explosion of life on Earth. What differentiates Earth from other rocky planets? What events have shaped the evolution of Earth? What will future Earth look like? What role are we playing in shaping this future world? These questions are explored through readings, discussions, presentations, and writing.

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2022 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester

The Earth is a dynamic system that has been shaped in part by geologic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain building. During classes and weekly laboratories, students are introduced to Earth and plate tectonics through accessible field experiences along the Maine coast, rock and mineral specimens, images, and models. Students practice making observations, collecting data, and communicating interpretations, and then synthesize the course curriculum and their laboratory findings through a final project.

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2022 Fall Semester; 2023 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

An introduction to aspects of geology and hydrology that affect the environment and land use. Topics include lakes, watersheds and surface-water quality, groundwater contamination, coastal erosion, and/or landslides. Weekly labs and fieldwork examine local environmental problems affecting Maine’s rivers, lakes, and coast. Students complete a community-based research project. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 1104)

The fundamentals of geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography. Topics include tectonic evolution of the ocean basins; deep-sea sedimentation as a record of ocean history; global ocean circulation, waves, and tides; chemical cycles; ocean ecosystems and productivity; and the ocean’s role in climate change. Weekly labs and fieldwork demonstrate these principles in the setting of Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Students complete a field-based research project on coastal oceanography. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 1102)

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester; 2023 Spring Semester; 2024 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

Understanding global change requires knowing how the biosphere, geosphere, oceans, ice, and atmosphere interact. An introduction to earth system science, emphasizing the critical interplay between the physical and living worlds. Key processes include energy flow and material cycles, soil development, primary production and decomposition, microbial ecology and nutrient transformations, and the evolution of life on geochemical cycles in deep time. Terrestrial, wetland, lake, river, estuary, and marine systems are analyzed comparatively. Applied issues are emphasized as case studies, including energy efficiency of food production, acid rain impacts on forests and aquatic systems, forest clearcutting, wetland delineation, eutrophication of coastal estuaries, ocean fertilization, and global carbon sinks. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or fieldwork per week. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2221)

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2022 Fall Semester; 2023 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

By analyzing the isotope variability of elements, scientists approach questions related to solid earth, earth surface, and ocean evolution. Radioactive decay and stable isotope mass fractionation are applied to authentic data sets to examine the timing of earth layer differentiation, the age of rock packages, paleotemperatures, the rate of weathering, erosion, and sedimentary basin development, and other applications.

Terms offered: 2023 Fall Semester

Explores the historical, current, and future demands of society on the natural resources of the earth and the ocean. Discusses the formation and extraction of salt, gold, diamonds, rare earth elements, coal, oil, natural gas, and renewable energies (e.g., tidal, geothermal, solar, wind). Examines how policies for these resources are written and revised to reflect changing societal values. Students complete a research project that explores the intersection of natural resources and society. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2250)

This course is a hands-on introduction to using geospatial datasets within a geographic information system (GIS), with direct applications to the earth sciences. Technical topics include geospatial data acquisition, database management, coordinate systems and projections, creation and manipulation of raster and vector datasets, data digitization, incorporation of field data into GIS, production of metadata, and utilizing LiDAR and other remote sensing applications. These techniques will be applied to a range of earth science questions across surface earth and solid earth sub-disciplines.

Terms offered: 2022 Fall Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

This course explores the fundamental physical principles underlying major natural hazards, focusing on volcanic eruptions, avalanches, debris flows, and wildfires. Beyond their destructive capabilities, they are alike in their chaotic and complex dynamics, making predicting their behavior difficult. The course begins with the mechanics of avalanches and other mass movements, discussing their catalysts and flow dynamics. Next, volcanic systems will be explored—their eruptions and associated hazards to humans in the form of pyroclastic density currents and ash dispersal. The course will end with an investigation of wildland fires, and how meteorology, topography, ecology, and human activity affect their prevalence and intensity. Various aspects of fluid dynamics, atmospheric science, and chemistry will be introduced to explain how fires spread and generate weather of their own. Class time is split between lectures discussing the evolution of these phenomena, an introduction to the mathematics describing them, and project-based work to provide hands-on experience analyzing experimental and computational data from recent scientific studies. Projects introduce the research process, statistics and uncertainty, and basic modeling and model evaluation techniques using Python.

