GES 1A:
Introduction to Geology: The Physical Science of the Earth
For non-majors or prospective majors in the Earth Sciences. Lectures, hands-on laboratories, and three one-day weekend field trips. Focus is on the physical and chemical processes of heat and mass transfer within the earth and its fluid envelopes, including deep-earth, crustal, surface, and atmospheric processes. Topics include the dynamics of and interactions between the inner earth, plate tectonics, surface processes, and atmospheric processes such as climate change and global warming. Only one of GES 1A, 1B, or 1C may be taken for credit. Prerequisites: MATH 19 or equivalent.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
GES 1B:
Introductory to Geology: California Desert Field Geology
California's Death Valley and Owens Valley are used as natural laboratories for studying active geologic processes and a billion years of earth history: ancient ocean sediments, mountain building, earthquake faulting, glacial landscapes, volcanic eruptions, hot springs and ore deposits, prehistoric climate changes, and historic human impacts. The course culminates in a 6-day field trip to these areas during Spring Break. Class lectures provide the basics of plate tectonics and physical geology. Laboratory exercises involve rock identification and interpreting topographic and geologic maps and remote sensing imagery. Camping and moderate hiking required. Limited enrollment. Only one of GES 1A, 1B, or 1C may be taken for credit. Recommended: high school chemistry.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
GES 1C:
Introduction to Geology: Dynamic Earth
For non-majors or prospective majors in the Earth Sciences. Activity-based; field trips. Focus is on reading the dynamic geological landscape, with an emphasis on California geology. Plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, earth materials, geologic time, stream processes, erosion, climate change, and natural resources. Only one of GES 1A, 1B, or 1C may be taken for credit.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 4:
Evolution and Extinction: Introduction to Historical Geology
Focus is on the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Principles of stratigraphy, correlation, the geological timescale, the history of biodiversity, and the interpretation of fossils. The use of data from sedimentary geology, geochemistry, and paleontology to test theories to explain the mass extinction event. Two half-day field trips.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 7A:
An Introduction to Wilderness Skills
Living, traveling, and working in the wilderness for those planning fieldwork in the back country. Local geology, environmental ethics, trip planning, first aid, and leadership techniques. Four mandatory weekend outings focus on back country travel, minimum impact camping, equipment use and maintenance, rock climbing, and navigation. 7A emphasizes wilderness travel and climbing. 7B emphasizes winter camping skills and back country skiing. Food, group, and major personal gear provided. Guest speakers. Fee. See http://www.stanford.edu/class/ges7, or email oep-teachers@lists.stanford.edu.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
GES 7B:
An Introduction to Wilderness Skills
Living, traveling, and working in the wilderness for those planning fieldwork in the backcountry. Local geology, environmental ethics, trip planning, first aid, and leadership techniques. Four mandatory weekend outings focus on backcountry travel, minimum impact camping, equipment use and maintenance, rock climbing, and navigation. 7A emphasizes wilderness travel and climbing. 7B emphasizes winter camping skills and backcountry skiing. Food, group, and major personal gear provided. Guest speakers. Fee. See http://www.stanford.edu/class/ges7, or email oep-teachers@lists.stanford.edu.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1
GES 7C:
Advanced Wilderness Skills
For students with prior backcountry experience. Backcountry skiing, mountaineering, climbing, first aid, and trip planning. Focus is on outdoor leadership experience and trip management techniques. Food, group, and major personal gear provided. Four mandatory weekend trips. Fee. See http://www.stanford.edu/class/ges7/ for information or contact oep-teachers@lists.stanford.edu. Prerequisite: application.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
GES 8:
Oceanography: An Introduction to the Marine Environment
For non-majors and earth science and environmental majors. Topics: topography and geology of the sea floor; evolution of ocean basins; circulation of ocean and atmosphere; nature of sea water, waves, and tides; and the history of the major ocean basins. The interface between continents and ocean basins, emphasizing estuaries, beaches, and continental shelves with California margin examples. Relationships among the distribution of inorganic constituents, ocean circulation, biologic productivity, and marine environments from deep sea to the coast. One-day field trip to measure and analyze waves and currents.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 12SC:
Environmental and Geological Field Studies in the Rocky Mountains (EESS 12SC)
Geologic origin from three billion years ago, paleoclimatology and glacial history, long- and short-term carbon cycle and global climate change, and environmental issues related to changing land-use patterns and increased demand for natural resources. Small groups analyze data to prepare reports and maps.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
GES 38N:
The Worst Journey in the World: The Science, Literature, and History of Polar Exploration (EESS 38N)
Preference to freshmen. The isolation of polar explorers under the harshest conditions on Earth, and the chronicles of their explorations and hardships dating to the 1500s for the Arctic and the 1700s for the Antarctic. Focus is on scientific and geographic achievements. Sources include The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard who in 1911 participated in a midwinter Antarctic sledging trip to recover emperor penguin eggs. Class jointly authors essay on themes from such literature. Optional field trip into the high Sierra in December. (Dunbar)
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 39N:
Forensic Geoscience: Stanford CSI
Preference to freshmen. Geological principles, materials, and techniques indispensable to modern criminal investigations. Basic earth materials, their origin and variability, and how they can be used as evidence in criminal cases and investigations such as artifact provenance and environmental pollution. Sources include case-based, simulated forensic exercises and the local environments of the Stanford campus and greater Bay Area. Local field trips; research presentation and paper.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
GES 40N:
Diamonds
Preference to freshmen. Topics include the historyof diamonds as gemstones, prospecting and mining, and their often tragic politics. How diamond samples provide clues for geologists to understand the Earth's deep interior and the origins of the solar system. Diamond's unique materials properties and efforts in synthesizing diamonds.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 43Q:
Environmental Problems
