printer friendly pageEARTHSYS 2: Earth System History (EESS 2)
The evolution of Earth's systems from formation to the present. Couplings and relationships among biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Topics include the evolution of life, origin of the oceans, atmosphere and continents, and changes in climate. Modern climate change and anthropogenic effects.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
EARTHSYS 4: Evolution and Extinction: Introduction to Historical Geology (GES 4)
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.
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 8: The Oceans: An Introduction to the Marine Environment (EESS 8)
For non-majors and majors in earth science or environmental science. The major ocean ecosystems and how they function both naturally and under the influence of human activities. Emphasis is on the dominant organisms of each ecosystem and how they interact with each other and their physical and chemical environment. The types of ecosystems discussed include coral reefs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, coastal upwelling systems, blue-water oceans, estuaries, and near-shore dead zones. Lectures, multimedia presentations, and group activities.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Arrigo, K. (PI)
EARTHSYS 10: Introduction to Earth Systems
For non-majors and prospective Earth Systems majors. Multidisciplinary approach using the principles of geology, biology, engineering, and economics to describe how the Earth operates as an interconnected, integrated system. Goal is to understand global change on all time scales. Focus is on sciences, technological principles, and sociopolitical approaches applied to solid earth, oceans, water, energy, and food and population. Case studies: environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and resource sustainability.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Ernst, W. (PI)
;
Appold, B. (TA)
;
Bartz, J. (TA)
...
more instructors for EARTHSYS 10 »
Instructors:
Ernst, W. (PI)
;
Appold, B. (TA)
;
Bartz, J. (TA)
;
Fedor, C. (TA)
;
Kubiak, L. (TA)
;
Lam, J. (TA)
;
Lappe, G. (TA)
;
Menke, C. (TA)
;
Thomas, J. (TA)
;
Wang, J. (TA)
;
Wylie, B. (TA)
EARTHSYS 12SC: Environmental and Geological Field Studies in the Rocky Mountains (EESS 12SC, GES 12SC)
The ecologically and geologically diverse Rocky Mountain area is being strongly impacted by changing land use patterns, global and regional environmental change, and societal demands for energy and natural resources. This three-week field program emphasizes coupled environmental and geological problems in the Rocky Mountains, covering a broad range of topics including the geologic origin of the American West from three billion years ago to the present; paleoclimatology and the glacial history of this mountainous region; the long- and short-term carbon cycle and global climate change; and environmental issues in the American West related to changing land-use patterns and increased demand for its abundant natural resources. These broad topics are integrated into a coherent field-study as we examine earth/environmental science-related questions in three different settings: 1) the three-billion-year-old rocks and the modern glaciers of the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming; 2) the sediments in the adjacent Wind River basin that host abundant gas and oil reserves and also contain the long-term climate history of this region; and 3) the volcanic center of Yellowstone National Park and the mountainous region of Teton National Park, and the economic and environmental problems associated with gold mining and extraction of oil and gas in areas adjoining these national parks. Students will complete six assignments based upon field exercises, working in small groups to analyze data and prepare reports and maps. Lectures will be held in the field prior to and after fieldwork. Note: This course involves one week of backpacking in the Wind Rivers and hiking while staying in cabins near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Students must arrive in Salt Lake City on Monday, August 30. (Hotel lodging will be provided for the night of August 30, and thereafter students will travel as a Sophomore College group.) We will return to campus on Saturday, September 18.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Chamberlain, P. (PI)
EARTHSYS 18: Promoting Sustainability Behavior Change at Stanford
Stanford Green Living Council training course. Effective strategies for enacting sustainable behavior change on campus. Community-based social marketing, psychology, sociology, and design. Behavior change intervention project targeting a specific sustainable behavior. Lectures online.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 2
Instructors:
Robinson, T. (PI)
EARTHSYS 19: Food for Thought: Alternative Spring Break
Preparation for Alternative Spring Break program. Current issues in sustainable agriculture with a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area. Topics include making informed food choices, garden education, food politics, urban agriculture, school lunch programs, the economics of sustainability, and the local food movement. Enrollment limited to Food for thought ASB 2011 participants.
Terms: Win
| Units: 1
EARTHSYS 21: Peopling of the Globe: Changing Patterns of Land Use and Consumption Over the Last 50,000 Years (ANTHRO 18, ARCHLGY 12)
Fossil, genetic and archaeological evidence suggest that modern humans began to disperse out of Africa about 50,000 years ago. Subsequently, humans have colonized every major landmass on earth. This class introduces students to the data and issues regarding human dispersal, migration and colonization of continents and islands around the world. We explore problems related to the timing and cause of colonizing events, and investigate questions about changing patterns of land use, demography and consumption. Students are introduced to critical relationships between prehistoric population changes and our contemporary environmental crisis.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
Instructors:
Bird, D. (PI)
EARTHSYS 38N: The Worst Journey in the World: The Science, Literature, and History of Polar Exploration (EESS 38N, GES 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: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
Instructors:
Dunbar, R. (PI)
EARTHSYS 43Q: Environmental Problems (GES 43Q)
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
Instructors:
Loague, K. (PI)
Filter Results: