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Note: Some Upper Division (400-499) and Graduate (500-599) Courses are "dual" numbered. These are offered simultaneously with somewhat different requirements for Upper Division and Graduate Students. Contact the instructor for how requirements differ.
Scroll down on this page for information about all of the classes scheduled for the current (or upcoming) Semester. If additional information is available about a particular class (sylabus, reading list notes or other material prepared by the professor), it may be accessed by clicking on the class name. The page is continually updated as more information is made available to the Webmaster. .
If you are interested in class information from previous semesters, please click here for a menu of links to all previous versions of this page (including the immediately preceeding semester). These pages may contain links to more detailed information about the courses in which you are interested.
The current course offerings list is available on paper in the Main Office (Northrop Hall, Rm. 142). A link to UNM's "official" class schedules is provided below. See our Lower Division Course page and Upper Division and Graduate Course page for more details about all of the classes offered in the department. Catalog descriptions for all courses regularly offered in our department are also available on the UNM Registrar's Page.
The Natural Sciences Program is affiliated with E&PS and offers a three-semester course series designed to provide science content and model effective teaching techniques to pre-service elementary school teachers. Click here to go the the program web site for information about these classes.
EPS319 & EPS420 Beginning and Advanced Summer Field Course Information with links to photos of last year's class!
122 Northrop 9:00-9:50 MWF GEISSMAN
122 Northrop 10:00-10:50 MWF FISCHER
127 Dane Smith 10:00-10:50 MWF CROSSEY
/ KARLSTROM
106 Bandalier East 2:00 2:50 MWF HUESTIS
122 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R ROY
122 Northrop 11:00-12:15 T R ASMEROM
122 Northrop 6:00-8:30 M PUN
A fascinating tour of our active planet. Explore earth materials (rocks
and minerals), the continents motions and related origins of earthquakes, volcanoes,
mountain building, oceans, landscapes, natural energy and economic resources,
global warming and other topics. Students are encouraged but not required to
enroll concurrently in 105L. Credit not awarded for both 101 and EnvSc 101.
117 Northrop 13 various times SMITH
Minerals, rocks, and topographic and geologic maps; field trips. Corequisite
101. Credit not given for both 105L and EnvSc 102L
106 Bandalier East 11:00-11:50 T R ELRICK
Overview of oceans through time as a function of changing plate tectonics, climate,
circulation, chemistry, and biology. No pre-requisites
340 Northrop 3:30-4:45 T R HUESTIS
Causes and effects of disastrous geological events, include earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, and floods.
106 Bandalier East 10:00-10:50 M W F SMITH
Lab B-19 Northrop 12:00-2:00 T SMITH
Lab B-19 Northrop 12:00-2:00 W SMITH
Lab B-19 Northrop 2:00-4:00 W SMITH
History of the earth and the evolution of continents and ocean basins; evolution
of life. Must enroll in one (201L) lab. Prerequisite: 101, pre-or corequisite:
105L. or EnvSc 101
106 Bandalier East 11:00-11:50 T R BREARLEY
This course will examine scientifically the plausibility of life occurring elsewhere
in the universe, including possible environments and conditions for life and
the recent debate over the evidence for life in martian meteorite, ALH 84001.
106 Bandalier East 7:00-9:30PM R KUES
Description of Geologic features including structures, landforms, and mineral
resources of New Mexico. For earth science teachers at high school and junior
high schools. Prerequisite 101 or EnvSc 101.
106 Bandalier East 11:00-12:15 T R SCUDERI
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are both database systems and operational
procedures designed to work with map data. The higher order maps embodied in
a GIS represent spatial representations of the real world that can be used for
measurement, monitoring and modeling. This course will look at the theory behind
GIS as well as specific applications of this technology to real-world problems.
106 Bandalier East 9:30-10:45 T R KLEIN
Introduction to crystallography, crystal chemistry and their relation to physical
and chemical properties of materials. Overview of major structure types and
crustal-chemistry/occurrence of common rock-forming minerals. Pre or corequisites.
Chemistry 121L or permission of instructor. (E&PS Majors MUST enroll
concurrently in E&PS 301 and one section of E&PS 302L)
115 Northrop 12:30-2:30 T KLEIN
115 Northrop 3:00-5:00 T KLEIN
115 Northrop 12:30-2:30 W KLEIN
115 Northrop 3:00-5:00 W KLEIN
Laboratory exercise in crystallography and crystal chemistry. Hand specimen
identification of the common rock-forming minerals. E&PS majors are required
to enroll concurrently in E&PS 301 and 302L.
