GES 50Q: The Coastal Zone Environment
Preference to sophomores. The oceanographic, geological, and biological character of coastal zone environments, including continental shelves, estuaries, and coastal wetlands, with emphasis on San Francisco Bay. Five required field trips examine estuarine and coastal environments, and agencies and facilities that manage these resources. Students present original research. Prerequisite: beginning course in Biology such as
BIOSCI 51, Chemistry such as
CHEM 30 or 31, Earth Sciences such as
GES 1 or 2, or Earth Systems such as
EARTHSYS 10.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 3
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UG Reqs: GER: DB-NatSci
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Grading: Letter (ABCD/NP)
GES 260: Laboratory Methods in Organic Geochemistry
Knowledge of components in geochemical mixtures to understand geological and environmental samples. The presence and relative abundance of these compounds provides information on the biological source, depositional environment, burial history, biodegradation, and toxicity of organic materials. Laboratory methods to detect and quantify components of these mixtures. Methods for separation and analysis of organic compounds in geologic samples: extraction, liquid chromatography, absorption by zeolites, gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Student samples considered as material for analysis. Prerequisite:
GES 249 or consent of instructor.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 2-3
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Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
GES 264: Mathematical Modeling in Biogeochemistry
The basics of translating a conceptual model into a numerical model is presented. Emphasis on building models, box modeling, methods of solving models. Lab exercises draw from examples in biogeochemistry, including modeling global biogeochemical cycles, sediment biogeochemistry, and microbial processes.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 3
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Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
GES 267: Solution-Mineral Equilibria: Theory
Procedures for calculating and evaluating the thermodynamic properties of reversible and irreversible reactions among rock-forming minerals and aqueous solutions in geologic systems. Emphasis is on the generation and utility of phase diagrams depicting solution-mineral interaction relevant to phase relations associated with weathering diagenetic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic processes, and the prediction of temperature, pressure, and the chemical potential of thermodynamic components compatible with observed mineralogic phase relations in geologic outcrops. Individual research topics. Prerequisite: 171.
Terms: offered occasionally
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Units: 3
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Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
GES 275: Electron Probe Microanalytical Techniques
The practical and theoretical aspects of x-ray generation and detection, and the behavior of electron beams and x-rays in solids. The basic principles needed to quantitatively analyze chemically complex geological materials. Operation of the JEOL 733 electron microprobe and associated computer software for quantitatively analyzing materials. X-ray chemical mapping. Enrollment limited to 8.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 2-3
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Grading: Satisfactory/No Credit
GES 277: Flood Basalts and Mass Extinctions
Recent work in geochronology and paleobiology supports the temporal coincidence of the eruption of continental flood basalts with mass extinction in the marine and terrestrial realms. The mechanisms and timescale of flood basalt eruptions, their likely environmental and biological consequences, and the evidence for flood basalt eruptions as the triggers of many mass extinction events. Sources include recent primary literature.
Terms: offered occasionally
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Units: 3
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Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
GES 278: Mantle Processes
The mantle is the largest reservoir on Earth and is fundamental to a variety of plate tectonic processes, from convection to the generation of crust. This course reviews current knowledge of the mantle based on the geochemistry and rheology of rocks derived from the upper mantle. Focus is on processes at ocean ridges and subduction zones. The tools used for studying the mantle, including radiogenic isotopes, trace elements, melting equations, diffusion coefficients and rheological flow laws, are explored in detail.nnPre-requisites: basic geology, petrology and chemistry or consent of the instructor.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 1-3
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Repeatable for credit
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Grading: Letter or Credit/No Credit
GES 310: Climate Change, Climate Variability, and Landscape Development
The impact of long-term climate change on erosional processes and the evolution of Cenozoic landscapes. Climate data that highlight recurring climate variability on inter-annual to decadal timescales. The behavior of climate on multi-decadal to tectonic timescales over which significant changes in topography take place. The effects of climate change and variability on landscape development, sedimentary environments, and the deposits of these events. May be repeated for credit.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 1
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Repeatable for credit
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Grading: Satisfactory/No Credit
GES 340: Seminar on the Earth's Interior
Seminar to review and discuss current research in mineral physics, seismology, geochemistry and geodynamics on understanding the distribution, form, and role of volatiles in Earth's mantle.
Terms: not given this year
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Units: 1
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Grading: Satisfactory/No Credit
GES 355: Advanced Stratigraphy Seminar and Field Course
Student-led presentations; poster-sized display on assigned topic; field trip.
Terms: offered occasionally
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Units: 1-3
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Repeatable for credit
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Grading: Satisfactory/No Credit
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