Department of Earth Sciences

An introduction to the earth sciences; concepts developed in astronomy, geology, geophysics, meteorology, and oceanography. Lecture only. Credit cannot be applied toward science requirement in any science major in Liberal Arts or Secondary Education. Students who have had high school earth science should consider other introductory earth science classes.,LA, N2, N, T)

An exploration of science as inquiry, focusing on the unifying concepts and processes of science as applied to planet Earth. The specific Earch Science content from the K-4 and 5-8 levels of the National Science Education Standards NRC 1996) will be rigorously and comprehensively explored. Laboratory activities will model science as inquiry, with students engaged in a variety of directed and open-ended investigations of selected Earth and planetary science phenomena and topics. This course is intended primarily for Elementary Education majors, but is open to all students. Content and instruction are consistent with the NSES, NSTA Standards and New York's MST Learning Standards. Prerequisite: SoS,LA, NL2, NL, T)

An introduction to the use of software and computers in the earth sciences, including numerical applications, computer types, operating systems, data collection and entry, graphics, plotting, map presentation, trend analysis, standard analytical techniques, contouring, and prediction techniques.,LA) Prerequisite: either ESCI 100, GEOL120, METR 110, or permission of instructor.

An introduction to the basic scientific, technical, and regulatory aspects of waste management. Includes an overview of all categories of waste options available to manage various wastes and environmental issues tied to waste management. Writing in the discipline is emphasized.,LA, CW, IE) Cross-listed as ENVS 290.

Selected topics of current geological interest not found in other courses. Subject matter will vary each time the course is offered, reflecting new developments in the field and changing interests of the students and staff. Intended for students majoring in any of the Earth Sciences disciplines or in the Environmental Sciences.,LA) Prerequisites: SoS, prior courses in Earth Sciences or Environmental Sciences.

Provides college-level experience as an assistant to the teaching faculty. Student assistants will serve directly under faculty supervision, with responsibilities such as tutoring, as well as assistance in laboratory classes, review sessions, field trips, laboratory set-up, and administration of classroom functions e.g., taking attendance, setting up AV facilities). The teaching assistantship may be repeated as ESCI 395, but with a 3-credit maximum combined total for both courses. Credit can be applied toward earth science elective categories. Prerequisites: JrS or SrS, major in an Earth Sciences field, minimum GPA 2.5, permission of instructor and chair.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: SoS and prior course(s) in earth sciencs.

The selection, preparation, maintenance, and proper use of laboratory equipment and supplies in earth science; application of technologies in the earth science laboratory, practice in developing demonstrations and presentation of topics; planning of inquiry-based laboratory exercises. Corequisite: SCIN 315.Prerequisites: JrS and 6 s.h. in approved earth sciences.

Selected topics in areas of Earth Science in which recent advances have occurred and are not covered adequately in other courses. Subject matter is taught by one or more Earth Science faculty members and varies in content. Intended for Earth Science majors of SoS or higher.,LA)

Provides college-level experience as an assistant to the teaching faculty. Student assistants will serve directly under faculty supervision, with responsibilities such as tutoring, as well as assistance in laboratory classes, review sessions, field trips, laboratory set-up, and administration of classroom functions e.g., taking attendance, setting up AV facilities). There is a 3-credit maximum combined total for ESCI 295 and ESCI 395. Credit can be applied toward earth science elective categories. Prerequisites: JrS or SrS, major in an Earth Sciences fied, minimum GPA 2.5, permission of instructor and chair, ESCI 295.

Designed to familiarize majors in the Earth Sciences disciplines including Environmental Earth Science, Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Water Resources) with current issues and developments in their field by reading, discussion, written reports, and oral presentations with active involvement by all participants.,LA) Prerequisites: enrollment by consent of department chair ad instructor involved. Passing grade on CWE.

Students are placed with an appropriate organization or agency for applied work experience. Requirements and credits vary with individual internships. Prerequisite: passing grade on CWE.

