Graduate Admissions and Degree Requirements
EPS and EnvSci Class Information for Spring 2010
NOTE: This is information for Spring 2010 beginning in January, 2010. Click HERE for Information about Fall, 2009 courses.
Quick Links:
- E&PS Lower Division (100-299) Courses
- E&PS Upper Division (300-399) Courses
- E&PS Advanced Upper Division and Graduate (400-699) Courses
- Environmental Science Courses
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. 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 if that information is 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. Our Lower Division Course page, Upper Division and Graduate Course page, and Environmental Science Course page (all Acrobat PDF files) are listings of all the courses currently offered in the department. They are extracted from the current full UNM Catalog available online as an Acrobat PDF. Catalog descriptions for all courses regularly offered in our department (with the most current descriptions) and links to scheduled course offerings are also available through LoboWeb.
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 contains information about the Beginning and Advanced Summer Field Course offered annually in May through July. This link is to information for the current (or upcoming) courses with links to photos of previous classes.
Spring 2010 Course Schedule
Earth & Planetary Sciences Lower Division (100-299) Courses
101. Introduction to Geology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
002 |
Northrop |
122 |
8:00-8:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
004 |
Northrop |
122 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
003 |
Northrop |
122 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
001 |
Dane Smith |
123 |
12:30-1:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
005 |
Northrop |
340 |
5:30-6:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
Staff |
A fascinating tour of our active planet. Explore earth materials (rocks
and minerals), the continents’ motion 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.
TEXT: Texts required vary with instructor and section. Students should check with the UNM bookstore for text(s) required for their particular section.
105L. Physical Geology Laboratory (1)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
002 |
Northrop |
117 |
11:00-12:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
003 |
Northrop |
117 |
3:30-5:20 |
|
T |
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
004 |
Northrop |
117 |
10:00-11:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
Pun & Staff |
005 |
Northrop |
117 |
12:00-13:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
Pun & Staff |
006 |
Northrop |
117 |
2:00-3:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
Pun & Staff |
007 |
Northrop |
117 |
6:00-7:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
Pun & Staff |
008 |
Northrop |
117 |
11:00-12:50 |
|
|
|
|
F |
Pun & Staff |
Minerals, rocks, and topographic and geologic maps; field trips. Pre or corequisite 101. Special fee. $25.00.
TEXT: No text required.
115. Geological Disasters. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
4:00-5:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Causes and effects of disastrous geological events, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides and floods.
201L. Earth History (4)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
340 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
115 |
12:00-1:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Origin and history of the Earth including age of the planet and dating of rocks, changing configurations of oceans and continents as a result of plate tectonics, records of climate change, history of formation and erosion of mountain chains, origin and evolution of life and causes of extinction. Required field trip and lab exercises permit understanding of how Earth history is interpreted from the geologic rock record. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science. Prerequisite: 101 or ENVSC.101; pre-or corequisite: 105L. or ENVSC 102L. Students must enroll in lab. Special Course Fee: $15.00.
TEXT: No text required for either lecture or lab
211. Dinosaurs and Their World. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
7:00-9:30 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
Survey of the fossil record, evolution, paleobiology, and extinction of dinosaurs, and the animals they shared the earth with.
253. Volcanoes. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Mitchell |
107 |
11:00-11: 50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Types of volcanoes and eruption products, role of volcanism in planetary evolution, volcanoes as sources of geothermal energy and mineral deposits, volcanic hazards and disasters environmental effects of volcanic eruptions. Pre-requisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
TEXT: No text required.
Earth & Planetary Sciences Upper Division (300-399) Courses
300.001 Topics / Intro to Geographic Information Systems. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Dane Smith |
143 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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.
TEXT: No text required.
303L. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. (4)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
105 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
Introduction to processes leading to formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Emphasis on plate tectonic settings and interactions between physical and chemical processes.
Prerequisites: E&PS 301 and, E&PS 302L must enroll in lab. (Special fee $40.00)
307L. Structural Geology (4)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Nature and origin of rock structures and deformation; map and stereographic projection problems; stress and strain. Pre or corequisite E&PS 303L, prerequisite E&PS 304L, PHYC 151 or 160, must enroll in lab. (Special Fee $35.00)
310. New Mexico Field Geology. (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
12:00-1:00 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
Scientific method based on field observation, analysis of geologic phenomena and geologic history of New Mexico. Written report required for each 4-hour field trip to outcrops in the Albuquerque area. Prerequisites: E&PS 101 or ENVSC 101, and E&PS 105L, or ENVSC 102L. Special fee. $40.00. .
TEXT: No text required.
