Courses & Programs of Study

Departmental Counselor: Lawrence Grossman, HGS 389, 702-8131, yosi@uchicago.edu

Departmental Office: HGS 161, 702-8101

Web: http://geosci.uchicago.edu

Program of Study

The Department of the Geophysical Sciences offers unique programs of study in the earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. Topics include the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere, oceans, and ice sheets; past and present climate change; the origin and history of the Earth, moon, and meteorites; properties of the deep interior of the Earth and the dynamics of crustal movements; and the evolution and geography of life and the Earth's surface environments through geologic time. These multidisciplinary topics require an integrated approach founded on mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

Both the B.A. and B.S. programs prepare students for careers that draw upon the earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. However, the B.S. degree provides a more focused and intensive program of study for students who intend to pursue graduate work in these disciplines. The B.A. degree also offers thorough study in the geophysical sciences, but it provides a wide opportunity for elective freedom to pursue interdisciplinary interests, such as environmental policy, law, medicine, business, and precollege education.

Program Requirements

The principal distinction between the B.A. and B.S. programs is the number of 20000-level courses required for the major and their distribution among subdisciplines. Students are advised, but not required, to complete GEOS 13100-13200-13300 in their first or second year.

Program Requirements for the B.A. The B.A. requires a minimum of six geophysical sciences courses beyond the introductory sequence GEOS 13100-13200-13300 (which should be taken first). At least two of these six courses must be from the earth sciences and at least two others must be from atmospheres/oceans. Specific courses are shown in List A that follows. Of the six 20000-level courses, up to two may be from List B.

Program Requirements for the B.S. The B.S. requires a minimum of eight courses beyond GEOS 13100-13200-13300 (which should be taken first). At least four of these eight courses must be drawn from either the earth sciences or atmospheres/oceans (as shown in List A that follows). Because of the interdisciplinary nature of these fields, up to four of the eight courses may be taken from other departments (chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and statistics), subject to approval by the departmental adviser. Specific courses are shown in List B that follows.

Summary of Requirements

General CHEM 11101-11201/11102-11202 or equivalent?

Education MATH 13100-13200 or higher*

Major 1 CHEM 11301/11302 or equivalent*

3 GEOS 13100-13200-13300

3 PHYS 12100-12200-12300 or higher*

plus the following requirements:

B.A.

B.S.

1 MATH 13300 or higher*,

or STAT 22000*,

or 24000

6 courses in 20000-level geophysical sciences drawn from Lists A and B, at least two of which must be in the earth sciences, and at least two of which must be in the atmosphere and ocean sciences.

2 MATH 13300 or higher*, plus one mathematics or one statistics course. (The remaining course can be selected from mathematics or statistics offerings in List B.)

8 courses in 20000-level geophysical sciences. Up to four may be drawn

__ from List B.

* Credit may be granted by examination.

LIST A (Courses in the geophysical sciences categorized as earth sciences, and atmosphere and ocean sciences.)

Earth Sciences

GEOS 20300. Thermodynamics and Phase Change

GEOS 21200. Physics of the Earth

GEOS 21300. Origin and Evolution of the Solar System

GEOS 21700. Introduction to Mineralogy

GEOS 21800. Introduction to Petrology

GEOS 21900. Introduction to Structural Geology

GEOS 22000. Magmatism in the Early Solar System

GEOS 22100. Sediments and Sedimentary Rock

GEOS 22200. Principles of Stratigraphy

GEOS 22300. Introduction to Paleontology

GEOS 22500. Global Tectonics

GEOS 23500. Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences I

GEOS 23600. Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences II:

Application to Spatio-Temporal Data

GEOS 23800. Biogeochemistry and Global Change

GEOS 23900. Environmental Chemistry

GEOS 29700. Reading and Research

Field Courses in Earth Sciences

GEOS 22800. Field Course in Geology and Geophysics

GEOS 22900. Field Course in Modern Carbonate Environments

GEOS 23000. Field Course in Structural Geology, Petrology,

and Stratigraphy

GEOS 24000. Field Course in Stratigraphy

Atmosphere and Ocean Sciences

GEOS 20300. Thermodynamics and Phase Change

GEOS 23100. Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere

GEOS 23200. Climate Dynamics of the Earth and Other Planets

GEOS 23300. Physical Oceanography

GEOS 23400. Chemical Oceanography

GEOS 23500. Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences I

GEOS 23600. Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences II:

