Ge 1
Earth and Environment
9 units (3-3-3)
|
third term
An introduction to the ideas and approaches of earth and environmental sciences, including both the special challenges and viewpoints of these kinds of science as well as the ways in which basic physics, chemistry, and biology relate to them. In addition to a wide-ranging lecture-oriented component, there will be a required field trip component (two weekend days). The lectures and topics cover such issues as solid earth structure and evolution, plate tectonics, oceans and atmospheres, climate change, and the relationship between geological and biological evolution. Not offered on a pass/fail basis. Satisfies the menu requirement of the Caltech core curriculum.
Instructor:
Wernicke
Ge 10
Frontiers in Geological and Planetary Sciences
3 units (2-0-1); second term
|
The course may be taken multiple times
Weekly seminar by a member of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences or a visitor to discuss a topic of his or her current research at an introductory level. The course is designed to introduce students to research and research opportunities in the division and to help students find faculty sponsors for individual research projects. Graded pass/fail.
Instructors:
Farley, Rossman
Ge 11 abcd
Introduction to Earth and Planetary Sciences
9 units each term
Comprehensive, integrated overview of Earth and planets. Although designed as a sequence, any one term can be taken as a stand-alone course. Biologists are particularly welcome in Ge 11 b, as are physicists and astronomers in Ge/Ay 11 c.
Ge 13
Scientific Writing Tutorial in the Geological and Planetary Sciences
3 units (1-0-2)
|
third term
This class provides the opportunity for students to gain experience in writing a substantial paper in the style typical of peer-reviewed journals, such as Annual Reviews of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geology, Science, or Nature. Grading will be evaluated jointly by each student's adviser and the course instructor. Fulfills the Institute scientific writing requirement.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
Ge 40
Special Problems for Undergraduates
Units to be arranged
|
any term
This course provides a mechanism for undergraduates to undertake honors-type work in the geologic sciences. By arrangement with individual members of the staff. Graded pass/fail.
Ge 41 abc
Undergraduate Research and Bachelor's Thesis
Units to be arranged
|
first, second, third terms
Guidance in seeking research opportunities and in formulating a research plan leading to preparation of a bachelor's thesis is available from the division undergraduate research counselors, Professors Rossman and Kirschvink. Graded pass/fail.
Ge 100 abc
Geology Club
1 unit
|
first, second, third terms
Presentation of papers on research in geological and planetary sciences by guest speakers. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
Ge 101
Introduction to Geology and Geochemistry
12 units (4-0-8)
|
first term
Prerequisites: graduate standing or instructor's permission.
Historical deduction in the geological and planetary sciences. Plate tectonics as a unifying theory of geology. Igneous and metamorphic processes, structural geology and geomorphology; weathering and sedimentary processes. Nucleosynthesis and chemical history of the solar system; distribution of the elements in the earth; isotopic systems as tracers and clocks; evolution of the biosphere; global geochemical and biogeochemical cycles; geochemical constraints on deep Earth structure.
Instructor:
Asimow
Ge 102
Introduction to Geophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ma 2, Ph 2, or Ge 108, or equivalents.
An introduction to the physics of the earth. The present internal structure and dynamics of the earth are considered in light of constraints from the gravitational and magnetic fields, seismology, and mineral physics. The fundamentals of wave propagation in earth materials are developed and applied to inferring Earth structure. The earthquake source is described in terms of seismic and geodetic signals. The following are also considered: the contributions that heat-flow, gravity, paleomagnetic, and earthquake mechanism data have made to our understanding of plate tectonics, the driving mechanism of plate tectonics, and the energy sources of mantle convection and the geodynamo.
