printer friendly pageGES 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
Instructors:
McCarty, R. (PI)
;
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GES 102: Earth Materials: Introduction to Mineralogy
The minerals and materials that comprise the earth and their uses in modern society. How to identify, classify, and interpret rock-forming minerals. Emphasis is on information provided by common minerals about the nature of the Earth's interior and processes such as magmatism and metamorphism that operate there, as well as the major processes of weathering and erosion that link plate tectonics to earth cycles. Required lab section. Prerequisite: introductory geology course. Recommended: introductory chemistry.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, 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: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
Instructors:
Ruksznis, A. (PI)
;
Wyld, S. (PI)
GES 123: Paleobiology (EARTHSYS 122)
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 2013
| 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
Instructors:
Loague, K. (PI)
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
Instructors:
Loague, K. (PI)
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: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
GES 170: Environmental Geochemistry (EARTHSYS 170, GES 270)
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
Instructors:
Brown, G. (PI)
;
Cruz, M. (PI)
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
Instructors:
Bird, D. (PI)
;
Garcia Del Real, P. (PI)
GES 185: Volcanology
For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students in earth sciences. Eruptive processes that create volcanic deposits and landforms; relation to physical properties of magmas. Volcanic hazards and the effects of eruptions on climate; volcanic-hosted geothermal systems and mineral resources. Required 4-day field trip over Memorial Day weekend to study silicic and mafic volcanism in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Those taking the class for 4 units will complete a 3-hour weekly lab involving hand specimen and thin section identification and interpretation, which emphasizes recognizing types of lavas and products of explosive eruptions. Prerequisite: 1, for those taking the course for 3 units; 103 and 104 or equivalent for those taking the course for 4 units.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
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