Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Courses listed as prerequisites serve to indicate the degree of proficiency that is expected. They need not have been taken at Johns Hopkins.

270.102 (N) Freshman Seminar: Conversation with the Earth
A discussion of current topics on Earth’s origin, evolution, and habitability. Topics will include extinction of life from meteorite impact, global warming, ozone depletion, volcanism, ice ages, and catastrophic floods, among others.
Section 1 (270.102-01) is for 2 credits for normal participation.
Section 2 (270.102-02) is for 3 credits and has the requirement of a term paper.
Marsh, and other faculty

270.103 (N) Introduction to Global Environmental Change
The structure, composition, and dynamics of the Earth and how we learn about them. Sea floor spreading, continental drift, mountain building, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other internal processes. Surface processes including weathering, erosion, sedimentation, and the record of climate change.   No prerequisites.
Waugh, Passey 3 credits

270.104 (N) History of the Earth and Its Biota
The history of the earth and life as understood through the geologic record. The evolution and extinction of major life forms will be examined from the perspective of interactions among the solid earth, ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Hinnov 3 credits

270.106 Freshman Seminar: Special Topics
Focused study of an important problem in the Earth sciences. Topics vary, but emphasis is given toward examination of journal readings via class discussions.
Staff 1 credit

270.107 (N) Introduction to Sustainability
Will introduce interactions between global environment and humans, discuss meaning of  sustainability, and introduce use of tools to attain sustainability such as policy, law, communication, marketing, research, advocacy, and international treaties.
Parker 3 credits

270.108 (N) Oceans and Atmospheres
A broad survey of the oceans and atmospheres, and their role in the environment and climate. Subjects include ocean circulation, weather systems, hurricanes and tornadoes, El Nino, climate change, ozone depletion, and marine ecosystems.
Haine, Waugh 3 credits

270.110 (N) Freshman Seminar:  Sustainable & Non-Sustainable Resources
An introduction to the important resources involved in the origin and production of oil, natural gas, coal, cement, metals and geothermal fluids.
Sverjensky   1 credit

270.113 (N) Freshman Seminar: Environmental Poisons
An exploration of the occurrence and potential effects of poisons in the environment, from naturally occurring ones such as arsenic to those that may be introduced by mankind such as nuclear waste.
Sverjensky 1 credit

270.114 (N) Guided Tour: The Planets
An introduction to planetary science and planetary exploration primarily for non-science majors. A survey of concepts from astronomy, chemistry, geology, and physics applied to the study of the solar system.
Marsh, Strobel 3 credits

270.220 (N) The Dynamic Earth: An Introduction to Geology
An introduction to the basic concepts of geology. Topics include Earth’s internal structure; plate tectonics; geologic time; minerals and rocks; erosion and deposition by oceans, rivers, wind, and glaciers; sedimentary environments; volcanism and plutonism; metamorphism; faults and folds; earthquakes and seismology; geomagnetism.
Pre- or co-requisites: 030.101 or 171.101-102; 270.221
is co-requisite for Earth and planetary science majors, optional for others.
Veblen, Ferry 3 credits 3 hours lecture

270.221 (N) The Dynamic Earth Laboratory
Laboratory exercises to illustrate the concepts developed in 270.220.
Co-requisite: 270.220.
Staff 1 credit 2 hours lab

270.222 (N) Earth Materials
An introduction to the properties, occurrence, and origin of the basic constituents of the Earth, including minerals and rocks. Introductory training in the recognition of minerals and rocks, in the laboratory and the field.
Veblen, Ferry 4 credits

270.301 (N) Geochemical Thermodynamics
Principles of chemical thermodynamics. Concept of and criteria for equilibrium. Properties of real fluids and solids. Applications to geologic processes.
Prerequisite: 270.222 or 270.341.
Ferry 3 credits

270.302 (N) Aqueous Geochemistry
Thermodynamic basis for calculation of equilibria involving minerals and aqueous species at both low and high temperatures and pressures. Theoretical calculation of surface geochemical processes including adsorption and dissolution kinetics.
Prerequisite: 270.369.
Sverjensky 4.5 credits 3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab

270.303 Geodynamics
Study of the basic principles that control deformation of Earth’s crust and mantle. Elastic, viscoelastic, and viscous deformation are described using examples of Earth dynamics from tectonics, uplift, mantle convection, faulting, etc.
Prerequisite: 171.101 or 171.105 and 110.202
Staff 3 credits

270.304 (N) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Description and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Classification and occurrence. Application of fundamental principles of physics and chemistry to the study of petrogenesis. The control of plate tectonics on rockforming processes.
Corequisite: 270.306.
Prerequisites: 270.341-342.
Ferry 3 credits 3 hours lecture

270.306 (N) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Laboratory
Examination of igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and thin section. Principles and practice in optical mineralogy. Common mineral associations and textures. Rock suites from several classic localities in North America.
Corequisite: 270.304.
Ferry 1 credit 3 hours lecture

270.307 (N,Q) Geoscience Modelling
An introduction to modern ways to interpret observations in the context of a conceptual model. Topics include model building, hypothesis testing, and inverse methods. Practical examples from geophysics, engineering, and medical physics will be featured.
Prerequistes: Calculus, Basic Physics, and Linear Alebra.
Haine 4 credits