340 Northrop 11:00-11:50 M W F ELRICK
Lab 105 Northrop 2:00-5:00 M ELRICK
Lab 105 Northrop 2:00-5:00 W ELRICK
Introduction to origin, petrology, and stratigraphic occurrence of sedimentary
rocks. Prerequisites: 303L or permission of instructor.
105 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R IOM/STAFF
Geology of the Planets as deduced from visual and geophysical observations,
space prove data, laboratory experiments, study of meteorites and lunar samples
and terrestrial analogs of planetary features. Only available for graduate credit
for students in the College of Education. Prerequisites: 101 or EnvSc. 101.
340 Northrop 11:00-12:15 T R BREARLEY
Processes in the Earth's interior play a fundamental role in controlling many
geological processes in recent years there have been many important advances
in our understanding of the composition, structure and dynamics of the earth's
mantle and core. This course will examine a range of processes from the base
of the crust through the mantle to the core drawing on recent exciting advances
in fields of geophysics, high-pressure mineralogy and geochemistry. Prerequisites:
301, 303 or permission of instructor.
122 Northrop 2:00-2:50 PM F GEISSMAN
Current topics in Geology; Junior standing.
340 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R ASMEROM
Geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Geochemical methodology.
Prerequisite: 303L. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify
graduate credit.
B-19 Northrop 10:00-10:50 M W F KUES
LAB B-19 Northrop 1:00-4:00 M KUES
LAB B-19 Northrop 2:00-5:00 T KUES
General principles and familiarization with diagnostic features of fossils.
Introduction to environmental implications. Must enroll in lab. Prerequisite:
8 hours of E&PS or Biology
340 Northrop 1:00-2:00 M W F CROSSEY
Principles of aqueous chemistry and processes controlling the composition of
natural waters: streams, lakes, groundwater, and the oceans. Prerequisites:
304L. Non-E&PS majors 101, Chem. 121L and permission of instructor. Students
in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.
132 Dane Smith Hall 10:00-10:50 M W F GUTZLER
A quantitative introduction to the Earth's climate system, emphasizing processes
responsible for maintaining the current climate and governing climate change
on global and regional scales, including interactions between the atmosphere,
ocean and biosphere. Prerequisites: Math 162L, Physics 160
340 Northrop 7:00-8:15PM M W STAFF
Quantitative treatment of the hydrologic cycle -- precipitation, evapotranspiration,
infiltration, runoff and subsurface flow, global change and hydrology, catchment
and hillslope hydrology, hydrologic system - ecosystem interactions, hydrology
and water resources management. Prerequisites: Upper-division standing, Math
163L, and Physics 160, or permission of instructor.
105 Northrop 11:00-12:15 T R MEYER
Lab 105 Northrop 1:00-5:00 T MEYER
Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on weathering soils, Hillslope
processes, fluvial systems and surfical geology. Occasional field trips. Must
enroll in lab; special fee $25.00. Prerequisites 101 and 105L or EnvSc 101 and
102L or permission of instructor.
134 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R MCFADDEN
Lab 134 Northrop 1:00-5:00 R MCFADDEN
Application of soils studies to stratigraphic analysis and mapping of Quaternary
deposits and geomorphic surfaces; survey of soil classifications; field description
of soil profiles; development of soil chronosequences and catenas. Prerequisites:
481L, or permission of instructor. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments
to justify graduate credit.
146 Northrop 12:00-12:50 M GEISSMAN
Student reviews of geologic literature and critique. Pre- or corequisite: 304L.
122 Northrop 2:00-3:00 F GEISSMAN
Current topics in Geology; Junior standing.
340 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R ASMEROM
Geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Geochemical methodology.
Prerequisite: 303L. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify
graduate credit.
340 Northrop 1:00-2:00 M W F CROSSEY
Principles of aqueous chemistry and processes controlling the composition of
natural waters: streams, lakes, groundwater, and the oceans. Prerequisites:
304L. Non-E&PS majors 101, Chem. 121L and permission of instructor. Students
in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.