Preference to sophomores. Components of multidisciplinary environmental problems and ethical questions associated with decision making in the regulatory arena. Students lead discussions on environmental issues such as groundwater contamination from point and nonpoint sources, cumulative watershed effects related to timber and mining practices, acid rain, and subsurface disposal of nuclear waste.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 55Q:
The California Gold Rush: Geologic Background and Environmental Impact
Preference to sophomores. Topics include: geologic processes that led to the concentration of gold in the river gravels and rocks of the Mother Lode region of California; and environmental impact of the Gold Rush due to population increase, mining operations, and high concentrations of arsenic and mercury in sediments from hard rock mining and milling operations. Recommended: introductory geology.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA, Writing 2
GES 90:
Introduction to Geochemistry
The chemistry of the solid earth and its atmosphere and oceans, emphasizing the processes that control the distribution of the elements in the earth over geological time and at present, and on the conceptual and analytical tools needed to explore these questions. The basics of geochemical thermodynamics and isotope geochemistry. The formation of the elements, crust, atmosphere and oceans, global geochemical cycles, and the interaction of geochemistry, biological evolution, and climate. Recommended: introductory chemistry.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 101:
Environmental and Geological Field Studies in the Rocky Mountains (EESS 101)
Three-week, field-based program in the Greater Yellowstone/Teton and Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Field-based exercises covering topics including: basics of structural geology and petrology; glacial geology; western cordillera geology; paleoclimatology; chemical weathering; aqueous geochemistry; and environmental issues such as acid mine drainage and changing land-use patterns.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 102:
Earth Materials
The minerals, rocks, soils, and liquids that comprise the earth. How to identify, classify, and interpret rock-forming minerals and igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock types. Emphasis is on information provided by common minerals and rocks about the earth's major processes including magmatism, metamorphism, weathering, erosion, and deposition; the relationship of these processes to plate tectonics and earth cycles. Prerequisite: introductory geology course. Recommended: introductory chemistry.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 103:
Rocks in Thin Section
Use of petrographic microscope to identify minerals and common mineral associations in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Crystallization histories, mineral growth and reaction relations, deformation textures in metamorphic rocks, and provenance of siliciclastic rocks. Prerequisite 102.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
GES 105:
Introduction to Field Methods
Two-week, field-based course in the White Mountains of eastern California. Introduction to the techniques for geologic mapping and geologic investigation in the field: systematic observations and data collection for lithologic columns and structural cross-sections. Interpretation of field relationships and data to determine the stratigraphic and deformational history of the region. Prerequisite: GES 1. Recommended: GES 102.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
GES 107:
Journey to the Center of the Earth (GEOPHYS 107, GEOPHYS 207, GES 207)
The interconnected set of dynamic systems that make up the Earth. Focus is on fundamental geophysical observations of the Earth and the laboratory experiments to understand and interpret them. What earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, magnetic fields, and rocks reveal about the Earth's formation and evolution.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
GES 110:
Structural Geology and Tectonics
Theory, principles, and practical techniques to measure, describe, analyze, and interpret deformation-related structures on Earth. Collection of fault and fold data in the field followed by lab and computer analysis; interpretation of geologic maps and methods of cross-section construction; structural analysis of fault zone and metamorphic rocks; measuring deformation; regional structural styles and associated landforms related to plate tectonic convergence, rifting, and strike-slip faulting; the evolution of mountain belts and formation of sedimentary basins. Prerequisite: GES 1, calculus. Recommended: 102.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 111A:
Fundamentals of Structural Geology (CEE 195A)
Techniques for structural mapping; using differential geometry to characterize structures; dimensional analysis and scaling relations; kinematics of deformation and flow; measurement and analysis of stress. Sources include field and laboratory data integrated with conceptual and mechanical models. Models of tectonic processes are constructed and solutions visualized using MATLAB. Prerequisites: GES 1, MATH 51, 52.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 111B:
Fundamentals of Structural Geology (CEE 195B)
Continuation of GES 111A/CEE 195A. Conservation of mass and momentum in a deformable continuum; linear elastic deformation and elastic properties of rock; brittle deformation including fracture and faulting; linear viscous flow including folding and magma dynamics; model development and methodology. Sources include field and laboratory data integrated with conceptual and mechanical models. Models of tectonic processes are constructed and solutions visualized using MATLAB. Prerequisite: GES 111A/CEE 195B.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
GES 115:
Engineering Geology Practice (CEE 196)
The application of geology and global change to the planning, design, and operation of engineering projects. Case histories taught in a seminar setting and field trips emphasize the impact of geology and global change on both individual engineering works and the built environment by considering Quaternary history and tectonics, anthropogenic sea level rise, active geologic processes, engineering properties of geologic deposits, site exploration, and professional ethics. Prerequisite: GES 1 or consent of instructor.
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 122:
Planetary Systems: Dynamics and Origins
(Students with a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences should register for 222.) Motions of planets and smaller bodies, energy transport in planetary systems, composition, structure and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, cratering on planetary surfaces, properties of meteorites, asteroids and comets, extrasolar planets, and planetary formation. Prerequisite: some background in the physical sciences, especially astronomy, geophysics, or physics.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
GES 123:
Paleobiology
Introduction to the fossil record with emphasis on marine invertebrates. Major debates in paleontological research. The history of animal life in the oceans. Topics include the nature of the fossil record, evolutionary radiations, mass extinctions, and the relationship between biological evolution and environmental change. Fossil taxa through time. Exercises in phylogenetics, paleoecology, biostratigraphy, and statistical methods.
