Graduate Course Descriptions
50095 SELECTED TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES (3)
Selected topics presented by visiting professors or one-time offerings presented by regular faculty.
50380 BIOGEOCHEMISTRY (3)
(Cross-listed with BSCI 40380, BSCI 50380 and BSCI 70380) Biogeochemistry explores the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that shape the world around us, and provides tools for understanding human alterations to global systems. In this course, we will explore elemental cycles in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as assess how humans have drastically altered these elemental cycles on a global scale, and the implications of these changes for biological systems. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
51025 GENERAL GEOPHYSICS (3) Physics of Earth. Seismology, geomagnetism; heat flow, radioactivity, geochronology, gravity and isostasy, geotectonic models.
Physics of Earth. Seismology, geomagnetism; heat flow, radioactivity, geochronology, gravity and isostasy, geotectonic models.
51080 TECTONICS AND OROGENY (3)
Introduces advanced concepts of plate tectonics and mountain building with emphasis on Western United States and Appalachians. Required field trip.
51092 SUMMER FIELD CAMP (6)
Five weeks devoted to geologic mapping and solving structural and stratigraphic problems in Black Hills, S.D. Special fee on actual cost basis.
52030 REMOTE SENSING (3)
Computer analysis of multispectral satellite datasets. Applications in Terrestrial Earth Science are emphasized.
52035 DATA ANALYSIS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES (3)
Applying scientific methods to geologic data in the field and lab; models and sampling procedures. Collecting and analyzing data. Formulating and testing hypotheses.
5/72060 EARTH OBSERVING (3) NEW FALL 2024
Students are introduced to visible, thermal and LiDAR remote sensing methods. Visible and near infrared multispectral and hyperspectral data sets are used for a wide variety of research including land use change, water quality research and agricultural remote and proximal sensing. Thermal remote sensing can be used to characterize surface temperature changes, earth materials and thermal stresses on plants. LiDAR provides the ability to measure variations in surface topography and can “see” through clouds and jungle canopy and even penetrate aquatic environments to measure algal biomass and suspended sediment. Remote sensing is the use of instrumentation to obtain spectral and spatial information about an object or surface without direct contact. All matter interacts with electromagnetic energy through thermal emittance, absorption, transmittance, reflectance and/or scattering. Different materials have distinct electromagnetic signatures depending on their composition, structure and the nature of the energy with which the material is interacting. This course focuses primarily on multispectral and hyperspectral visible remote sensing, but the field of remote sensing makes use of information throughout the electromagnetic spectrum to sense the environment around us. Note that most of the data sets that are examined and analyzed in this course are multispectral Landsat images. Students are encouraged to explore various topics or geographic regions for their class project. It is recommended that students take an introductory GIS class prior to enrollment.
52065 WATERSHED HYDROLOGY (3)
Study of water movement, storage, and transformation across landscapes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
52066 PHYSICAL HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
Principles of water flow in hydrologic cycle, soil and aquifer hydraulic properties, groundwater flow, surface water - groundwater interactions and geochemical evolution of groundwater. Application principles for evaluation of water resources; emphasizing utilization, conservation and management of groundwater resources in a changing environment.
52068 CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
An introduction to the basic principles of chemical and physical behavior of contaminants introduced by humans into the environment. Students are expected to understand concepts and work practical quantitative problems.
54025 GEOLOGIC HAZARDS AND DISASTERS (3)
Explores the geological processes that drive a broad range of different natural hazards (including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and floods), and how they interact with human behavior to produce geological risks and disasters. Through discussion of historical and topical events, students focus on the dual challenges of combining uncertain and incomplete information from various geological and historical sources into realistic assessments of future risks; and the communication of accurate, relevant, actionable information about these risks to the public and authorities.
53040 PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Introduction to chemical thermodynamics and its applications in solving geochemical problems. Distributions of elements and isotopes in the Earth and laws governing these distributions.
53042 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Explores chemical processes that influence the natural environment including anthropogenic impacts. Topics include atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, energy and climate change, toxic organic compounds, water chemistry and water pollution, metals, soils, sediments and waste disposal. Environmental problem solving using steady state and non-steady state box models, thermodynamics and energy transfer, and chemical reactions and equilibria is emphasized. Required half-day field trip. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
5/74040 EARTH'S ENERGY TRANSITION (3) NEW FALL 2024
Society is faced with a growing climate crisis but has most of the tools and technological know-how needed to address the problems. This class explores mitigation and adaptation approaches necessary for a successful energy transformation by assessing Earth's energy sources from a systems perspective.
54070 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY (4)
Students are introduced to the principles regarding the systematics of sedimentary rocks and the relationships between geologic formations at various spatial and temporal scales. Lectures are integrated with readings from the open literature and required labs and field trips.
54072 MARINE PROCESSES (3)
This course is an exploration of the mechanisms (geological, physical, chemical, and biological) through which the ocean operates, and how it influences climate on seasonal, inter-annual, glacial-interglacial and over deep time. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relative importance of these processes and how they have varied through time, and the potential outcomes of human-induced changes to these processes.