340 Northrop 2:00-3:15 T R ROY
Applications of mechanics to tectonic problems. We will review basic concepts
such as stress, strain, and elastic deformation. After applying elasticity to
lithosphere deformation (e.g. flexure in sedimentary basins), we will then look
at other types of deformation mechanisms, e.g. viscous flow in the lower crust,
brittle failure on faults and fault reactivation, and folding during mountain-belt
formation. Additional topics include topographic stress and failure within accretionary
prisms.
146 Northrop 3:00-4:30 M W KARLSTROM
Graduate seminar that will study the tectonic evolution of the North American
continent. Emphasis will be on understanding the recent Lithoprobe results for
the Canadian shield and orogens, comparing these to similar studies in the U.S.
and Mexico, and discussing geodynamic processes in western North America, including
the Rocky Mountains. Co-enrollment in Dr. Roy's geodynamics class is recommended.
132 Dane Smith Hall 10:00-10:50 M W F GUTZLER
A quantitative introduction to the Earth's climate system, emphasizing processes
responsible for maintaining the current climate and governing climate change
on global and regional scales, including interactions between the atmosphere,
ocean and biosphere. Prerequisites: Math 162L, Physics 160.
134 Northrop 2:00-3:15 M W FAWCETT
New advances in Quaternary paleoclimatology from multidisciplinary research.
Study of climate change from interglacial-glacial timescales to the millennial-scale.
Methods and techniques in reconstructing and modeling past climates.
340 Northrop 2:00-5:00 W FISCHER
WOHLETZ GOFF
Dynamics of volcanic eruptions, monitoring of volcanic hazards, geothermal energy,
epithermal, numerical and analytical research techniques. Prerequisite: 450L;
or permission of instructor.
340 Northrop 7:00-8:15PM M W STAFF
Quantitative treatment of the hydrologic cycle - precipitation, evapotranspiration,
infiltration, runoff and subsurface flow, global change and hydrology, catchment
and hillslope hydrology, hydrologic system - ecosystem interactions, hydrology
and water resources management. Prerequisites: Upper-division standing, Math
163L, and Physics 160, or permission of instructor.
105 Northrop 11:00-12:15 T R MEYER
Lab 105 Northrop 1:00-5:00 T MEYER
Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on weathering soils, Hillslope
processes, fluvial systems and surfical geology. Occasional field trips. Must
enroll in lab; special fee $25.00. Prerequisites 101 and 105L or permission
of instructor.
134 Northrop 9:30-10:45 T R MCFADDEN
Lab 134 Northrop 1:00-5:00 R MCFADDEN
Application of soils studies to stratigraphic analysis and mapping of Quaternary
deposits and geomorphic surfaces; survey of soil classifications; field description
of soil profiles; development of soil chronosequences and catenas. Prerequisites:
481L, or permission of instructor. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments
to justify graduate credit.
See the Graduate Bulletin for total credit requirements. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
See the Graduate Bulletin for total credit requirements. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
120 Mitchel Hall 11:00-11:50 MWF SHARP
111 Mitchel Hall 1:00-1:50 MWF SHARP
To understand global change and environmental concerns, this course weaves together
an understanding of Earth's lithosphere, atmosphere and oceans and how ecosystems
are linked to the physical environment. Students are encouraged but not required
to enroll concurrently in 102L. Credit not awarded for both 101 and E&PS 101.
117 Northrop 3:00-4:50 T MEYER
117 Northrop 4:00-5:50 W MEYER
117 Northrop 9:00-10:50 R MEYER
Introductory environmental earth science laboratory. Includes minerals, rocks,
and rock cycle, topographic maps, local geology and groundwater, weather and
climate. Credit not given for both 102L and E&PS 105L. Pre-or corequisite: 101.
105 Northrop 9:00-10:00 M W F MEYER
Study of the human relationship to and impact on the physical environment. Sustainable
development and management of resources. Global change and its implications
for ecosystems. Environmental law, policy, regulations and ethics. Prerequisites:
101 (or E&PS 101), Chem. 121L, and one of the following: Math 162L, Bio. 121L,
or Physics 160.
Each listing includes the number and name of course, credit hours, classroom location, time and days, and instructor. Classes which include an "L" in the number include a required laboratory. Consult the Faculty and Staff Pages for information about instructors.
Please send questions about this schedule to the Department via Email at epsdept@unm.edu. or contact the main office by mail or phone as shown on the department contacts page.
Earth & Planetary Sciences
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