Individual research under faculty supervision in disciplines of environmental sciences, geology, water resources, meteorology, or oceanography. Enrollment by consent of department chair and instructor involved. A thesis is likely to require more than one semester to complete.,LA) rerequisites: SrS, submission and acceptance of a formal thesis proposal during the semester or summer prior to enrollment, and a minimum 3.2 GPA in the major.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: JrS and prior courses in earth science.

Introduction to geological principlesthe development of the earth's surface; the nature and effects of changes on the earth's surface; the origin and recognition of minerals and rocks; field and laboratory study of minerals, rocks, topographic maps. Laboratories frequently taught by graduate teaching assistants.,LA, NL2, NL, T)

A study of the practical aspects of geology that relate natural processes to man's environment; topics include Environmental Impact Statements, soil properties, ground stability, erosion controls, seismic hazards, solid waste disposal, and surface runoff and flooding.,LA, IE, TQ) Prerequisite: GEOL 120.

An introduction to theories about the origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory emphasizes identification of rock samples, including their mineralogy and texture.,LA) rerequisite: GEOL 120.

An overview of Earth's history, including accounts of changes in life through time, combined with an exploration of the techniques that are used to read and interpret geologic history. Laboratory and field exercises illustrate events in Earth's history, introduce techniques for reading geologic history, and provide opportunities for students to engage in geologic inquiry. Writing in the discipline is emphasized through laboratory reports, field trip reports, and research papers.,LA, CW, NL) Prerequisite: GEOL 120

An introduction to basic map and air photo interpretation, simple geologic cross sections, topographic and structural contouring, stratigraphic correlation, and elementary field geology. Emphasis on laboratory exercises and campus field exercises. Includes one all-day field exercise. rerequisite: GEOL 120 and SoS.

An overview of the basic geologic, engineering, economic, and environmental factors controlling the availability of mineral resources. Topics will include metallic and non-metallic ores, energy resources, construction and industrial minerals. Examination of the environmental consequences of exploration and development of mineral deposits. Discussion of global mineral reserves and resources. Cross-listed as ENVS 230.,LA, T, IE) Prerequisite: GEOL 120.

Systematic crystallography and mineralogy, basic principles of crystal chemistry, correlated laboratory experiences in crystal study, and identification of mineral specimens.,LA) rerequisite: GEOL 120.

Theory and techniques of optical crystallography of minerals using both oil immersion and thin-section methods; physical and chemical properties, origin, and occurrence of silicate minerals.,LA) Prerequisite: GEOL 242 or permission of instrctor.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: SoS and prior course(s) in GEOL.

An introduction to the morphology, taxonomy, and ecology of fossil invertebrates, field collecting, and laboratory techniques. ,LA)Prerequisite: GEOL 220 or BIOL112.

An introduction to common structural featuresfolds, faults, foliations, lineations, unconformities, geologic contactstheir geometry and origin. Examination of basic concepts of stress and strain; laboratory application of basic geometric techniques used in structural analysis, including orthographic and stereographic projection, construction of cross-sections, and interpretation of structure from geological maps.,LA) Prerequisites: GEOL 220, 222; PHYS103-104 or 203-204 suggested, but not required.

An introduction to the application of geological principles to geotechnical problems such as slope stability, behaviors of foundations in soil and rock, site selection and characterization for engineering works, and resource extraction. Prerequisites: GEOL 220 and PHYS 103 or 203.

Multi-week summer field trip instruction and project work; consideration of geologic principles and concepts of rock formation, mountain building, geologic history, and landform interpretation. Travel and camping costs shared by students.,LA) rerequisites: GEOL 120 and permission of instructor. Corequisite: BIOL 333.