Application to Spatio-Temporal Data

GEOS 23700. Cumulus Physics

GEOS 23800. Biogeochemistry and Global Change

GEOS 23900. Environmental Chemistry

GEOS 24500. Atmosphere and Ocean in Motion

GEOS 29700. Reading and Research

LIST B (Courses which, with the approval of the departmental adviser, may be substituted in place of geophysical sciences courses in the B.S. degree. NOTE: Students should consult the catalog listings of other departments for changes and updates to the course numbers listed below.)

Chemistry

CHEM 20100, 20200. Inorganic Chemistry I, II

CHEM 22000, 22100, 22200 or 22000, 23100, 23200.
Organic Chemistry

CHEM 26100, 26200, 26300. Physical Chemistry I, II, III

Physics

PHYS 18500, 18600. Intermediate Mechanics

PHYS 19700. Thermal Physics

PHYS 22500, 22700. Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism

PHYS 22600. Electronics

Biology

BIOS 22234. Chordate Biology

BIOS 22244. Invertebrate Biology

BIOS 23240. Biology and Evolution of Plants

BIOS 23255. Introductory Paleontology

BIOS 23260. Mammal Evolution

BIOS 23300. Evolution and Paleobiology

BIOS 23351. Conservation Biology

BIOS 23403. Systematic Biology

BIOS 26099. Quantitative Topics in Biology

Mathematics (One of the following courses can serve as the additional mathematics or statistics course that is required for the B.S. degree. Courses beyond this one can serve as substitutes for geophysical sciences courses.)

MATH 20000, 20100. Mathematical Methods for Physical Sciences I, II

MATH 20300, 20400, 20500. Analysis in Rn I, II, III

MATH 21100. Basic Numerical Analysis

MATH 25000. Elementary Linear Algebra

MATH 27000. Basic Complex Variables

MATH 27300. Basic Theory of Ordinary Differential Equations

MATH 27500. Basic Theory of Partial Differential Equations

Statistics

STAT 22000. Statistical Methods and Their Applications

STAT 24000. Probability and Statistics for the Natural Sciences

Grading. Students majoring in geophysical sciences must receive quality grades in all courses meeting the requirements of the degree program.

Honors. The B.A. or B.S. degree with honors is awarded to students who meet the following requirements: (1) a GPA in the major of 3.0 or higher; and (2) completion of a paper based on original research, supervised and approved by a faculty member in geophysical sciences. GEOS 29700 (Reading and Research) can be devoted to the preparation of the required paper; however, students using this course to fulfill a requirement in the major must take it for a quality grade.

Students who wish to submit a single paper to meet the honors requirement in geophysical sciences and the B.A. paper requirement in another major should discuss their proposals with both program chairs no later than the end of third year. Certain requirements must be met. A consent form, to be signed by the chairs, is available from the College adviser. It must be completed and returned to the College adviser by the end of Autumn Quarter of the student's year of graduation.

Field Trips and Field Courses. The department typically sponsors about twelve trips each year that range in length from one day to five weeks. Destinations of trips have included areas as far afield as Newfoundland; the Canadian Rockies; Baja, California; the Caribbean; and Iceland. The longer trips are designed as undergraduate field courses (GEOS 22800, 22900, 23000, and 24000), and the shorter trips are mostly scheduled in connection with undergraduate and graduate lecture courses. However, all students and faculty are welcome to participate, space permitting.

Sample B.S. Program. After satisfying the requirements common to all Geophysical Sciences majors, students can create a B.S. program from a wide range of selections that focuses on a subdiscipline. Sample programs appear below; in consultation with the departmental adviser other programs can be designed. Each program contains nine courses. One course satisfies the mathematics or statistics requirement beyond three quarters of calculus; the remaining eight courses are in geophysical sciences or are approved substitutions for geophysical sciences courses.

