Earth and Planetary Sciences
101.
How the Earth Works - An Introduction to Geology.
(3)
A fascinating tour of our active planet. Explore earth materials (rocks and minerals), the continents’ motions 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. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1114).
105L.
Physical Geology Laboratory.
(1)
Minerals, rocks and topographic and geologic maps; field trips. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1114).
Pre- or corequisite: 101.
{Fall, Spring}
110.
Topics in the Earth Sciences.
(1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Eight- to 16-week courses on selected topics relating directly to the human experience, e.g., Volcanoes, Extinctions, Weather, Earthquakes, New Mexico’s Water, Soils, Nuclear Hazards, Geomagnetism, Albuquerque Field Geology and the Geology of Everyday Life.
{Fall, Spring}
115.
Geological Disasters.
(3)
Causes and effects of disastrous geological events, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides and floods.
201L.
Earth History.
(4)
Elrick, Smith
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. (NMCCN 1114)
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
Pre- or corequisite: 105L or ENVS 102L.
{Fall, Spring}
203.
Energy and the Environment.
(3)
Geologic context for the occurrence of metals, industrial minerals, water, and energy resources on Earth. Environmental ramifications of resource exploration, exploitation and use and local, national and global environmental laws and treaties governing those activities.
Prerequisite: (101 or ENVS 101) and ((MATH 120 or (MATH 102 and MATH 103)).
225.
Oceanography.
(3)
Understanding physical, chemical, and biological processes in the world oceans.
250.
Geology of New Mexico.
(3)
Kues
Survey of geologic features of New Mexico including structures, land forms, stratigraphy, fossils, geologic history and mineral resources. A course in elementary geology recommended.
251.
Meteorology.
(3)
Gutzler
(Also offered as GEOG 251)
Description of weather phenomena, principles of atmospheric motion, weather map analysis and weather prediction.
252.
Volcanoes!.
(3)
Fischer
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.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
**300.
Topics in Geology.
(1-4, may be repeated once Δ)
Summary of specific areas of geology, designed especially for earth science teachers and other nontraditional students. Subjects may vary from year to year; lectures normally supplemented by laboratory exercises.
**301.
Mineralogy/Earth and Planetary Materials.
(3)
Introduction to crystallography, crystal chemistry and their relation to physical and chemical properties of materials. Overview of major structure types and crystal chemistry/occurrence of common rock-forming minerals.
EPS majors must enroll in 301 and 302L in the same semester.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 123L.
{Fall}
**302L.
Mineralogy Laboratory.
(2)
Laboratory exercises in crystallography and crystal chemistry. Hand specimen identification of the common rock-forming minerals.
{Fall}
**303L.
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.
(4)
Introduction to processes leading to formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Emphasis on plate tectonic settings and interactions between physical and chemical processes.
Prerequisite: **301 and **302L.
{Spring}
**304L.
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
(4)
Elrick
Introduction to origin, petrology and stratigraphic occurrence of sedimentary rocks.
Prerequisite: 201L and **301 and **302L.
**307L.
Structural Geology.
(4)
Karlstrom
Nature and origin of rock structures and deformation; map and stereographic projection problems; stress and strain.
Prerequisite: **304L and (PHYC 151 or PHYC 160).
Pre- or corequisite: **303L.
{Spring}
310L.
New Mexico Field Geology.
(4)
Scientific method based on field observation, analysis of geologic phenomena and geologic history of New Mexico. Written report for each 4-hour field trip to outcrops in the Albuquerque area.
Prerequisite: (101 or ENVS 101) and (105L or ENVS 102L).
**319L.
Introductory Field Geology.
(4)
Principles and techniques of basic field mapping, layout, preparation, and presentation of maps and cross-sections; construction of geologic reports. Offered as a 3-week summer course (20 consecutive days).
Prerequisite: **304L and **307L.
**333.
Environmental Geology.
(3)
Smith
Earth processes and anthropogenic environmental factors and their cycles. Physical and chemical aspects of environmental change will be considered.
