College of Arts & Sciences

Earth Sciences

Chair Guido D. Salvucci

Associate Chair Andrew Kurtz

Director of Undergraduate Studies David R. Marchant

Professors FitzGerald, Murray, Salvucci

Associate Professors Baxter, Faul, Kurtz, Marchant

Assistant Professors Dalton, Hall, Fagherazzi, Fulweiler, Jackson

Adjunct Professors Abers, Plank

Research Professor Raymo

Research Associate Professors Abercrombie, Mahadevan

Research Fellow Goldberg

Professors Emeriti Brownlow, Gheith

Associated Faculty El-Baz (Director, Center for Remote Sensing)

The study of earth sciences is essential preparation for a variety of careers, including environmental geology, oil and mineral exploration and management, environmental law, land use planning, hydrogeology, and research in any of the major earth science disciplines. The Department of Earth Sciences emphasizes a broad approach to the subject, with a grounding in the traditional components of geology and ocean sciences as well as in disciplines such as hydrogeology and remote sensing. The degree programs require an integration of field and classroom studies and an examination of both modern and ancient earth science systems.

The Department of Earth Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in earth sciences and environmental earth sciences. An interdisciplinary degree in geophysics and planetary sciences is also available.

The earth sciences degree provides breadth and diversity of training that prepare students for further professional training at the master’s and doctoral levels or for entry into consulting or industry. The environmental earth sciences degree provides a solid background for those students seeking training in the fields of environmental earth sciences and hydrogeology with the aim of joining private consulting companies, state and federal monitoring agencies, or mining and oil companies.

The degree structure includes a common core of earth science courses that provide a broad yet rigorous background in Earth’s history and evolution, as well as its geophysical and geochemical properties. From this core, students consolidate and extend their experience with other, more specialized laboratory, field, and lecture courses, many of which emphasize current research interests of the faculty. Field experience is an essential part of the program. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate as field and laboratory assistants, thereby gaining better insight into concepts and methodologies introduced in coursework.

The department participates in a summer earth sciences field program in the glaciated mountains of western Ireland (CAS ES 500). Emphasis is on mapping projects and field exercises across the spectrum of rock types and land surfaces.

Juniors are encouraged to consider the Geological Sciences Program abroad in Auckland, New Zealand, which is administered through Boston University International Programs. Opportunities exist for study of topics unique to New Zealand geology, ecology, and volcanology.

For students wishing to develop a marine focus, particularly in connection with a biological emphasis, courses are available through the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP). In this case, the emphasis is on field and laboratory teaching and research and includes aspects of ancient marine geology, biogeochemistry of sediments, and biota. Access is also provided to present-day natural field laboratories in the local area and in the Bahamas.

The Department of Earth Sciences is housed at 675 and 685 Commonwealth Avenue, at the center of the main campus. Modern teaching and research facilities include ICP-MS, ICP-ES, TIMS, optical microscopes, computing and image analysis systems. In addition, the use of a wide range of field equipment is encouraged.

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Concentration in Earth Sciences (1926)

A concentration in earth sciences requires the completion of 15 courses approved by the department with a grade of C or better in each of the required earth science and required related courses. In addition, the student must pass an approved summer field course. The earth sciences concentration is intended to provide the student with a broad earth sciences background in preparation for further, more specialized graduate study or entry-level professional employment.

Required Earth Sciences Courses  CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; ES 302 or 351; ES 360, ES 371; at least three of ES 222, 301, 317, 331, 333, and whichever of 302 or 351 is not taken above, only one of which may be at the 200 level; at least two ES courses at the 400 level or above, exclusive of CAS ES 401, 402, 491, 492. Students must also take CAS ES 500 or, with prior approval from the director of undergraduate studies, an equivalent summer field course. In addition, students are encouraged to enroll for one of the following pairs of courses: CAS ES 401, 402; ES 491, 492.

Required Related Courses  Mathematics requirement: CAS MA 123 and MA 124 or CAS MA 127 or CAS MA 129. Chemistry requirement: CAS CH 101, 102, or CAS CH 111, 112. Physics requirement: CAS PY 211, 212 or CAS PY 251, 252.

CAS BI 107 may, in very rare circumstances, be used to satisfy earth sciences concentration requirements with prior written approval of the director of undergraduate studies.