A study of the major geological and ecological processes that have created various coastal environments. How these processes are affected by natural and human forces to modify the environments. Expected length of course: about three weeks. Travel and camping costs are shared by students. Prerequisite: Successful completion of 3 s.h. of college-level eology and permission of instructor. Corequisite: BIOL 338.

rinciples of sedimentary geology, including stratigraphy and sedimentology. Identification, classification, and correlation of rock units. Also includes use of fossils in interpretation, geophysical methods of correlation, the concepts of facies, basin analysis, interpretation of depositional environments and history.,LA) rerequisites: GEOL 220, 222.

The study of surface processes and landforms, their origin and development, systems in equilibrium, effects of climate, and underlying rock structures.,LA, CW) Prerequisite: GEOL 220.

The study of glaciers, their formation, movement, and physical characteristics; the effects of glaciation on a regional scale, with attention to erosional and depositional features in northeastern U.S. Depositional landforms, and their environments of accumulation and stratigraphic characteristics, are emphasized.,LA, C) rerequisite: GEOL 370.

The application of physical principles to the investigation of the earth. Field work includes the use of the magnetometer, gravimeter, seismometer, and resistivity unit.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: GEOL 120, MTH 173, PHYS 103 or 203.

Investigation of the hydrologic cycle, with emphasis on the flow of surface and ground water; geologic aspects of fluid flow and water supply; hydrologic problems, including pollution, water quality, economics, and water law. Includes independent laboratory work in open-channel and ground-water flow.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: JrS, GEOL 120.

Techniques for measurement and analysis of the components of the hydrologic cycle, with application to land use, environmental geology, and water supply. Topics include water-budget studies, hydrograph analysis, flood prediction, land-use and water-supply management, and legal and economic aspects of watershed management.,LA, TQ) Prerequisite: GEOL 382.

Chemical aspects of the hydrologic cycle, with emphasis on the interaction of surface and ground water with their geologic environment. Topics include interpretation of dissolved components in water, their sources, equilibria, interactions, and their effect on water quality. Laboratories and a term project involve water sampling, analysis, and interpretation.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: JrS, GEOL 120 and CHEM 112.

Use of quantitative techniques to solve problems in water supply, water management, and hydrologic aspects of geology. Emphasis is on measurement and interpretation of hydrologic variables in ground and surface water. Topics include the prediction of aquifer and well yield, numerical and analog flow models, open-channel hydraulics, pipe flow, and water power.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: GEOL 382 and MATH 173.

An introduction to numerical and computer methods in groundwater hydrology. Course topics include finite-difference and finite-element techniques, use of professional-level software, field and laboratory methods for obtaining the data needed for aquifer analysis, interpretation of models, how to avoid misinterpreting them, and how to present the data in written and oral form. Field work includes surveying, water-well inventories, geologic interpretation, and pumping tests. Laboratory work includes interpretation of geologic maps and cross sections, computer modeling of various aquifer types, and graphical presentation of results.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: GEOL 382 and MATH 173.

Selected topics of current geological interest not found in other courses. Subject matter varies each time course is offered, reflecting new developments in the field and changing interests of students and staff. Intended for geology majors.,LA) Prerequisites: JrS and prior courses in GEOL.

Students are placed with an appropriate organization or agency for applied work experience. Requirements and credits vary with individual internships. Prerequisite: passage of CWE.

Seminar discussion of ongoing undergraduate research projects. Peer review and commentary on research progress on a weekly basis. Seminar participants will be required to share the results of their research with the department in a public forum. Enrollment by permission of instructor. Prerequisites: 1) Declared major in Earth Sciences Department. 2) Students must be engaged in research under the supervision of a faculty mentor mentors need not be the same as the course instructor). Students who enroll in this seminar may also be eligible for independent study credit in association with their research projects.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: JrS and prior course(s) in GEOL.

