Courses

EENS 1110/1115 – Planet Earth
EENS 1300/1305 – Earth as a Living Planet
EENS 2220/2225 - Earth and Life Through Time

 

COLQ 4120 – The Grand Canyon
EENS 3550 – Shark Paleobiology
SCEN 3880 – Writing Intensive (to make upper-level EENS courses writing intensive, with the instructor's permission)

Course Information for Non-Majors and courses suitable for non-science students

EENS 1050 – Dinosaurs
EENS 1400 – Global Climate Change
EENS 2020 – Environmental Geology
EENS 2060 – Intro to Geography
EENS 2070 – Weather and Climate
EENS 2230 – Oceanography
EENS 3050 – Natural Hazards and Mitigation Website: Natural Disasters
COLQ 4120 – Grand Canyon Colloquium Website: Grand Canyon Colloquium

 

EENS 1050 – Dinosaurs
An introduction to dinosaurs, their relatives, and the Mesozoic world. Students will examine the fossil record of dinosaurs to explore dinosaur anatomy, physiology, systematics, ecology, biogeography, behavior, and macroevolution. Course also includes overviews of plate tectonics, sedimentary environments, fossil preservation, geologic time, and biotic evolution.
Credit hours: 3 

EENS 1110 – Planet Earth
The origin nature and evolution of the Earth-Moon system and their constituent materials; development of Earth's surface features through interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes over geologic time: considerations of interactions between Earth processes and present day human activity.
Co-requisites: EENS 1115. Credit hours: 3

EENS 1115 – Planet Earth Laboratory
A hands-on study of rocks, minerals, landforms and geologic structures using topographic maps, aerial photographs, physical models, field examination and independent research projects. One laboratory per week; field trips.
Co-requisites: EENS 1110. Credit hours: 1

EENS 1300 – Earth as a Living Planet
An introduction to the interaction of earth systems and man; anthropogenic impacts of population growth and economic development; renewable and non-renewable resources, air, water and soil pollution and mitigation; ecosystems and biological diversity; and environmental problem solving using the scientific method. Students develop a holistic understanding of environmental science using class discussions and laboratories to reinforce basic scientific principles.
Co-requisites: EENS 1305.  Credit hours: 3

EENS 1305 – Earth as a Living Planet Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany EENS 1300.
Co-requisites: EENS 1300. Credit hours: 1

EENS 1400 – Global Climate Change
This course provides a broad overview of the causes of climate change and its impacts on Earth and its inhabitants. The first part of the course focuses on the climate system and its components, the second part zeroes in on climate impacts (including those in coastal Louisiana) as well as policy aspects.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 1890 – Service Learning
Service learning component to Earth and Environmental Sciences courses. See Schedule of Classes each semester for offerings. 20 or 40 hours of public service with a CPS approved community partner.
Credit hours: 0

EENS 2020 – Environmental Geology
The interaction of humans and their geologic environment. A study of Earth processes and their action on rocks, soil, fluids, and life in ways that either affect or control the human environment. The effect of humans on their environment with consideration of the feedback between Earth processes and human activities. Lectures and field trips
Credit hours: 3

EENS 2060 – Introductory Geography
An introduction to the basic facts concerning the physical environment: landforms, climates, vegetation and soils, followed by a comprehensive survey of the relationship between the physical environment and human activity in the major geographic regions of the world. The geography of Louisiana is considered in relation to the region. Recommended to students working toward Louisiana certification in elementary education.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 2070 – Weather and Climate
An introduction to the Earth's atmosphere with particular emphasis on weather and climate. Topics covered include: heating and cooling of the atmosphere; atmospheric circulation and wind; air masses and cyclonic storms; tropical weather and hurricanes; and global climates and climatic change.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 2080 Extreme Weather
This course is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of severe weather and its impact on man and the environment. Students focus on life cycles of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and ice storms, as well as the impacts of temperature and precipitation extremes.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 2090 - Surface Water Hydrology
This course focuses on the movement of water in and among surface water systems and exchanges between the surface, atmospheric and ground water components of the hydrologic cycle. A grade of C- or better is required for the Environmental Earth Science Major.
Prerequisites: Math 1210. Credit hours: 3