Concentration in Environmental Earth Sciences (1927)

A concentration in environmental earth sciences requires the completion of 15 courses approved by the department with a grade of C or better. In addition, a summer field course is strongly recommended. The environmental earth sciences concentration is intended to provide the student with vocational tools for employment in the environmental industry or an adequate scientific background for further study in areas such as environmental policy, teaching, and government.

Required Environmental Earth Sciences Courses  CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; ES 302 or 351, ES 220, 317; at least one course from the following: CAS ES 222, 301, 333, 360, and whichever of 302 or 351 is not taken above. In addition, students must take at least four courses from the list below, with at least one course in each group: (1) glacial/hydrology (CAS GE 347, CAS ES 411, 511, 534); (2) surface processes/marine earth science (CAS ES 331, 333, 440, 452, 541, 533); and (3) geochemistry (CAS ES 371, 423, 571, 573, 576).

Required Related Courses  CAS MA 123, 124 or MA 127 or MA 129; CAS CH 101, 102, or CH 111, 112; CAS PY 211, 212 or PY 251, 252.

Concentration in Geophysics & Planetary Sciences

Advisors: Hall (ES), Janes (AS), Spence (AS)

Principal Courses: CAS AS 202 and 311; one 100-level ES course or CAS GE 104; CAS ES 360; CAS MA 123, 124 (or both replaced by 127 or 129) and MA 225; CAS CH 101 or 131; CAS PY 211, 212 (or 251, 252), and 355 (or 403), and 405 or 408; at least 4 courses from the following, one of which must be 400 level or above, not all in the same department: AS 312, 414, 441; ES 222, 301, 371, 483, 505, 581; GE 302, 310, 312; PY 313 or 354; PY 410; PY 405 or 408 if not already taken.

Recommended: Any from the above required list if not taken as a principal course, in addition to CAS CH 102; CS 111, 112.

Minor Concentration in Earth Sciences (1926)

A five-course minor concentration in earth sciences consists of no more than one 100-level course (CAS ES 101, 105, 140, 142, 144, or GE 104) and at least four courses at the 200 level or above, including ES 302 or ES 351. The grades in each of these courses must be C or higher. All minor concentrators develop their programs in consultation with a departmental advisor. For further information, contact Professor Marchant in the department.

Major and Minor Concentrations in Environmental Science

Faculty in the Department of Earth Sciences also contribute to the concentration in Environmental Science, which is administered through the Department of Geography & Environment. This concentration is designed to provide interdisciplinary training in Environmental Science and includes coursework in Earth Sciences, Biology, and Geography. Full details regarding requirements for major and minor concentrations in Environmental Science are provided under the Department of Geography & Environment in this site.

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BA/MA in Earth Sciences (1926)

This program offers exceptionally qualified students an opportunity to earn both the bachelor’s and the master’s degree in less time than required to obtain the degrees separately. Admission normally occurs during the fifth semester of undergraduate study, at which time a coherent program is designed to suit the student’s special interests and needs. Requirements for admission are satisfactory completion of at least three earth science courses and an overall grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students combine coursework and directed research leading to a required thesis. For further information, contact Professor Kurtz or Professor Marchant in the department. Please refer to Special Courses and Programs under College of Arts & Sciences on this site for general information about BA/MA programs.

Organizations

The Boston University Geological Society (BUGS)  is a student organization composed of earth sciences students whose activities complement the study of earth sciences in the classroom. In addition to regular meetings and frequent fundraising events, BUGS sponsors an annual field trip and a lecture series.

Sigma Xi See Honor Societies on this site.

Introductory Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy divisional studies requirements. Students may take only one of CAS ES 105, 101, or GE 104 toward satisfaction of the natural science divisional requirement. To pass a divisional course with a lab component, the student must pass the lab component.