Instructor:
Simons
Ge 103
Introduction to the Solar System
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Formation and evolution of the solar system. Interiors, surfaces, atmospheres of the sun, planets, and satellites. Orbital dynamics, chaos, and tidal friction. Cratering. Comets and asteroids. Magnetic fields, dynamos, solar wind, heliosphere, magnetospheres. Extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor:
Ingersoll
Ge 104
Introduction to Geobiology
9 units (3-1-5)
|
first term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Lectures about the coevolution of life and Earth. Basic concepts in geology and biology are presented in the context of significant events in Earth's history. The course provides a brief introduction to essential concepts in biology and geology to provide a common foundation for all students. Important geobiological processes and major events are discussed, including fossilization, the earliest records of life, evolution of photosynthesis and the oxygenation of Earth's environment, origin of animals at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary, extinction of invertebrates at the Permian-Triassic boundary, and the Eocene-Paleocene thermal crisis. A weekend field trip to modern and ancient geobiological sites.
Instructors:
Grotzinger, Orphan
Ge 106 ab
Introduction to Field Geology and Structural Geology
Comprehensive introduction to the study of rock masses and the deduction of their structural history.
Ge 108
Applications of Physics to the Earth Sciences
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ph 2 and Ma 2 or equivalent.
An intermediate course in the application of the basic principles of classical physics to the earth sciences. Topics will be selected from: mechanics of rotating bodies, the two-body problem, tidal theory, oscillations and normal modes, diffusion and heat transfer, wave propagation, electro- and magneto-statics, Maxwell's equations, and elements of statistical and fluid mechanics.
Instructor:
Brown
Ge 109
Oral Presentation
3 units (1-0-2)
|
third term
Practice in the effective organization and delivery of reports before groups. Successful completion of this course is required of all candidates for degrees in the division. Graded pass/fail.
Instructors:
Bikle, staff
Ge 110
Geographic Information System for Geology and Planetary Sciences
3 units (0-3-0)
|
first term
Formal introduction to modern computer-based geospatial analysis. Covers methods and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Earth and planetary sciences in the form of practical lab exercises using the ArcGIS software package and a variety of geo-referenced data (Digital Elevation Models, geodetic measurements, satellite images, geological maps).
Instructor:
Avouac
Ge 111 ab
Applied Geophysics Seminar and Field Course
An introduction to the theory and application of basic geophysical field techniques consisting of a comprehensive survey of a particular field area using a variety of methods (e.g., gravity, magnetic, electrical, GPS, seismic studies, and satellite remote sensing). The course will consist of a seminar that will discuss the scientific background for the chosen field area, along with the theoretical basis and implementation of the various measurement techniques. The 4-5-day field component will be held in spring break, and the data analysis component is covered in Ge 111 b. May be repeated for credit with an instructor's permission.
Instructors:
Clayton, Stock
Ge 115 abc
Petrology and Petrography
Systematic study of rocks and rock-forming minerals with emphasis on use of the petrographic microscope and megascopic identification; interpretation of mineral assemblages, textures, and structures; problems of genesis.
Ge 116
Analytical Techniques Laboratory
6 units (1-4-1); second term
|
Satisfies the Institute core requirement for an additional introductory laboratory course
Methods of quantitative laboratory analysis of rocks, minerals, and fluids in geological and planetary sciences. Consists of five intensive two-week modules covering scanning electron microscopy (imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron backscatter diffraction); the electron microprobe (wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy); optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy; gas source mass spectrometry for stable isotope analysis; and plasma source mass spectrometry for elemental and radiogenic isotope analysis. .
Instructor:
Asimow
Ge 120
Summer Field Geology
18 units (0-18-0)
|
summer
Prerequisites: Ge 106 ab or instructor's permission.
Intensive course in techniques of field observation and documentation. The course includes three weeks of mapping in a well-exposed area of the southwestern United States and the preparation of a report in September prior to registration week. Given in alternate years; not offered summer 2009.
Instructors:
Saleeby, staff
Ge 121 ab
Advanced Field and Structural Geology
12 units (0-9-3)
|
second, third terms
Prerequisites: Ge 120 or equivalent, or instructor's permission.