EENS 2220 - Earth and Life Through Time
The evolution of earth and life over the past 4.54 billion years.
Co-requisites: EENS 1125. Credit hours: 3

EENS 2225 – Earth and Life Through Time Laboratory
A hands-on exploration of the rock and fossil record of planet earth.
Co-requisites: EENS 1125. Credit hours: 3

EENS 2230 – Oceanography
A broad survey of chemical, physical, and geological oceanography with a brief historical overview and a consideration of current concepts.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 2240 – Geology of Our National Parks
This course provides students with an overview of the National Park System using specific examples from the following geological environments: 1) landscapes developed on flat-lying sedimentary rocks; 2) vistas developed in caves and caverns by corrosion of sedimentary rocks; 3) glacial and alpine landscapes; and 4) volcanic landscapes.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 3050 – Natural Hazards & Mitigation
The broad aim of this course is to introduce students to the processes causing volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and tropical storms, and to outline the steps to their mitigation. These dynamic Earth process are placed within the general context of plate tectonics, as well as the financial, social, and political implications of these catastrophic events. All of these processes are moderated by climate change and rising sea level, which are also considered in group discussions and scenarios. In lieu of a final exam, students prepare and present a hazard case study emphasizing geologic, economic, health, or sociological implications.
Credit hours: 3 Website: Natural Disasters

EENS 3090 – Invertebrate Paleontology
Principles of invertebrate paleontology; a systematic treatment of the fossil invertebrates and their living relatives. Emphasis on functional morphology, ontogeny, and paleoecology. Lectures, laboratory, field trips.
Prerequisites: EENS 1120 or approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3100 – Planetary Geology
This course will introduce students to the geology of other planetary bodies, focusing on fundamental geologic processes like volcanism, tectonism and impact cratering. The course will focus on rocky planet surfaces but will also include discussions of asteroid surfaces and rocky and icy moons. The class will begin with discussions of interior processes and over the course of the semester we will move towards the surface, exploring volcanism, tectonism, sedimentary processes, and atmospheres. Lectures will focus on discussing these topics for a week and then present a case study of these topics. For example, case studies that may be discussed include plate tectonics, oceans, habitability, and climate change. Interspersed among the discussion of geologic processes will be discussions about how geologic landforms are studied on other planets, including the satellites and instruments used to make remote measurements.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3120 – Soils and Soil Formation
Lecture and discussion-based survey of soils, soil formation, classification, physical & chemical properties, and applications in geologic, environmental, and paleoclimatic investigations. This course requires participation in a multi-day field trip for soil description and sampling.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110 or 1300. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3150 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
This course is designed to give students a general understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) and the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS software. The approach taken is detailed instruction in utilizing ArcGIS to solve problems in the earth and environmental sciences. 
Co-requisites: EENS 3151. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3151 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Laboratory
Co-requisites: EENS 3150. Credit hours: 0

EENS 3170 – Geomorphology
The study of processes leading to landform creation and development in response to climate and tectonics. Overview of fundamental and applied activities undertaken by geomorphologists.
Corequisites: Math 1210. Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3171 – Geomorphology Discussion
A discussion section to accompany EENS 3170/6170 Geomorphology.
Credit hours: 0

EENS 3180 Making Landscapes
In this course, we will explore how different "iconic" landscapes were formed such as Niagara Falls and Mount Everest. Iconic landscapes can still be awe inspiring for those who can't see them if we are creative about how we share these landscapes. We will also learn about best practices for teaching students with disabilities and different abilities. As part of the class, we will teach K-12 who are visually impaired or have autism spectrum disorder about awe-inspiring landscapes using the 3D models. Mandatory Service Learning component.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 3190 – Earth Materials
In this course you will investigate the materials that comprise the Earth and how they are made. You will learn about mineral structure and chemistry and be able to relate these parameters to the physical properties of minerals. An analysis of phase stability will follow that will build towards interpreting phase diagrams. These new skills will be applied to understanding the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Earth as organized by tectonic setting.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070 and 1075, EENS 1110 and 1115. Corequisites: CHEM 1080. Credit hours: 4  Website: Petrology

EENS 3191 – Earth Materials Lab
In this course you will investigate the materials that comprise the Earth and how they are made. You will learn about mineral structure and chemistry and be able to relate these parameters to the physical properties of minerals. An analysis of phase stability will follow that will build towards interpreting phase diagrams. These new skills will be applied to understanding the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Earth as organized by tectonic setting.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070 and 1075, EENS 1110 and 1115. Corequisites: CHEM 1080.