†CAS ES 101 The Dynamic Earth

Introduction to the dynamic Earth, including plate tectonics, earthquake hazards and volcanic hazards, mountain-building processes; igneous, and metamorphic processes; surface processes, erosion, soil, and sediment formation; and hydrogeology. Interactions among the litho-spheric, hydrospheric, atmospheric, and biospheric systems are emphasized. Three hours lecture, two hours lab, including field trips. Marchant or Dalton. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS ES 105 Environmental Earth Sciences

Geological processes in environmental science; groundwater quantity and quality; geological resource supply and recovery; earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural hazards; landforms, climate, desertification, glaciation, and ocean circulation patterns. Three hours lecture, two hours lab, including field trips. Kurtz or Fagherazzi. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS ES 140 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Other Natural Disasters

Explores the large natural events that affect us; examines their geologic causes, as well as their natural and human consequences. Topics include earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, impacts of extraterrestrial objects, and other near-surface disasters, with an emphasis on destructive solid-earth phenomena. Hall. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS)

†CAS ES 142 Introduction to Beach and Shoreline Processes

Coastal processes including tidal currents, wave action, longshore transport, and estuarine circulation; barrier island and spit formation; study of beaches, dunes, and marshes; effects of tectonics, glaciers, and rivers on beaches and coastal morphology. Cape Cod field trip. FitzGerald. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (NS)

†CAS ES 144 Oceanography

Examines the physical, chemical, and biological processes by which the oceans serve as an agent to accelerate or moderate the pace of global change. Dynamic nature of the oceans on both a short- and a long-term scale is emphasized. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS)

Earth Sciences Curriculum

CAS ES 222 Mineralogy

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 302. CAS CH 101 recommended. Introduction to crystal symmetry; physical and chemical properties of minerals; examination and identification of important mineral groups. Three hours lecture, four hours lab. Baxter. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 301 Structural Analysis of Rocks

Prereq: CAS ES 302; ES 222 recommended. Deformation of rocks and minerals, stress, strain; kinetic and dynamic analysis of folds, faults, joints, rock fabrics; regional settings of rock structures; interpretation of geological maps. Three hours lecture, three hours lab, and occasional field trips. Faul. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 302 History of the Earth

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or CAS ES 105 or CAS ES 140 or CAS ES 142 or CAS ES 144 or CAS GE 104 or consent of instructor. Introduction to earth history; origin of the earth and solar system; origin and evolution of life; mass extinctions; interpretation of the geological record of earth history; measurement of geological time; plate tectonics and the formation of mountains, continents, and ocean basins. Three hours lecture, two hours lab, with occasional field trips. Baxter. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 317 Introduction to Hydrology

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; CAS MA 121, 123, or 127 or consent of instructor. Introduction to the science of hydrology and to the role of water as a resource, a hazard, and an integral component of the Earth’s climatic, biological, and geological systems. Salvucci. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 331 Sedimentology

Prereq: CAS ES 202 and ES 101 or 105, or consent of instructor. Properties and classification of clastic and carbonate sediments and sedimentary rock; processes that form, transport, and deposit sediments; environments of deposition; diagenesis; methods of analysis. Three hours lecture, three hours lab, and occasional field trips. FitzGerald. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 333 Earth Surface Processes

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 302 or GE 104. Evolution of Earth’s landscapes. Topics include weathering rates, soil development, mass-movements and slope stability, tectonic geomorphology, glacial and periglacial geomorphology, and the effects of climate change in landform development. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. Marchant. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 351 Paleoclimatology and Paleoceanography

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104. CAS GE 101 recommended. Examines causes and effects of climate change throughout Earth’s history. Topics include ice age climates and glaciations; oceanic history; linkages between Arctic and Antarctic ice sheets; tectonic effects; ice-core, coral, and marine sediment records; El Niño, terrestrial extinctions. Kurtz. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 360 Geodynamics I

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104. Coreq: PY 211 or 241 or 251. Introduces basic physical principles of Earth’s structure and dynamics. Driving mechanisms and plate motion; reflection, refraction seismology, magnetism, gravity and the Geoid, heat flow, tomography, mantle convection. Oceanic and continental lithosphere in active tectonic regions. Hall. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 371 Introduction to Geochemistry

Prereq: CAS ES 101 or 105 or 140 or 142 or 144 or GE 104; and CAS CH 101. Chemical features of Earth and the solar system; geochemical cycles, reactions among solids, liquids, and gases; radioactivity and isotope fractionation; water chemistry; origins of ore deposits; applications of geochemistry to regional and global problems. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

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Courses Primarily for Upper-Level Undergraduates

CAS ES 401, 402 Senior Independent Work

Prereq: approval of the Honors Committee. 4 cr, 1st and 2nd sem.