Chemistry of Atmosphere and Ocean. GEOS 23100, 23200, 23300, and 23400; CHEM 26100, 26200, and 26300; and MATH 20000 and 20100

Physics of Climate and Circulation. GEOS 23100, 23200, 23300, 23500 (or 23600), and 23700; MATH 20000 and 20100 (or 20200, 21100, and 25000); and PHYS 18500, 18600, and 22500

Paleontology/Stratigraphy. GEOS 21700, 21900, 22100, 22200, 22300, and 23800; STAT 24000; and BIOS 20194 and 20185

Environmental Geology. GEOS 21700, 21800, 22100, 22200, 23800 and 23900; and STAT 24000. For emphasis on chemistry: CHEM 22000, 22100, and 22200. For emphasis on biology: BIOS 20194, 20185, and 23351

Structure/Tectonics. GEOS 20300, 21200, 21300, 21700, 21800, 21900, 22100, and 22200; PHYS 18500; and MATH 20000

Geochemistry. GEOS 20300, 21200, 21300, 21700, and 21800;
CHEM 26100, 26200, and 26300; and MATH 20000 and 20100

Geophysics. GEOS 20300, 21200, 21300, 21700, and 23500 (or 23600); PHYS 18500 (or 22500 or 22700); and MATH 20000, 20100, and 20200

	Autumn	Winter	Spring	Summer
First Year	GEOS 13100	GEOS 13200	GEOS 13300
	General Chemistry	General Chemistry	General Chemistry
	Calculus	Calculus	Calculus
Second Year	PHYS 12100	PHYS 12200	PHYS 12300	GEOS 22800 or
	MATH 20000	MATH 20100	MATH 20200	GEOS 24000
Third Year	geophysical sciences elective	geophysical sciences elective	geophysical sciences elective	GEOS 22800 (if not taken in second year)
Fourth Year	geophysical sciences elective	geophysical sciences elective	geophysical sciences elective

Faculty

D. Archer, C. Boyce, B. Buffett, N. Dauphas, G. Eshel, M. Foote, J. Frederick, M. Ghiorso, L. Grossman, D. Heinz, D. Jablonski, S. Kidwell, M. LaBarbera, D. MacAyeal, P. Martin, N. Nakamura, S. Peacock, R. Pierrehumbert, F. Richter, D. Rowley, J. Smith, R. Srivastava, M. Wadhwa, M. Webster

Courses: Geophysical Sciences (geos)

13100. Physical Geology. This course is an introduction to plate tectonics, the geologic cycle, and the internal and surface processes that make minerals and rocks and shape the scenery. D. Rowley. Autumn. L.

13200. Earth History. PQ: GEOS 13100 or consent of instructor. This course covers the paleogeographic, biotic, and climatic development of the Earth. C. Boyce. Winter. L.

13300. The Atmosphere. (=ENST 13300) PQ: MATH 13200 or consent of instructor. This course introduces the physics, chemistry, and phenomenology of the Earth's atmosphere with an emphasis on the role of the atmosphere as a component of the planet's life support system. Topics include (1) atmospheric composition, evolution, and structure; (2) solar and terrestrial radiation; (3) the role of water in atmospheric processes; (4) winds, the global circulation, and weather systems; and (5) atmospheric chemistry and pollution. We focus on the mechanisms by which human activity can influence the atmosphere and on interactions between atmosphere and biosphere. J. Frederick, N. Nakamura. Spring.

13400. Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast. (=ENST 12300, PHSC 13400) PQ: MATH 10600, or placement into 13100 or higher, or consent of instructor required; some knowledge of chemistry or physics helpful. This course presents the science behind the forecast of global warming to enable the student to evaluate the likelihood and potential severity of anthropogenic climate change in the coming centuries. It includes an overview of the physics of the greenhouse effect, including comparisons with Venus and Mars; an overview of the carbon cycle in its role as a global thermostat; predictions and reliability of climate model forecasts of the greenhouse world; and an examination of the records of recent and past climates, such as the glacial world and Eocene and Oligocene warm periods. D. Archer, R. Pierrehumbert. Spring. L.