EENS 3270 – Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Composition, primary textures, and structures of sediments in major sedimentary environments. Environmental interpretation of ancient sedimentary sequences. The basic principles utilized in interpretation of the stratigraphic column. The associated laboratory focuses primarily on methods of sedimentary analysis.  Mandatory field trip to Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas.
Prerequisites: EENS 2110. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3410 – Structural Geology
Principles and mechanics of rock deformation, the evolution of geological structures, and the relations between structures and plate tectonics. Laboratory section focuses on geological problem solving. Field trip to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115, 2110. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3550 – Shark Paleobiology
This course examines the processes and patterns of shark speciation, diversification, macroevolution, and extinction within the framework of developing a problem-based learning activity using shark teeth for a K-12 classroom. Particular emphasis is placed on the systematics and functional morphology of shark teeth.
Prerequisites: EBIO 1010, EENS 1120/1125, EBIO 3500, EENS 4090, or approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 3600 – The Science of Climate Change
This course emphasizes the scientific basis for anthropogenic climate change. Students will learn the physics behind the climate system, how climate has changed in the past and reasons why contemporary climate change is different, the scientific basis for anthropogenic climate change theory and how scientists use models to predict future climate. The course will also provide an overview of the physical, ecological, biological, social and economic impacts of climate change. Finally, students will examine various mitigation and adaptation strategies which society can employ in a warmer world.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 3650 – Marine Environmental Geology
This course is an introduction to the aspects of coastal and marine geology and oceanography that are societally linked through environmental issues and marine resource availability. This will provide a basic science introduction to topics that include estuarine oceanography and sedimentation, eutrophication of coastal waters, primary productivity and deep sea sedimentation, waves and tides, sea level history and the evolution of coastlines, and the geology of the Gulf coastal region. However, the larger goal of the course will be to focus on a series of societally relevant environmental issues with a marine geological connection either in causation or in mitigation/adaptation/solution strategies. These issues are divided broadly into topics relevant to land-ocean connectivity, natural hazards, global climate change, and local/regional anthropogenic effects. In addition to a critical analysis of global (marine) environmental issues, another goal will be to improve presentation skills, both oral and written.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 3730 – Pathways to Urban Sustainability
Common environmental impacts of urbanization and approaches to minimize them, drawing on case studies from the Greater New Orleans Region and elsewhere.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 3890 – Service Learning
Service learning component to Earth and Environmental Sciences' courses. See Schedule of Classes each semester for offerings. 20 or 40 hours of public service with a CPS approved community partner.
Credit hours: 1

EENS 3990 – Field Geoscience
The acquisition and application of basic geoscience methods in field settings. Students typically complete this course at an approved field camp offered by another college or university. Approval of the EES undergraduate major advisor is required in advance. Credits and grades are transferred.
Approval of undergraduate advisor before enrollment. Credit hours: 3- 8

EENS 4030 – Advanced GIS
This course is designed to advance student's knowledge in the rapidly developing field of Geographic Information Science and Systems (GIS).  This course is built on the techniques learned in the Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course (EENS 3150/6150) by exposing the student to more advanced methods in developing and utilizing GIS data.  Students will gain skills and knowledge of design, planning, and error within GIS data management, analytical decision making techniques, and advanced spatial analysis.  Students will gain deep understanding of the potential value of GIS through lectures, exercises of the latest versions of ArcGIS software, and research projects in a broad range of application.
Prerequisites: EENS 3150/6150 and/or instructor's approval.  Credit hours: 3