Field mapping and supporting laboratory studies in topical problems related to the geology of the southwestern U.S. Course provides a breadth of experience in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Either 121 a or 121 b may be taken more than once for credit.
Instructors:
Kirschvink (second term), Saleeby (third term)
Ge 124 ab
Paleomagnetism and Magnetostratigraphy
Application of paleomagnetism to the solution of problems in stratigraphic correlation and to the construction of a high-precision geological timescale. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
Ge/Ch 127
Nuclear Chemistry
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
A survey course in the properties of nuclei, and in atomic phenomena associated with nuclear-particle detection. Topics include rates of production and decay of radioactive nuclei; interaction of radiation with matter; nuclear masses, shapes, spins, and moments; modes of radioactive decay; nuclear fission and energy generation. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Burnett
Ge/Ch 128
Cosmochemistry
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Examination of the chemistry of the interstellar medium, of protostellar nebulae, and of primitive solar-system objects with a view toward establishing the relationship of the chemical evolution of atoms in the interstellar radiation field to complex molecules and aggregates in the early solar system. Emphasis will be placed on identifying the physical conditions in various objects, timescales for physical and chemical change, chemical processes leading to change, observational constraints, and various models that attempt to describe the chemical state and history of cosmological objects in general and the early solar system in particular. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Blake
Ge 131
Planetary Structure and Evolution
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
A critical assessment of the physical and chemical processes that influence the initial condition, evolution, and current state of planets, including our planet and planetary satellites. Topics to be covered include a short survey of condensed-matter physics as it applies to planetary interiors, remote sensing of planetary interiors, planetary modeling, core formation, physics of ongoing differentiation, the role of mantle convection in thermal evolution, and generation of planetary magnetic fields.
Instructor:
Stevenson
Ge/Ay 132
Atomic and Molecular Processes in Astronomy and Planetary Sciences
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Fundamental aspects of atomic and molecular spectra that enable one to infer physical conditions in astronomical, planetary, and terrestrial environments. Topics will include the structure and spectra of atoms, molecules, and solids; transition probabilities; photoionization and recombination; collisional processes; gas-phase chemical reactions; and isotopic fractionation. Each topic will be illustrated with applications in astronomy and planetary sciences, ranging from planetary atmospheres and dense interstellar clouds to the early universe. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Blake
Ge/Ay 133
The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplan-etary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor:
Blake
Ge 135
Tectonics and Crustal Structure of Southern California
9 units (3-3-3)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ge 11 ab or Ge 101, or equivalents.
Development of the Southern California region basement and its disruption by Neogene to recent tectonics, the Neogene stratigraphic record of these tectonics, the structure and kinematics of the modern plate juncture system, and the geophysical expression of these features. Three one-day weekend local field trips spaced throughout the term. Alternates with Ge 147. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Saleeby
Ge 136 abc
Regional Field Geology of the Southwestern United States
3 units (1-0-2)
|
first, second, third terms
Prerequisites: Ge 11 ab or Ge 101, or instructor's permission.
Includes approximately three days of weekend field trips into areas displaying highly varied geology. Each student is assigned the major responsibility of being the resident expert on a pertinent subject for each trip. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
Ge/Ay 137
Planetary Physics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 abc.
Solar-system dynamics, with emphasis on slow changes in the orbit and rotation rates of planets and satellites. Topics: tidal friction, resonant orbits and rotation rates, gravitational fields of planets and satellites, dynamics of polar wandering, continental drift, and planetary rings. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Sari
Ge 140
Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
An introduction to the physics and chemistry of isotopes and a broad overview of the principles and conceptual techniques used in the stable isotope geochemistry of the lighter elements (H, C, O, N, Si, S) and the origin and evolution of radiogenic parent-daughter systems in nature.
Instructors:
Eiler, Farley
Ge/ESE 143
Organic Geochemistry
9 units (3-2-4)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ch 41 a or equivalent.
