Courses

  • GRS ES 643: Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
    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 GRS BI 643.
  • GRS ES 660: Geodynamics I
    (Meets with CAS ES 360.) 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.
  • GRS ES 671: Geochemistry
    (Meets with CAS ES 371.) 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.
  • GRS ES 683: Geodynamics II Fluids and Fluid Transport
    Large- and small-scale phenomena in oceanic, atmospheric, and land-surface 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.
  • GRS ES 699: Teaching College Earth Sciences I
    The goals, contents, and methods of instruction in earth sciences. General teaching-learning issues. Required of all teaching fellows.
  • GRS ES 701: Quantitative Methods for Earth Sciences 1: Mechanics of Earth Materials
    Characterization of the response of complex natural systems to forcing, using the methods of continuum mechanics. Applications include magma migration, the propagation of seismic waves, glacial flow, oceanic thermohaline circulation, and thermochemical convection in the Earth's mantle.
  • GRS ES 702: Quantitative Methods for Earth Sciences II: Analysis and Modeling of Geologic Processes
    Quantitative techniques for deriving models of geologic processes from physical measurements. Applications include marine sediment composition, soil response to solar heating, seismic-wave propagation in the mantle, estuarine water quality, glacial and interglacial cycles, and olivine deformation.
  • GRS ES 719: Colloquium in Terrestrial Biogeoscience
    Introduction to the field of Terrestrial Biogeoscience through weekly research presentations and discussions with GRS faculty and distinguished guests. Students also meet weekly with lead faculty member to discuss primary literature related to each presentation. Also offered as GRS BI 719 and GRS GE 719.
  • GRS ES 720: Practicum in Terrestrial Biogeoscience
    Analysis and synthesis of the primary literature via in-depth case studies in terrestrial biogeoscience. Students meet weekly with faculty to read papers from the primary literature, synthesize results, and prepare a peer-review quality paper on the case study. Also offered as GRS BI 720 and GRS GE 720.
  • GRS ES 771: Isotope Earth Science
    Stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry; isotope geology of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and sulphur; applications of isotope systematics to geochemical problems in hydrology, ocean biogeochemistry, and crustal genesis. (Offered alternate years.)
  • GRS ES 772: Trace Element Geochemistry
    Trace elements are used to understand the origin and evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks and this is applicable to low temperature environments. The course develops models for understanding the partitioning of trace elements in these systems.
  • GRS ES 781: Methods of Seismology
    Methods and theoretical underpinnings of seismology, including elastic wave propagation, ray theory, reflection refraction and transmission, surface waves, earth structure, seismic sources, and review of modern analysis techniques.
  • GRS ES 830: Advanced Topics in Surface Processes
    Develops skills in critical scientific thinking through readings and discussions of classic and current literature in surface processes.
  • GRS ES 831: Advanced Topics in Tectonics
    Develops skills in critical scientific thinking through readings and discussions of classic and current literature in tectonics.
  • GRS ES 834: Advanced Topics in Geochemical Cycles
    Develops skills in critical scientific thinking through readings and discussions of classic and current literature in geochemical cycles.
  • GRS ES 835: Advanced Topics in Marine Geosciences
    Develops skills in critical scientific thinking through readings and discussions of classic and current literature in marine geosciences.
  • GRS ES 911: Geomorphology and Hydrogeology
  • GRS ES 912: Geomorphology and Hydrogeology
  • GRS ES 921: Crystallography and Mineralogy
  • GRS ES 922: Crystallography and Mineralogy

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