This page includes detailed information about some classes being offered in the current Semester (plus links to some from earlier and future semesters). Also provided are course descriptions and schedules from the Department's Fall 1999 Course Descriptions (available on paper in the Main Office), and links to UNM's "official" class schedules. See our Lower Division Course page and Upper Division and Graduate Course page for more details about the which are not being offered in the current semester. (Note: This page will be updated as additional links to detailed course information are developed.)

Earth and Planetary Sciences Class Information for Fall 1999

• EPS 102 Historical Geology (Dr. Gary Smith)
• EPS 333 Environmental Geology (Dr. Yemane Asmerom)
• EPS 410-510 Fundamentals of Geochemistry (Dr. Yemane Asmerom)
• EPS 462/562 Hydrogeology (Dr. Jennifer Loomis)
• EPS 476/576 Physical Hydrology (Dr. Michael Campana)
• EPS 505 Stable Isotope Geochemistry (Dr. Zach Sharp)

Class Information for Classes to be Offered in Future Semesters

• EPS 101 Physical Geology (Dr. Adrian Brearley)
• EPS 103 Earth's Environment and Global Change
• EPS 204 Gem Minerals and Gems -- Offered Spring 2000 (Dr. Cornelius Klein)
• EPS 405 Thermodynamics (Dr. Zach Sharp)
• EPS 441/541 Advanced Sedimentology (Offered Spring 2000)
• EPS 453/553 Field Studies in Volcanology (Next Class: Summer 2000)
• EPS 467/567 Environmental Mechanics (Next Offered: Spring 2000)
• EPS 472/572 Subsurface Fate and Transport Processes (Dr. Michael Campana - Next Offered: Spring 2001)
• EPS 474L/574L Hydrogeology Laboratory (Next Offered: Fall 2000)
• EPS482/582 Geoarchaeology (Next Offered: Spring 2000)
• EPS 534 Radioactive Isotope Geochemistry (Dr. Yemane Asmerom)
• EPS 578 Geological Fluid Mechanics (Next Offered: Fall 2000)

Fall 1999 Course Descriptions

Lower Division Courses

101. How the Earth Works – An Introduction to Geology. (3)

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.

TEXT: Understanding Earth, Press / Siever, 2^nd Edition, Freeman Publisher (Required)

102L. Historical Geology. (4)

History of the earth and the evolution of continents and ocean basins; evolution of life. Must enroll in one (102L) lab. Prerequisite: 101 or 103; pre-or corequisite: 105L.

TEXT: New Views on an Old Planet, Van Andel, 2^nd Edition, Cambridge Univ. Press Publisher(Required)

103. Earth Environment and Global Change. (3)

Critical analysis of Earth's changing global environment and its dynamic interaction with humans. A process-oriented approach to understanding global systems and their dependence upon fundamental geological principles. Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to enroll concurrently in E&PS 105L.

TEXT: The Blue Planet: An Intro to Earth System, 2^nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (Required)

105L. Physical Geology Laboratory. (1)

Minerals, rocks, and topographic and geologic maps; field trips. Corequisite 101 or 103.

TEXT: Lab Manual in Physical Geology, American Geological Institute, 5^th Edition, Prentice Publisher (Required)

106. Evolution/Age Earth. (2)

The scientific method applied to determination of the age of the earth, origin of life, evolution of the earth and of life, extinction, life or other worlds, and related topics intended for non-science majors.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

115. Geologic Disasters. (3)

Causes and effects of disastrous geological events, include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, and floods.

TEXT: Dangerous Earth: An Intro to Geologic Hazards, Murck, Skinner, Porter, 1997, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (Required)

210. Life in the Universe. (2)

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.

TEXT:

225. Oceanography. (3)

The ocean as a physical and chemical feature and a dynamic process.

TEXT: Oceanography, Garrison, latest edition, Wadsworth Publisher (Required)

UPPER DIVISION COURSES

300. Material Science of Art Objects. (3)

Case studies in the detection of Art Forgeries. This class is designed to investigate the steps that lead to the discovery of such frauds through the examination of published data from a variety of sources concerned with specific case histories of art forgeries. We will consider the roles played by art historians, scientists, and others involved in these cases. There will be an emphasis on the various methodologies applied to the detection of fraud and, in particular, there will be an accent on the scientific aspects of this field.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

301. Mineralogy/Earth and Planetary Materials. (3)

Introduction to crystallography, crystal chemistry and their relation to physical and chemical properties of materials. Overview of major structure types and crystal-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}

TEXT: Manual of Mineralogy, Klein / Hurlbut, 21^st edition, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (Required)

302L. Mineralogy Lab (2)

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.

TEXT: Minerals and Rocks: Exercises in Crystallography Mineralogy, Hand Specimen, Klein, Revised Edition, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (Required)

304L. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)

Introduction to origin, petrology, and stratigraphic occurrence of sedimentary rocks.

TEXT: Sedimentology- Stratigraphy, Boggs, 2^nd Edition, Prentice Hall Publisher (Required)

333. Environmental Geology/Lab (3)

Earth processes and anthropogenic environmental factors and their cycles. Physical and chemical aspects of environmental change will be considered. Prerequisites: Introductory Geology and Chemistry.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

351. Climatology (3)

An analysis of factors affecting climatic variations, including solar and terrestrial radiation, atmospheric temperature, pressure and wind patterns, the global hydrologic cycle, and atmospheric chemistry. Pre - or corequisites Math 162L.

