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Courses for Fall 2018

  • Mars, Moon, and the Earth

    Space exploration has revealed an astonishing array of surface features on the planets and their satellites. Why are atmospheres on the planets different from Earth's atmosphere? Do other planets represent our past or future environment? Is there life on other planets? The planets and their histories are compared to gain insight and a new perspective on planet Earth.
    GEOL 0050 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard

  • Physical Processes in Geology

    Introduction to the physical and chemical processes that shape the Earth’s surface, govern the structure of its interior, cause natural hazards and affect the human environment. Topics include interior processes (plate tectonics, mountain building, volcanism, earthquakes, and flow of solid rocks) and environmental processes (climate, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, flow of rivers, glaciers, and groundwater). Four labs and two field trips arranged. Intended for science concentrators or those wishing in-depth treatment. CAP course. Enrollment limited to 100. After pre-registration, instructor permission is required to register or get on wait-list. Please see or email instructor (Jan_Tullis@brown.edu).
    GEOL 0220 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Tullis

  • Computational Approaches to Modelling and Quantitative Analysis in Natural Sciences: An Introduction

    Application of numerical analysis to mathematical modelling in the natural sciences including topics such as ground water and glacier flow, earthquakes, climate models, phase equilibrium, and population dynamics. Numerical methods will include the solution of linear algebraic systems of equations, numerical integration, solution of differential equations, time series analysis, statistical data analysis tools. Development of computer programming skills in the Matlab programming environment. Suggested prerequisites: MATH 0090, 0100; PHYS 0030, 0040, or 0050, 0060.
    GEOL 0250 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Huber

  • Ocean Biogeochemical Cycles

    A quantitative treatment of the cycling of biologically important elements in the world ocean. Special attention paid to the carbon system in the ocean and the role that organisms, in conjunction with ocean circulation, play in regulating the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere through exchange with the surface ocean. For science concentrators. Offered alternate years. Prerequisite: CHEM 0330 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
    GEOL 1130 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert

  • Stratigraphy and Sedimentation

    Introduction to depositional environments and processes responsible for formation of sedimentary rocks. Major sedimentary environments in the Recent are discussed, general models are proposed, and stratigraphic sequences in older sediments are examined in the light of these models. The Phanerozoic stratigraphic record is examined from the perspective of Earth system history. Laboratory arranged. Prerequisites: GEOL 0220 or 0240, or instructor permission. GEOL 0310, 1410 are also recommended.
    GEOL 1240 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Russell

  • Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Applications

    Introduction to the concepts of geospatial analysis and digital mapping. The principles of spatial data structures, coordinate systems, database development and design, and techniques of spatial analysis are learned. This is an applied course, primarily using ESRI-based geographic information system software. Focal point of class is the completion of student-selected research project employing GIS methods. Enrollment limited to 10 in each section. Permission by an application provided by the instructor (to be requested through email). S/NC.
    GEOL 1320 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Carlson
    GEOL 1320 S02
    Primary Instructor
    Carlson

  • Environmental Geochemistry

    The course will examine the biogeochemical cycling, fate and transport of chemicals in the atmospheric and aquatic environments. Topics such as chemical weathering, natural water pollution and remediation, acid deposition, global warming and air pollution will be examined through natural ecosystem examples from rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ocean. Field trips and laboratory arranged. Prerequisites: CHEM 0100 or 0330, or instructor permission.
    GEOL 1370 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Huang

  • Planetary Surface Processes

    This course is designed to introduce students a variety of physical and chemical processes that shape and sculpt the surfaces of solid planetary bodies (asteroid, comets, moons, & terrestrial planets). We will learn the ways mountains can form and how their topography is supported (Is Venus’ 11 km high Maxwell Montes the result of a rising mantle plume? among other questions). This course will cover the processes of faulting, tectonics, volcanism, impact cratering, landslides, and weathering from wind, and water. These processes will be explored from a physical quantitative perspective.
    GEOL 1390 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Johnson