Last offered: Spring 2009
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 130:
Soil Physics and Hydrology
The occurrence, distribution, circulation, and reaction of water at the surface and within the near surface. Topics: precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration and vadose zone, groundwater, surface water and streamflow generation, and water balance estimates. Current and classic theory in soil physics and hydrology. Urban, rangeland, and forested environments.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 131:
Hydrologically-Driven Landscape Evolution
Materials of the Earth and hydrologically driven landscape processes. Topics: hillslope hydrology, weathering of rocks and soils, erosion, flow failures, mass wasting, and conceptual models of landscape evolution. Current and classic theory in geomorphology.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GES 150:
Senior Seminar: Issues in Earth Sciences
Focus is on written and oral communication in a topical context. Topics from current frontiers in earth science research and issues of concern to the public. Readings, oral presentations, written work, and peer review.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 151:
Sedimentary Geology and Petrography: Depositional Systems
Topics: weathering, erosion and transportation, deposition, origins of sedimentary structures and textures, sediment composition, diagenesis, sedimentary facies, tectonics and sedimentation, and the characteristics of the major siliciclastic and carbonate depositional environments. Lab: methods of analysis of sediments in hand specimen and thin section. Field trips. Prerequisites: 1, 102, 103.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 163:
Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry (GES 263)
Stable, cosmogenic, and radiogenic isotopes; processes that govern isotopic variations. Application of isotopes to geologic, biologic, and hydrologic questions. Major isotopic systems and their applications. Simple modeling techniques used in isotope geochemistry.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 170:
Environmental Geochemistry
Solid, aqueous, and gaseous phases comprising the environment, their natural compositional variations, and chemical interactions. Contrast between natural sources of hazardous elements and compounds and types and sources of anthropogenic contaminants and pollutants. Chemical and physical processes of weathering and soil formation. Chemical factors that affect the stability of solids and aqueous species under earth surface conditions. The release, mobility, and fate of contaminants in natural waters and the roles that water and dissolved substances play in the physical behavior of rocks and soils. The impact of contaminants and design of remediation strategies. Case studies. Prerequisite: 90 or consent of instructor.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 171:
Geochemical Thermodynamics
Introduction to the application of chemical principles and concepts to geologic systems. The chemical behavior of fluids, minerals, and gases using simple equilibrium approaches to modeling the geochemical consequences of diagenetic, hydrothermal, metamorphic, and igneous processes. Topics: reversible thermodynamics, solution chemistry, mineral-solution equilibria, reaction kinetics, and the distribution and transport of elements by geologic processes. Prerequisite: GES 102.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 173:
Isotope Geochemistry Seminar (GES 273)
Current topics including new analytical techniques, advances in isotopic measurements, and new isotopic approaches and systems.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1-3
GES 180:
Igneous Processes
For juniors, seniors and beginning graduate students in Earth Sciences. Structure and physical properties of magmas; use of phase equilibria and mineral barometers and thermometers to determine conditions of magmatic processes; melting and magmatic lineages as a function of tectonic setting; processes that control magma composition including fractional crystallization, partial melting, and assimilation; petrogenetic use of trace elements and isotopes. Labs emphasize identification of volcanic and plutonic rocks in thin section and interpretation of rock textures. Prerequisite 102, 103, or consent of instructor.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
GES 183:
California Desert Geology
Field seminar. For upper division undergraduates and graduate students in the earth sciences and archaeology. Six-day field trip over Spring Break to Mojave Desert, Death Valley, and Owens Valley. Basin-and-range faulting, alluvial fans, playas, sand dunes, metamorphic rocks, granites of the Sierra Nevada, obsidian lava flows and the deposits of major explosive eruptions, hot springs and ore deposits, and desert landscapes. Camping and moderate hiking.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1
GES 190:
Field Research
Two-three week field research projects. Written report required. May be repeated three times.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 2-4
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 12 units total)
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Borella, M. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI)
GES 191:
GES Field Trips
Four- to seven-day field trips to locations of geologic and environmental interest. Includes trips offered during Thanksgiving and Spring breaks. May be repeated for credit. See http://pangea.stanford.edu/GES/undergraduates/courses/.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Bird, D. (PI);
Borella, M. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 192:
Undergraduate Research in Geological and Environmental Sciences
Field-, lab-, or literature-based. Faculty supervision. Written reports. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-10
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 197:
Senior Thesis
For seniors who wish to write a thesis based on research in 192 or as a summer research fellow. May not be repeated for credit; may not be taken if enrolled in 199.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 3-5
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI)
GES 198:
Special Problems in Geological and Environmental Sciences
Reading and instruction under faculty supervision. Written reports. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-10
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 199:
Honors Program
Research on a topic of special interest. See "Undergraduate Honors Program" above.nnMay be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-10
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 207:
Journey to the Center of the Earth (GEOPHYS 107, GEOPHYS 207, GES 107)
The interconnected set of dynamic systems that make up the Earth. Focus is on fundamental geophysical observations of the Earth and the laboratory experiments to understand and interpret them. What earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, magnetic fields, and rocks reveal about the Earth's formation and evolution.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
GES 211:
Topics in Regional Geology and Tectonics