TEXT: The Atmosphere and Ocean: A Physical Intro, N. Wells, 2^nd Edition, Wiley Publisher (Required)

400. Topics: Plate Kinematics. (3)

A quantitative introduction to the kinematics of rigid plate motions on a plane and on the Spherical Earth. Related aspects of seismology and paleomagnetism. Prerequisites: 101, Math 163L, plus some familiarity with vector operations.

TEXT: Plate Tectonics: How it Works, Cox & Hart, 1986, Blackwell Publisher (Required)

401-501. Colloquium. (1)

Current topics in Geology; Junior standing.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

402-502. Environmental Mineralogy. (2)

Mineralogy of natural dust in troposphere and hydrosphere. Asbestos, zeolites, silica, and radon, Clay minerals and their application in remediation. Overview of some radioactive waste forms. Prerequisites E&PS 301 & 302L Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.

TEXT: Health Effects of Mineral Dusts: Volume 28, Mineralogical Society of America, 1990, MSA Washington Publisher (Required)

410-510. Fundamentals of Geochemistry. (3)

Geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Geochemical methodology. Prerequisites: 303L.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

427-527. Geophysics. (3)

Application or gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow for the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration. Prerequisites: 101, Math 264, Physics 262.

TEXT: An Intro. To Geophysical Exploration, Kearney/ Brooks, 2^nd Edition, Blackwell Publisher (Required)

433-533. Statistics and Data Analysis in Earth Science (3)

Selected mathematical methods of geological data analysis, including elementary statistics, matrix algebra, multivariate data analysis, and Fourier analysis. Prerequisites: Math 163L, knowledge of a computing language. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

462. Hydrogeology. (3)

Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling groundwater flow, occurrence, development, chemistry and quality. Elementary theory of groundwater flow, well hydraulics. Interactions between surface and subsurface hydrologic systems. Regional flow systems, groundwater geochemistry and contamination. Prerequisites: 105L, Chem 122L, Math 163, Phys. 160 or permission of instructor.

TEXT: Applied Hydrogeology, CW Fetter, 3^rd Edition, Prentice Hall Publisher(Required)

465-565. Mars Evolution. (3)

A discussion of the evolution of planet Mars from 4.6 b.y. to present. Emphasis on evolution of Mars surface features and interior and the evolution of the Martian atmosphere. Results of recent space missions to Mars will be discussed. Prerequisites: 365. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit. TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

476-576. Physical Hydrology. (3)

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.

TEXT: Elements of Physical Hydrology, G. Hornberger et al., JHU Press, 1998 (plus other texts).

481L-581l. Geomorphology and Surficial Geology/lab. (4)

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.

TEXT:

490. Geologic Presentation. (1)

Student reviews of geologic literature and critique. Pre- or corequisite: 304L.

TEXT: NO TEXT REQUIRED

491. Problems. (1-3)

493. Independent Study. (3)

495. Senior Thesis (3)

518L. Microprobe Analysis/Lab. (3)

Theory and practice of electron microprobe analysis emphasizing geological materials. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and a demonstrated need for the use of instrument.

TEXT: Scanning Electron Micorscopy and X-ray Microanalysis: A Text for Biologists, Goldstein, Newbury, et al., 2^nd Edition, Plenum Press Publisher (Required)

519L. Selected Topics in Geochemistry

Prerequisite permission of instructor.

TEXT:

526. Advanced Structural Geology/Lab. (4)

Study of the processes and products of rock deformation at all scales: lithosphere, mountain belts and microstructures. Prerequisites: 307L, and or 427, or permission of instructor.

TEXT: Techniques of Modern Structure Geology, Volume 1,AND, Volume 2, J. Ramsay, latest edition, Academic Press Publisher (Optional)- AND – Microtectonics, C.W. Passchie et al., latest edition, Springer Publisher (Optional)

531L. Igneous Petrology/LAB. (4)

Discussion of the properties, generation, emplacement, and differentiation of magma; applications of physical/chemical principles to the study of igneous rocks. Prerequisite: 303L.

TEXT: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Philpotts, latest edition, Prentice Hall Publisher (Required)

547. Seminar: Advanced Quaternary Paleoclimatology. (2-3)

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.

TEXT: Paleoclimatology: Reconstruction Climates, Bradley, 2^nd Edition, Harcourt Publisher (Required)

551. Problems (1-3 hrs. each semester)

599. Master's Thesis. (1-6 hrs. per semester)

See the Graduate Bulletin for total credit requirements. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

699. Dissertation. (3-12 hrs. per semester)

See the Graduate Bulletin for total credit requirements. Offered on a CR/NC basis only.

Class schedules (without course descriptions) are available for the current (Fall, 1999) day classes or evening classes. Registration opens for the Spring Semsester on December 1st. The Registrar's office provides schedules for current and future academic semesters (i.e., deadlines, drop/add dates, etc.).

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 home page.

Please send comment about this site to connolly@unm.edu.

Please direct inquiries about the Department and its programs to epsdept@unm.edu

Click here to return to the Earth & Planetary Sciences Homepage