printer friendly pageESS 158: Geomicrobiology (EARTHSYS 158, EARTHSYS 258, ESS 258)
How microorganisms shape the geochemistry of the Earth's crust including oceans, lakes, estuaries, subsurface environments, sediments, soils, mineral deposits, and rocks. Topics include mineral formation and dissolution; biogeochemical cycling of elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and metals); geochemical and mineralogical controls on microbial activity, diversity, and evolution; life in extreme environments; and the application of new techniques to geomicrobial systems. Recommended: introductory chemistry and microbiology such as
CEE 274A.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Francis, C. (PI)
ESS 162: Remote Sensing of Land (EARTHSYS 142, EARTHSYS 242, ESS 262)
The use of satellite remote sensing to monitor land use and land cover, with emphasis on terrestrial changes. Topics include pre-processing data, biophysical properties of vegetation observable by satellite, accuracy assessment of maps derived from remote sensing, and methodologies to detect changes such as urbanization, deforestation, vegetation health, and wildfires.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
Instructors:
Lyons, E. (PI)
ESS 163: Demography and Life History Theory (ESS 363)
Life history theory is the branch of evolutionary biology that attempts to understand patterns of investment in growth, reproduction, and survival across the life cycle. It is the theory that explains the major transitions that mark individual organisms' life cycles from conception to death. In this class, we will focus on the central themes of life history theory and how they relate to specific problems of the human life cycle. In addition to the classic questions of life history theory (e.g., evolution of reproductive effort, size vs. quality, etc.), we will discuss some peculiar issues that relate specifically to humans. In particular, we will explore the intersection of life history theory and more classical economic approaches to decision theory and rational choice. This will include an exploration of the evolution of economic transfers and their implications for demographic transitions, ecological resilience, and the consumption of natural resources. This discussion will explore how an understanding of life history theory might help in promoting investments in future welfare or developing policies that promote sustainability.
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci
Instructors:
Jones, J. (PI)
ESS 164: Fundamentals of Geographic Information Science (GIS) (EARTHSYS 144)
Survey of geographic information including maps, satellite imagery, and census data, approaches to spatial data, and tools for integrating and examining spatially-explicit data. Emphasis is on fundamental concepts of geographic information science and associated technologies. Topics include geographic data structure, cartography, remotely sensed data, statistical analysis of geographic data, spatial analysis, map design, and geographic information system software. Computer lab assignments. All students are required to attend a weekly lab session.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-4
| UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
Instructors:
Beutler, H. (PI)
;
Bravo, B. (PI)
;
Lyons, E. (PI)
;
Beutler, H. (TA)
;
Bieler, S. (TA)
;
Bravo, B. (TA)
ESS 165: Advanced Geographic Information Systems (ESS 265)
Building on the Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems course, this class delves deeper into geospatial analysis and mapping techniques. The class is heavily project-based and students are encouraged to bring their own research questions. Topics include topographic analysis, interpolation, spatial statistics, network analysis, and scripting using Python and Acrpy. All students are required to attend a weekly lab.
ESS 164 or equivalent is a prerequisite.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| Repeatable
2 times
(up to 8 units total)
Instructors:
Lyons, E. (PI)
ESS 179S: Seminar: Issues in Environmental Science, Technology and Sustainability (CEE 179S, CEE 279S, EARTHSYS 179S)
Invited faculty, researchers and professionals share their insights and perspectives on a broad range of environmental and sustainability issues. Students critique seminar presentations and associated readings.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 1-2
| Repeatable
2 times
(up to 4 units total)
Instructors:
Robertson, A. (PI)
;
Ong, C. (SI)
ESS 181: Urban Agriculture in the Developing World (EARTHSYS 181, EARTHSYS 281, ESS 281, URBANST 181)
In this advanced undergraduate course, students will learn about some of the key social and environmental challenges faced by cities in the developing world, and the current and potential role that urban agriculture plays in meeting (or exacerbating) those challenges. This is a service-learning course, and student teams will have the opportunity to partner with real partner organizations in a major developing world city to define and execute a project focused on urban development, and the current or potential role of urban agriculture. Service-learning projects will employ primarily the student's analytical skills such as synthesis of existing research findings, interdisciplinary experimental design, quantitative data analysis and visualization, GIS, and qualitative data collection through interviews and textual analysis. Previous coursework in the aforementioned analytical skills is preferred, but not required. Admission is by application.
ESS 183: Food Matters: Agriculture in Film (EARTHSYS 183, EARTHSYS 283, ESS 283)
Film series presenting historical and contemporary issues dealing with food and agriculture across the globe. Students discuss reactions and thoughts in a round table format. May be repeated for credit.
Last offered: Winter 2016
| Repeatable
for credit
ESS 206: World Food Economy (EARTHSYS 106, EARTHSYS 206, ECON 106, ECON 206, ESS 106)
The economics of food production, consumption, and trade. The micro- and macro- determinants of food supply and demand, including the interrelationship among food, income, population, and public-sector decision making. Emphasis on the role of agriculture in poverty alleviation, economic development, and environmental outcomes. (graduate students enroll in 206)
Terms: Spr
| Units: 5
Instructors:
Burke, M. (PI)
;
Naylor, R. (PI)
;
Bieler, S. (TA)
;
Budiansky, E. (TA)
;
Maue, C. (TA)
ESS 208: Topics in Geobiology (GS 208)
Reading and discussion of classic and recent papers in the field of Geobiology. Co-evolution of Earth and life; critical intervals of environmental and biological change; geomicrobiology; paleobiology; global biogeochemical cycles; scaling of geobiological processes in space and time.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
| Repeatable
3 times
(up to 3 units total)
Instructors:
Francis, C. (PI)
;
Payne, J. (PI)
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