Lower-Division

EART 1 Oceanography

An introduction to the physical environment of the ocean. Origin and evolution of ocean basins; sea-floor morphology; origin, distribution, historical record, and economic significance of marine sediments; ocean currents, waves, tides, and changing sea level; beaches, shorelines, and coastal processes; marine resources, pollution, and human impacts on the oceans. Students may also enroll in and receive credit for OCEA 1.

Credits

5

Instructor

Gary Griggs

General Education Code

PE-E

Quarter offered

Spring

EART 2 Earth Catastrophes

The role of catastrophic processes in shaping Earth and the environment in which we live. The physical processes causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, windstorms, landslides, and meteorite impacts will be described, along with the role played by these rapid processes in the geological and biological evolution of the planet. Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding these phenomena will be discussed. The entire time scale from formation of the universe to the present Earth system will be considered.

Credits

5

Instructor

Thorne Lay

General Education Code

SI

EART 3 Geology of National Parks

Geologic concepts and processes responsible for shaping our national parks including mountain building, volcanic and earthquake activity, sedimentation, weathering, erosion, and glaciation. An understanding of how geology impacts our lives is emphasized. Appropriate for both science and non-science majors who wish to enhance their knowledge, enjoyment, and appreciation of our national parks.

Credits

5

Instructor

Susan Schwartz

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Winter, Summer

EART 5 California Geology

An introduction to physical geology emphasizing the minerals, rocks, volcanoes, mountains, faults, and earthquakes of California. In-class field trips to study the caves, rocks, and landforms of the campus and the Monterey Bay area. Discussion-1 hour. Concurrent enrollment in EART 5L is required for majors and minors.

Credits

5

Instructor

Elise Knittle

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Fall

EART 5L California Geology Laboratory

Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 5 with particular emphasis on rock and mineral identification and map interpretation. Field trip. Laboratory three hours. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

1

Instructor

Elise Knittle

Quarter offered

Fall

EART 7 The History of Life

An examination of the major events in the history of life, from the origin of life approximately four billion years ago, to the wave of extinctions that has decimated plants and animals around the globe over the past 30,000 years.

Credits

5

Instructor

Matthew Clapham

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Fall

EART 8 Planetary Discovery

A sweeping tour of planets, satellites, and small bodies in and out of the solar system. Focuses on major scientific results from telescopes and spacecraft missions. Topics include planetary system architecture, planetary atmosphere, surface and interior, planetary formation and evolution, astrobiology, extra-solar planets. Open to all students.

Credits

5

Instructor

Xi Zhang

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Spring

EART 10 Geologic Principles

Introduction to the scientific study of Earth, the materials composing it, and the processes shaping it. Topics include minerals and rocks, Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, oceans and the atmosphere, the formation of landscapes and global change. A one-day, optional field trip is included. Concurrent enrollment in EART 10L is required for majors and minors.

Credits

5

Instructor

Andrew Fisher

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Winter

EART 10L Geologic Principles Laboratory

Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 10, with particular emphasis on rock and mineral identification and map interpretation. Laboratory 3 hours. In-lab field trips. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

1

Instructor

Andrew Fisher

Quarter offered

Winter

EART 11 Earthquakes

Causes and effects of earthquakes. How do we measure, mitigate, and try to predict earthquakes? Plate motion, frictional faulting, earthquake triggering, wave propagation, earthquake damage, related hazards, and other social effects. Hazard reduction through earthquake forecasting and earthquake-resistant design. Class includes one full day weekend field trip to local faults. Advanced algebra and high school geometry recommended.

Credits

5

Instructor

Savage Heather

General Education Code

MF

Quarter offered

Fall

EART 12 Introduction to Weather and Climate

Many meteorological phenomena are familiar to us: clouds, fog, rain, snow, wind, lightning, and severe storms. Climate is the sum of weather over long periods and is changing (e.g., greenhouse warming, ozone depletion, urban smog) due to mankind's activities. Conceptual understanding of how and why the present-day atmosphere behaves as it does and how this may change in the future is the primary goal of this course.

Credits

5

Instructor

Nicole Feldl

General Education Code

SR

Quarter offered

Winter

EART 20 Environmental Geology

Introduction to aspects of geology which affect and are affected by humans. Addresses a broad range of topics including resource management, geologic hazards, air and water issues, population and land use, energy costs and effectiveness, and global change, all from a unique geological/environmental perspective. Lectures include strategies for mitigating these issues. Includes a one-day field trip. Concurrent enrollment in 20L required for majors and minors.

Credits

5

Instructor

Slawomir Tulaczyk

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Spring

EART 20L Environmental Geology Laboratory

Laboratory sequence illustrating topics covered in course 20, with emphasis on rock and mineral identification, geologic hazard assessment, geologic resource management, and land use planning. In-lab field trip. Laboratory 3 hours. Students are billed a materials fee.

Credits

1

Instructor

Slawomir Tulaczyk

Quarter offered

Spring

EART 30 Water in the Environment

Broadly explores how components of the water cycle (precipitation, evapotranspiration, streamflow, groundwater) influence the structure of different environments as well as the communities, cultures, and people within these environments.

Credits

5

Instructor

Margaret Zimmer

General Education Code

CC

Quarter offered

Fall

EART 66 Natural History of Dinosaurs

Explores the origin, evolution, and extinction of dinosaurs with emphasis on paleobiology and paleoecology. Covers fundamental paleontological and evolutionary principles, dinosaur anatomy and behavior, the hot-blooded/cold-blooded debate, dinosaur-bird relationships, diversity, and exploits of the great dinosaur hunters. One and a half hour of discussion each week. (Formerly EART 65.)

Credits

5

Instructor

Hilde Schwartz

General Education Code

SI

Quarter offered

Winter

EART 96 Academic Success Skills

Practical, evidence-based strategies for maximizing learning in the Earth and planetary sciences. Introduces how learning occurs in the brain and how you can use those principles to optimize reading, note-taking, problem-solving, and studying. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor.

Credits

2

Instructor

Matthew Clapham

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

EART 98 Earth Sciences Internship

A supervised learning experience involving practical application of lower division Earth sciences knowledge while working with approved companies, governmental agencies, or research organizations. Students consult weekly with supervising faculty and prepare a final report of their work, to be evaluated both by the sponsoring agency and the faculty supervisor. Consult sponsoring agency for enrollment criteria; after instruction on resume preparation and interview skills, student must interview and be selected for internship by approved sponsoring organizations.

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring

EART 99 Tutorial

Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Credits

5

Repeatable for credit

Yes

Quarter offered

Fall, Winter, Spring