Terms offered: 2025 Spring Semester

Learn the core skills for effective scientific writing using topics in Earth and Oceanographic Science. Explore the principles of constructing strong scientific arguments and effectively communicating to geoscience audiences. Critically analyze published research papers and successful proposals to learn how to effectively structure arguments, present data as evidence, and frame research questions. Practice identifying and articulating the key questions driving research, focusing on topics such as Earth’s past and present climate systems, terrestrial biogeochemical cycles, and ocean dynamics. Practice writing compelling scientific papers and grant proposals through peer review, instructor feedback, and iterative revision. Transform research ideas into impactful scientific narratives.

Minerals are the earth’s building blocks and an important human resource. The study of minerals provides information on processes that occur within the earth’s core, mantle, crust, and at its surface. At the surface, minerals interact with the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, and are essential to understanding environmental issues. Minerals and mineral processes examined using hand-specimens, crystal structures, chemistry, and microscopy.

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester; 2023 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

Volcanoes make the news for their human impact, and they reveal much about the inner workings of Earth. Examination of volcanic eruptions, landforms, products, and hazards. Exploration of tectonic influence and magmatic origins of volcanoes. Investigation into the impact of volcanoes on humans, climate, and Earth history.

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester

Early Earth was inhospitable with a molten surface constantly bombarded by meteors. Yet today, humans have land to live on, fresh water, and an oxygen-rich atmosphere. How did we get to this habitable state? A number of conditions must be met across Earth’s lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere to allow life to exist on Earth. This habitable state is due to changes in Earth systems and processes over 4.5 billion years of Earth history. Topics may include planetary formation, the rise of plate tectonics, the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, mass extinctions, and natural hazards and their impact on human communities. Work will include readings from the literature and projects.

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

Plate tectonics provides a global framework to understand such varied phenomena as earthquakes, volcanoes, ocean basins, and mountain systems on continents (e.g., the Himalaya, the Andes, the Zagros), beneath the seas (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the East Pacific Rise), and emergent from ice (the Transantarctic Mountains). In-depth analysis of the processes occurring at plate boundaries, the driving forces and dynamics of plate tectonics, the kinematics of plate motion, global plate reconstructions, the predictive power of plate tectonics, and the evolution of the discipline. Weekly labs focus on data analysis, laboratory work, field studies, and synthesis.

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester

Introduces fundamental physical processes important to the transport of heat, solid mass, and fluids in Earth and on Earth's surface. Emphasizes heat conduction, rock strength and failure, and viscous fluid flow. Provides practice with quantitative expression of physical processes that govern geologic processes. Solutions for problems are derived from first principles, including conservation and flux laws.

Exploration of the processes by which igneous rocks solidify from magma (e.g., volcanoes) and metamorphic rocks form in response to changes in pressure, temperature, and chemistry (e.g., mountain building). Interactions between petrologic processes and tectonics are examined through a focus on the continental crust, mid-ocean ridges, and subduction zones. Learning how to write effectively is emphasized throughout the course. Laboratory work focuses on hand sample observations, microscopic examination of thin sections, and geochemical modeling.

Geologic structures provide evidence of the dynamic deformation and evolution of the Earth’s crust. Analysis of these structures yields insight into the processes and products of deformation. This course explores: the mechanics of rock deformation, qualitative and quantitative analysis of structural features, techniques of strain analysis, and synthesis of geologic data in a spatial and temporal context. We examine evidence of deformation at scales that range from the plate-tectonic scale to the microscopic scale of individual minerals. Weekly laboratories focus on problem solving through the use of geologic maps, cross-sections, stereographic projections, strain analysis, virtual field trips, and an array of software applications designed for visualizing and interrogating spatial datasets. Students complete a final project involving the techniques of structural geology and analysis.