  • Mineralogy

    Introduction to mineralogical processes on Earth's surface and its interior. Topics include crystallography, crystal chemistry, nucleation, crystal growth, biomineralization, environmental mineralogy, and mantle mineralogy. Laboratory study devoted to optical identification of rock-forming minerals. Prerequisites: GEOL 0230, CHEM 0100 or 0330, or equivalent.
    GEOL 1410 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper

  • Principles of Planetary Climate

    This course provides the physical building blocks for understanding planetary climate. Topics include thermodynamics applied to planetary atmosphere, basic radiative transfer, energy balance in the atmosphere, and climate variability. In-class exercises and homework problems are designed to strengthen the understanding of basic concepts and to improve problem-solving skills.
    GEOL 1430 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Lee

  • Atmospheric Chemistry

    Earth’s atmosphere touches everything on the surface of our planet has evolved, from the first signs of life on land and in the oceans to today’s This seminar course will provide students with an understanding of the chemical and physical processes that determine the composition of the atmosphere and its implications for climate, ecosystems, and human welfare. Topics to be covered include basic measures of the atmosphere; photolysis and reaction kinetics; atmospheric transport of trace species; stratospheric ozone chemistry; tropospheric hydrocarbon chemistry; oxidizing power and nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and carbon cycles; chemistry-climate-biosphere interactions; aerosols, smog, and acid rain.
    GEOL 1950B S01
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings

  • Rheology of the Crust and Mantle

    Introduces the principals of rock mechanics and uses them to describe brittle and ductile deformation processes in the crust and mantle. Each topic will review experimental constraints on deformation mechanisms and introduce the theories that support their application to geological conditions. Analyze microstructural observations in real rocks to link what is learned in the lab to what actually is seen in the Earth. Topics to be covered include: brittle fracture and crack propagation, frictional sliding, the brittle/plastic transition, viscous deformation mechanisms, microstructural analysis of deformed rocks, and the scaling and extrapolation of laboratory flow laws. The class will also feature a field trip to well-exposed crustal faults and shear zones. Several class periods and a class project will focus on microstructural observations of rocks collected during the field trip. Pre-requisite: GEOL 1450 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 20.
    GEOL 1960A S01
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth

  • Individual Study of Geologic Problems

    One semester is required for seniors in Sc.B. and honors program. Course work includes preparation of a thesis. Section numbers vary by instructor. Please check Banner for the correct section number and CRN to use when registering for this course. Enrollment is restricted to undergraduates only.
    GEOL 1970 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Clemens
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S02
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S03
    Primary Instructor
    Dalton
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S04
    Primary Instructor
    Fischer
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S05
    Primary Instructor
    Forsyth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S06
    Primary Instructor
    Gromet
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S07
    Primary Instructor
    Head
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S08
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S09
    Primary Instructor
    Hermance
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S10
    Primary Instructor
    Huang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S11
    Primary Instructor
    Liang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S12
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S13
    Primary Instructor
    Parmentier
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S14
    Primary Instructor
    Pieters
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S15
    Primary Instructor
    Prell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S16
    Primary Instructor
    Russell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S17
    Primary Instructor
    Saal
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S18
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S19
    Primary Instructor
    Tullis
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S20
    Primary Instructor
    Lee
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S21
    Primary Instructor
    Milliken
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S22
    Primary Instructor
    Murray
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S23
    Primary Instructor
    Lynch
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S24
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S25
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S26
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S27
    Primary Instructor
    Parman
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S28
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research

  • Advanced Remote Sensing

    Strategies and the physical principles behind the quantitative extraction of geophysical and biophysical properties from remotely sensed data. Emphasis on radiative transfer theory and modeling of spectra and spectral mixtures from optical constants. Advanced methods of digital image processing. Methods of integrating remotely sensed data into a GIS framework will be introduced. Recommended preparation course: GEOL 1330 or 1710; MATH 0100; PHYS 0600.
    GEOL 2330 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard

