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.
Fall 2009 Course Schedule
Earth & Planetary Sciences Lower Division (100-299) Courses
101. Introduction to Geology (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
122 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
005 |
Pearl Hall |
101 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
Persico |
002 |
Education |
101A |
12:30-1:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
003 |
Northrop |
122 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
004 |
Northrop |
122 |
5:30-6:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
Staff |
619 |
Northrop |
115 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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 for section 001: “UNDERSTANDING EARTH” Grotzinger, Jordan, Press, and Siever ISBN 0-7167-6682-5
(Also Available: the Package: "How Does the Earth Work" and "Physical Geology Lab Manual" if taking both EPS101 and EPS105L Lab)
TEXT for section 002, 004, 619 “How Does Earth Work”, Smith, Pun, 1st edition, Prentice Hall Publisher (Required)
NO TEXT is required for section 003 with Dr. B. Kues)
105L. Physical Geology Laboratory (1)
117 Northrop 8 various times PUN
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
117 |
10:00-11:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
002 |
Northrop |
117 |
12:00-1:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
003 |
Northrop |
117 |
2:00-3:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
004 |
Northrop |
117 |
4:00-5:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
005 |
Northrop |
117 |
6:00-7:50 |
M |
|
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
006 |
Northrop |
117 |
11:00-12:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
Pun & Staff |
007 |
Northrop |
117 |
1:00-2:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
Pun & Staff |
619 |
Northrop |
117 |
3:00-4:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
E. Mitchell |
Minerals, rocks, and topographic and geologic maps; field trips.
Corequisite 101. Special fee. $25.00.
TEXT: “Investigating How Earth Works: Physical Geology Lab Manual”, Smith, Gary, 2006 Edition, Pearson Custom Publisher (Required)
201L. Earth History (4)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-4:00 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
340 |
12:00-2:00 |
|
|
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. Must enroll in one (201L) lab. Prerequisite: 101 or ENVSC 101, pre-or corequisite: 105L. or ENVSC 102L Special fee. $15.00.
TEXT: No text required for either lecture or lab
250. Geology of New Mexico. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
7:00-9:30 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
Survey of geologic features of New Mexico, including structures, landforms, stratigraphy, fossils, geologic history and mineral resources. A course in elementary geology recommended. Special fee. $25.00.
TEXT: See Instructor for information
Earth & Planetary Sciences Upper Division (300-399) Courses
300. Topics / Intro to Geographic Information Systems. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Dane Smith |
143 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
T |
|
|
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: To be determined
301. Mineralogy. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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.
Prerequisites. Chemistry 121L. {E&PS Majors MUST enroll concurrently in E&PS 301 and one section of E&PS 302L}
TEXT: Manual of Mineral Sciences, Klein, 22 EDITION, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (Required)
302L. Mineralogy Lab. (2)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
115 |
12:30-2:30 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
115 |
12:30-2:30 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
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 Rocks: exercises in crystallography, mineralogy etc., Klein, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons Publisher (required)
304L. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
11:00-11:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
2:00-5:00 |
M |
|
|
|
|
|
Lab 002 |
Northrop |
105 |
2:00-5:00 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Introduction to origin, petrology, and stratigraphic occurrence of sedimentary rocks.
Special fee. $35.00. Prerequisites: 201L and CHEM 121L.
TEXT: To be determined
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: To be determined
365. Exploring the Solar System. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Regener |
114 |
12:30-1:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Survey of space exploration past, present, and future. Detailed overview of solar system formation, the Sun, the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, meteorites and astrobiology.
TEXT: No text required
Earth & Planetary Sciences Advanced Upper Division and Graduate (400-699) Courses
400. Topics / Advanced Petroleum Geology (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-3:15 |
M |
|
W |
|
|
|
|
Northrop |
209 |
10:00-11:50 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Advanced Petroleum Geology is a combination lecture and laboratory class that will focus on modern understanding of key geologic principles related to hydrocarbon systems. It will also focus on development of interpretation skills and visualization of sub-surface geologic relationships. Students will attend two lectures per week, and participate in lab based exercises where they will be introduced to Petra, Petra Seis, and the structural modeling software known as MOVE. There will be at least one, 3 day class field trip to the Raton Basin, and students will work on manageable interpretive projects. Grades will be based on reports, quizzes, a mid-term, and a final exam. EPS majors will be expected to have taken Sed/Strat, and ENVI SCI majors will be expected to have taken Aquifers and Reservoirs. The class is open to graduate students for graduate student credits.
TEXT: “Elements of Petroleum Geology” R.C. Selley, 2nd edition
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
428/528. Applied Math (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
002 |
Northrop |
209 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
|
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
|
|
r |
|
|
Applied Mathematics for Earth and Environmental Scientists. An introduction to linear algebera, vector calculus, and differential equations with applications in Earth and environmental sciences. Matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Vector fields, surface and line integrals, theorems of vector calculus; first and second order differential equations, and introduction to numerical methods and partial differential equations. Applications to hydrology, geophysics, geochemistry, and atmospheric sciences. Pre-requisite Two semesters of calculus.
TEXT: To be determined
436/536. Climate Dynamics. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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
TEXT: To be determined
481L/581L. Geomorphology and Surficial Geology/lab. (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
1:00-5:00 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
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 $35.00. Prerequisites 101 and 105L or EnvSc 101 and 102L.