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2022 Fall Semester; 2023 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

Focuses on two key processes that influence human and wildlife exposure to potentially harmful substances, chemical speciation and transformation. Equilibrium principles as applied to acid-base, complexation, precipitation, and dissolution reactions are used to explore organic and inorganic compound speciation in natural and polluted waters; quantitative approaches are emphasized. Weekly laboratory sections are concerned with the detection and quantification of organic and inorganic compounds in air, water, and soils/sediments. This course originates in Chemistry and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies; Earth & Oceanographic Science. (Same as: CHEM 2050, ENVS 2255)

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester; 2024 Spring Semester

The past 2.6 million years of Earth’s history, known as the Quaternary, is uniquely characterized by intense and frequent swings in global climate. The record of both ‘Ice Ages’ and interglacial warming in Earth’s recent geologic past can be studied through many lenses of Earth science. In this course we will explore how sedimentology, geomorphology, and dating methods can be applied to reconstruct past environments associated with Quaternary climate shifts. Specific topics include Quaternary climate records and forcing mechanisms, basic glacial dynamics, isostasy and sea level changes, sediments, landforms, and dating methods. Students will complete a semester long project investigating the Quaternary record of a specific region of the world and will participate in several field trips exploring the Quaternary record of New England. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2266)

Investigates modern and ancient sedimentary systems, both continental and marine, with emphasis on the dynamics of sediment transport, interpretation of depositional environments from sedimentary structures and facies relationships, stratigraphic techniques for interpreting earth history, and tectonic and sea-level controls on large-scale depositional patterns. There will be one daylong field trip to explore more remote locations.

Human activity since the Industrial Revolution has changed the physical world faster than during almost any period in earth history. Examines such changes to the earth surface and their impacts on earth systems, with attention to topics such as agriculture, deforestation, urbanization, climate change, mining, and river damming. Investigates how land use change has altered natural processes using various analytical techniques and sources, including historical archives and satellite or other spatial data. Introduces computer programming techniques to carry out these analyses. Draws inspiration from efforts to dismantle historic inequities, restore environmental function, and promote a just world, focusing on solutions. Students complete a culminating research project of academic and/or community interest.

Terms offered: 2023 Spring Semester

Earth’s surface is marked by the interactions of the atmosphere, water and ice, biota, tectonics, and underlying rock and soil. Even familiar landscapes beget questions on how they formed, how they might change, and how they relate to patterns at both larger and smaller scales. Examines Earth’s landscapes and the processes that shape them, with particular emphasis on rivers, hillslopes, and tectonic and climatic forcing. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2270)

Terms offered: 2022 Fall Semester; 2023 Fall Semester

Coasts are among the most densely populated and dynamic components of the earth system, with forms that reflect the interplay among sediment delivery, reshaping by waves and coastal currents, changes in land subsidence and/or sea levels, and human interventions. Understanding these processes and how they may change is a first step toward reducing risk and developing resilient coastal communities. Examines coastal environments (e.g., deltas, barrier islands, beaches, salt marshes), the processes that shape them, and underlying controls. Considers impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on coastal erosion and flooding, and trade-offs involved in human responses to such problems.

Water is an incredible molecule that sustains life, carves landscapes, and transfers nutrients as it cycles through the earth system. The science of hydrology investigates the distribution and movement of water through earth spheres. This course builds an intuitive and quantitative understanding of hydrologic processes, with a focus on the terrestrial sphere. Utilizes publicly available data, field measurements, and numerical models to monitor and predict water movement. Discusses the role of humans in the hydrologic cycle through agriculture, dams, diversions, and land use change. (Same as: ENVS 2375)

Terms offered: 2023 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

The environmental justice movement has a rich history, but earth scientists often lack the analytical framework needed to address issues of environmental injustice. This course takes a data-driven approach to questions of environmental justice, with a focus on the interplay of Earth surface processes and societal inequity. Topics may include flood hazards, shoreline management and access, water quality, storage of toxic substances, and global climate risk. Includes discussion of contemporary and foundational environmental justice literature, lab exercises using geographic and statistical techniques, and a final project on questions of interest. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2385)