May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win
| Units: 2-3
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 212:
Topics in Tectonic Geomorphology
For upper-division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary and may include coupling among erosional, tectonic, and chemical weathering processes at the scale of orogens; historical review of tectonic geomorphology; hillslope and fluvial process response to active uplift; measures of landscape form and their relationship to tectonic uplift and bedrock lithology. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 215A:
Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics (CEE 297G)
Quantitative field and laboratory data integrated with solutions to initial and boundary-value problems of continuum mechanics introduce tectonic processes in Earth's crust that lead to the development of geological structures including folds, faults, fractures and fabrics. Topics include: techniques and tools for structural mapping; using differential geometry to characterize structures; dimensional analysis and scaling relations; kinematics of deformation and flow; traction and stress analysis. Data sets analyzed using MATLAB. Prerequisites: GES 1, MATH 53, MATLAB or equivalent.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-5
GES 215B:
Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics (CEE 297H)
Field equations for elastic solids and viscous fluids derived from conservation laws to develop mechanical models for tectonic processes and their structural products. Topics include: conservation of mass and momentum in a deformable continuum; linear elastic deformation and elastic properties of rock; brittle deformation including fracture and faulting; linear viscous flow including folding, model development, and methodology. Models constructed and solutions visualized using MATLAB. Prerequisite: GES 215A.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3-5
GES 216:
Rock Fracture Mechanics
Principles and tools of elasticity theory and fracture mechanics are applied to the origins and physical behaviors of faults, dikes, joints, veins, solution surfaces, and other natural structures in rock. Field observations, engineering rock fracture mechanics, and the elastic theory of cracks. The role of natural fractures in brittle rock deformation, and fluid flow in the earth's crust with applications to crustal deformation, structural geology, petroleum geology, engineering, and hydrogeology. Prerequisite: 215 or equivalent.
Last offered: Autumn 2007
| Units: 3-5
GES 222:
Planetary Systems: Dynamics and Origins
(For students with a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences; other should register for 122.) Motions of planets, moons, and small bodies; energy transport in planetary systems; meteorites and the constraints they provide on the formation of the solar system; asteroids and Kuiper belt objects; comets; planetary rings; planet formation; and extrasolar planets. In-class presentation of student papers.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
GES 237:
Surface and Near-Surface Hydrologic Response (CEE 260B)
Quantitative review of process-based hydrology and geomorphology. Introduction to finite-difference and finite-element methods of numerical analysis. Topics: biometeorology, unsaturated and saturated subsurface fluid flow, overland and open channel flow, and physically-based simulation of coupled surface and near-surface hydrologic response. Links hydrogeology, soil physics, and surface water hydrology.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 240:
Geostatistics for Spatial Phenomena (ENERGY 240)
Probabilistic modeling of spatial and/or time dependent phenomena. Kriging and cokriging for gridding and spatial interpolation. Integration of heterogeneous sources of information. Multiple-point geostatistics and training image-based stochastic imaging of reservoir/field heterogeneities. Introduction to GSLIB and SGEMS software. Case studies from the oil and mining industry and environmental sciences. Prerequisites: introductory calculus and linear algebra, STATS 116, GES 161, or equivalent.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3-4
GES 246:
Reservoir Characterization and Flow Modeling with Outcrop Data (ENERGY 146, ENERGY 246)
Project addressing a reservoir management problem by studying an outcrop analog, constructing geostatistical reservoir models, and performing flow simulation. How to use outcrop observations in quantitative geological modeling and flow simulation. Relationships between disciplines. Weekend field trip.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 249:
Petroleum Geochemistry in Environmental and Earth Science
How molecular fossils in crude oils, oil spills, refinery products, and human artifacts identify their age, origin, and environment of formation. The origin and habitat of petroleum, technology for its analysis, and parameters for interpretation, including: origins of molecular fossils; function, biosynthesis, and precursors; tectonic history related to the evolution of life, mass extinctions, and molecular fossils; petroleum refinery processes and the kinds of molecular fossils that survive; environmental pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources including how to identify genetic relationships among crude oil or oil spill samples; applications of molecular fossils to archaeology; worldwide petroleum systems through geologic time.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
GES 250:
Sedimentation Mechanics
The mechanics of sediment transport and deposition and the origins of sedimentary structures and textures as applied to interpreting ancient rock sequences. Dimensional analysis, fluid flow, drag, boundary layers, open channel flow, particle settling, erosion, sediment transport, sediment gravity flows, soft sediment deformation, and fluid escape. Field trip required.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
GES 251:
Sedimentary Basins
Analysis of the depositional framework and tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins. Topics: tectonic and environmental controls on facies relations, synthesis of basin development through time in terms of depositional systems and tectonic settings. Weekend field trip required. Prerequisites: 110, 151.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 254:
Carbonate Sedimentology
Processes of precipitation and sedimentation of carbonate minerals with emphasis on marine systems. Topics include: geographic and bathymetric distribution of carbonates in modern and ancient oceans; genesis and environmental significance of carbonate grains and sedimentary textures; carbonate rocks and sediments as sources of geochemical proxy data; carbonate diagenesis; changes in styles of carbonate deposition through Earth history; carbonate depositional patterns and the global carbon cycle. Lab exercises emphasize petrographic and geochemical analysis of carbonate rocks including map and outcrop scale, hand samples, polished slabs, and thin sections.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
GES 256:
Quantitative Methods in Paleobiology