333. Environmental Geology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Dane Smith |
127 |
9:00 – 9:50 |
m |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Earth processes and anthropogenic environmental factors and their cycles. Physical and chemical aspects of environmental change will be considered. Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101, MATH 121.
TEXT: No text required.
Earth & Planetary Sciences Advanced Upper Division and Graduate (400-699) Courses
400.001. Topics / Intro to X-Ray Diffraction. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
3:00 – 5:30 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
A practical introduction X-ray powder diffraction for characterization of crystalline materials including rocks, minerals and engineered materials. Includes basic theoretical introduction, Bragg's law, radiation safety, sample preparation methods, sources of error in X-ray data, and use of MDI Jade software for basic phase identification. There will be some introduction to more advanced techniques in clay mineral analysis, and a brief discussion of quantitative methods. Will include some hands-on laboratory exercises.
TEXT: No text required.
400.002. Topics / Analytical Methods in Geochemistry. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
1:00 – 4:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
An introduction to the analytical instrumentation available in E&PS laboratories for geochemical and petrological characterization of rock samples. Topics include techniques for mineral identification, major and trace element analyses of whole rocks and minerals, and measurement of stable and radiogenic isotopes. Prerequisites: EPS 301 or permission of Instructor.
TEXT: No text required.
400.003. Topics / Scientific Glass Blowing. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
|
|
To be Arranged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEXT: No text required.
401-501. Colloquium. (1)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
122 |
2:00-3:00 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Current topics in Geology; Junior standing.
TEXT: No text required
405L./505L. Stable Isotope Geochemistry (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Examinations of principles governing the distribution of stable isotopes in geological materials and their applications in understanding geochemical materials and their applications in understanding geochemical processes. Prerequisite: CHEM 121L and MATH 163.
411. Invertebrate Paleontology. (4)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
115 |
2:00-4:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
115 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
General principles and familiarization with diagnostic features of fossils. Introduction to environmental implications. Prerequisite: 201L or BIO 203L.
TEXT: "Bringing Fossils to Life" D. Prothero, 2nd edition, McGraw Hill Publisher, Required
427-527. Geophysics. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
(Also offered as Physics 327) Applications of gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow to the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration. Prerequisites: 101 or ENVSC. 101, Math 163L, Physics 161.
437-537. Applied Meterology. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Analysis and prediction of weather systems; weather observing techniques; application of conceptual and numerical models; simple kinematic and dynamic constraints; application to prediction of wind, fire, and hydrological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 163 and PHYC 160
439. Paleoclimatology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
1:00-1:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
History of the earth's climate. Examination of methods in climatic reconstruction and methods of climatic change. Emphasis on Pleistocene and Holocene climatic records.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVSC 101.
465L.-565L. Mars Evolution (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
12:30-1:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Formation, evolution, and composition of Mars Atmosphere, surface, and interior processes. Martian meteorites. The search for life on Mars. Mars missions past and present and NASA's plans for future exploration of Mars.
TEXT: No text required.
476.-576. Physical Hydrology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
3:30-4:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Quantitative treatment of the hydrologic cycle–precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff and subsurface flow; global change and hydrology; catchment and hillslope hydrology; hydrologic system–ecosystem interactions; hydrology and water resources management. Prerequisites: MATH 163 and PHYC 160. Restriction: junior or senior standing.
482.-582. Geoarchaeology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Hibben |
125 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
|
Hibben |
125 |
2:00-6:00 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
(Also offered as ANTH 482L.) Application of geological concepts to archaeological site formation with emphasis on pre-ceramic prehistory of the southwestern United States. Quaternary dating methods, paleoenvironment, landscape evolution, depositional environments. Quaternary Stratigraphy, soil genesis, sourcing of lithic materials, site formation processes. Required field trip. Prerequisite: 101 and 105L and ANTH 121L and 220
TEXT: No text required.
490. Geologic Presentation. (1)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
12:00-12:55 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Student reviews of geologic literature and critique. Prerequisite 301 ENVS 330. Corequisite: 401.
TEXT: No text required
492. Problems (1-3)
493. Independent Study (3)
495. Senior Thesis (3)
501/401. Colloquium. (1)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
122 |
2:00-3:00 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Current topics in Geology; Junior standing.
TEXT: No text required
505L./405L. Stable Isotope Geochemistry (3)
|
Section |
Building | Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Examinations of principles governing the distribution of stable isotopes in geological materials and their applications in understanding geochemical materials and their applications in understanding geochemical processes. Prerequisite: CHEM 121L and MATH 163.
526L. Advanced Structural Geology Lab (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Study of the processes and products of rock deformation at all sales: lithosphere, mountain belts and microstructures. Prerequisite: 307L
527-427. Geophysics. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
(Also offered as Physics 327) Applications of gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow to the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration. Prerequisites: 101 or ENVSC. 101, Math 163L, Physics 161.