Introduction to the properties and cycling of natural organic materials. The course is organized to follow the global cycle of organic matter, from production in living organisms to burial and decomposition in sediments to preservation in the rock record. Specific topics include lipid biochemistry, factors controlling preservation of organic matter, organic climate proxies, diagenetic alterations of carbon skeletons, fossil fuel production and degradation, life in the deep biosphere, and biomarkers for ancient life. Laboratory component teaches the identification and quantitation of modern and ancient organic biomarkers by GC/MS. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Sessions
Ge/ESE 145
Isotopic Biogeochemistry Seminar
6 units (3-0-3)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ge 140 or instructor's permission.
Advanced seminar to discuss research and papers in stable isotope biogeochemistry and geobiology. Topics will vary from year to year, and may be taken multiple times for credit. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Sessions
Ge 147
Tectonics of Western North America
9 units (4-0-5)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ge 11 ab.
Major tectonic features of western North America, including adjacent craton and Pacific Ocean basin. Active plate junctures, igneous provinces, crustal uplift, and basin subsidence. Tectonic evolution from late Precambrian to recent time, and modern analogues for paleotectonic phenomena. Alternates with Ge 135. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Saleeby
ESE/Ge 148 abc
Global Environmental Science
9 units each term
Prerequisites: Ch 1, Ma 2, Ph 2, or equivalents.
Global change on time-scales of years to centuries.
Ge/ESE 149
Marine Geochemistry
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Introduction to chemical oceanography and sediment geochemistry. We will address the question "Why is the ocean salty?" by examining the processes that determine the major, minor, and trace element distributions of seawater and ocean sediments. Topics include river and estuarine chemistry, air/sea exchange, nutrient uptake by the biota, radioactive tracers, redox processes in the water column and sediments, carbonate chemistry, and ventilation. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Adkins
Ge 150
Planetary Atmospheres
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ch 1, Ma 2, Ph 2, or equivalents.
Origin of planetary atmospheres, escape, and chemical evolution. Tenuous atmospheres: the moon, Mercury, and outer solar system satellites. Comets. Vapor-pressure atmospheres: Triton, Io, and Mars. Spectrum of dynamical regimes on Mars, Earth, Venus, Titan, and the gas giant planets.
Instructor:
Richardson
Ge 151
Fundamentals of Planetary Surfaces
9 units (3-3-3)
|
third term
Review of surface histories and processes responsible for the formation and modification of the surfaces of the terrestrial planets and the Jovian satellites. Topics: exogenic surface processes, including impact, gravitational degradation, atmospheric modification of surfaces by wind and water, and the direct interaction of surfaces with plasmas; endogenic modification of surfaces by tectonics and volcanism; surface histories of Mercury, Venus, the moon, and Mars; the surfaces of icy bodies.
Instructor:
Aharonson
ESE/Ge 152
Atmospheric Radiation
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: ESE/Ge 148 a or instructor's permission.
The basic physics of absorption and scattering by molecules, aerosols, and clouds. Theory of radiative transfer. Band models and correlated-k distributions and scattering by cloud and aerosol particles. Solar insolation, thermal emission, heating rates, and applications to climate and remote sensing.
Instructor:
Yung
ESE/Ge 153
Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: ESE 148 b or an introductory fluid dynamics course.
Fluid dynamics of the atmosphere and oceans, beginning with linear wave dynamics and wave-mean flow interaction theory and leading to theories of the maintenance of large-scale circulations. Topics include barotropic Rossby waves, flow-over topography; shallow-water dynamics and potential vorticity; quasi-geostrophic theory; barotropic and baroclinic instability; wave-mean flow interaction; maintenance of the global-scale circulation of the atmosphere; structure of wind-driven ocean circulation.
Instructor:
Richardson
Ge/ESE 154
Readings in Paleoclimate
3 units (1-0-2)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Lectures and readings in areas of current interest in paleoceanography and paleoclimate. Not offered 2008-09.