Introduction to statistical methods relevant to the analysis of paleobiological data. Methods include principles of inference, linear and logistic regression, principal components analysis, time-series, and re-sampling methods. Paleobiological problems include assessment of spatial and temporal patterns in biodiversity, selectivity of extinction and origination, and evolutionary trends. Readings, examples, and problems from the primary literature. Term paper. Prerequisite: Previous course in paleobiology or permission of the instructor.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
GES 259:
Stratigraphic Architecture
The stratigraphic architecture of deposits associated with a spectrum of depositional environments, using outcrop and subsurface data. Participants read and discuss selected literature.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 260:
Laboratory Methods in Organic Geochemistry
Knowledge of components in geochemical mixtures to understand geological and environmental samples. The presence and relative abundance of these compounds provides information on the biological source, depositional environment, burial history, biodegradation, and toxicity of organic materials. Laboratory methods to detect and quantify components of these mixtures. Methods for separation and analysis of organic compounds in geologic samples: extraction, liquid chromatography, absorption by zeolites, gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Student samples considered as material for analysis. Prerequisite: GES 249 or consent of instructor.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 2-3
GES 261:
Physics and Chemistry of Minerals and Mineral Surfaces
The concepts of symmetry and periodicity in crystals; the physical properties of crystals and their relationship to atomic-level structure; basic structure types; crystal chemistry and bonding in solids and their relative stability; the interaction of x-rays with solids and liquids (scattering and spectroscopy); structural variations in silicate glasses and liquids; UV-visible spectroscopy and the color of minerals; review of the mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and structures of selected rock-forming silicates and oxides; mineral surface and interface geochemistry.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
GES 263:
Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry (GES 163)
Stable, cosmogenic, and radiogenic isotopes; processes that govern isotopic variations. Application of isotopes to geologic, biologic, and hydrologic questions. Major isotopic systems and their applications. Simple modeling techniques used in isotope geochemistry.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
GES 273:
Isotope Geochemistry Seminar (GES 173)
Current topics including new analytical techniques, advances in isotopic measurements, and new isotopic approaches and systems.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1-3
GES 275:
Electron Probe Microanalytical Techniques
The practical and theoretical aspects of x-ray generation and detection, and the behavior of electron beams and x-rays in solids. The basic principles needed to quantitatively analyze chemically complex geological materials. Operation of the JEOL 733 electron microprobe and associated computer software for quantitatively analyzing materials. X-ray chemical mapping. Enrollment limited to 8.
Terms: Win
| Units: 2-3
GES 282:
Interpretative Methods in Detrital Geochronology
Over the past decade, the number of studies that make use of isotopic provenance data has sky-rocketed. This type of data is now routinely used throughout the geosciences to solve a broad range of geologic problems. This seminar examines the state-of-the-art of existing interpretative methods for detrital geo/thermochronology data in provenance studies and critically examines their strengths and weaknesses. While this course will touch upon sampling approaches analytical aspects of data collection, focus is primarily upon data interpretation.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1-5
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 290:
Departmental Seminar in Geological and Environmental Sciences
Current research topics. Presentations by guest speakers from Stanford and elsewhere. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 291:
GES Field Trips
Field trips for teaching and research purposes. Trips average 5-10 days. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 292:
Directed Reading with Geological and Environmental Sciences Faculty
May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-10
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI)
GES 299:
Field Research
Two-three week field research projects. Written report required. May be repeated three times.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 2-4
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 12 units total)
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Borella, M. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Egger, A. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Saltzman, J. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 315:
Literature of Structural Geology
Classic studies and current journal articles. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 328:
Seminar in Paleobiology
For graduate students. Current research topics including paleobotany, vertebrate and invertebrate evolution, paleoecology, and major events in the history of life on Earth.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 381:
Igneous Petrology and Petrogenesis Seminar
Topics vary by quarter. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1-2
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 384:
Volcanology Seminar
Specialized and advanced topics vary by offering. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 1-2
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 385:
Practical Experience in the Geosciences
On-the-job training in the geosciences. May include summer internship; emphasizes training in applied aspects of the geosciences, and technical, organizational, and communication dimensions. Meets USCIS requirements for F-1 curricular practical training.nn (Staff)
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI)
GES 399:
Advanced Projects
Graduate research projects that lead to reports, papers, or other products during the quarter taken. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-10
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI)
GES 400:
Graduate Research
Faculty supervision. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 1-15
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Saltzman, J. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI);
Andersen, E. (GP)
GES 50Q:
The Coastal Zone Environment
Preference to sophomores. The oceanographic, geological, and biological character of coastal zone environments, including continental shelves, estuaries, and coastal wetlands, with emphasis on San Francisco Bay. Five required field trips examine estuarine and coastal environments, and agencies and facilities that manage these resources. Students present original research. Prerequisite: beginning course in Biology such as BIOSCI 51, Chemistry such as CHEM 30 or 31, Earth Sciences such as GES 1 or 2, or Earth Systems such as EARTHSYS 10.