21200. Physics of the Earth. PQ: Prior calculus and college-level physics courses, or consent of instructor. Geophysical evidence bearing on the internal makeup and dynamical behavior of the Earth is considered, including seismology (properties of elastic waves and their interpretation, and internal structure of the Earth); mechanics of rock deformation (elastic properties, creep and flow of rocks, faulting, and earthquakes); gravity (the geoid and isostasy); geomagnetism (magnetic properties of rocks and history and origin of the magnetic field); heat flow (temperature within the Earth, sources of heat, and thermal history of the Earth); and plate tectonics and the maintenance of plate motions. D. Heinz. Spring. L.

21300. Origin and Evolution of the Solar System. (=ASTR 21300) PQ: Consent of instructor required; knowledge of physical chemistry recommended. Representative topics include abundance and origin of the elements; formation, condensation, and age of the solar system; meteorites and the historical record of the solar system they preserve; comets and asteroids; the planets and their satellites; temperatures and atmospheres of the planets; and the origin of the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. L. Grossman. Winter. L.

21700. Introduction to Mineralogy. PQ: CHEM 11100-11200-11300 or equivalent. This course covers structure, chemical composition, stability, and occurrence of major rock-forming minerals. Labs concentrate on mineral identification with the optical microscope. M. Ghiorso, L. Grossman. Autumn. L.

21800. Introduction to Petrology. PQ: GEOS 21700. We learn how to interpret observable geological associations, structures, textures, and mineralogical and chemical compositions of rocks so as to develop concepts of how they form and evolve. Our theme is the origin of granitic continental crust on the only planet known to have oceans and life. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; ores; and waste disposal sites are reviewed. M. Ghiorso. Spring. L.

21900. Introduction to Structural Geology. PQ: GEOS 13100. This course explores the deformation of the Earth materials primarily as observed in the crust. We emphasize stress and strain and their relationship to incremental and finite deformation in crustal rocks, as well as techniques for inferring paleostress and strain in deformed crustal rocks. We also look at mesoscale to macroscale structures and basic techniques of field geology in deformed regions. D. Rowley. Winter.

22300. Introductory Paleontology. (=BIOS 23255, EVOL 32300) PQ: GEOS 13100-13200, or PHSC 10900-11000, or completion of the general education requirement for the biological sciences, or consent of instructor. Our focus is on the nature of the fossil record, the information it provides on patterns and processes of evolution through geologic time, and how it can be used to solve geological and biological problems. Lectures cover the principles of paleontology (e.g., fossilization, classification, morphologic analysis and interpretation, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, macroevolution); labs are systematic, introducing major groups of fossil invertebrates. M. Foote. Spring. L.

22400. Invertebrate Paleobiology and Evolution. (=BIOS 23261, EVOL 32400, GEOS 32400) PQ: GEOS 13100 and 13200, or equivalent. This course provides a detailed overview of the morphology, paleobiology, evolutionary history, and practical uses of the invertebrate and microfossil groups commonly found in the fossil record. Emphasis is placed on understanding key anatomical and ecological innovations within each group. Labs supplement lecture material with specimen-based and practical application sections. Field trips offer experience in the collection of specimens and raw paleontological data. Several Hot Topics Lectures introduce important, exciting, and often controversial aspects of current paleontological research linked to particular invertebrate groups. M. Webster. Autumn. L.

22500/33200. Global Tectonics. PQ: GEOS 13100 or consent of instructor. We review the spatial and temporal development of tectonic and plate tectonic activity of the globe. We focus on the style of activity at compressive, extensional, and shear margins, as well as on the types of basin evolution associated with each. D. Rowley. Winter.

23000. Field Course in Structural Geology, Petrology, and Stratigraphy. PQ: GEOS 13100-13200 and consent of instructor. On a weeklong field trip (during spring break), we visit classic locations to examine a wide variety of geological environments and processes, including active tectonics, ancient and modern sedimentary environments, and geomorphology. Winter, Spring.

23100. Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere. PQ: CHEM 12100-12200-12300, PHYS 13100-13200-13300, or consent of instructor. This course introduces atmospheric thermodynamics and cloud microphysics. R. Srivastava. Autumn.