EENS 4040 – Coastal Marine Geology
Geomorphic features of estuarine, coastal, and continental shelf environments: erosional, depositional, and geochemical processes; field and laboratory methods; emphasis on dynamic coastal environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115, 1120/1125, and CHEM 1070, 1080. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4060 – Tectonic Geomorphology
The interplay between tectonic processes and the development and modification of landforms, from the scale of earthquake ruptures to mountain building. The course will also include an overview of techniques for analyzing tectonic and geomorphic data, and an introduction to geochronology and thermochronology. Lecture and seminar format; field trip; optional service learning component.
Prerequisites: Recommended prior knowledge of structural geology and geomorphology. 
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4160 – Construction and Interpretation of 3D Stratigraphy
Construction and Interpretation of 3D Stratigraphy From Earth surface to subsurface, this course uses three-dimensional volumes of basin-filling stratigraphy to explore how depositional landscapes are preserved in the sedimentary record and how sedimentary deposits can be analyzed to produce quantitative reconstructions of past environmental states.
Prerequisites: EENS 3270. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4180 - Introduction to Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is a rapidly evolving science and technology with numerous contributions to the Earth, environmental, and ocean sciences, such as monitoring of natural hazards including droughts, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and forest fires. This course introduces the students to the principles of remote sensing with its wide applications in the Earth and environmental sciences. Fundamental knowledge is offered on the physics of remote sensing, photogrammetry, remote sensing data acquisition, remote sensing data types (multispectral, hyperspectral, RADAR, and LiDAR), and numerous applications. The course consists of two components: lectures and labs. In the lectures, the above topics will be reviewed and explained. The laboratory part of this course will cover digital image processing and analysis techniques using ENVI software.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4230 – Tectonics
Tectonics encompasses the processes of large-scale deformation and the formation of structures that define, or are association with, Earth's tectonic plate boundaries. The course will include the historical development and testing of plate tectonic hypotheses, as well as a detailed overview of plate tectonics as a current unifying theory. Lecture format, but will include a limited number of discussions of published papers; field trip component is not graded, but participation is expected.
Prerequisites: EENS 3410. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4250 – Isotopes in the Environment
The use of stable and radioactive isotopes as tools to trace the movement of air, water, and sediments through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4300 – Groundwater Hydrology
Occurrence of water in the near-surface environment. Topics include saturated and unsaturated flow in aquifers, aquifer characterization, well hydraulics, and groundwater chemistry.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070, 1080, MATH 1210, 1220 or equivalent. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4320 – Subsurface Geology
Principles of subsurface mapping with emphasis on 3-dimensional seismic reflection data. Utilization of geophysical data to construct subsurface maps. Students gain hands on experience with Seismic Micro-technology's state-of-the-art software, The Kingdom Suite, in work-station based laboratory sessions. Lectures and laboratory.
Prerequisites: EENS 3270 (may be taken concurrently). Credit hours: 3

EENS 4350 – Geologic Dating Methods
In this course the student will explore the development of methods used to date and establish rates of Earth and planetary processes via radiogenic isotopic methods. Students will come away with deeper understanding of age of the Universe, Solar system, and Earth and understand how radiogenic isotopic techniques can be used to study, for example, differentiation of the earth into its major components (crust, mantle, core).
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4360 - Environmental Geochemistry
Quantitative examination of the fundamental processes that control the chemistry of natural waters. Topics will include equilibrium thermodynamics, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions , solution and surface complexation (adsorption), chemical weathering and biogeochemical cycling of chemical elements in the environment. 
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070, 1080; MATH 1210, 1220; EENS 2110 or equivalent. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4370 GIS Research Project
This course is designed to advance student's knowledge to design, manage, and complete a research project that emphasizes the use of geographic information systems (GIS). This course will focus on the project's methodological and organizational design, the application of appropriate GIS techniques, and proper reporting of the results. The GIS component is accomplished through independent work. The graduate student/undergraduate group has the freedom to choose their own project topic. The instructor may suggest some project ideas, but students are welcome to develop their own. If you have an idea of a project, you are encouraged to discuss it with the instructor as soon as possible to see if it is feasible and to start the process of data acquisition. Ideas may come from a variety of sources, such as a current or previous employer, work done as a volunteer, or work done in another course or on a field trip.
Prerequisite(s): EENS 3150, 3150, 6150 or 6150 and EENS 4030, 4030, 6030 or 6030. Credit hours: 3