CAS ES 423 Marine Biogeochemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 101 and CAS CH 102, BUMP semester or CAS ES 144, or consent of instructor. Oceanic nutrient and biogeochemical cycling in the context of the marine response to global change. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include oceanic productivity, iron limitation, and oceanic glacial-interglacial biogeochemistry. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 424 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Prereq: CAS ES 222. Recognition and interpretation of common igneous and metamorphic rocks, both in hand sample and in thin section; the relationships between rocks and the tectonic environments in which they formed. Three hours lecture, three hours lab, and occasional field trips. (Offered alternate years.) Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 440 Marine Geology

Prereq: any 100-level ES course or consent of instructor. Examines the evolution of ocean basins and marginal seas, changes in structure and composition of ocean basin throughout the last billion years and the contribution of oceanic geological processes to the chemistry and biochemistry of earth. Murray. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 443 Terrestrial Biogeochemistry

Prereq: CAS BI 107 or CAS ES 101 or CAS ES 105 and CH 101/102, or consent of instructor. The patterns and processes controlling carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include net primary production, nutrient use efficiency, and biogeochemical transformation. Meets with CAS BI 443/643. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 483 Geodynamics II: Fluids and Fluid Transport

Prereq: CAS MA 124 or 127 or 129 and CAS PY 211 and CAS ES 360 or consent of instructor. Large- and small-scale phenomena in oceanic, atmospheric, and landsurface fluids. Properties of gases and liquids; surface body forces; statics; flow analysis; continuity and momentum conservation. Darcy’s Law; potential, open channel, and geostrophic flow; dimensional analysis; diffusion, turbulence. (Offered alternate years.) Salvucci. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 491, 492 Directed Study in Earth Sciences

Prereq: junior or senior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of CAS Room 105. Individual instruction and directed research of a selected topic. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

Courses for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

CAS ES 500 Field Geology

Prereq: junior standing, CAS ES 101 or 105 or GE 104, and ES 302; or consent of instructor. ES 222, 301, and 424 recommended. Scientific observation, interpretation, and solution of geological problems in the field through application of field mapping techniques. Includes recognition of rock types and structures as well as metamorphic effects of tectonic events, map making methods, and report preparation. 8 cr, Summer I.

CAS ES 503 Structural Petrology

Prereq: CAS ES 301, and ES 424 or 222, or consent of instructor. Structural analysis of deformed rocks in thin section. Deformation mechanisms at the crystal lattice and grain scale. Interpretation of tectonic deformation processes and pressure-temperature conditions based on preserved microstructure and metamorphic mineral growth. (Offered alternate years.) Staff. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 505 Plate Tectonics and Kinematics

Structure and geometry of lithospheric plates and plate boundaries; mechanisms of divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries; orthogonal and oblique subduction; triple junctions; mantle plumes, nature and origin of large igneous provinces and sedimentary basin, Phanerozoic orogenic belts. Hall. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 507 Dynamical Oceanography

Prereq: CAS MA 124 or CAS MA 127, and CAS PY 211. Introduction to the physical ocean system. Physical properties of seawater; essential ocean dynamics; mixing and stirring in the ocean; simple waves; observed current systems and water masses; and coupled atmosphere-ocean variability. Also offered as CAS GE 507. B. Anderson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 514 Dynamic Landsurface Hydrology

Prereq: CAS MA 121, MA 123, or MA 127 and CAS CH 101, CH 111, CH 131, CH 161, CH 171, PY 105, PY 211, PY 233, or PY 251. Landsurface hydrology with emphasis on the unsaturated zone. Development and applications of physics governing transport of water, vapor, and heat in soils and the near surface atmosphere. Effects of vegetation, topography, and water table on runoff, evapotranspiration, and recharge. (Offered alternate years.) Salvucci. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 533 Quantitative Geomorphology

Prereq: CAS ES 317, ES 331, or CAS ES 333 and CAS MA 124. Quantitative analyses of surface processes that lead to landform evolution and landscape change. Emphasizes study of analytical techniques in understanding specific depositional and erosional processes; models of global landscape change; tectonic and climatic geomorphology. (Offered alternate years.) Fagherazzi. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 534 Ice-Age Systems

