Lower Division

40 Geology and the Earth (Physical Geology)

The earth’s structure, composition and physical features create the geological environment for mankind. The physical environment such as climate also has an effect on the geological environment, and both of these in turn can affect the living environment of societies on the earth through the processes of earthquakes, landslides and floods. The major environmental problems facing mankind today, including water resources, energy and mineral resources, and geologic hazards, are studied. 3 hours of lecture per week, No prerequisites. Must be accompanied by Natural Sciences 41.

50 Earth and Life Through Time (Historical Geology)

Principles of interpretation of earth history. Study of plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading as related to the development of continents, ocean basins and mountain belts. Origin, evolution and diversification of life through time. The second introductory course in the earth science sequence offered in the spring term. Lab and field trips to Bay Area. Area B course.

75 Wetlands

This course examines the composition, structure, and function of various wetland ecosystems; the critical roles they play in the biosphere, their valuation and the various biologyical, economic or political threats to their existence.  Lab and Field trips.  Area B course.

60 Urban Environmental Issues
A general education science course that serves the ESS program as a lower division chemistry course. This course focuses on the environmental issues of redevelopment of Superfund sites. The course has been taught as a learning community linking it with another sociology course. This Learning Community has a significant community outreach component studying the redevelopment of Alameda Point, formerly NAS Alameda. The chemistry curriculum is presented in context evaluating the environmental risks and the technologies applied to clean up the site. Lab and field trips. Area B course. 

92 Introduction to Environmental Science

The entry level course reviewing the field. Physical, chemical, biological, geological and cultural dimensions of environmental problems are examined in this course. It surveys the historical roots of these problems, then considers components such as population pressure, air and water pollution, global change, desertification, deforestation et al. An introduction to ecological principles is provided. Lab and field trips. Area B course. 

Upper Division

100 Hydrology

The hydrologic cycle, from precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration and runoff, to surface and groundwater. Hydrograph analysis, stream gaging and discharge determination. Groundwater occurrence, movement and evaluation. Hydrologic regions of U.S., emphasizing the western states. Prerequisite: Area B math or permission of instructor. No lab but field trip(s).

110 Introduction to GIS

Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for interpretation of spatial data and preparation of maps. Display and manipulation of vector and raster data, including point locations, street maps, boundaries and satellite images. Map scale, projections, and coordinate transformations. Basic database queries. Principles of Global Positioning System (GPS). THe course will include examples form several disciplines. Prerequisite: Area B math or permission of instructor. Lab and field trips.

140 Environmental Geology/ Natural Disasters

The interaction between geologic processes and human society. Topics include rock, mineral water, and energy resources, volcanic hazards, earthquakes, landslides, floods, erosion, coastal processes, plate tectonics, geologic time, pollution problems and environmental management. Prerequisite: Area B math or permission of instructor. No lab but field trip(s).

160* Mineralogy

Principles of mineralogy, crystal symmetry, structure and chemistry. Laboratory emphasizes physical properties and identification of minerals in hand sample and thin section. The key course requirement for a major. Rocks are collections of minerals. So one must know one's minerals Prerequisites: Introductory chemistry and EES 40 or permission of instructor. Lab.

170* Igneous and metamorphic Petrology

Characteristics, phase relations, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Plate -tectonic setting of magmatism and metamorphism. Laboratory emphasizes rock classification based upon hand-lens and microscopic examination of mineralogy and texture. Prerequisite: EES 160 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Lab and field trips.

180* Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

Depositional systems and sedimentary processes. Facies models, succession, age relationships and correlation of strata. Petrology and provenance of sedimentary rocks. Prerequisites: EES 40 or EES 160 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Lab and field trips. 

190* Structural and Regional Geology

Geometric, kinematic and dynamic analysis of structures of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory emphasis on descriptive geometry and stereographic solutions to structural problems; geologic map and structure sections. Prerequisite: EES 40 or permission of instructor. Lab and field trips.

195* Geologic Field Methods

Introduction to geological field methods and instruments, use of aerial photographs and topographic maps in geologic mapping, preparation of geologic maps of local areas. Prerequisites: EES 40 and two upper division courses or permission of the instructor. One hour lecture, 6 hours field. June term offering.