Curriculum

Courses Offered

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

Typical Semester(s) Offered

Course Description

101

Earth Processes & Environments w/ Lab

1.25

Geologic processes both rapid (earthquakes and landslides) and slow (mountain building and sea level rise) are intimately linked with sustaining the diversity of life on the planet. This course examines processes linked with the flow of energy and mass between the atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Laboratory exercises, and field work provide authentic experiences to develop the skills needed to observe and model processes shaping our environment. Problem solving during class time fosters critical thinking and classroom debates between larger teams focus on research and communications skills by examining current issues in geosciences such as building and removing dams, and the science surrounding global climate change.

102

The Dynamic Earth w/ Lab

1.25

Fall; Spring

The Earth is a dynamic planet where change is driven by processes that operate within its interior and on its surface. In this course we study these processes as well as interactions between the solid earth, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere that together produce the environment we live in and influence our daily lives. Topics covered include the origin and history of the Earth, plate tectonics, deep time, the materials that make up the solid earth, the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, hydrology, landscape evolution, and global climate. Hands-on work in class and laboratory sessions, along with project work, and local field trips, provide opportunities to develop deeper learning of key concepts and to hone observational and analytical skills.

200

Earth Systems Through Time w/ Field Laboratory

1.25

Spring

The geologic record, covering 4.6 billion years, provides us with a long-term perspective of the Earth system and how it operates over time scales much longer than human history. Using Wellesley’s extensive rock and fossil collection, geologic data sets and journal articles, we will reconstruct and interpret Earth's eventful past, including periods of mountain building, dramatic climate changes, and the evolution and extinction of life on our planet. This class should give students an understanding about deep time and that we live on an ever changing planet. The lab component of this class will be entirely in the field. We will visit key geologic outcrops that represent a large part of Earth history. We will explore the regional geology in New England and Upstate New York during three weekends throughout the semester (one half day, one full day and one 2-day trip). The class will conclude with a 5-day field trip to the southwestern United States in mid-May.

201

Environmental, Health, and Sustainability Sciences w/ Lab

1.25

Alternate years

Problems in environmental, health, and sustainability sciences are inherently transdisciplinary and require a diverse skill set to frame, analyze, and solve. This course will focus on developing a toolbox of skills including systems level thinking, field and analytical methods, biogeochemical analysis (natural waters, soils, and other environmental materials), and modeling with a goal of building a science-based foundation for the analysis of complex issues at the interface between humans and the environment. Students will conduct semester-long research projects and will present their results in a final poster session.

203

Earth Materials w/ Lab

1.25

Fall

This course provides those interested in any aspect of the Earth Sciences with the base necessary to understand the physical and chemical properties of Earth Materials (e.g. minerals and rocks). The primary focus of this course is to understand the concept of optical and chemical mineralogy in the broad context of the geosciences, but the environmental and human health applications of Earth Materials will also be explored. Our primary tools will be field and hand sample observations, petrographic analysis of minerals in thin section, and x-ray and electron beam based analytical techniques.

208

Oceanography

1

The Earth is an ocean planet. Covering 71 percent of the Earth's surface and holding 97 percent of the Earth's water, the oceans are perhaps our planet's most distinctive feature. This course will address fundamental questions about the oceans such as, why do we have oceans and ocean basins? Why do we have ocean currents? How have the interactions among physical, chemical, and biological processes produced the ocean we have today? Why should we strive to learn more about the oceans, and what are the links between the oceans and Earth's climate? In-class exercises, case studies, and data analysis will emphasize fundamental oceanographic processes and problem solving skills. A mandatory field trip to the coast will allow students to explore coastal processes in action.

218

Geomorphology w/ Lab

1.25

Alternate years; fall

The Earth's surface is constantly changing and is controlled by the interaction of topography and climate. In this class we will investigate the major landforms that can be found on Earth's surface, the processes that have shaped them, the delicate balance between landform and process, and the rates of geomorphic change. Among other processes, we will explore glacial activity, coastal processes, landslides, and stream flow. Topographic maps, surveying equipment, and geographic information systems (GIS) will be used to analyze and interpret geomorphic features. A variety of landforms will be studied during outdoor lab exercises and two one-day weekend field trips.