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester

Explores the role of soils in the terrestrial carbon cycle across geological timescales and diverse landscapes, from Arctic peatlands to equatorial rainforests and arid deserts. Investigates soil sequences from young volcanic soils in Hawaii to ancient, deeply weathered profiles in Australia. Explores how plant evolution over the last 470 million years— from early land plants to modern forests—shaped soil carbon storage. Examines key periods like the Carboniferous, where the evolution of plants and delayed lignin-degrading fungi drove massive coal formation. Explores how weathering processes and geological events such as how glacial-interglacial cycles influence long-term carbon removal. Analyzes modern and past carbon budgets, human impacts on soil carbon, and potential carbon cycling in extraterrestrial soils, such as the Martian regolith. Through labs and field trips, studies soil profiles and sequences, uncovers how geology, climate, and life interact to shape the carbon cycle across time and space. This course counts towards the 2000-level surface process lab requirement for the earth and oceanographic science major. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2395)

Terms offered: 2025 Fall Semester

The ocean plays a key role in regulating Earth’s climate and serves as an archive of past climate conditions. The study of paleoceanography provides a baseline of natural oceanographic variability against which human-induced climate change must be assessed. Examination of the oceans’ physical, biological, and biogeochemical responses to external and internal pressures of Earth’s climate with focus on examples from the Cenozoic Era (past 65.5 million years). Labs, projects, and class activities emphasize paleoceanographic reconstructions, using deep-sea sediments, corals, and bivalves from the Gulf of Maine. Includes a laboratory and fulfills the oceans requirement for the EOS major.

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

Oceanic cycles of carbon, oxygen, and nutrients play a key role in linking global climate change, marine primary productivity, and ocean acidification. Fundamental concepts of marine biogeochemistry used to assess potential consequences of future climate scenarios on chemical cycling in the ocean. Past climate transitions evaluated as potential analogs for future change using select case studies of published paleoceanographic proxy records derived from corals, ice cores, and deep-sea sediments. Weekly laboratory sections and student research projects focus on creating and interpreting new geochemical paleoclimate records from marine archives and predicting future impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine calcifiers. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2251)

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester

The Arctic and Antarctic polar regions are largely dominated by ice, yet they are vastly different in terms of geography. The Arctic is an ocean largely surrounded by continents, while the Antarctic is a continent surrounded by ocean. Antarctica is dominated by ice caps, glaciers and ice shelves, surrounded by a seasonal band of sea ice. The Arctic Ocean is mostly covered year-round by sea ice with ice caps and glaciers found mainly in Greenland. These differences lead to profoundly contrasting impacts on global climate and ocean circulation. Tectonic evolution, ice dynamics, ocean circulation, and biology of these regions are compared and contrasted through lectures and readings and discussions of journal articles. Readings from twentieth century journals of polar exploration are used to provide students with first hand accounts of scientific discoveries and a “sense of place”, that deep emotional connection people have toward a place. Fulfills the within-department elective in EOS. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2287)

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

The equatorial ocean is a region with virtually no seasonal variability, and yet undergoes the strongest interannual to decadal climate variations of any oceanographic province. This key region constitutes one of the most important yet highly variable natural sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. Explores how circulation, upwelling, biological activity, biogeochemistry, and CO2 flux in this key region vary in response to rapid changes in climate. Particular emphasis on past, present, and future dynamics of the El Niño Southern Oscillation. In-class discussions are focused on the primary scientific literature.