TEXT: “Process Geomorphology”, Ritter, Kochel, Miller, 4th edition, Waveland Press, Required
485L./585L Soil Stratigraphy and Morphology. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
134 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
134 |
1:00-5:00 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
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. Special fee $50.00.
Prerequisites: 481L, or permission of instructor. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.
TEXT: “Soil Genesis and Classifications, Boul, Southard, Graham, McDaniel, 5th edition, Iowa State Press, Required AND “Soils and Geomorphology”, Birkeland, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, Requireds
490. Geologic Presentation. (1)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
146 |
12:00-12:50 |
|
|
|
|
F |
|
Student reviews of geologic literature and critique. Prerequisite 301 ENVS 330. Corequisite: 401.
TEXT: No text required
491. 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
516. Selected Topics / Fluvial Geomorphology. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-4:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Quantitative treatment of fluvial processes and resulting landforms of streams, with relevance to understanding human and natural influences on fluvial systems over a variety of timescales, and the scientific basis for stream restoration.
TEXT: To be determined
518L Electron Microprobe Analysis. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
|
1:00-3:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
Theory and Practice of electron microprobe analysis emphasizing geological materials. Prerequisites: Permission of instructors and a demonstrated need for the use of instrument.
TEXT: To be determined
522L Selected Topics / Igneous Systems: Melts and Minerals. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
115 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
1:00-2:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
We will explore the chemical and physical properties of melts and minerals, and how these relate to the interpretation of igneous systems. Topics include phase diagrams of common mineral and igneous rock systems, mineral / melt trace element partitioning, melt structure, behavior of volatiles, nucleation and growth phenomena, and diffusion in minerals and melts.
TEXT: To be determined
526L. Advanced Structural Geology (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Study of the processes and products of rock deformation at all scales, lithosphere, mountain belts and microstructures.
Pre-requisite: 307L.
TEXT: To be determined
528/428. Applied Math (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
002 |
Northrop |
209 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
|
Northrop |
340 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
Applied Mathematics for Earth and Environmental Scientists. An introduction to linear algebera, vector calculus, and differential equations with applications in Earth and environmental sciences. Matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors; Vector fields, surface and line integrals, theorems of vector calculus; first and second order differential equations, and introduction to numerical methods and partial differential equations. Applications to hydrology, geophysics, geochemistry, and atmospheric sciences. Pre-requisite Two semesters of calculus.
TEXT: To be determined
536/436. Climate Dynamics. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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
TEXT: To be determined
547. Seminar: Advanced Quaternary Paleoclimate (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
134 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Course Description: In depth examination of current issues and topics in Quaternary Paleoclimatology through reading of papers, seminars and lectures.
TEXT: No text required
551. Problems. (1-3 hrs. each semester)
558. Geomicrobiology. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Castetter |
107 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
The role of microbes in mineral precipitation, dissolution and diagenesis, interactions between microbes and geochemistry/mineralogy
TEXT: “Introduction to Geomicrobology”, Konhauser, 1st edition, Wiley-Blackwell, Required
581L/481L. Geomorphology and Surficial Geology /Lab. (4)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
105 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
105 |
1:00-5:00 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
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 $35.00.
TEXT: “Process Geomorphology”, Ritter, Kochel, Miller, 4th edition, Waveland Press, Required
585L./485L Soil Stratigraphy and Morphology. (3)
| Section | Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
134 |
9:00-9:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
Lab 001 |
Northrop |
134 |
1:00-5:00 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
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. Special fee $50.00.
Prerequisites: 481L, or permission of instructor. Students in 500 level will have extra assignments to justify graduate credit.
TEXT: “Soil Genesis and Classifications, Boul, Southard, Graham, McDaniel, 5th edition, Iowa State Press, Required AND “Soils and Geomorphology”, Birkeland, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, 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 |
10:00-10:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
002 |
Northrop |
122 |
1:00-1:50 |
M |
|
W |
|
F |
|
003 |
Hib |
105 |
2:00-3:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
004 |
Northrop |
122 |
9:30-10:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
605 |
Dane Smith |
231 |
3:30-4:45 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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: “The Blue Planet”, Skinner et al, 2nd edition, Wiley (required for all Sections) and
“Annual Editions Environment”, Editor: Zach Sharp, 09/10 Edition ISBN: 978-0-07-351549-6 for section 605 additional/both texts required
ENVSC 102L. Blue Planet Laboratory (1)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
002 |
Northrop |
117 |
1:00-2:50 |
|
T |
|
|
|
|
003 |
Northrop |
117 |
8:00-9:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
004 |
Northrop |
117 |
10:00-11:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
005 |
Northrop |
117 |
3:00-4:50 |
|
|
W |
|
|
|
006 |
Northrop |
117 |
9:00-10:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
007 |
Northrop |
117 |
11:00-11:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
008 |
Northrop |
117 |
1:00-2:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
009 |
Northrop |
117 |
3:00-4:50 |
|
|
|
R |
|
|
010 |
Northrop |
117 |
11:00-12:50 |
|
|
|
|
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. $25.00
TEXT: No text required
EnvSc. 330. Environmental Systems. (3)
Section |
Building |
Room |
Time |
Day |
Instructor |
||||
001 |
Northrop |
340 |
11:00-12:15 |
|
T |
|
R |
|
|
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 Math 162L, or Bio. 123 or 201 or Physics 160.
TEXT: To be determined
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.