The physical processes of the atmosphere as they produce weather phenomena; weather elements, condensation and precipitation processes, air masses, fronts, winds, circulation systems, severe storms; interpretation of weather maps; laboratory experience. (LA, NL2, NL, TQ)

An introductory course for both non-science and science-oriented students who wish to learn about thunderstorms and their associated weather, including lightning, tornadoes, hail, and flash floods. The characteristics of thunderstorms are presented using charts, graphs, and satellite pictures. Open to meteorology majors, but is not part of the major curriculum.,LA, N2, N, T)

Environmental issues relating to the atmosphere featuring lectures and discussions on topics recently reported in the news. Two 90-minute lectures per week on Greenhouse warming, acid rain, air pollution, drought, and Ozone depletion.,LA, IE, T) Cross-listed as ENVS 205. Prerequisites: METR 110 or ENVS 101

The nature of different types of climates and the mechanisms producing them. Topics include the atmosphere's energy and hydrologic cycles, global circulations, air masses, monsoons, lake effects, climate classification, and climatic change. Writing in the discipline is empasized.,LA, CW, N) Prerequisite: METR 110.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) rerequisites: SoS and prior course(s) in METR.

Fundamental physical principles applied to the atmosphere, including thermodynamics of dry and moist air; hydrostatic equilibrium and stability; radiation.,LA, TQ) Prerequisites: METR 110, PHYS 203 an MATH 174.

The study of atmospheric motions in terms of fluid flow concepts, including advection, divergence, vorticity, and circulation. Atmospheric motions are also studied as solutions to the primitive equations. Applications to weather patterns are emphasized. ,LA) Prerequisites: METR 340 and MATH 276.Corequisite: METR 360

A continuation of METR 350 with further applications of the basic equations to atmospheric motions. Relations between temperature and the wind field, fluid flow theorems, pressure tendency, surfaces of discontinuity, wave motions, and numerical weather prediction. ,LA) Prerequisite: METR 350.Corequisite: METR 61.

Synoptic mechanisms as applied to daily weather forecasting. Fundamentals of surface and upper air processes, cyclone formation, and jet stream effects; the use of forecast and diagnostic weather maps. Laboratories involve coding, plotting, and analyzing meteorological data, constructing charts, and forecasting.,LA) Prerequisite: METR 340.Corequisite: METR 350.

Principles given in METR 360 are applied to forecasting of severe weather conditions and use of satellite and radar observations. The construction of computer forecast models is studied for identification of systematic errors. Also covered are lake effect and broadcast meteorology. Laboratories cover specialized forecast techniques and media weather presentation.,LA) Prerequisite: METR 360. Corequisite: METR 351.

The study of heat, moisture, and wind flow close to the ground; methods of heat transfer and energy balance over various natural surfaces; characteristics of turbulent flow, diffusion, and air pollution.,LA) Prerequisite: METR 350.

Intended for meteorology majors, this course will familiarize students with current atmospheric remote sensing technology and theory. Included are satellite images, wind profiler data, lightning detection and radar, including Doppler Radar Theory and image interpretation. This is a non-lab course, but exercises using current and archived images will be performed. Juniors and Seniors should take this course.,LA) Prerequisite: METR 360.

Application of computers to problems in meteorology. Topics selected from the following: managing meteorological data, generating alogarithms for thermodynamic variables, developing numerical and statistical procedures for weather prediction, modeling and simulation of atmospheric behavior.,LA) Prerequisites: METR 340 and CSCI 109 or 113.

Selected topics of current meteorological interest not found in other courses. Subject matter varies each time course is offered, reflecting new developments in the field and changing interests of students and staff. Intended for meteorology majors.,LA) Prerequisites: JrS and prior course(s) in METR.

Students are placed with an appropriate organization or agency for applied work experience. Requirements and credits vary with individual internships. Prerequisite: passage of CWE.

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: JrS and prior course(s) in METR.

