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 8: The Oceans: An Introduction to the Marine Environment (ESS 8)
The course will provide a basic understanding of how the ocean functions as a suite of interconnected ecosystems, both naturally and under the influence of human activities. Emphasis is on the interactions between the physical and chemical environment and the dominant organisms of each ecosystem. 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, group activities, and tide-pooling day trip.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Arrigo, K. (PI)
;
Lewis, K. (SI)
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)
;
Fendorf, S. (PI)
;
Nevle, R. (PI)
;
Black, H. (TA)
;
Bowechop, E. (TA)
;
Fisk, J. (TA)
;
Kim, A. (TA)
;
LeDuff, C. (TA)
;
Minehart, K. (TA)
;
Pollack, A. (TA)
;
Propp, A. (TA)
;
Roycroft, S. (TA)
EARTHSYS 11: Introduction to Geology (GS 1)
Lectures, hands-on laboratories, in-class activities, and one field trip. 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 plate tectonics, the cycling and formation of different types of rocks, and how geologists use rocks to understand Earth's history.
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Ritts, M. (PI)
;
Sperling, E. (PI)
EARTHSYS 30: Ecology for Everyone (BIO 30)
Everything is connected, but how? Ecology is the science of interactions and the changes they generate. This project-based course links individual behavior, population growth, species interactions, and ecosystem function. Introduction to measurement, observation, experimental design and hypothesis testing in field projects, mostly done in groups. The goal is to learn to think analytically about everyday ecological processes involving bacteria, fungi, plants, animals and humans. The course uses basic statistics to analyze data; there are no math prerequisites except arithmetic. Open to everyone, including those who may be headed for more advanced courses in ecology and environmental science.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Gordon, D. (PI)
;
Bravo, B. (TA)
;
Jaeger, M. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Gordon, D. (PI)
;
Bravo, B. (TA)
;
Jaeger, M. (TA)
;
LaRue, T. (TA)
;
Miles, C. (TA)
;
Schroeder, J. (TA)
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 46N: Exploring the Critical Interface between the Land and Monterey Bay: Elkhorn Slough (ESS 46N)
Preference to freshmen. Field trips to sites in the Elkhorn Slough, a small agriculturally impacted estuary that opens into Monterey Bay, a model ecosystem for understanding the complexity of estuaries, and one of California's last remaining coastal wetlands. Readings include Jane Caffrey's "Changes in a California Estuary: A Profile of Elkhorn Slough". Basics of biogeochemistry, microbiology, oceanography, ecology, pollution, and environmental management.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Francis, C. (PI)
EARTHSYS 57Q: Climate Change from the Past to the Future (ESS 57Q)
Preference to sophomores. Numeric models to predict how climate responds to increase of greenhouse gases. Paleoclimate during times in Earth's history when greenhouse gas concentrations were elevated with respect to current concentrations. Predicted scenarios of climate models and how these models compare to known hyperthermal events in Earth history. Interactions and feedbacks among biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. Topics include long- and short-term carbon cycle, coupled biogeochemical cycles affected by and controlling climate change, and how the biosphere responds to climate change. Possible remediation strategies.
Last offered: Winter 2015
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
EARTHSYS 101: Energy and the Environment (ENERGY 101)
Energy use in modern society and the consequences of current and future energy use patterns. Case studies illustrate resource estimation, engineering analysis of energy systems, and options for managing carbon emissions. Focus is on energy definitions, use patterns, resource estimation, pollution. Recommended:
MATH 21 or 42.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-EngrAppSci, WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Durlofsky, L. (PI)
;
Kovscek, A. (PI)
;
Beutler, H. (TA)
...
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Instructors:
Durlofsky, L. (PI)
;
Kovscek, A. (PI)
;
Beutler, H. (TA)
;
Jaeger, M. (TA)
;
Makalinao, A. (TA)
EARTHSYS 102: Fundamentals of Renewable Power (ENERGY 102)
Do you want a much better understanding of renewable power technologies? Did you know that wind and solar are the fastest growing forms of electricity generation? Are you interested in hearing about the most recent, and future, designs for green power? Do you want to understand what limits power extraction from renewable resources and how current designs could be improved? This course dives deep into these and related issues for wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, tidal and wave power technologies. We welcome all student, from non-majors to MBAs and grad students. If you are potentially interested in an energy or environmental related major, this course is particularly useful. Recommended:
Math 21 or 42.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA, GER:DB-EngrAppSci
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