printer friendly pageEARTHSYS 4: Coevolution of Earth and Life (GS 4)
Earth is the only planet in the universe currently known to harbor life. When and how did Earth become inhabited? How have biological activities altered the planet? How have environmental changes affected the evolution of life? Are we living in a sixth mass extinction? In this course, we will develop and use the tools of geology, paleontology, geochemistry, and modeling that allow us to reconstruct Earth¿s 4.5 billion year history and to reconstruct the interactions between life and its host planet over the past 4 billion years. We will also ask what this long history can tell us about life¿s likely future on Earth. We will also use One half-day field trip.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Payne, J. (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:
Arrigo, K. (PI)
;
Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Nevle, R. (PI)
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Instructors:
Arrigo, K. (PI)
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Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Nevle, R. (PI)
;
Black, H. (TA)
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Bowechop, E. (TA)
;
Fisk, J. (TA)
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Kim, A. (TA)
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LeDuff, C. (TA)
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Minehart, K. (TA)
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Pollack, A. (TA)
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Propp, A. (TA)
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Roycroft, S. (TA)
EARTHSYS 36N: Life at the Extremes: From the Deep Sea to Deep Space
Preference to freshmen. Microbial life is diverse and resilient on Earth; could it survive elsewhere in our solar system? This seminar will investigate the diversity of microbial life on earth, with an emphasis on extremophiles, and consider the potential for microbial life to exist and persist in extraterrestrial locales. Topics include microbial phylogenetic and physiological diversity, biochemical adaptations of extremophiles, ecology of extreme habitats, and apparent requirements and limits of life. Format includes lectures, discussions, lab-based activities and local field trips. Basics of microbiology, biochemistry, and astrobiology.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Dekas, A. (PI)
EARTHSYS 41N: The Global Warming Paradox
Preference to freshman. Focus is on the complex climate challenges posed by the substantial benefits of energy consumption, including the critical tension between the enormous global demand for increased human well-being and the negative climate consequences of large-scale emissions of carbon dioxide. Topics include: Earth¿s energy balance; detection and attribution of climate change; the climate response to enhanced greenhouse forcing; impacts of climate change on natural and human systems; and proposed methods for curbing further climate change. Sources include peer-reviewed scientific papers, current research results, and portrayal of scientific findings by the mass media and social networks.
Terms: Aut, Sum
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Diffenbaugh, N. (PI)
;
Ballard, T. (TA)
EARTHSYS 100: Environmental and Geological Field Studies in the Rocky Mountains (ESS 101, GS 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
Instructors:
Chamberlain, P. (PI)
EARTHSYS 103: Understanding Energy (CEE 107A, CEE 207A)
Energy is a fundamental driver of human development and opportunity. At the same time, our energy system has significant consequences for our society, political system, economy, and environment. For example, energy production and use is the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions. In taking this course, students will not only understand the fundamentals of each energy resource -- including significance and potential, conversion processes and technologies, drivers and barriers, policy and regulation, and social, economic, and environmental impacts -- students will also be able to put this in the context of the broader energy system and think critically about how and why society has chosen particular energy resources. Both depletable and renewable energy resources are covered, including oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, biomass and biofuel, hydroelectric, wind, solar thermal and photovoltaics (PV), geothermal, and ocean energy, with cross-cutting topics including electricity, storage, climate change, sustainability, green buildings, energy efficiency, transportation, and the developing world. The course is 4 units, which includes lecture and in-class discussion, readings and videos, assignments, and two off-site field trips. Enroll for 5 units to also attend the Workshop, an interactive discussion section on cross-cutting topics that meets once per week for 80 minutes (timing TBD based on student schedules). The 3-unit option requires instructor approval - please contact Diana Ginnebaugh. Website:
http://web.stanford.edu/class/cee207a/ Course was formerly called Energy Resources.nPrerequisites: Algebra. May not be taken for credit by students who have completed
CEE 107S.
Terms: Aut, Spr
| Units: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-EngrAppSci, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Gragg, D. (PI)
;
Grubert, E. (PI)
;
Knapp, K. (PI)
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Instructors:
Gragg, D. (PI)
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Grubert, E. (PI)
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Knapp, K. (PI)
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Stasio, K. (PI)
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Woodward, J. (PI)
EARTHSYS 103F: Understanding Energy -- Field Trips (CEE 107F, CEE 207F)
This course is only for students who have already taken
CEE 107A/207A/
Earthsys 103 -- Understanding Energy. Please contact Kirsten Stasio (kstasio@stanford.edu) for instructor consent code.
Terms: Aut, Spr
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Knapp, K. (PI)
;
Stasio, K. (PI)
EARTHSYS 110: Introduction to the foundations of contemporary geophysics (GEOPHYS 110)
Introduction to the foundations of contemporary geophysics. Topics drawn from broad themes in: whole Earth geodynamics, geohazards, natural resources, and enviroment. In each case the focus is on how the interpretation of a variety of geophysical measurements (e.g., gravity, seismology, heat flow, electromagnetics, and remote sensing) can be used to provide fundamental insight into the behavior of the Earth. Prerequisite:
CME 100 or MA TH 51, or co-registration in either.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Schroeder, D. (PI)
;
Michaelides, R. (TA)
EARTHSYS 112: Human Society and Environmental Change (ESS 112, HISTORY 103D)
Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human-environment interactions with a focus on economics, policy, culture, history, and the role of the state. Prerequisite:
ECON 1.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
EARTHSYS 116: Ecology of the Hawaiian Islands (BIO 116)
Terrestrial and marine ecology and conservation biology of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Taught in the field in Hawaii as part of quarter-long sequence of courses including Earth Sciences and Anthropology. Topics include ecological succession, plant-soil interactions, conservation biology, biological invasions and ecosystem consequences, and coral reef ecology. Restricted to students accepted into the Earth Systems of Hawaii Program.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
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