An introduction to the basic concepts of ocean science, including sub-disciplines of geology, biology, chemistry, and physical oceanography, and emphasizing the relationships of man with the ocean. Covers present and potential non-living) resources of the ocean, as well as pollution and politics involving man's use of the ocean. Intended for non-science students and assumes little or no background in any of the disciplines covered.,LA, N2, N, T)

A broad survey of our oceans, including general bottom topography and geology; chemistry salts, nutrients, pollutants); physics

Individual studies under faculty supervision. Admission by consent of department chair and instructor involved.,LA) Prerequisites: SoS and prior OCEA course(s).

Man's impact on the marine environment, including the chemical and physical dynamics of ocean waters and the political/economic aspects of society's impact; discussion of controversial use and attempts of controlling natural processes. Term paper(s) required. Intended for earth science and environmental science majors.,LA, CW) Cross-listed as ENVS 310. Prerequisite: ENVS 201.

A study of materials, topographic features, and structures on the ocean bottom, from the continental shelves to deep basins; theories of age and origin; methods of acquiring data; current problems such as submarine canyons, fracture zones, mid-oceanic ridges, plate tectonics, and subcrustal convection cells.,LA, CW) Prerequisite: GEOL 220.

The interactions between the living and non-living components of the ecosystem. An introduction to ecological community concepts; the influence of chemical,LA geological,LA atmospheric,LA and physical factors on living systems will be considered. (LA,LA N2,LA IE)

The study of the effect of human activities on the worldwide ecosystem. An examination of the issues of human overpopulation,LA atmospheric warming,LA chemical pollution,LA and agriculture. Strategies of land planning and resource conservation will be considered. (LA) Prerequisite: ENVS 101.

Environmental issues relating to the atmosphere featuring lectures and discussions on topics recently reported in the news. Two 90-minute lectures per week on Greenhouse warming,LA acid rain,LA air pollution,LA drought,LA and Ozone depletion. (LA,LA IE,LA T) Cross-listed as METR 205. Prerequisite: METR 110 or ENVS 101.

Introduction to technical writing skills in the sciences. Topics include organization,LA format,LA style,LA and narrative. Familiarization with professional journal style and format within the discipline is expected. (LA,LA CW)Cross-listed as COMP 211. Prerequisites: students must have passed the CWE and have passed any one of the following: COMP 100,LA Freshman Seminar,LA or any course with a CW attribute.

An overview of the basic geologic,LA engineering,LA economic,LA and environmental factors controlling the availability of mineral resources. Topics will include metallic and non-metallic ores,LA energy resources,LA construction and industrial minerals. Examination of the environmental consequences of exploration and development of mineral deposits. Discussion of global mineral reserves and resources. (LA,LA IE,LA T) Cross-listed as GEOL 230. Prerequisite: GEOL 120.

An introduction to the basic environmental and regulatory aspects of waste management with a focus on technical as well as socio-political and economic issues. Writing in the discipline is emphasized. (LA,LA IE,LA CW)

This course gives students the opportunity to study in depth advanced and special topics in the field of environmental sciences. Topics and instructors will be announced prior to registration.

Individual studies under regular faculty supervision. Enrollment by consent of program director and instructor.

Man's impact on the marine environment,LA including the chemical and physical dynamics of ocean waters and the political/economic aspects of society's impact; discussion of controversial use and attempts ofcontrolling natural processes. Term paper(s) required. Intended for earth science and environmental science majors. (LA,LA CW) Cross-listed as OCEA 310. Prerequisites: OCEA 210 or OCEA 110 plus ENVS 201.

This course gives students the opportunity to study in depth advanced and special topics in the field of environmental sciences. Topics and instructors will be announced prior to registration. (LA) Prerequisites: JrS,LA ENVS 201,LA and permission of instructor.

Individual studies and research under regular faculty supervision. Enrollment by consent of program director and instructor.

This course focuses on atmospheric processes that occur in the mesoscale using both a qualitative and quantitative approach. Topics include severe storm analysis, topographical effects, local circulations, phenomena associated with fronts and the evolution and morphology of hurricanes.


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