223

Planetary Atmospheres and Climates

1

Alternate years

Have you wondered what Earth's climate was like 3 billion years ago? What about weather patterns on Titan and climate change on Mars? In this course, we'll explore the structure and evolution of atmospheres and the climate on four worlds: the Earth, Mars, Venus, and Saturn's moon Titan. We'll examine the techniques and tools that geologists use to learn about the history of Earth's climate and that planetary scientists use to learn about the atmospheres and surface environments on other worlds. Students will also gain experience simulating the climate system and computing atmospheric properties. Other topics include: the super-rotation of Venus's atmosphere and its Runaway Greenhouse climate, the destruction of atmospheres on low-gravity worlds, and the future of Earth's climate as the Sun grows steadily brighter.

250

Research or Individual Study

1

Fall; Spring

Independent research experience conducted with a faculty member

304

Sedimentology w/ Lab

1.25

Alternate years; Fall

Sediments and sedimentary rocks cover most of the Earth's present surface. Sedimentology encompasses the study of the origin, transport, deposition, and lithification of sedimentary rocks and is critical to accurate interpretation of the geologic rock record. Observations of modern sedimentary processes illuminate past environments; sedimentary strata record evidence of mountain building and seismic activity, glacial advances and paleoclimate cycles, and preserve the fossil record. Natural resources including groundwater, coal, and petroleum are found in sedimentary rocks. Society is impacted by sedimentary processes in popular human habitats including coastlines and flood plains. Readings and discussions build students' familiarity with topics such as sediment transport, stratigraphy, and modern and ancient depositional environments. A semester-long project, laboratory exercises, and mandatory field trips emphasize field methods, rock identification, and data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

313

Advanced Planetary Geology and Geophysics

1

Alternate years

Spacecraft observations have revealed a breathtaking diversity of geologic features in the solar system, such as the giant impact basins on Mars, towering thrust fault scarps on Mercury, coronae structures on Venus, and active volcanoes on Io and Enceladus. From a comparative perspective, this course examines the physical processes that drive the evolution of the planets and small bodies in the solar system. Topics include: planetary shape and internal structure, mechanisms of topographic support, tectonics, impacts, volcanism, and tides. Additional, out-of-class time is scheduled for seminar-style discussions of journal articles. Students also produce a final project that involves researching a topic of their choosing.

315

Environmental Geochemistry

1

Alternate years; Spring

This course introduces geochemical approaches, including mass balance, residence time, isotope fractionation, and thermodynamic and kinetic modeling necessary to track the flow of materials in key earth surface reservoirs including water, soil, and plants. This geochemical toolbox will then be used to analyze complex earth systems including the linkages between tectonics and climate change and the fingerprinting of anthropogenic pollutants in the built environment.

317

Petrology of New England w/ Lab

1.25

Alternate years; Spring

The metamorphic and igneous rocks that underlie much of New England record a complicated history of mountain building, subduction, and failed rifting dating back to at least 1.2 Ga. This course will explore this history from the earliest orogeny to the assembly and destruction of Pangea. To guide our exploration, we’ll focus on three key questions: 1. How and why do igneous and metamorphic rocks form, and how are these processes related to plate tectonics? 2. How can we use the geochemistry and structural geology of igneous and metamorphic rocks to reconstruct past tectonic events? 3. How are stable cratons formed and why do they remain stable? There will be one weekend day trip and one overnight weekend trip.

318

Tectonics and Structural Geology w/ Lab

1.25

Alternate years; Spring

This course is an overview of the relationship between plate tectonics and rock deformation. Students will explore and discover the descriptive, kinematic and dynamic analysis of deformed rocks and the theoretical treatment of stress and strain, rock rheology and other factors that control deformation. Lecture and laboratory sessions are integrated to create a studio-style, project-based learning experience. Classroom learning will be supplemented by mandatory field trips that emphasize fundamental field methods, such as measuring and mapping rock units and geologic structures.

320

Isotope Geochemistry

1

Alternate years

This seminar-style course will use the primary literature to study state-of-the-art techniques in isotope geochemistry. Radiogenic, cosmogenic, and stable isotope systematics will be explored with applications ranging from geochronology, tectonics, fate and transport of pollutants, and the use of isotopes to trace biogeochemical processes. Each student will have the opportunity to lead a seminar on a topic related to their NSF styled research proposal which is the main course deliverable.

350

Research or Individual Study

1

Fall; Spring

Independent research experience conducted with a faculty member

360

Senior Thesis Research

1

Fall; Spring

Students enroll in Senior Thesis Research (360) in the first semester and carry out independent work under the supervision of a faculty member. If sufficient progress is made, students may continue with Senior Thesis (370) in the second semester.

370

Senior Thesis

1

Fall; Spring

Students enroll in Senior Thesis Research (360) in the first semester and carry out independent work under the supervision of a faculty member. If sufficient progress is made, students may continue with Senior Thesis (370) in the second semester.

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