Ge/ESE 155
Paleoceanography
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Evaluation of the data and models that make up our current understanding of past climates. Emphasis will be placed on a historical introduction to the study of the past ten thousand to a few hundred thousand years, with some consideration of longer timescales. Evidence from marine and terrestrial sediments, ice cores, corals, and speleothems will be used to address the mechanisms behind natural climate variability. Models of this variability will be evaluated in light of the data. Topics will include sea level and ice volume, surface temperature evolution, atmospheric composition, deep ocean circulation, tropical climate, ENSO variability, and terrestrial/ocean linkages. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Adkins
Ge 156
Topics in Planetary Surfaces
6 units (3-0-3)
|
second term
Reading about and discussion of current understanding of the surface of a selected terrestrial planet, major satellite, or asteroid. Important "classic" papers will be reviewed, relative to the data that are being returned from recent and current missions. May be repeated for credit.
Instructor:
Aharonson
Ge 159
Planetary Evolution and Habitability
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Photochemistry of planetary atmospheres, comparative planetology, atmospheric evolution. What makes Earth habitable? Remote sensing of extrasolar planets, biosignatures. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Yung
Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab
Continuum Mechanics of Fluids and Solids
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first, second terms
Elements of Cartesian tensors. Configurations and motions of a body. Kinematics-study of deformations, rotations and stretches, polar decomposition. Lagrangian and Eulerian strain velocity and spin tensor fields. Irrotational motions, rigid motions. Kinetics-balance laws. Linear and angular momentum, force, traction stress. Cauchy's theorem, properties of Cauchy's stress. Equations of motion, equilibrium equations. Power theorem, nominal (Piola-Kirchoff) stress. Thermodynamics of bodies. Internal energy, heat flux, heat supply. Laws of thermodynamics, notions of entropy, absolute temperature. Entropy inequality (Clausius-Duhem). Examples of special classes of constitutive laws for materials without memory. Objective rates, corotational, convected rates. Principles of materials frame indifference. Examples: the isotropic Navier-Stokes fluid, the isotropic thermoelastic solid. Basics of finite differences, finite elements, and boundary integral methods, and their applications to continuum mechanics problems illustrating a variety of classes of constitutive laws.
Instructor:
Ortiz
Ge 161
Plate Tectonics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ge 11 ab or equivalent.
Geophysical and geological observations related to plate tectonic theory. Instantaneous and finite motion of rigid plates on a sphere; marine magnetic and paleomagnetic measurements; seismicity and tectonics of plate boundaries; reference frames and absolute plate motions. Interpretations of geologic data in the context of plate tectonics; plate tectonic evolution of the ocean basins.
Instructor:
Stock
Ge 162
Seismology
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 abc or equivalent.
Review of concepts in classical seismology. Topics to be covered: basic theories of wave propagation in the earth, instrumentation, Earth's structure and tomography, theory of the seismic source, physics of earthquakes, and seismic risk. Emphasis will be placed on how quantitative mathematical and physical methods are used to understand complex natural processes, such as earthquakes.
Instructor:
Heaton
Ge 163
Geodynamics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab.
Quantitative introduction to the dynamics of the earth, including core, mantle, lithosphere, and crust. Mechanical models are developed for each of these regions and compared to a variety of data sets. Potential theory applied to the gravitational and geomagnetic fields. Special attention is given to the dynamics of plate tectonics and the earthquake cycle.
Instructor:
Gurnis
Ge 164
Mineral Physics of Earth's Interior
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ch 1 ab, Ph 1 ab, Ma 1 ab.
This course will introduce and explore the mineral physics of Earth's interior. Topics to be covered: elasticity and equations of state, vibrational and electronic properties of minerals, transport properties, phase transitions; determinations of pressure and temperature of samples under extreme conditions; application of mineral physics data to Earth and planetary interiors. A short survey will be given on experimental approaches used in mineral physics, with an emphasis on recent advances in synchrotron-based X-ray scattering methods at extreme conditions. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Jackson
Ge 165
Geophysical Data Analysis
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: basic linear algebra and Fourier transforms.