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 0
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 802:
TGR Dissertation
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr, Sum
| Units: 0
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors: ;
Aydin, A. (PI);
Bird, D. (PI);
Brown, G. (PI);
Chamberlain, P. (PI);
Chyba, C. (PI);
Dunbar, R. (PI);
Ernst, W. (PI);
Fendorf, S. (PI);
Francis, C. (PI);
Gorelick, S. (PI);
Graham, S. (PI);
Grove, M. (PI);
Hilley, G. (PI);
Ingle, J. (PI);
Journel, A. (PI);
Liou, J. (PI);
Loague, K. (PI);
Lowe, D. (PI);
Maher, K. (PI);
Mahood, G. (PI);
Mao, W. (PI);
Matson, P. (PI);
McWilliams, M. (PI);
Miller, E. (PI);
Moldowan, J. (PI);
Payne, J. (PI);
Paytan, A. (PI);
Pollard, D. (PI);
Stebbins, J. (PI);
Switzer, P. (PI);
Andersen, E. (GP)
GES 112:
Mapping the Geological Environment
Geological mapping tools and techniques. Field training with GPS and laser ranging tools. Data sets from modern surveying and mapping campaigns employing lab and field-based laser scanning, field-based total stations, airborne photography and laser swath mapping (ALSM), the satellite Global Positioning System (GPS), and 3D seismic reflection surveys. These data analyzed using elementary differential geometry. MATLAB introduced as the computational and graphics engine. Prerequisites: GES 1, MATH 51, 52.
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 121:
What Makes a Habitable Planet? (GES 221)
Physical processes affecting habitability such as large impacts and the atmospheric greenhouse effect, comets, geochemistry, the rise of oxygen, climate controls, and impact cratering. Detecting and interpreting the spectra of extrasolar terrestrial planets. Student-led discussions of readings from the scientific literature. Team taught by planetary scientists from NASA Ames Research Center.
| Units: 3
GES 172:
Nontraditional Stable Isotope Geochemistry (GES 272)
Elements other than C, N, O, S, and H that exhibit mass-dependent and non mass-dependent isotopic fractionation; examples include Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, and Hg. These systems represent a new frontier in isotope geochemistry and Earth Sciences as new tools for understanding geochemical, environmental and biological cycles. The theoretical calculations that form the basis for predicting fractionation, as well as the current state and applications of non-traditional isotope systems.
| Units: 3
GES 181:
Metamorphic Processes
For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students in Earth Sciences. Thermodynamics and phase equilibria of multiple component systems; use of phase equilibria to determine pressure and temperature of metamorphic assemblages; geochronology of metamorphic rocks; heat flow in the lithosphere; links between tectonics and metamorphism; and the role of heat and mass transfer in the Earth's crust and mantle. Labs emphasize identification of metamorphic rocks and minerals for common pelitic and basic rocks and interpretation of rock textures. May be taken for 3 units without lab. Prerequisites: 102, 103, or consent of instructor.
| Units: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 182:
Field Seminar on Continental-Margin Volcanism
For juniors, seniors, and graduate students in the earth sciences and archeology. One weekend-long, and two one-day field trips to study Cenozoic volcanism associated with subduction and with passage of the Mendocino Triple Junction off the west coast of California: Mt. Lassen/Mt. Shasta/Modoc plateau; Clear Lake/Sonoma volcanics; Pinnacles National Monument. Andesite and basalt lavas, cinder cones, mixed magmas, blast deposit, debris avalanches, volcanic mudflows, hydrologic controls of springs in volcanic terrains, hydrothermal alteration and modern geothermal systems, Hg mineralization, obsidian source. Prerequisite: 1, 80 or equivalent.
| Units: 2
GES 185:
Volcanology
For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students in Earth Sciences and Archaeology. How volcanic landforms and deposits relate to the composition and physical properties of magmas and the modes of emplacement. Labs emphasize recognizing types of lavas and products of explosive eruptions. Volcanic hazards and the effects of eruptions on climate and the atmosphere; volcanic-hosted geothermal systems and mineral resources. Required four-day field trip over Memorial Day weekend to study silicic and mafic volcanism associated with the western margin of the Basin and Range province. Prerequisite: 1, 102 or equivalent.
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 186:
Geoarchaeology (GES 286)
For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students with interests in archaeology or geosciences. Geological concepts, techniques, and data in the study of artifacts and the interpretation of the archaeological record. Topics include: sediments and soils; sedimentary settings of site formation; postdepositional processes that disturb sites; paleoenvironmental reconstruction of past climates and landscapes using plant and animal remains and isotopic studies; raw materials (minerals, metals, stone, shells, clay, building materials) and methods used in sourcing; estimating age based on stratigraphic and radiometric techniques. Weekly lab; weekend field trip to local archaeological/geological site.
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 209:
Microstructures
Microstructures in metamorphic rocks reveal temperature, pressure, and rates of deformation in the crust and variations in its thermo-mechanical behavior. Topics include the rheology of rocks and minerals, strain partitioning, shear zones and brittle-ductile transition in the crust, mechanisms of foliation and lineation development, preferred crystallographic fabrics, and geochronologic methods useful for dating deformation. Labs involve microstructure analysis of suites of rocks from classic localities. 5 units for extra project.
| Units: 3-5
GES 210:
Geologic Evolution of the Western U.S. Cordillera
The geologic and tectonic evolution of the U.S. Cordillera based on its rock record through time. This region provides good examples of large-scale structures and magmatic activity generated during crustal shortening, extension, and strike-slip faulting and affords opportunity to study crustal-scale processes involved in mountain building in context of plate tectonic motions.
| Units: 2-3
GES 213:
Topics in Sedimentary Geology
For upper division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary each year but the focus is on current developments and problems in sedimentary geology, sedimentology, and basin analysis. These include issues in deep-water sediments, their origin, facies, and architecture; sedimentary systems on the early Earth; and relationships among tectonics, basin development, and basin fill. May be repeated for credit.
