Graduate Course Descriptions

A0000-Level Courses
No graduate student may take more than three A0000-level courses for credit.

A1300: Environmental Geochemistry
Shallow earth interactions in ESS emphasizing: groundwater geochemistry; elemental cycles linked to biological activity in the oceans; geochemistry and global climate cycles; geo-bioremediation; and applied analytical techniques including xray diffraction, potentiometric titrations, and aspects of UV/visible spectroscopy. 3 LECT., 1 LAB HR./WK.; 3 CR.

A2300: Subsurface Remediation
Application of scientific and engineering principles in the remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. Topics include environmental regulations and toxicology, soil-vapor extraction and bioventing, air sparging, pump and treat, bioremediation, surfactant-enhanced extraction, and permeable reactive barriers. Class pro ject involves design of remediation systems for a hypothetical site. Prereqs.: EAS 41300 and EAS 44600 or equivalent or permission of instructor. 3 HR./WK.; 3 CR.

A6700: Weather Analysis
Synoptic analysis of surface and upper-air meteorological observations, including satellite, radar, and aircraft measurements. Diagnostic calculations of vorticity, divergence and vertical motions in mesoscale, synoptic scale, and large scale weather systems. 5 HR./WK.; 4 CR.

A7200: Environmental Project
Advanced-level project utilizes field data to solve an urban environmental problem. Can be taken in the spring semester or in the summer. Also open to postgraduates in environmental fields, by permission. Can be applied to thesis credit. 4 WEEKS IN FIELD PLUS LAB. ANALYSES; 4 CR.

B0000-Level Courses

B1000: Structural Geology
Physical properties of rocks in different tectonic environments; deformation; petrofabric analysis. Geotectonics; orogenesis, earthquakes, interpretation of geologic maps and mapping techniques. 3 LECT., 2 LAB. HR./WK.; 4 CR.

B1100: Geotectonics
This course treats the processes that change the face of the earth. It includes the concepts of mantle convection and continental drift, leading to the modern theory of plate tectonics. The perspective is global and process-oriented, with examples from nearby active plate boundaries. The plate tectonic model explains global distributions of earthquakes, volcanoes, mineral deposits, and long- term climate patterns. 3 LECT. HR./WK. 3 CR.

B1400: Geophysics
This course covers the physical principles that govern the behavior and techniques used to infer the earth’s internal structure, composition, and mineral resources. It provides earth scientists and engineers with the techniques to determine earth structures, locate environmental pollutants, and prospect for natural resources from remote locations. Topics include: Seismology, geodesy, gravity, magnetic, and thermal properties of the earth. 3 LECT. HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B2400: Igneous Petrology
Minerals in Earth Systems Science; principles of mineral stability and mineral associations; identification and recovery of earth resources. Mineral issues on human terms: toxic waste sites, climatology, and slope stability. Course introduces mineral optics and x-ray diffraction. 2 LECT., 4 LAB HR./WK.; 4 CR.

EAS B3300: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to good commercial and customary practices in the US for conducting Phase I environmental site assessments (ESA) of commercial or residential properties with respect to hazardous substances and petroleum products. A Phase I ESA is the process for determining the presence of an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into the ground, ground water, surface water of the property, or into structures on the property.

3 Credits, Contact Hours 3 hr./ wk.

EAS B3400: Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to good commercial and customary practices in the United States of America for conducting Phase II environmental site assessments (ESA). A Phase II ESA is an evaluation process for confirming and quantifying the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products in environmental media (i.e., soil, rock, groundwater, surface water, air, soil gas, sediment) throughout a contaminated site. A Phase II ESA typically includes a determination through field screening and chemical testing of the geological, hydrogeological, hydrological, and engineered aspects of the site that influence the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products (e.g., migration pathways, exposure points) and the existence of receptors and mechanisms of exposure. 

3 Credits, Prerequisite: EAS 33300 or permission of instructor, Contact Hours 3 hr./ wk.

B4400: Global Environmental Hazards
Study of important, naturally-occurring destructive phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and coastal flooding. Long-term causes and remediation of these problems. Topics will focus on consequences to urban environments. 3 HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B4500: Hydrology
Introduction to hydrological data, the hydrologic cycle. Precipitation, streamflow, evaporation, and runoff. Emphasis is on their interactions and processes. Prereq: Math 20300 or Math 20800, Physics 20800 or permission of the instructor. 2 LECT., 2 LAB HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B4600: Ground-Water Hydrology
Occurrence of ground water. Basic equations and concepts of ground water flow. Flow nets. Methods of ground water investigation. 2 LECT., 2 REC. HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B6500: Environmental Geophysics
Advanced work in the application of geophysics to environmental and engineering problems. Hands-on work and demonstrations of seismic, electrical, electromagnetic, and magnetic instruments and techniques. Survey design and execution. Computer analysis of survey results. Prereqs.: EAS B1400 or permission of instructor. 3 HR. LECT., DEMONSTRATION, OR GROUP FIELD WORK/WK.; 3 CR.

B6800: Physical Oceanography
Principles governing the atmosphere-coastocean interactions. The course utilizes the department’s Weather Station and Geosciences Computer Laboratory where oceanographic and atmospheric data are remotely sensed from space. The role of the world’s oceans to current global warming/ cooling models will be examined. Topics also include: bathymetric features, origin of the hydrosphere, sealevel change, wave formation, temperature, salinity, and density of the ocean water. 3 LECT. HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B7000: Principles of Geochemistry
Deep earth involvement in Earth Systems Science: plutonism and volcanism; isotopic age dating; non-radiogenic isotope systematics; and trace metal characteristics of evolving earth systems. Course includes petrography and x-ray fluorescence. 3 LECT. HR./WK.; 3 CR.

B8800: Climate and Climate Change
This course links processes and interactions of the atmosphere, ocean and solid earth and their impact on climate and climate change. Topics include the physical principles of climate; climates of the past and present; Ice Age theories; the Greenhouse Effect; and human impact on climate. Prereq: EAS 10600 or 10100; one semester of college math. 3 LECT., 2 LAB HR./WK.; 4 CR.

B9001, B9002: Selected Topics in Earth Systems Science
Current topics and problems with emphasis on aspects not treated in regular courses. Department permission required. 1-2 LECT. AND/OR LAB. HR./WK.; 1-2 CR./SEM.

B9103: Special Topics in Meteorology I
Review and critical analysis of selected research publications in meteorology. Students are expected to prepare and participate in discussions on topics of current interest. 1-3 HR./WK.; 1-3 CR./SEM.

B9205: Special Topics in Oceanography I
Reviews and critical analysis of selected research publications in oceanography. Students are expected to prepare and participate in discussions on topics of current interest. 1-3 HR./WK.; 1-3 CR./SEM.

B9500: Thesis Research
Preparation of a thesis under the guidance of a faculty mentor. HRS. TO BE ARRANGED. 1-3 CR./SEM. MAY BE TAKEN FOR TOTAL OF 6 CR.

B9600: Independent Study
Individual laboratory, field, or library investigation of a problem in Earth Systems Science. Approval of instructor required. 1-3 CR./SEM. UP TO 6 CR. CAN BE APPLIED TO MASTER’S DEGREE.

DOCTORAL COURSES OPEN TO MASTER’S STUDENTS

Qualified students may take or substitute, with the approval of the Graduate Committee, courses available in the doctoral program in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Those courses are described in the bulletin of The Graduate School of the City University of New York.