Introduction to modern digital analysis: discrete Fourier transforms, Z-transforms, filters, deconvolution, auto-regressive models, spectral estimation, basic statistics, 1-D wavelets, model fitting via singular valued decomposition. Not offered 2008-09.
Ge 167
Tectonic Geodesy
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
An introduction to the use of modern geodetic observations (e.g., GPS and InSAR) to constrain crustal deformation models. Secular velocity fields, coseismic and time-dependent processes; volcano deformation and seasonal loading phenomena. Basic inverse approaches for parameter estimation and basic temporal filtering algorithms.
Instructor:
Simons
Ge 168
Crustal Geophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 or equivalent, or instructor's permission.
The analysis of geophysical data related to crust processes. Topics include reflection and refraction seismology, tomography, receiver functions, surface waves, and gravity.
Instructor:
Clayton
Ge 169 abc
Readings in Geophysics
6 units (3-0-3)
|
first, second, third terms
Reading courses are offered to teach students to read critically the work of others and to broaden their knowledge about specific topics. Each student will be required to write a short summary of each paper that summarizes the main goals of the paper, to give an assessment of how well the author achieved those goals, and to point out related issues not discussed in the paper. Each student will be expected to lead the discussion on one or more papers. The leader will summarize the discussion on the paper(s) in writing. A list of topics offered each year will be posted on the Web. Individual terms may be taken for credit multiple times without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge/ESE 170
Microbial Ecology
9 units (3-2-4)
|
third term
Prerequisites: ESE/Bi 166.
Structural, phylogenetic, and metabolic diversity of microorganisms in nature. The course explores microbial interactions, relationships between diversity and physiology in modern and ancient environments, and influence of microbial community structure on biogeochemical cycles. Introduction to ecological principles and molecular approaches used in microbial ecology and geobiological investigations.
Instructor:
Orphan
ESE/Ge/Ch 171
Atmospheric Chemistry I
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ch 1 or equivalent.
A detailed course about chemical transformation in Earth's atmosphere. Kinetics, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics of gas- and aerosol-phase chemistry of the stratosphere and troposphere; sources, sinks, and lifetimes of trace atmospheric species; stratospheric ozone chemistry; oxidation mechanisms in the troposphere.
Instructors:
Seinfeld, Wennberg
ESE/Ge/Ch 172
Atmospheric Chemistry II
3 units (3-0-0)
|
first term
Prerequisites: ESE/Ge/Ch 171 or equivalent.
A lecture and discussion course about active research in atmospheric chemistry. Potential topics include halogen chemistry of the stratosphere and troposphere; aerosol formation in remote environments; coupling of dynamics and photochemistry; development and use of modern remote-sensing and in situ instrumentation. Graded pass/fail. Not offered 2008-09.
ESE/Ge 173
Topics in Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: ESE/Ge 153 or equivalent.
A lecture and discussion course on current research in atmosphere and ocean dynamics. Topics covered vary from year to year and may include geostrophic turbulence, atmospheric convection and cloud dynamics, wave dynamics and large-scale circulations in the tropics, middle-atmosphere dynamics, dynamics of El Niño and the southern oscillation, maintenance of the ocean thermocline, and dynamics of the southern ocean.
Instructor:
Schneider
Ge 174
Geobiological Constraints on Earth History
9 units (3-1-5)
|
second term
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Systematic analysis of the origin and evolution of life in the solar system as read through the geological record. Effects of global glaciations, volcanism, and impact processes on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and climate of Earth. Magnetofossils, genes as fossils, banded iron stones, algal mats, stromatolites, global glaciation, mass extinction events, the Cambrian Explosion, human and molecular evolution. The course usually includes one or two major field trips, in which each student is assigned the responsibility of being the resident expert on a pertinent subject for each trip.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
ESE/Ch/Ge 175 ab
Environmental Organic Chemistry
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second, third terms
A detailed analysis of the important chemical reactions and physicochemical processes governing the behavior and fate of organic compounds in the surface and subsurface aquatic environments. The course is focused on physical organic chemistry relevant to natural waters. Fundamental aspects of thermodynamics, kinetics, mechanisms, and transport are stressed.