23200. Climate Dynamics of the Earth and Other Planets. PQ: Prior course in physics (preferably PHYS 13300 or 14300) and knowledge of ordinary differential equations, or consent of instructor. This course serves as an introduction to the basic physical principles that determine the climate of the Earth and similar planets. The emphasis is on atmospheric phenomena, but elementary aspects of glaciology and oceanography are also brought in as needed. Problem sets are supplemented by data labs involving computer analysis of extensive collections of climate data of the Earth. R. Pierrehumbert. Winter. L.

23300. Physical Oceanography. PQ: GEOS 23200 or consent of instructor. This course provides a conceptual understanding of the dynamics of ocean circulation and a background in physical oceanography for students interested in further study of climate dynamics, chemical oceanography, marine biology, and paleontology. Topics include geometry of map projections, hypsometry of ocean basins and the geoid, temperature and salinity structure, watermasses, geostrophy and geostrophic adjustment, Ekman layers, coastal upwelling, Sverdrup balance, vorticity balance and western intensification, and waves and tides. S. Peacock. Autumn. L.

23400. Chemical Oceanography. PQ: Consent of instructor. This course introduces the geochemistry of the oceans with an emphasis on topics relevant to global change, past and future. The role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle is discussed, along with the interplay between ocean circulation, biology, and physical chemistry and its impact on the distributions of nutrients, carbon, and oxygen in the ocean. Also covered are sediment geochemistry and what sediments can tell us about oceans and climates of the past. D. Archer, S. Peacock. Spring.

23600. Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences II: Application to Spatio-Temporal Data. This course covers probability, distributions, sampling, time-series analysis, and spatio-temporal data analysis. While we focus on geophysical applications (e.g., oceanography, atmospheric and climate dynamics, geochemistry, and solid-earth geophysics), all students are welcome (in past years, topics in such fields as psychology and botany were used as case studies). Work in departmental computing lab required. G. Eshel. Winter. L.

23800. Biogeochemistry and Global Change. PQ: CHEM 11100-11200 or consent of instructor. This survey course covers the geochemistry of the surface of the Earth, with emphasis on biological and geological processes, their assembly into self-regulating systems, and their potential sensitivity to anthropogenic or other perturbations. Budgets and cycles of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, sulfur, and silicon are discussed, as well as fundamentals of the processes of weathering, sediment diagenesis, and isotopic fractionation. What is known about the biogeochemistry of the Earth through geologic time is also presented. D. Archer. Autumn.

23900. Environmental Chemistry. (=ENST 23900) PQ: CHEM 11101-11201 or equivalent, and prior calculus course. The focus of this course is the fundamental science underlying issues of local and regional scale pollution. In particular, the lifetimes of important pollutants in the air, water, and soils are examined by considering the roles played by photochemistry, surface chemistry, biological processes, and dispersal into the surrounding environment. Specific topics include urban air quality, water quality, long-lived organic toxins, heavy metals, and indoor air pollution. Control measures are also considered. D. Archer, S. Peacock. Winter. L.

24000. Field Course in Stratigraphy. (=EVOL 33100) PQ: GEOS 13100-13200 or equivalent. This is a one-month excursion to the northwestern United States and/or eastern Canada to examine the tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the margin of North America from the Cambrian period to the present. Our purpose is to acquaint students with sedimentary and volcanic rocks deposited in a variety of environments and to examine the tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of a complicated region. The trip takes place from late August to early September, with field vehicles and camping equipment provided. Summer, Autumn.

24500. Atmosphere and Ocean in Motion. PQ: GEOS 13300 or equivalent, and calculus. The motion of the atmosphere and ocean not only affects daily weather conditions but is also critical in maintaining the habitable climate of our planet. This course teaches: (1) observed patterns of large-scale circulation of the atmosphere and ocean; (2) physical principles that drive the observed circulation; (3) transport of heat, angular momentum, and other quantities; and (4) climate variability and predictability. The lectures are supplemented by problem sets and a computer lab project. N. Nakamura. Autumn.

29700. Reading and Research in the Geophysical Sciences. PQ: Consent of instructor and departmental counselor. Open by arrangement to selected students, both students in the major and qualified nonmajors. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Typically taken on a P/F basis. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Qualified College students may register for 30000-level courses. For course descriptions, see http://geosci.uchicago.edu.