533-433. Statistics and Data Analysis. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Selected mathematical methods of geological data analysis, including elementary statistics, matrix algebra, multivariate data analysis and Fourier analysis. Prerequisite: MATH 163.
537-437. Applied Meteorology. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Analysis and prediction of weather systems; weather observing techniques; application of conceptual and numerical models; simple kinematic and dynamic constraints; application to prediction of wind, fire, and hydrological processes. Prerequisite: MATH 163 and PHYC 16
538L. Analytical Transmission Electron Microscopy (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
134 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
Jiang |
Principles and practical techniques of transmission and analytical electron microscopy for materials characterization. Topics covered include: diffraction and phase contrast image formation, selected area and convergent beam electron diffraction; energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Prerequisites: 487 and 518L or permission of Instructor.
545. Topics: Great Events in Earths History (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
134 |
2:00 – 3:15 |
M |
|
W |
|
|
|
This course focuses on all aspects of calderas for example: caldera formation and associated eruptions, the structures of calderas, historic caldera eruptions, hazards of claderas, geothermal systems of calderas, geophysical and geochemical monitoring of calderas.
The lectures will be televised via web-cam and accessible to students at UNM, McGill and elsewhere.
TEXT: No text requried.
565L.-465L. Mars Evolution (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
12:30-1:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Formation, evolution, and composition of Mars Atmosphere, surface, and interior processes. Martian meteorites. The search for life on Mars. Mars missions past and present and NASA's plans for future exploration of Mars.
TEXT: No text required.
576.-476. Physical Hydrology (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
3:30-4:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Quantitative treatment of the hydrologic cycle–precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff and subsurface flow; global change and hydrology; catchment and hillslope hydrology; hydrologic system–ecosystem interactions; hydrology and water resources management. Prerequisite: MATH 163 and PHYC 160. Restriction: junior or senior standing.
582.-482. Geoarchaeology (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Hibben |
125 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
|
Hibben |
125 |
2:00-6:00 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
(Also offered as ANTH 482L.) Application of geological concepts to archaeological site formation with emphasis on pre-ceramic prehistory of the southwestern United States. Quaternary dating methods, paleoenvironment, landscape evolution, depositional environments. Quaternary Stratigraphy, soil genesis, sourcing of lithic materials, site formation processes. Required field trip. Prerequisite: 101 and 105L and ANTH 121L and 220
TEXT: No text required.
587. Advanced Mineralogy (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
9:30 – 10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Crystallographic principles; structure, chemistry, physical properties of rock forming minerals.
TEXT: No text required.
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.
Environmental Science Courses
ENVSC 101. The Blue Planet (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
122 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
002 |
Northrop |
122 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
003 |
Dane Smith |
123 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
004 |
Northrop |
122 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
005 |
Dane Smith |
120 |
5:00-7:30 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
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.
TEXT: Texts required vary with instructor and section. Students should check with the UNM bookstore for text(s) required for their particular section.
ENVSC 102L. Blue Planet Laboratory (1)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
002 |
Northrop |
117 |
2:00-3:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
003 |
Northrop |
117 |
1:00-2:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
004 |
Northrop |
117 |
8:00-9:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
005 |
Northrop |
117 |
4:00-5:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
006 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
007 |
Northrop |
117 |
12:00-1:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
008 |
Northrop |
117 |
2:00-3:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
009 |
Northrop |
117 |
4:00-5:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
010 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Introductory environmental earth science laboratory. Includes minerals, rocks, and rock cycle, topographic maps, local geology and groundwater, weather and climate.
Pre-or corequisite: 101. Special fee. $15.00
TEXT: No text required
ENVSC 430-530. Advanced Environmental Sciences. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab |
Northrop |
115 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Application of basic science to the interdisciplinary study of environmental systems.
Causes of and solutions to land, air, water and ecosystem degradation.
Prerequisites: ENVSC 330, MATH 163, PHYC 160, CHEM 121L, BIOL 123 or 201.
ENVSC 530-430. Advanced Environmental Sciences. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab |
Northrop |
115 |
2:00-5:00 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Application of basic science to the interdisciplinary study of environmental systems. Causes of and solutions to land, air, water and ecosystem degradation.
Class schedules (without course descriptions) are available for the current and coming semesters through "Lobo Web" (the registration system) linked on the Registrar's Office Schedule Page. This page also provides a schedule of important dates (i.e., registration opening/closing dates, drop/add dates, etc.). Catalog descriptions of all graduate and undergraduate courses offered in the department may be accessed from the Registrar's Main Page.
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.