EENS 4390 Geospatial and Numerical Methods
Satellites probe Earth's ionosphere, atmosphere, oceans and subsurface over periods of days to weeks, building large 4D data sets. Earth based data from the internet of things to sophisticated monitoring provide even denser 4D data sets. The broad aims of this course are to learn theory and application of the following broad topics, and to use open source command line software (GMT, Google Earth, QGIS) or commercial (ArcGIS) and Matlab or Python programming to solve geospatial data analysis problems.
Prerequisite(s) MATH 1220 and EENS 1110, or equivalents, or instructor permission. Credit hours: 4

EENS 4440 – Introduction to Geophysics
This course provides an introduction to applied geophysical methods, with a focus on the application of these techniques in environmental and engineering studies. The material will provide the technical foundation needed to understand the commonly used geophysical methods: gravity, magnetics, electrical resistivity, seismic, electromagnetics, and ground penetrating radar.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4560 - Public Service Internship
Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors having minimum GPA 3.0 or 2.7 with recommendation letter. A public service learning experience provided through an internship. May fulfill the 2nd tier service learning requirement; refer to the Center for Public Service website for information on how to apply. Notes: Only one internship may be completed per semester. A maximum of six credits may be earned in two internships.
Prerequisites: Approval of department and approval of CPS if used to fulfill the 2nd tier requirement. Co-registration in SRVC 4890 if fulfilling 2nd tire service requirement. Credit hours: 0-4

EENS 4570 – Internship
Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors having minimum GPA 3.0 or 2.7 with a recommendation letter. An experiential learning opportunity provided through an internship. Application is typically through a government agency, business or industry, or non-profit. Appropriate supervision must be provided and communication is required between the department and the internship provider in order for credit hours to be accrued. Notes: Only one internship may be completed per semester. A maximum of six credits may be earned in two internships.
Prerequisites: Approval of department. Credit hours: 0-4

 

EENS 4700  Earth & Env Sci. Field Studies
his course will take students into the field and provide them with their first in depth experience with earth and environmental science. Students will spend the first part of the course in a seminar type course discussing fundamental papers. The course will then culminate with an approximately week long field outing. Course location will rotate. The course will not supplant the field geology camp requirement for geology majors.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4840 – Planetary Geophysics
The interior structure, composition, and dynamics of Earth and the terrestrial planets can be deduced from a number of different physical, chemical, and thermodynamic observations and models. Topics include: Early bombardment and formation of proto-planetary discs, core formation, Earth's composition and age from radioactivity and thermal considerations, thermal and density structure, geomagnetic dynamo, mantle convection, and plate tectonics, and their absence on other terrestrial planets. Special topics for in-class seminars will explore the methodologies used to determine the internal structure (e.g., seismology, gravity), and the dynamics of systems (e.g., geomagnetism, plate tectonics, the water and carbon cycle). Assessment: 2 in-class quizzes, 5 problem sets, 2 class presentations, and a final critical review of 2 linked research papers on a special topic to be assigned in class.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 4910 – Independent Studies
Credit hours: 1-3

EENS 4920 – Independent Studies
Credit hours: 3

EENS H4910 - Independent Studies
Individual studies in a selected discipline. Open to juniors and seniors in Tulane's Honors Program with approval of the instructor. Notes: This course can be used to fulfill the capstone requirement of the Geology or Environmental Science Major. In this case students must co-register for EENS 511 (0 credit).
Credit hours: 3

EENS H4920 – Independent Studies
Individual studies in a selected discipline. Open to juniors and seniors in Tulane's Honors Program with approval of the instructor. Notes: This course can be used to fulfill the capstone requirement of the Geology or Environmental Science Major. In this case students must co-register for EENS 511 (0 credit).
Credit hours: 3

EENS H4990 - Honors Thesis
Open to seniors in the Tulane Honors Program. Culminating in a defended thesis based on substantial independent research overseen by a faculty advisor.
Credit hours: 3

EENS H5000 – Honors Thesis
Open to seniors in the Tulane Honors Program. Culminating in a defended thesis based on substantial independent research overseen by a faculty advisor.
Credit hours: 3