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester

In the 1980s, NASA’s satellite program turned some of its space-viewing sensors towards the earth to better understand its processes. Since that time, NASA’s Earth Observatory mission has yielded a fleet of satellites bearing an array of sensors that provide a global view of the earth each day. Global-scale ocean properties, including bathymetry, temperature, salinity, wave height, currents, primary productivity, sea ice distribution, and sea level, are revealed through satellite-detection of ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave energy emanating from the ocean. These satellite data records currently exceed thirty years in length and therefore can be used to interpret climate-scale ocean responses from space. A semester-long research project, targeted on a student-selected oceanic region, focuses on building both quantitative skills through data analysis and writing skills through iterative writing assignments that focus on communicating data interpretation and synthesis. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2222)

Terms offered: 2022 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester

Coastal oceans lie between the shore and the continental shelves. While they represent less than 10 percent of the global ocean, they are responsible for more than half of the global ocean productivity and are the oceanic regime most experienced by humans. They are also the connection between terrestrial environment and the open ocean, and thus quite sensitive to anthropogenic activities. Interdisciplinary exploration of the coastal ocean includes geologic morphology, tides and coastal currents, river impacts, and coastal ecosystems, with examples taken from global coastal oceans. Weekly labs focus on developing skills in field observation, experimentation, and data analysis in the context of the Gulf of Maine. Fulfills the 2000-level ocean core requirement for the EOS major.

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester; 2023 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface. It has a vast capacity to modulate variations in global heat and carbon dioxide, thereby regulating climate and ultimately life on Earth. Beginning with an investigation of paleo-climate records preserved in deep-sea sediment cores and in Antarctic and Greenland glacial ice cores, the patterns of natural climate variations are explored with the goal of understanding historic climate change observations. Predictions of polar glacial and sea ice, sea level, ocean temperatures, and ocean acidity investigated through readings and discussions of scientific literature. Weekly laboratory sessions devoted to field trips, laboratory experiments, and computer-based data analysis and modeling to provide hands-on experiences for understanding the time and space scales of processes governing oceans, climate, and ecosystems. Laboratory exercises form the basis for student research projects. Mathematics 1700 is recommended. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 2282)

Terms offered: 2022 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester

Recent trends of carbon dioxide emissions are causing acidification of the ocean at a rate unprecedented in the geologic record. The associated changes in ocean chemistry present myriad potential difficulties for marine ecosystems and the shellfish industries that rely upon them. Considers the causes, consequences, and policy implications of ocean acidification, including the highly variable and extreme coastal carbonate chemistry conditions of the Gulf of Maine. Laboratory component includes student research projects in collaboration with community partners and the Bowdoin Coastal Studies Semester to study questions related to climate, carbon, and biogeochemical cycling in local ecosystems. Taught at the Schiller Coastal Studies Center with transportation provided from the main campus and included in the time block indicated. Not open to students who have credit for EOS 2525.

Terms offered: 2023 Fall Semester; 2024 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

A mathematically rigorous analysis of the motions of the atmosphere and oceans on a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Covers fluid dynamics in inertial and rotating reference frames, as well as global and local energy balance, applied to the coupled ocean-atmosphere system. This course originates in Physics and Astronomy and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies; Earth & Oceanographic Science. (Same as: PHYS 2810, ENVS 2253)

Terms offered: 2023 Fall Semester; 2025 Fall Semester

There are more microbes on Earth than stars in the universe. Microbes have co-evolved with the Earth for billions of years and are the most ingenious chemists! They consume a range of energy and carbon and can live in extreme environments. Explores how microbes make a living, their role in biogeochemical processes, whether there is a limit to microbial life on Earth, and how to find them. Examines geomicrobiological techniques through lectures and peer presentation. Uses geomicrobiological techniques in class project to study the interactions between microorganisms and the geosphere, microbial energetics, and geochemical controls on microbial diversity. Develops research skills through scientific writing and reviewing proposals. Fulfills 3000-level research experience course requirement for the EOS Major.