Instructor:
Hoffmann
Ge 177
Active Tectonics
12 units (3-3-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ge 112 and Ge 106 or equivalent.
Geologic manifestations of recent crustal deformation. Geomorphology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and mechanics applied to the study of active faults and folds in a variety of tectonic settings. Relation of seismicity and geodetic measurements to geologic structure and active tectonics processes, including case studies of selected earthquakes. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Avouac
Ge 179 abc
Seismological Laboratory Seminar
1 unit
|
first, second, third terms
Presentation of current research in geophysics by students, staff, and visitors. Graded pass/fail.
Instructor:
Helmberger
Ge 190
The Nature and Evolution of the Earth
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in the earth sciences. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 191
Special Topics in Geochemistry
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in geochemistry. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 192
Special Topics in the Geological Sciences
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in the geological sciences. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 193
Special Topics in Geophysics
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in geophysics. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 194
Special Topics in the Planetary Sciences
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in the planetary sciences. Students may enroll for any or all terms of this course without regard to sequence.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 195
Special Opportunities in Field Geology
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Field experiences in different geological settings. Supporting lectures will usually occur before and during the field experience. This course will be scheduled only when special opportunities arise. Class may be taken more than once.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 196
Special Topics in Atmospheres and Oceans
Units to be arranged
|
Offered by announcement only
Advanced-level discussions of problems of current interest in atmospheric and ocean sciences.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 211
Applied Geophysics II
Units to be arranged
Prerequisites: instructor's permission.
Intensive geophysical field experience in either marine or continental settings. Marine option will include participation in a student training cruise, with several weeks aboard a geophysical research vessel, conducting geophysical measurements (multibeam bathymetry, gravity, magnetics, and seismics), and processing and interpreting the data. Supporting lectures and problem sets on the theoretical basis of the relevant geophysical techniques and the tectonic background of the survey area will occur before and during the training cruise. The course might be offered in a similar format in other isolated situations. The course will be scheduled only when opportunities arise and this usually means that only six months' notice can be given. Auditing not permitted. Class may be taken more than once.
Instructors:
Stock, Clayton, Gurnis
Ge 212
Thermodynamics of Geological Systems
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Either Ch 21 abc, Ge 115 a, or equivalents.
Chemical thermodynamics as applied to geological and geochemical problems. Classical thermodynamics, including stability criteria, homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, equilibria subject to generalized constraints, equations of state, ideal and nonideal solutions, redox systems, and electrolyte conventions. Brief discussion of statistical foundations and an introduction to the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Asimow
Ge 214
Spectroscopy of Minerals
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ge 114 a, Ch 21 ab, or instructor's permission.
An overview of the interaction of minerals with electromagnetic radiation from gamma rays to microwaves. Particular emphasis is placed on visible, infrared, Raman, and Mössbauer spectroscopies as applied to mineralogical problems such as phase identification, chemical analysis, site populations, and origin of color and pleochroism. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Rossman
Ge 215
Topics in Advanced Petrology
12 units (4-0-8)
|
third term
Prerequisites: Ge 115 ab or instructor's permission.
Lectures, readings, seminars, and/or laboratory studies in igneous or metamorphic petrology, paragenesis, and petrogenesis. The course may cover experimental, computational, or analytical methods. Format and content are flexible according to the needs of the students. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Asimow
Ge 225 abc
Planetary Sciences Seminar
1 unit
|
first, second, third terms
Required of all planetary-science graduate students; others welcome. First term: current research by staff and students. Second and third terms: planetary research with spacecraft and current developments in planetary science.
Instructor:
Staff
Ge 232
Chemistry of the Solar System
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: Ge 140 or instructor's permission.
