Introduces students to the four oceanographic disciplines: the geology of the ocean basins, including the creation of oceans and continents. The physics of the seas, including the origin of the ocean currents and their effect on the Earth's climate. The chemistry of the ocean waters, including how the distribution of elements reflects circulation and biology. The life in the ocean, including animals, plants and microbes, and humanity's influence on them. Lab.

Minerals record variations in chemistry, pressure, temperature, and time in the Earth. This course emphasizes minerals and mineral assemblages in rocks, sediments and soils; their identification, symmetry, chemistry, equilibria, and physical properties. Introduction to x-ray diffraction and optical techniques. Special fee for field trips. Lab.

This interdisciplinary course applies concepts from chemistry, physics, biology and geology to understand biogeochemical cycles in the Earth system. Course topics includes terrestrial, ocean and freshwater environments; water and energy cycles; carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and sulfur cycles; biogeochemical cycles through Earth history and a synthesis of how humans have impacted the Earth system. Students will use quantitative methods to explore relationships between causes and effects, positive and negative feedbacks, and thresholds in the Earth systems.

An introduction to the basic processes controlling the migration and transformation of chemicals in surface water, groundwater, and the atmosphere, including advection, diffusion, dispersion, retardation, and chemical reaction. Extensive practice with quantitative problem solving in the environmental sciences, including constructing and using box models.