COLQ 1020 – Sea Level Rise: Causes and Consequence

EENS 6030 – Advanced GIS
Open to seniors in the Tulane Honors Program. Culminating in a defended thesis based on substantial independent research overseen by a faculty advisor.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6040 – Coastal Marine Geology
Geomorphic features of estuarine, coastal, and continental shelf environments: erosional, depositional, and geochemical processes; field and laboratory methods; emphasis on dynamic coastal environments of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115, 1120/1125, and CHEM 1070, 1080. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6050 – Natural Hazards and Mitigation
An examination of the causes and effects of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, subsidence, coastal erosion, flooding, severe weather (including hurricanes), and meteorite impacts. Also includes a discussion of options available to mitigate disasters.
Prerequisites: Approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6060 – Tectonic Geomorphology
The interplay between tectonic processes and the development and modification of landforms, from scale of earthquake ruptures to mountain building. The course will also include an overview of techniques for analyzing tectonic and geomorphic data, and an introduction to geochronology and thermochronology. Lecture and seminar format; mandatory field trip; optional service learning component.
Prerequisites: Recommended prior knowledge of structural geology and geomorphology. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6070 – Independent Research
Topical and timely course, typically in a seminar format in which students lead discussions based on current scientific literature. The topics will be listed on a semester-by-semester basis in the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: Approval of instructor. Credit hours: 1-3

EENS 6080 - Special Topics
Special course taught by Tulane faculty or visiting faculty. The topics will be listed in the Schedule of Classes.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6090 – Invertebrate Paleontology
Principles of invertebrate paleontology; a systematic treatment of the fossil invertebrates and their living relatives. Emphasis on functional morphology, ontogeny, and paleoecology. Lectures, laboratory, field trip.
Prerequisites: EENS 1120 or approval of instructor.  Credit hours: 3

 

EENS 6100 – Planetary Geology
This course will introduce students to the geology of other planetary bodies, focusing on fundamental geologic processes like volcanism, tectonism and impact cratering. The course will focus on rocky planet surfaces but will also include discussions of asteroid surfaces and rocky and icy moons. The class will begin with discussions of interior processes and over the course of the semester we will move towards the surface, exploring volcanism, tectonism, sedimentary processes, and atmospheres. Lectures will focus on discussing these topics for a week and then present a case study of these topics. For example, case studies that may be discussed include plate tectonics, oceans, habitability, and climate change. Interspersed among the discussion of geologic processes will be discussions about how geologic landforms are studied on other planets, including the satellites and instruments used to make remote measurements.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6130 - Principles of Paleobiology
Selected topics on macroevolutionary theories; phylogeny and the fossil records of metazoans; Major events in the history of life; Patterns of biodiversity through geological time; Taphonomy; Paleoecology.
Prerequisites: EBIO 1010, EENS 1120/1140, EENS 6090, or approval of instructor.  Credit hours: 3

EENS 6140 –Igneous Petrology
An in-depth study of the origins of igneous rocks from the standpoint of experimental investigations, thermodynamics, trace elements, radiogenic isotopes, and field investigations. Includes a laboratory.
Prerequisites: EENS 2120 and approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6160 – Construction and Interpretation of 3D Stratigraphy
Study of the geomorphological, sedimentological, and stratigraphic responses of rivers to tectonics, climate, and sea-level changes. Discussion of recent scientific literature on river changes and associated stratigraphic records over time scales of 1 to millions of years. Formerly Fluvial Responses to Allogenic Controls.
Prerequisites: EENS 3170 or EENS 3270 and approval of instructor.  Credit hours: 3

EENS 6170 – Geomorphology
The study of processes leading to landform creation and development in response to climate and tectonics. Overview of fundamental and applied activities undertaken by geomorphologists.
Co-requisites: Math 1210 Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6171 - Geomorphology
Discussion A discussion section to accompany EENS 3170/6170, Geomorphology.
Credit hours: 0

EENS 6190 – Earth Materials
In this course you will investigate the materials that comprise the Earth and how they are made. You will learn about mineral structure and chemistry and be able to relate these parameters to the physical properties of minerals. An analysis of phase stability will follow that will build towards interpreting phase diagrams. These new skills will be applied to understanding the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Earth as organized by tectonic setting.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070 and 1075, EENS 1110 and 1115. Corequisites: CHEM 1080. Credit hours: 4  Website: Petrology

EENS 6191 – Earth Materials Lab
In this course you will investigate the materials that comprise the Earth and how they are made. You will learn about mineral structure and chemistry and be able to relate these parameters to the physical properties of minerals. An analysis of phase stability will follow that will build towards interpreting phase diagrams. These new skills will be applied to understanding the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Earth as organized by tectonic setting.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070 and 1075, EENS 1110 and 1115. Corequisites: CHEM 1080.