Terms offered: 2025 Spring Semester

The modern world is experiencing rapid climate warming and some parts extreme drought, which will have dramatic impacts on ecosystems and human societies. How do contemporary warming and aridity compare to past changes in climate over the last billion years? Are modern changes human-caused or part of the natural variability in the climate system? What effects did past changes have on global ecosystems and human societies? Students use environmental records from rocks, soils, ocean cores, ice cores, lake cores, fossil plants, and tree rings to assemble proxies of past changes in climate, atmospheric CO2, and disturbance to examine several issues: long-term carbon cycling and climate, major extinction events, the rise of C4 photosynthesis and the evolution of grazing mammals, orbital forcing and glacial cycles, glacial refugia and post-glacial species migrations, climate change and the rise and collapse of human civilizations, climate/overkill hypothesis of Pleistocene megafauna, climate variability, drought cycles, climate change impacts on disturbances (fire and hurricanes), and determining natural variability versus human-caused climate change. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 3902)

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester; 2023 Spring Semester; 2024 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

A rigorous treatment of the earth’s climate, based on physical principles. Topics include climate feedbacks, sensitivity to perturbations, and the connections between climate and radiative transfer, atmospheric composition, and large-scale circulation of the oceans and atmospheres. Anthropogenic climate change also studied. This course originates in Physics and Astronomy and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies; Earth & Oceanographic Science. (Same as: PHYS 3810, ENVS 3957)

Human society is inextricably linked with the geosciences. From critical minerals and water resources to earthquake and climate hazards, every sphere of the Earth system plays a role in the health, economy, and security of our global community. Explores how geoscientists can apply skills and expertise to benefit society through public engagement. Students draw from local community partner conversations, media, geoscience legislation, and prior EOS course knowledge to identify connections between societal issues and Earth system science. Students research societally relevant topics spanning multiple spheres of the Earth system and practice non-partisan communication and science policy engagement through improvisational scenarios. Students synthesize geoscience literature or data for non-scientific audiences in a portfolio of public-facing communication products, such as expert witness testimonies, op-eds, policymaker meetings and memos, and broader impact statements for grants. This course originates in Earth and Oceanographic Science and is crosslisted with: Environmental Studies. (Same as: ENVS 3070)

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

Quantitative approaches are suitable for addressing many earth and oceanographic science research questions. Computational tools, such as R, allow scientists to draw meaning from large and/or complex datasets. Projects leveraging these tools may focus on topics like environmental monitoring, petrologic analysis of Maine rocks, and harnessing existing public datasets. Emphasis on student-driven research questions, data collection and quantitative analysis of those data, group work, and communication skills. Includes a weekly laboratory and fulfills the 3000-level capstone research course requirement for the EOS major.

Terms offered: 2024 Spring Semester

Exploration of the complex interactions between tectonics and climate. Discussion of current research is emphasized by reading primary literature, through class discussions and presentations, and by writing scientific essays. The emphasis on current research means topics may vary, but include: the rise of continents, the evolution of plate tectonics on Earth over the last 4.5 billion years, ancient mountain belts, supercontinents, the record of earth system processes preserved in the geologic record, predictions of how the modern earth system will be recorded in the future rock record, the topographic growth of mountain belts, and Cenozoic climate change.

Rocks preserve a record of their geologic history through their chemistry, mineralogy, and texture. Many of these attributes are linked to the tectonic setting in which the rock formed, which have (co)varied with changes in Earth’s atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. We will examine the distribution, composition, structure, and mineralogy of rocks and their relationships to tectonic environments. The petrotectonic evolution of Earth and resultant geologic archive will be explored using hand specimens, microscopy, chemical analysis, thermodynamic modeling, and field study. We will also discuss natural hazards, natural resources, and their intersections with society and the environment. Laboratory activities and projects emphasize developing research and communication skills in the geosciences, culminating in an independent research project. Includes a weekly laboratory and fulfills the 3000-level capstone research course requirement for the EOS major.

Terms offered: 2022 Spring Semester; 2023 Spring Semester; 2025 Spring Semester

The ocean plays a key role in regulating Earth’s climate and serves as an archive of past climate conditions. The study of paleoceanography provides a baseline of natural oceanographic variability against which human-induced climate change must be assessed. Examination of the oceans’ physical, biological, and biogeochemical responses to external and internal pressures of Earth’s climate with focus on the Cenozoic Era (past 65.5 million years). Weekly labs and projects emphasize paleoceanographic reconstructions using deep-sea sediments, corals, and ice cores. Includes a laboratory and fulfills the 3000-level research experience course requirement for the EOS major.

Terms offered: 2021 Fall Semester