| Units: 2
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 214:
Topics in Paleobiology
For upper division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary each year; focus is on paleontological, sedimentological, and geochemical approaches to the history of life. Topics may include: mass extinction events; evolutionary radiations; the history of global biodiversity; links between evolutionary histories of primary producers and consumers; and the quality of the fossil record. Term paper. May be repeated for credit.
| Units: 2
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 217:
Faults, Fractures, and Fluid Flow
Process-based approach to rock failure; the microstructures and overall architectures of the failure products including faults, joints, solution seams, and types of deformation bands. Fluid flow properties of these structures are characterized with emphasis on sealing and transmitting of faults and their role in hydrocarbon flow, migration, and entrapment. Case studies of fracture characterization experiments in aquifers, oil and gas reservoirs, and waste repository sites. Guest speakers; weekend field trip. Prerequisite: first-year graduate student in Earth Sciences.
| Units: 3
GES 221:
What Makes a Habitable Planet? (GES 121)
Physical processes affecting habitability such as large impacts and the atmospheric greenhouse effect, comets, geochemistry, the rise of oxygen, climate controls, and impact cratering. Detecting and interpreting the spectra of extrasolar terrestrial planets. Student-led discussions of readings from the scientific literature. Team taught by planetary scientists from NASA Ames Research Center.
| Units: 3
GES 223:
Planetary Systems: Atmospheres, Surfaces, and Interiors
Focus is on physical processes, such as radiation transport, atmospheric dynamics, thermal convection, and volcanism, shaping the interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres of the major planets in the solar system. How these processes manifest themselves under various conditions in the solar system. Case study of the surface and atmosphere of Mars. Application of comparative planetary science to extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs. In-class presentation of student papers.
| Units: 3
GES 224:
Modeling Environmental Transformations
Quantitative overview of chemical and physical transport and transformation processes that govern elemental and contaminant concentrations in solids, fluids, and gases. Topics include the kinetics of mass transfer across environmental interfaces, formulation of reactor models, and elementary transport phenomena. Emphasis is on reactive transport modeling of fluid-mineral, isotopic, and microbial processes in the context of water-rock systems. Quantitative techniques for conceptualizing environmental processes from simple finite difference approaches to more sophisticated numerical reactive transport models.
| Units: 3
GES 238:
Soil Physics
Physical properties of the soil solid phase emphasizing the transport, retention, and transformation of water, heat, gases, and solutes in the unsaturated subsurface. Field experiments.
| Units: 3
GES 252:
Sedimentary Petrography
Siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Research in modern sedimentary mineralogy and petrography and the relationship between the composition and texture of sediments and their provenance, tectonic settings, and diagenetic histories. Topics vary yearly. Prerequisite: 151 or equivalent.
| Units: 4
GES 253:
Petroleum Geology and Exploration
The origin and occurrence of hydrocarbons. Topics: thermal maturation history in hydrocarbon generation, significance of sedimentary and tectonic structural setting, principles of accumulation, and exploration techniques. Prerequisites: 110, 151. Recommended: GEOPHYS 184.
| Units: 3
GES 255:
Basin and Petroleum System Modeling
For advanced undergraduates or graduate students. Students use stratigraphy, subsurface maps, and basic well log, lithologic, paleontologic, and geochemical data to construct 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D models of petroleum systems that predict the extent of source-rock thermal maturity, petroleum migration paths, and the volumes and compositions of accumulations through time (4-D). Recent software such as PetroMod designed to reconstruct basin geohistory. Recommended: 251 or 253.
| Units: 3
GES 257:
Clastic Sequence Stratigraphy
Sequence stratigraphy facilitates integration of all sources of geologic data, including seismic, log, core, and paleontological, into a time-stratigraphic model of sediment architecture. Tools applicable to regional and field scales. Emphasis is on practical applications and integration of seismic and well data to exploration and field reservoir problems. Examples from industry data; hands-on exercises.
| Units: 3
GES 258:
Introduction to Depositional Systems
The characteristics of the major sedimentary environments and their deposits in the geologic record, including alluvial fans, braided and meandering rivers, aeolian systems, deltas, open coasts, barred coasts, marine shelves, and deep-water systems. Emphasis is on subdivisions; morphology; the dynamics of modern systems; and the architectural organization and sedimentary structures, textures, and biological components of ancient deposits.
| Units: 3
GES 262:
Thermodynamics and Disorder in Minerals and Melts
The thermodynamic properties of crystalline, glassy, and molten silicates and oxides in light of microscopic information about short range structure and ordering. Measurements of bulk properties such as enthalpy, density, and their pressure and temperature derivatives, and structural determination by spectroscopies such as nuclear magnetic resonance and Mössbauer. Basic formulations for configurational entropy, heats of mixing in solid solutions, activities; and the energetics of exsolution, phase transitions, and nucleation. Quantitative models of silicate melt thermodynamics are related to atomic-scale views of structure. A general view of geothermometry and geobarometry. Prerequisites: introductory mineralogy and thermodynamics.
| Units: 3
GES 264:
Mathematical Modeling in Biogeochemistry
The basics of translating a conceptual model into a numerical model is presented. Emphasis on building models, box modeling, methods of solving models. Lab exercises draw from examples in biogeochemistry, including modeling global biogeochemical cycles, sediment biogeochemistry, and microbial processes.