Prerequisite: (101 or ENVS 101) and MATH 121 or 123 or 150 or 153 or 162).
352.
Global Climate Change.
(3)
Gutzler
(Also offered as GEOG 352)
Comparison of natural and anthropogenic causes of large-scale climate change. Factors influencing development of mitigation of adaptation policies.
**365.
Exploring the Solar System.
(3)
Agee
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.
*400.
Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences.
(1-4, may be repeated once Δ)
401 / 501.
Colloquium.
(1 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Current topics in geology. For graduate students, may be repeated once for credit towards degree. See description for 490.
Offered on CR/NC basis only.
Restriction: junior or senior standing.
405L / 505L.
Stable Isotope Geochemistry.
(3)
Sharp
Examinations of principles governing the distribution of stable isotopes in geological materials and their applications in understanding geochemical processes.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 123L and MATH 163.
410 / 510.
Fundamentals of Geochemistry.
(3)
Asmeron
Geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Geochemical methodology.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 and MATH 150.
*411L.
Invertebrate Paleontology.
(4)
Kues
General principles and familiarization with diagnostic features of fossils. Introduction to environmental implications. 8 hours of EPS or BIOL recommended.
Prerequisite: 201L or (BIOL 203 and BIOL 203L).
415 / 515.
Geochemistry of Natural Waters.
(3)
Crossey
Principles of aqueous chemistry and processes controlling the composition of natural waters: streams, lakes, groundwater and the oceans.
Prerequisite: **304L or (CHEM 122 and CHEM 124L).
420L / 520L.
Topics in Advanced Field Geology.
(2-4 to a maximum of 8 Δ)
Karlstrom
Advanced geological field techniques; special field problems concentrating on the tectonic evolution of the Rocky Mountain region. Offered as a 3-week course (20 consecutive days).
Prerequisite: **319L.
{Summer}
427 / 527.
Geophysics.
(3)
(Also offered as PHYC **327)
Applications of gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow to the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration.
Prerequisite: MATH 163 and PHYC 161.
428 / 528.
Applied Mathematics for Earth and Environmental Sciences.
(3)
Introduction to linear algebra, differential equations, and vector calculus with applications to hydrology, geophysics, and atmospheric sciences.
Prerequisite: MATH 163.
433.
Statistics and Data Analysis in Earth Science.
(3)
Selected mathematical methods of geological data analysis, including elementary statistics, matrix algebra, multivariate data analysis and Fourier analysis.
Prerequisite: MATH 163.
436 / 536.
Climate Dynamics.
(3)
Gutzler
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.
Prerequisite: MATH 162 and PHYC 160.
*439.
Paleoclimatology.
(3)
Fawcett
History of the Earth’s climate. Examination of methods in climactic reconstruction and mechanisms of climactic change. Emphasis on Pleistocene and Holocene climactic records.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
443 / 543.
Aquifers and Reservoirs.
(3)
Approaches of describing, evaluating, and modeling aquifer and reservoir character, focusing primarily on sedimentary systems. Techniques include well log analysis, cross-section construction, structure and isopach map contouring, and geostatistical simulation.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
445 / 545.
Topics in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
(1-4, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
Variable course content depending on student interest. Topics may include physical sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, basin analysis, cycle stratigraphy and chemostratigraphy.
450L / 550L.
Volcanology.
(4)
Fischer
Characteristics and mechanism of volcanic systems, volcanism in various continental and marine tectonic settings. Laboratory to include field and laboratory examination of volcanic rocks and structures and models of volcanic processes.
Prerequisite: **303L.
455L / 555L.
Computational and GIS Applications in Geomorphology.
(3)
Scuderi
Techniques in acquisition, processing, analysis and display of digital, aerial photo and remote-sensing data; regional quantitative morphometry; use of topography and geology with GIS in landscape evolution and analysis.
Prerequisite: (101 or ENVS 101) and 433 and 481L.
457L / 557L.
Mathematical Modeling in the Geosciences.
(3)
Fawcett
Introduction to basic numerical modeling techniques with broad application to dynamic systems in the geosciences including sedimentology, geochemistry, hydrology, climatology and paleoclimatology.