  • Igneous Petrology

    Study of mineral equilibria in igneous rocks in relation to theoretical and experimental studies in silicate systems. Principles of the origin and evolution of igneous rocks in space and time. Offered alternate years.
    GEOL 2430 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Parman

  • Isotope Geochemistry

    A survey course emphasizing fundamental principles in isotope geochemistry, including nuclear systematics, nucleosynthesis, geochronological and stable isotope systems, and the application of radiogenic and stable isotopic tracers to geological problems. Prerequisites: GEOL 1410 and 1420, or instructor permission.
    GEOL 2730 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Saal

  • Planetary Evolution – Origin/Evolution of the Moon: Touchstone for Understanding Planets

    The Moon forms a fundamental baseline for our understanding of the origin of planets and their early evolution, in terms of primary and secondary crustal formation, core and mantle formation and evolution, magnetism, impact basins, and global tectonics. A major goal of this course is to identify major outstanding questions and scientific and exploration goals for future robotic and human exploration missions to the Moon. Sponsored by NASA SSERVI, the lecture series is jointly organized by SSERVI teams at Brown University and the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston with many affiliated SSERVI institutes participating.
    GEOL 2870 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Head

  • Geophysics of the Inner Solar System

    This graduate level course will survey the current state of knowledge for geophysical processes and mechanisms related to the formation and evolution of terrestrial bodies within the inner Solar System. The course will apply fundamental science concepts in physics and chemistry to examine key topics within planetary geophysics, including planet-wide magma oceans, planetary collisions and impacts, volcanism, tectonics, and magnetism. The course is formatted to allow for lecture content and presentation and discussion of relevant themes and concepts. No prior background in the geological sciences is required.
    GEOL 2910H S01
    Primary Instructor
    Evans

  • Ocean, Cryosphere, and Sea Level Change

    Interested in finding out how big climate science gets done? This graduate reading and writing seminar will emphasize the study of the breakthrough science that has been published since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (i.e., accepted for publication since March 15, 2013). The focus will be on the physical science basis: past and future changes in ocean circulation and properties, marine and terrestrial cryosphere, and sea level; evaluation of models and projection methods; detection and attribution; projections of global and regional sea-level change; abrupt change and long-term commitment; and extreme water levels.
    GEOL 2950 S01
    Permission of instructor is required. Class size is limited to 30 people.
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper

  • Research in Geological Sciences

    Section numbers vary by instructor. Please check Banner for the correct section number and CRN to use when registering for this course. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students only.
    GEOL 2980 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Clemens
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S02
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S03
    Primary Instructor
    Lynch
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S04
    Primary Instructor
    Fischer
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S05
    Primary Instructor
    Forsyth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S06
    Primary Instructor
    Gromet
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S07
    Primary Instructor
    Head
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S08
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S09
    Primary Instructor
    Hermance
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S10
    Primary Instructor
    Huang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S11
    Primary Instructor
    Liang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S12
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S13
    Primary Instructor
    Parmentier
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S14
    Primary Instructor
    Pieters
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S15
    Primary Instructor
    Prell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S16
    Primary Instructor
    Russell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S17
    Primary Instructor
    Saal
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S18
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S19
    Primary Instructor
    Tullis
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S20
    Primary Instructor
    Dalton
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S21
    Primary Instructor
    Milliken
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S22
    Primary Instructor
    Carlson
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S23
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S24
    Primary Instructor
    Lee
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S25
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S26
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S27
    Primary Instructor
    Parman
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S28
    Primary Instructor
    Johnson
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S29
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S30
    Primary Instructor
    Amaral Zettler
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research

  • Thesis Preparation

    For graduate students who have met the tuition requirements and are paying the registration fee to continue active enrollment while preparing a thesis.
    GEOL 2990 S01
    Schedule Code
    E: Grad Enrollment Fee/Dist Prep