printer friendly pageGS 4: How to Build and Maintain a Habitable Planet: An Introduction to Earth System History (EARTHSYS 4)
Introduction to the history of the Earth, with a focus on processes that maintain or threaten habitability. 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 for critical events in Earth history such as mass extinctions. One half-day field trip.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GS 40N: Diamonds
Preference to freshmen. Topics include the history of 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.
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
GS 42N: Landscapes and Tectonics of the San Francisco Bay Area
Active faulting and erosion in the Bay Area, and its effects upon landscapes. Earth science concepts and skills through investigation of the valley, mountain, and coastal areas around Stanford. Faulting associated with the San Andreas Fault, coastal processes along the San Mateo coast, uplift of the mountains by plate tectonic processes, and landsliding in urban and mountainous areas. Field excursions; student projects.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
GS 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
GS 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:
Stebbins, J. (PI)
GS 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
Instructors:
Brown, G. (PI)
;
Mao, W. (PI)
;
Park, S. (PI)
;
Reagan, M. (PI)
;
Park, S. (TA)
;
Reagan, M. (TA)
GS 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:
GS 1, recommended:
GS 102.
Terms: Aut, Spr
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
Instructors:
Grove, M. (PI)
;
Petterson, R. (PI)
GS 107: Journey to the Center of the Earth (GEOPHYS 184, GEOPHYS 274, GS 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. Offered every other year, winter quarter. Next offering Winter 2013-14.
| UG Reqs: WAY-SMA
GS 111: Fundamentals of Structural Geology (CEE 195)
Techniques for mapping using GPS and differential geometry to characterize structures; dimensional analysis and scaling relations; kinematics of deformation and flow; measurement and analysis of stress; elastic deformation and properties of rock; brittle deformation including fracture and faulting; linear viscous flow including folding and magma dynamics; model development and methodology. Models of tectonic processes are constructed and solutions visualized using MATLAB. Prerequisites:
GS 1,
MATH 51
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
| UG Reqs: WAY-FR, WAY-SMA
GS 123: Paleobiology (EARTHSYS 122, GS 223B)
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.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci, WAY-SMA
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