Prereq: CAS ES 333 or 351 or consent of instructor. Cenozoic climate change and development of Earth’s ice sheets; distribution and stratigraphy of glacial deposits; ice-ocean atmosphere interactions and feedback mechanisms; geomorphic and glaciologic models for ice-sheet reconstructions; numerical models of ice-sheet growth and decay. (Offered alternate years.) Marchant. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 541 Coastal Processes

Prereq: CAS ES 331 or consent of instructor. Shorelines as functions of tidal and wave energy; onshore, offshore, and alongshore sediment transport from theoretical and empirical viewpoints; barrier island, backbarrier and tidal inlet morphology and processes; wave dynamics; tides. Two hours lecture, three hours lab/fieldwork. FitzGerald. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 543 Estuaries and Nearshore Systems

Prereq: CAS ES 331 or CAS ES 440 or CAS ES 541, or consent of instructor. Physical and ecological processes interacting in estuarine and nearshore environments, including salt marshes, beaches, lagoons, deltas, and in wave- and tide-dominated regimes. Lectures complemented by extensive fieldwork oriented toward individual and group research projects. Fagherazzi. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 545 Tropical Oceanography of the Caribbean Sea

Prereq: CAS ES 144 or consent of instructor and admission to the BUMP Marine Semester. In-depth treatment of physical, biogeochemical, geological, and biological oceanography of the Caribbean, oriented toward development of research project to be fulfilled during ES 546. BU and SEA faculty jointly teach. Taught in Woods Hole as part of BUMP Marine Semester. Murray. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 546 Tropical Oceanography of the Caribbean Sea: Applications and Research

Prereq: CAS ES 545 and admission to the BUMP Marine Semester. Participation on oceanographic research expedition to pursue research developed as part of ES 545. Nearshore and open ocean research in geological, chemical, physical, and biological oceanography. BU and SEA faculty jointly teach. Taught at sea on research vessel operated by Sea Education Association. Murray. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 561 Mechanics of Earthquakes

Prereq: CAS ES 360 and PY 211/212 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Explores current understanding of many aspects of earthquake phenomena, including where and when earthquakes occur, how an earthquake begins, and the likelihood of reliable earthquake prediction. Multidisciplinary techniques used to study earthquakes are introduced, including geologic, geodetic, and seismological methods. Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 571 Geochemical Modeling

Prereq: CAS ES 222, CAS ES 371, CAS CH 102, and CAS MA 124 or consent of instructor. Quantitative techniques used to interpret chemical variations in earth materials. Principles of chemical equilibrium, mass transport, and kinetics applied to aqueous, igneous, and metamorphic systems. Focus on geological processes of melting, crystallization, mixing, reaction, weathering, and diagenesis. (Offered alternate years.) Baxter, Kurtz, Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 573 Analytical Methods in Geochemistry

Prereq: CAS ES 371 and CAS ES 222, or ES 331, or CAS CH 102. Introduces students to quantitative analytical techniques used in geology, including X-ray, optical emission, mass spectrometric, and neutron activation methods. Examples are drawn from igneous and sedimentary systems. Emphasizes criteria for selecting and using techniques appropriate to specific geologic problems. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. (Offered alternate years.) Kurtz, Murray, Staff. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS ES 576 Aquatic Geochemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 101 or CAS CH 171 and CAS ES 371, or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of water chemistry as applied to the evolution of surface, soil, and ground waters. Emphasis is on chemical equilibrium and kinetics, pH as a master variable, carbonate chemistry, mineral solubility, aqueous complexes, ion exchange, redox, and weathering reactions. Kurtz. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 581 Solid Earth Geophysics

Prereq: CAS ES 360; PY 211, 212, or 241, 242 or 251, 252; MA 123, 124 or 127 or 129. Explores the methods and results of geophysical exploration into the solid earth. Topics include crustal and whole-earth seismology, the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields, earthquake source phenomena, and structure of the planet. Hall. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS ES 587, 588 Seminar in Earth Sciences

Prereq: junior standing, CAS ES 101 or 105, and consent of instructor. Discussion of current topics in earth sciences with assigned readings and lecture seminars. Staff. 2 cr, either sem.

Cooperative Program with Boston College

This cooperative program permits degree candidates at Boston University to pursue courses in areas of fluid mechanics and geophysics at Boston College. Cross-registration is designated by the symbols XAS (for undergraduate students) and XRG (for graduate students).

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