EENS 6210 – Global Biogeochemical Cycles
An introduction to the global biogeochemical cycles in fresh water, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems. Emphasis will be placed on key environmental issues as they relate to perturbations of these global cycles.
Prerequisites: CHEM 2410, 2430. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6230 - Tectonics
Tectonics encompasses the processes of large-scale deformation and the formation of structures that define, or are association with, Earth's tectonic plate boundaries. The course will include the historical development and testing of plate tectonic hypotheses, as well as a detailed overview of plate tectonics as a current unifying theory. Lecture format, but will include a limited number of discussions of published papers; field trip component is not graded, but participation is expected.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6250 – Isotopes in the Environment
The use of stable and radioactive isotopes as tools to trace the movement of air, water, and sediments through the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6260 – Paleoclimatology
Understanding past climate change is necessary to effectively predict the future of our planet, which is currently in a state of rapid transition. The main focus of the course is on the reconstruction and modeling of climates of the Quaternary, the past two million years of Earth's history.
Prerequisites: Approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6290 – Sedimentary Geochemistry
Quantitative aspects of early sediment diagenesis. The topics examined include: sediment deposition, resuspension, bioturbation and accumulation; redox reactions; diffusion and desorption of dissolved species; and organic matter decomposition and storage. These basic concepts will be used to examine early diagenesis in a range of sedimentary environments.
Prerequisites: EENS 3270 or approval of instructor. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6300 - Groundwater Hydrology
Occurrence of water in the near-surface environment. Topics include saturated and unsaturated flow in aquifers, aquifer characterization, well hydraulics, and groundwater chemistry.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070, 1080, MATH 1210, 1220, or equivalent. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6310 – Depositional Mechanics
This course emphasizes a quantitative description of the mechanics of sediment transport in steady and unsteady flows based on hydrodynamic principles. Aspects of flow and sediment-transport mechanics that are relevant to understanding the construction of landscapes and depositional systems including modes of particle entrainment and motion in turbulent shear flows will be considered. The course includes consideration of the equations of motion for particles in a turbulent flow, entrainment, bedload, and suspended load in addition to the mechanics of bedforms, ripples, and dunes, parameters responsible for channelization, erosion, and deposition of cohesive and non-cohesive sediments, and the mechanics of sediment gravity flows. Finally, quantitative methods relating properties of stratigraphy to paleo-environmental conditions are considered.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6320 – Subsurface Geology
Principles of subsurface mapping with emphasis on 3-dimensional seismic reflection data. Utilization of geophysical data to construct subsurface maps. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: EENS 3270, 3410, and approval of instructor.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6340 – The Earth
Earth as seen in the light of solid-earth geophysics: age and origin; seismology and structure of the interior; gravity, geodesy, and the geoid; heat budget; generation of the magnetic field and paleomagnetism; and geophysical constraints on plate tectonics. Lectures. Prerequisites: MATH 1210 and 1220, or equivalent, PHYS 1210 and 1220 or 1310 and 1320, and approval of instructor.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6350 – Geologic Dating Methods
In this course the student will explore the development of methods used to date and establish rates of Earth and planetary processes via radiogenic isotopic methods. Students will come away with deeper understanding of age of the Universe, Solar system, and Earth and understand how radiogenic isotopic techniques can be used to study, for example, differentiation of the earth into its major components (crust, mantle, core).
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6360 - Environmental Geochemistry
Quantitative examination of the fundamental processes that control the chemistry of natural waters. Topics will include equilibrium thermodynamics, kinetics, oxidation-reduction reactions, solution and surface complexation (adsorption), chemical weathering and biogeochemical cycling of chemical elements in the environment.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1070, 1080; MATH 1210, 1220; EENS 2110 or equivalent. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6400 – The Scientific Enterprise
Scientific research has evolved into a complex activity that requires numerous skills which are typically not captured by traditional curricula. This course covers such topics as science funding, publishing, misconduct, media, and politics, and is specifically intended for (aspiring) graduate students.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6410 – Structural Geology
Principles and mechanics of rock deformation, the evolution of geological structures, and the relations between structures and plate tectonics. Laboratory section focuses on geological problem solving. Field trip to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Prerequisites: EENS 1110/1115, 2110 and approval of instructor.  Credit hours: 3