Advanced course using both chemical and isotopic data to evaluate the current state of knowledge concerning the composition of major segments of the solar system, viz., solar and meteoritic abundance data to infer the average solar-system composition; chemistry of meteorites as a clue to initial conditions in the solar nebula; bulk composition of the earth and moon; constraints on the bulk composition of the other planets, emphasizing data on atmospheric constituents. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Burnett
Ge/Bi 244
Paleobiology Seminar
5 units (3-0-2)
|
third term
Critical reviews and discussion of classic investigations and current research in paleoecology, evolution, and biogeochemistry.
Instructor:
Kirschvink
Ge/Bi 246
Molecular Geobiology Seminar
6 units (2-0-4); second term
|
Recommended prerequisite: ESE/Bi 166
Critical reviews and discussion of classic papers and current research in microbiology and geomicrobiology. As the topics will vary from year to year, it may be taken multiple times.
Instructor:
Orphan
Ge 261
Advanced Seismology
9 units (3-0-6)
|
third term
Continuation of Ge 162 with special emphasis on particular complex problems; includes generalizations of analytical methods to handle nonplanar structures and methods of interfacing numerical-analytical codes in two and three dimensions; construction of Earth models using tomographic methods and synthetics. Requires a class project.
Instructor:
Helmberger
Ge 263
Computational Geophysics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second term
Prerequisites: introductory class in geophysics, class in partial differential equations, some programming experience.
Finite-difference, pseudo- spectral, finite-element, and spectral-element methods will be pre- sented and applied to a number of geophysical problems including heat flow, deformation, and wave propagation. Students will program simple versions of methods. Given in alternate years; offered 2008-09.
Instructors:
Clayton, Gurnis, Ampuero
Ae/Ge/ME 266 ab
Dynamic Fracture and Frictional Faulting
9 units (3-0-6)
|
second, third terms
Prerequisites: Ae/AM/CE/ME 102 abc or Ae/Ge/ME 160 ab or instructor's permission.
Introduction to elastodynamics and waves in solids. Dynamic fracture theory, energy concepts, cohesive zone models. Friction laws, nucleation of frictional instabilities, dynamic rupture of frictional interfaces. Radiation from moving cracks. Thermal effects during dynamic fracture and faulting. Crack branching and faulting along nonplanar interfaces. Related dynamic phenomena, such as adiabatic shear localization. Applications to engineering phenomena and physics and mechanics of earthquakes. Not offered 2008-09.
Ge 268
Mantle Dynamics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: Ge 163 and Ge 263.
Analysis of mantle dynamics and connection with surface processes, especially plate tectonics. Selected problems will be examined, including the mechanics of subduction, mantle plumes, mantle convection, convective mixing, thermal evolution, and interpretation of seismic tomography. Term project using numerical models required. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Gurnis
Ge 270
Continental Tectonics
9 units (3-0-6)
|
first term
Prerequisites: ACM 95/100 or ACM 113; Ge 11 ab, Ge 106, Ge 162, or Ge 161.
The nature of nonplate, finite deformation processes in the evolution of the continental lithosphere, using the Alpine orogen as an example. Rheological stratification; isostatic and flexural response to near-vertical loads; rifting and associated basin development; collision and strike-slip tectonics; deep crustal processes. Given in alternate years; not offered 2008-09.
Instructor:
Wernicke
Ge 277
Active Tectonics Seminar
6 units (2-0-4)
|
first term
Discussion of key issues in active tectonics based on a review of the literature. The topic of the seminar is adjusted every year based on students' interest and recent literature.
Instructor:
Avouac
Ge 282 abc
Division Seminar
1 unit
|
first, second, third terms
Presentation of papers by invited investigators. Graded pass/fail.
Ge 299
Thesis Research
Original investigation, designed to give training in methods of research, to serve as theses for higher degrees, and to yield contributions to scientific knowledge.
Published Date:
July 28, 2022