Prerequisite: MATH 163 and PHYC 160.
462 / 562.
Hydrogeology.
(3)
Weissmann
(Also offered as CE 441 / 541)
Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling groundwater flow, including flow to wells. The hydrologic cycle; interactions between surface and subsurface hydrologic systems; regional flow systems. Groundwater geochemistry and contaminant transport.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 123L and MATH 163 and PHYC 160.
Restriction: senior standing.
465 / 565.
Mars Evolution.
(3)
Agee
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.
476 / 576.
Physical Hydrology.
(3)
(Also offered as WR 576)
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.
{Fall}
481L / 581L.
Geomorphology and Surficial Geology.
(4)
Meyer
Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on weathering, soils, hillslope processes, fluvial systems and surficial geology; occasional field trips.
Prerequisite: (101 and 105L) or (ENVS 101 and 102L).
482L / 582L.
Geoarchaeology.
(3)
(Also offered as ANTH 482L / 582L)
Smith
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 120 and ANTH 122L) and ANTH 220.
Restriction: junior or senior standing.
{Alternate Years}
485L / 585L.
Soil Stratigraphy and Morphology.
(3)
McFadden
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.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
*490.
Geologic Presentation.
(1)
Student review of geologic literature; preparation and critique of oral presentations.
Prerequisite: **301 or ENVS 330.
Corequisite: EPS 401.
491-492.
Problems.
(1-3, 1-3)
493.
Independent Study.
(3)
Independent study for departmental honors.
Prerequisite: **303L or ENVS 330.
495.
Senior Thesis.
(3)
Candidacy for honors in Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Prerequisite: 493.
501 / 401.
Colloquium.
(1 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Current topics in geology. For graduate students, may be repeated once for credit towards degree. See description for 490.
Offered on CR/NC basis only.
505L / 405L.
Stable Isotope Geochemistry.
(3)
Sharp
Examinations of principles governing the distribution of stable isotopes in geological materials and their applications in understanding geochemical processes.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and 123L and MATH 163.
507L.
Thermodynamics and Physical Foundations of Geochemistry.
(4)
Sharp
Thermodynamics and application to geologic systems, phase equilibria, phase rule, ideal and nonideal solutions.
Prerequisite: 303L and CHEM 121 and 123L and MATH 163.
510 / 410.
Fundamentals of Geochemistry.
(3)
Asmeron
Geochemistry of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Geochemical methodology.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 and MATH 150.
513.
Planetary Materials and the Evolution of the Solar System.
(3)
Discussion of the origin and evolution of the planets, including planet Earth, based on study of lunar samples, terrestrial samples and meteorites; theory; earth based observations; and space missions.
515 / 415.
Geochemistry of Natural Waters.
(3)
Crossey
Principles of aqueous chemistry and processes controlling the composition of natural waters: streams, lakes, groundwater and the oceans.
516.
Selected Topics in Geomorphology.
(3, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
518L.
Electron Microprobe Analysis.
(3)
Theory and practice of electron microprobe analysis emphasizing geological materials.
Restriction: permission of instructor and a demonstrated need for the use of instrument.
520L / 420L.
Topics in Advanced Field Geology.
(2-4 to a maximum of 8 Δ)
Karlstrom
Advanced geological field techniques; special field problems concentrating on the tectonic evolution of the Rocky Mountain region. Offered as a 3-week course (20 consecutive days).
Prerequisite: 319L.
{Summer}
522.
Selected Topics in Geophysics.
(3, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
Geissman, Roy
Restriction: permission of instructor.
523.
Topics in Tectonics.
(3, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
Restriction: permission of instructor.
527 / 427.
Geophysics.
(3)
(Also offered as PHYC **327)
Applications of gravity, magnetics, seismology, heat flow to the structure, constitution and deformation of earth. Related aspects of plate tectonics and resource exploration.
Prerequisite: (101 or ENVS 101) and MATH 163 and PHYC 161.
528 / 428.
Applied Mathematics for Earth and Environmental Sciences.