EENS 6420 Applied Basin Analysis
This course focuses on practical applications of stratigraphy, structural geology and petroleum geology. It is designed around a dataset for an individual hydrocarbon basin that will typically include seismic reflection data and well data. Datasets will vary from year to year, as the course will be coordinated with AAPG's Imperial Barrel award program. Students work as a team, however each student has a clear role and responsibility to the ultimate goal, which is a geologically valid interpretation of the basin that makes predictions about the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the study area. Emphasis is on teamwork, participation, oral and written communication of results. Practicum format (non-lecture).
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6440 – Introduction to Geophysics
This course provides an introduction to applied geophysical methods, with a focus on the application of these techniques in environmental and engineering studies.  The material will provide the technical foundation needed to understand the commonly used geophysical methods: gravity, magnetics, electrical resistivity, seismic, electromagnetics, and ground penetrating radar.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 6510 - Micropaleontology
The foraminifera, ostracoda, nannofossils, conodonts and other groups of microfossils. Lectures and laboratory.
Prerequisites: EENS 6090, EENS 4090 or elementary biology. Credit hours: 3

EENS 6550 - Shark Paleobiology
This course examines the processes and patterns of shark speciation, diversification, macroevolution, and extinction within the framework of developing a problem-based learning activity using shark teeth for a K-12 classroom. Particular emphasis is placed on the systematics and functional morphology of shark teeth. Prerequisites: EBIO 1010, EENS 1120/1125, EBIO 3500, EENS 4090, or approval of instructor.
Credit hours: 4

EENS 6840 - Solid Earth and Planetary Geophysics
The interior structure, composition, and dynamics of Earth and the terrestrial planets can be deduced from a number of different physical, chemical, and thermodynamic observations and models. Topics include: Early bombardment and formation of proto-planetary discs, core formation, Earth's composition and age from radioactivity and thermal considerations, thermal and density structure, geomagnetic dynamo, mantle convection, and plate tectonics, and their absence on other terrestrial planets. Special topics for in-class seminars will explore the methodologies used to determine the internal structure (e.g., seismology, gravity), and the dynamics of systems (e.g., geomagnetism, plate tectonics, the water and carbon cycle). Assessment: 2 in-class quizzes, 5 problem sets, 2 class presentations, and a final critical review of 2 linked research papers on a special topic to be assigned in class.
Pre-requisites: Calculus and Physical Geology, or equivalent. Credit hours: 3

EENS 7030 Seminar in Paleontology and/or Stratigraphy
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7040 – Seminar in Paleotology and/or Stratigraphy
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7010 Techniques in Geoscience Writing
This graduate-level course will introduce students to methods and best practices for writing scientific paper and as scientific proposal. General practices for clear and concise writing will also be discussed. Students will be required to write and rewrite either a scientific proposal (PhD students) or a thesis prospectus (MS students). Students will be required to critique classmates' writing and provide constructive feedback. Best practices for reviewing scientific writing will also be discussed. This course should be taken in a graduate student's third or fourth semester, so that the student will have some of their own research completed.
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7100 – Seminar in Geology
Credit hours: 1

EENS 7150 – Advanced Topics in Sedimentary Geology
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7160 – Carbonate Petrology
Prerequisites: EENS 6180, 6200. Credit hours: 3

EENS 7200 – Introduction to Theoretical Geochemistry
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7230 – Paleoecology of Marine Invertebrates
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7240 – Studies in Stratigraphic Micropaleontology
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7500 – Advanced Field Geology
Credit hours: 3

EENS 7970 – Research in Paleontology
Credit hours: 1-9

EENS 7990 – Research in Geosciences
Credit hours: 1-9

EENS 9980 – Masters Research
Credit hours: 3

EENS 9990 – Dissertation Research
Credit hours: 3