| Units: 3
GES 267:
Solution-Mineral Equilibria: Theory
Procedures for calculating and evaluating the thermodynamic properties of reversible and irreversible reactions among rock-forming minerals and aqueous solutions in geologic systems. Emphasis is on the generation and utility of phase diagrams depicting solution-mineral interaction relevant to phase relations associated with weathering diagenetic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic processes, and the prediction of temperature, pressure, and the chemical potential of thermodynamic components compatible with observed mineralogic phase relations in geologic outcrops. Individual research topics. Prerequisite: 171.
| Units: 3
GES 272:
Nontraditional Stable Isotope Geochemistry (GES 172)
Elements other than C, N, O, S, and H that exhibit mass-dependent and non mass-dependent isotopic fractionation; examples include Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, and Hg. These systems represent a new frontier in isotope geochemistry and Earth Sciences as new tools for understanding geochemical, environmental and biological cycles. The theoretical calculations that form the basis for predicting fractionation, as well as the current state and applications of non-traditional isotope systems.
| Units: 3
GES 277:
Flood Basalts and Mass Extinctions
Recent work in geochronology and paleobiology supports the temporal coincidence of the eruption of continental flood basalts with mass extinction in the marine and terrestrial realms. The mechanisms and timescale of flood basalt eruptions, their likely environmental and biological consequences, and the evidence for flood basalt eruptions as the triggers of many mass extinction events. Sources include recent primary literature.
| Units: 3
GES 283:
Thermochronology and Crustal Evolution
Thermochronology analyzes the competition between radioactive in-growth and temperature-dependant loss of radiogenic isotopes within radioactive mineral hosts in terms of temperature-time history. Coupled with quantitative understanding of kinetic phenomena and crustal- or landscape-scale interpretational models, thermochronology provides an important source of data for the Earth Sciences, notably tectonics, geomorphology, and petrogenesis. The underpinning concepts and key developments in thermochronology, focusing upon analytical and interpretative innovations developed over the past decade.
| Units: 4
GES 284:
Field Seminar on Eastern Sierran Volcanism
For graduate students in the earth sciences and archaeology. Four-day trip over Memorial Day weekend to study silicic and mafic volcanism associated with the western margin of the Basin and Range province: basaltic lavas and cinder cones erupted along normal faults bounding Owens Valley, Long Valley caldera, postcaldera rhyolite lavas, hydrothermal alteration and hot springs, Holocene rhyolite lavas of the Inyo and Mono craters, volcanism of the Mono Basin with subaqueous basaltic eruptions, floating pumice blocks, and cryptodomes punching up lake sediments. If snow-level permits, silicic volcanism associated with the Bodie gold district. Prerequisite: 1, 102 or equivalent.
| Units: 1
GES 285:
Igneous Petrogenesis
Radiogenic isotopes, stable isotopes, and trace elements applied to igneous processes; interaction of magmas with mantle and crust; convergent-margin magmatism; magmatism in extensional terrains; origins of rhyolites; residence times of magmas and magma chamber processes; granites as imperfect mirrors of their source regions; trace element modeling of igneous processes; trace element discriminant diagrams in tectonic analysis; phase equilibria of partial melting of mantle and crust; geothermometry and geobarometry. Topics emphasize student interest. Prerequisite: 180 or equivalent.
| Units: 4
GES 286:
Geoarchaeology (GES 186)
For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students with interests in archaeology or geosciences. Geological concepts, techniques, and data in the study of artifacts and the interpretation of the archaeological record. Topics include: sediments and soils; sedimentary settings of site formation; postdepositional processes that disturb sites; paleoenvironmental reconstruction of past climates and landscapes using plant and animal remains and isotopic studies; raw materials (minerals, metals, stone, shells, clay, building materials) and methods used in sourcing; estimating age based on stratigraphic and radiometric techniques. Weekly lab; weekend field trip to local archaeological/geological site.
| Units: 5
GES 310:
Climate Change, Climate Variability, and Landscape Development
The impact of long-term climate change on erosional processes and the evolution of Cenozoic landscapes. Climate data that highlight recurring climate variability on inter-annual to decadal timescales. The behavior of climate on multi-decadal to tectonic timescales over which significant changes in topography take place. The effects of climate change and variability on landscape development, sedimentary environments, and the deposits of these events. May be repeated for credit.
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 325:
The Evolution of Body Size
The influence of organism size on evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes. Focus is on integration of theoretical principles, observations of living organisms, and data from the fossil record. What are the physiological and ecological correlates of body size? Is there an optimum size? Do organisms tend to evolve to larger size? Does productivity control the size distribution of consumers? Does size affect the likelihood of extinction or speciation? How does size scale from the genome to the phenotype? How is metabolic rate involved in evolution of body size? What is the influence of geographic area on maximum body size?
| Units: 2
GES 333:
Water Policy Colloquium (CEE 333)
Student-organized interdisciplinary colloquium. Creation, implementation, and analysis of policy affecting the use and management of water resources. Weekly speakers from academia and local, state, national, and international agencies and organizations.
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
GES 336:
Stanford Alpine Project Seminar
Seminar on the geology of the Himalaya, Tibetan plateau, and India. Weekly student presentations on continental collision tectonics, structure, petrology, geomorphology, culture, and other topics of interest. Students create a guidebook of geologic stops in advance of field trip to northwestern India in summer 2011. May be repeated for credit.
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
for credit
(up to 99 units total)
GES 355:
Advanced Stratigraphy Seminar and Field Course
Student-led presentations; poster-sized display on assigned topic; field trip.
| Units: 1-3
| Repeatable
for credit