54074 PALEOCEANOGRAPHY (3)
A broad spectrum of geological approaches. Paleontology, geochemistry and stratigraphy are employed to interpret the history of earth's oceans.
60084 GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION (1)
Faculty research presentations; thesis/dissertation proposal preparation; discussion of professional organizations, preparation of manuscripts and oral presentation of papers.
60091 SEMINAR (1-2)
Specialized topics in geology. Precise title to be inserted in schedule of classes.
60095 SELECTED TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES (3)
Selected topics presented by visiting professors or one-time offerings presented by regular faculty.
60098 RESEARCH (1-15)
Research for master's level students. Credits earned may be applied toward degree if department approves. Repeated registration permitted.
60199 THESIS I (2-6)
Thesis students must register for a total of 6 hours, 2 to 6 hours in a single semester distributed over several semesters if desired.
60299 THESIS II (2)
Thesis students must continue registration each semester until all degree requirements are met. Prerequisite: ESCI 60199.
62068 ADVANCED HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
Quantitative approach to occurrence of ground water; methods of investigation, evaluation and development of ground water resources emphasizing optimization and maximal exploitation without environmental changes.
63063 SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY (3)
Classification, texture, composition, provenance and diagenesis of sandstones and carbonates, following review of optical mineralogy. Petrographic microscopy and other laboratory techniques are emphasized.
64028 PALEOECOLOGY (3)
Relationships between ancient organisms and their environments, as interpreted from fossils, enclosing rock strata and recent analogs. Field and laboratory studies. Saturday field trips.
64036 CENOZOIC CLIMATE CHANGE (3)
An overview of the concepts and principles involved in interpreting global and hemispheric Cenozoic climate change (past 65 million years). Emphasis on particular temporal and spatial scales and cycles. Extensive reading in scientific journals.
64038 PALEOLIMNOLOGY (3)
An overview of significant topics and applications in paleolimnology of Holocene (last 10,000 years) and Pleistocene (last 2 million years) records, including current issues in environmental and climatic reconstruction. Extensive reading expected.
70084 GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION (1)
Faculty research presentations; thesis/dissertation proposal preparation; discussion of professional organizations, preparation of manuscripts and oral presentation of papers. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
70091 SEMINAR (1-2)
Specialized topics in earth sciences. Precise title to be inserted in schedule of classes. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
72030 REMOTE SENSING (3)
Computer analysis of multispectral satellite datasets. Applications in Terrestrial Earth Science are emphasized. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
72068 ADVANCED HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
Quantitative approach to occurrence of ground water; methods of investigation evaluation and development of ground water resources emphasizing optimization and maximal exploitation without environmental changes. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
72069 HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Processes and evolution of the chemical composition of water in the natural hydrologic cycle. Methods of hydrochemical interpretation applied to ground water and pollution problems. Lecture three hours weekly. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
73042 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Explores chemical processes that influence the natural environment including anthropogenic impacts. Topics include atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, energy and climate change, toxic organic compounds, water chemistry and water pollution, metals, soils, sediments and waste disposal. Environmental problem solving using steady state and non-steady state box models, thermodynamics and energy transfer, and chemical reactions and equilibria is emphasized. Required half-day field trip. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
73063 SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY (3)
Classification, texture composition provenance and diagenesis of sandstones and carbonates following review of optical mineralogy. Petrographic microscopy and other laboratory techniques are emphasized. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
74028 PALEOECOLOGY (3)
Relationships between ancient organisms and their environments, as interpreted from fossils, enclosing rock strata and recent analogs. Field and laboratory studies. Saturday field trips. Prerequisite: doctoral standing.
74036 CENOZOIC CLIMATE CHANGE (3)
An overview of the concepts and principles involved in interpreting global and hemispheric Cenozoic climate change (past 65 million years). Emphasis on particular temporal and spatial scales and cycles. Extensive reading in scientific journals. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
74038 PALEOLIMNOLOGY (3)
An overview of significant topics and applications in paleolimnology of Holocene (last 10,000 years) and Pleistocene (last 2 million years) records, including current issues in environmental and climatic reconstruction. Extensive reading expected. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
80091 SEMINAR IN APPLIED GEOLOGY (1-2)
Specialized topics in applied geology. Precise title to be inserted in schedule of classes. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
80095 ADVANCED TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCES (3)
Advanced topics presented by visiting professors or one-time offerings presented by regular faculty. Prerequisite: Special approval and doctoral standing.
80098 RESEARCH (1-15)
Research for doctoral students. Credits earned may be applied toward degree if department approves. Repeated registration permitted. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing.
80199 DISSERTATION I (15)
Doctoral dissertation, for which registration in at least two semesters is required first of which will be semester in which dissertation work is begun and continuing until the completion of 30 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for doctoral degree and doctoral standing.
80299 DISSERTATION II (15)
Continuing registration required of doctoral students who have completed the initial 30 hours of dissertation, continuing until all degree requirements are met. Prerequisite: ESCI 80199 and doctoral standing.