Current Earth and Environmental Geoscience Courses

Winter 2024▲

See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.

Dynamic Earth: Introductory Geology

EEG 101 - Gill, Karena / Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet. Topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; the origin of landforms; and the concept of deep time. Additional topics, with emphasis varying by instructor, include: climate change; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; energy resources; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.Involves moderate hiking and other physical activities outside in all types of weather. Additional fee required. Laboratory course.

Sustainable Earth: Introductory Environmental Geology

EEG 102 - Hinkle, Margaret A.

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on environmental science and sustainability. There is special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Depending on the instructor, various topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; climate change; the nature of the Earth's interior; the origin of landforms; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; energy resources; the concept of deep time; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.

Global Climate Change

EEG 141 - Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

A study of Earth's complex climate system and the impact of human activities on future climates. Through readings, discussions, data analyses and modeling exercises, the past and future changes in temperature, ocean circulation, rainfall, storminess, biogeochemistry, glacial ice extent and sea level are explored.

Special Topics: Mineral Resources and the Green Energy Transition

EEG 197D - Barber, Nicholas D.

In this class, we will explore: what raw materials we need to make the green energy transition possible, where mineral resources come from and how they form, how we get them out of the ground, and what the environmental impacts of their extraction are.  This course will help you build a broad scientific understanding of the mineral resources required to build renewable energy infrastructure, including their geographic, geological, and physical features. We will also draw on insights from economics, engineering, politics, ethics, and public policy to understand the promises and the perils of the green energy transition.

History and Evolution of the Earth

EEG 205 - Gill, Karena / Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

An introductory examination of the origin and physical evolution of the Earth as inferred from the rock record. Areas of particular emphasis include: (1) the origin of the solar system and differentiation of the planets; (2) the evolution of the terrestrial atmosphere and hydrosphere; (3) explanations for the development of life; (4) organic evolution and interpretations of mass extinctions; (5) the changing configuration of continental blocks and ocean basins by continental drift, seafloor spreading, and plate tectonics; and (6) the growth of continental blocks and their mountain systems.

GIS and Remote Sensing

EEG 260 - Harbor, David J.

A laboratory course introducing the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing in geological/environmental analyses and decision making. Students use state-of-the-art software with a wide variety of spatial geologic, environmental, economic and topographic data derived from satellites; remote databases and published maps to evaluate geologic conditions; local landscape processes; environmental conditions; and hypothetical land-use cases.

Petroleum Geology and Geophysics

EEG 335 - Connors, Christopher D. (Chris)

A survey of the theory and practice of petroleum geology and geophysics. Topics covered include the nature and origin of petroleum, a study of where oil and gas accumulate from the perspective of basin analysis, and the basic principles of reflection seismology and petrophysics. The key petroleum system elements of source, charge, seal, reservoir and trap are studied within the context of how a geologist or geophysicist goes about exploring for and developing petroleum accumulations. Emphasis is placed on the Geology use of industry software and data to analyze geologic features, deposits, and basins that are relevant to petroleum exploration and production.

Honors Thesis

EEG 493 - Harbor, David J.

Original research culminating in an Honors thesis.

Fall 2023▲

See complete information about these courses in the course offerings database. For more information about a specific course, including course type, schedule and location, click on its title.

Dynamic Earth: Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis

EEG 100 - Harbor, David J.

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; the origin of landforms; and the concept of deep time. Additional topics, with emphasis varying by instructor, include: climate change; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; energy resources; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.

Dynamic Earth: Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis

EEG 100 - Gill, Karena / Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; the origin of landforms; and the concept of deep time. Additional topics, with emphasis varying by instructor, include: climate change; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; energy resources; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.

FS: Dynamic Earth: Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis

EEG 100A - Knapp, Elizabeth P.

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth’s crust; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; the origin of landforms; and the concept of deep time. Additional topics, with emphasis varying by instructor, include: climate change; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; energy resources; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.

Sustainable Earth: Introductory Environmental Geology

EEG 102 - Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

The study of Earth systems, our physical environment, and the processes shaping our planet with special emphasis on environmental science and sustainability. There is special emphasis on field study of the region near Lexington. Depending on the instructor, various topics include: plate tectonics; the materials and structure of the Earth's crust; climate change; the nature of the Earth's interior; the origin of landforms; weathering and erosion; water quality and movement; natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanoes; energy resources; the concept of deep time; geospatial and quantitative data analysis; and the relationship between humans and the environment.

Planetary Geology

EEG 104 - Gill, Karena / Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

Large-scale geological features of the Earth are examined and compared with surface features visible on images of other planets and planetary satellites of the solar system. Features examined include those resulting from volcanism, impact cratering, and structure; eolian, fluvial, glacial and periglacial processes; and mass movement. The composition of terrestrial and lunar rocks and extraterrestrial objects is examined. Models of the origin and evolution of planets and their satellites are discussed.

Water Resources

EEG 150 - Chakraborty, Madhumita

An examination of the quality and quantity of water resources as a limiting factor for life on earth. Issues include resource depletion, pollution, historical use and over-use, remediation, habitat maintenance, and water supply mechanisms. Resource constraints are analyzed from a scientific perspective in order to understand water resource problems and envision solutions.

Earth Materials

EEG 211 - Barber, Nicholas D.

An introduction to Earth materials, including minerals and rocks, with an emphasis on a hands-on approach to identifying and interpreting minerals and their associations in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Students learn the techniques and principles of hand sample identification, optical mineralogy and petrography, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

Earth and Environmental Geochemistry

EEG 311 - Hinkle, Margaret A.

This course emphasizes the principles and tools of the chemical composition of Earth materials to interpret petrogenesis. The course focuses on processes occurring below and at the Earth's surface. Topics include: crystal chemistry, magmatic and metamorphic processes, trace element and isotope geochemistry, oxidation and reduction, and water-rock interactions. The laboratory includes both a local field and laboratory component and focuses on using analytical techniques to evaluate chemical composition including electron microscopy, ion chromatography, X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Sedimentation and Stratigraphy

EEG 330 - Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

Properties, origins, and dynamics of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Correlation, organization, and historical interpretation of the sedimentary rock record. Field and laboratory analyses of sedimentary rocks.

Directed Individual Study

EEG 401 - Harbor, David J.

Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor and meeting the special needs of advanced students.

Directed Individual Study

EEG 401 - Greer, Mary L. (Lisa)

Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor and meeting the special needs of advanced students.

Directed Individual Study

EEG 401 - Hinkle, Margaret A.

Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the instructor and meeting the special needs of advanced students.

Senior Research Thesis

EEG 472 - Hinkle, Margaret A.

Original research culminating in a senior thesis.

Honors Thesis

EEG 493 - Harbor, David J.

Original research culminating in an Honors thesis.

Honors Thesis

EEG 493 - Barber, Nicholas D.

Original research culminating in an Honors thesis.

Spring 2023▲

We do not offer any courses this term.