(3)
Introduction to linear algebra, differential equations, and vector calculus with applications to hydrology, geophysics, and atmospheric sciences.
Prerequisite: MATH 163.
534.
Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry.
(3)
Asmerom
Examination of principles governing the abundance of naturally occurring radiogenic isotopes and their use in the study of global geochemical processes.
535.
Freshwater Ecosystems.
(3)
(Also offered as BIOL 535)
Integration of physical and chemical components of drainage basins and groundwater systems with biological metabolism, growth and reproduction along functional gradients of stream, wetland, reservoir, lake and groundwater ecosystems.
Prerequisite: (MATH 162 or 180) and CHEM 122 and 124L and BIOL 495.
{Spring}
536 / 436.
Climate Dynamics.
(3)
Gutzler
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. MATH 162 and PHYC 160 recommended.
538L.
Analytical Electron Microscopy.
(3)
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.
Prerequisite: 587 and 518L.
543 / 443.
Aquifers and Reservoirs.
(3)
Approaches of describing, evaluating, and modeling aquifer and reservoir character, focusing primarily on sedimentary systems. Techniques include well log analysis, cross-section construction, structure and isopach map contouring, and geostatistical simulation. **304L recommended.
Prerequisite: 101.
545 / 445.
Topics in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
(1-4, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
Smith, Elrick
Variable course content depending on student interest. Topics may include physical sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, basin analysis, cycle stratigraphy and chemostratigraphy.
547-548.
Seminar.
(2-3, 2-3, may be repeated 5 times Δ)
550L / 450L.
Volcanology.
(4)
Fischer
Characteristics and mechanism of volcanic systems, volcanism in various continental and marine tectonic settings. Laboratory to include field and laboratory examination of volcanic rocks and structures and models of volcanic processes.
Prerequisite: **303L.
551-552.
Problems.
(1-3, 1-3)
Maximum of three units of problems can count toward M.S. or Ph.D. course requirements.
555L / 455L.
Computational and GIS Applications in Geomorphology.
(3)
Scuderi
Techniques in acquisition, processing, analysis and display of digital, aerial photo and remote-sensing data; regional quantitative morphometry; use of topography and geology with GIS in landscape evolution and analysis. (101 or ENVS 101) and 433 and 481L are recommended.
557L / 457L.
Mathematical Modeling in the Geosciences.
(3)
Fawcett
Introduction to basic numerical modeling techniques with broad application to dynamic systems in the geosciences including sedimentology, geochemistry, hydrology, climatology and paleoclimatology.
558.
Geomicrobiology.
(3)
Dahm, Crossey
(Also offered as BIOL 558)
The role of microbes in mineral precipitation, dissolution and diagenesis; interactions between microbes and geochemistry/mineralogy.
562 / 462.
Hydrogeology.
(3)
Weissmann
(Also offered as CE 541 / 441)
Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling groundwater flow, including flow to wells. The hydrologic cycle; interactions between surface and subsurface hydrologic systems; regional flow systems. Groundwater geochemistry and contaminant transport.
565 / 465.
Mars Evolution.
(3)
Agee
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. **365 recommended.
576 / 476.
Physical Hydrology.
(3)
(Also offered as WR 576)
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.
{Fall}
581L / 481L.
Geomorphology and Surficial Geology.
(4)
Meyer
Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on weathering, soils, hillslope processes, fluvial systems and surficial geology; occasional field trips. Intro to Geology or Environmental Science recommended.
582L / 482L.
Geoarchaeology.
(3)
Smith
(Also offered as ANTH 582L / 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 120 and ANTH 122L) and ANTH 220.
{Alternate Years}
585L / 485L.
Soil Stratigraphy and Morphology.
(3)
McFadden
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. EPS 481L recommended.
Prerequisite: 101 or ENVS 101.
587.
Advanced Mineralogy.
(3)
Brearley
Crystallographic principles; structure, chemistry, physical properties of rock forming minerals.
Prerequisite: **301, **302L, CHEM 122 and CHEM 124L.
599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
699.
Dissertation.
(3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