270.308 (N) Population and Community Ecology
This course explores the distribution and abundance of organisms and their interactions. Topics include dynamics and regulation of populations, population interactions (competition, predation, mutualism, parasitism, herbivory), biodiversity, organization of equilibrium and non-equilibrium communities, energy flow and nutrient cycles in ecosystems. Field trip included.
Prerequisites: IGECS or permission of instructor.
Szlavecz 3 credits

270.311 (N) Geobiology 
A survey of the interactions between geological and biological processes at and near the Earth’s surface, covering topics such as biogeochemistry and nutrient cycles, soil chemistry, biomarkers, archives of paleobiology, and the evolution of life, with an emphasis on terrestrial systems.
Levin   3 credits

270.313 (N) Isotope Geochemistry 
Principles of equilibrium and kinetic isotope fractionation in fluid, solid and heterogeneous systems.  Stable isotopes in the biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.  Reconstruction of past climatic and ecological settings.  Stable isotopes in igneous and metamorphic systems.  Introduction to radiogenic isotopes, geochronology, thermochronology, cosmogenic istotopes and “clumped” isotopes.
Passey   3 credits

270.315 (N) Natural Catastrophes
A survey of naturally occurring catastrophic phenomena, with emphasis on the underlying physical processes. Topics include hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions and climate change. Intended for students in science and engineering.
Olson 3 credits

270.318 (N) Remote Sensing of the Environment
This course is an introduction to the use of remote sensing technology to study Earth’s physical and biochemical processes. Topics covered include remote sensing of the atmosphere, land and oceans, as well as remote sensing as a tool for policy makers.
Del Castillo, Zaitchik    3 credits

270.322 (N) GECS Fieldwork in Ecuador
Course will provide theory and hands-on practice of environmental science and social science fieldwork.
Parker   4 credits

270.325 Introductory Oceanography
This class is an introduction to a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological phenomena in the world’s oceans. Underlying basic principles are exposed wherever possible. Topics covered include: seawater, waves, tides, ocean circulation, chemical oceanography, biogeochemical ocean processes, and remote sensing of the oceans.
Earth and Planetary Sciences / 143
Prerequisites: Freshman physics, chemistry, calculus through ordinary differential equations.
Haine 3 credits

270.327 (N) Introduction to Seismology
A study of the structure and constitution of Earth’s interior using observations of seismic waves. Topics include propagation, reflection, and refraction of elastic waves, ray theory, dispersion of surface waves, seismicity, plate tectonics, Earth structure and composition.
Corequisite: 270.329.
Prerequisites: calculus and basic physics.
Olson 3 credits

270.329 (N) Introduction to Seismology Laboratory
Laboratory exercises on the interpretation of seismograms.
Corequisite: 270.327.
Olson 1 credit one 3-hour lab

270.332 (N) Soil Ecology
This course introduces basic aspects of cycles and flows in the soil ecosystem, and provides students with an overview of the higher groups of soil organisms, focusing on their identification characters and ecological roles. The course is intended for upper-level undergraduates or graduate students who are interested in soils and soil ecology. The course provides basic laboratory and field surveying skills
in the discipline.
Prerequisites: Population and Community Ecology, Geobiology, or instructor’s permission. Laboratory
and field surveying methods are also covered.
Szlavecz 3 credits

270.341 (N) Crystallography and the Structure of Inorganic Solids
An introduction to the principles of crystallography, diffraction, and the structures of inorganic crystals. Materials covered include important rock-forming minerals, metals, alloys, semiconductors, superconductors, ceramics, catalysts, and other technologically important materials.
Corequisite: 270.343.
Prerequisite for Earth science majors: 270.342.
Veblen 3 credits 3 hours lecture

270.342 (N) Mineralogy Laboratory
Exercises in the chemistry and identification of minerals in hand specimen. This laboratory is designed for undergraduate majors in the Earth sciences.
Corequisite: 270.341.
Veblen 1 credit 2 hours lab

270.343 (N) Crystallography Laboratory
Exercises in crystallography, crystal chemistry, and X-ray diffraction. Extensive use is made of crystal structure models. This laboratory is designed for students already familiar with minerals in hand specimen or not majoring in Earth sciences.
Corequisite: 270.341.
Veblen 1 credit 2 hours lab

270.350 (N) Sedimentary Environments
Introduction to sedimentary processes and sedimentary rocks. Focus is placed on linking physical observations to earth surface processes. Fundamental tools for interpreting the sedimentary rock record, such as depositional models, geochronology, and chemostratigraphy are reviewed. Weekend field trips. Graduate and advanced undergraduate level.
Prerequisites: Dynamic Earth or consent of instructor.
Levin 3 credits

270.355 Introductory Atmospheric Science
An introduction to all aspects of atmospheric science. The course will include discussions of  observations together with theories and simple models of the key dynamical, radiative, and chemical processes. Topics covered include global atmospheric circulation, air pollution, and climate
change. This course is especially for third- and fourthyear undergraduates and graduate students in science and engineering. 
Prerequisites: 030.101, 110.108-109, 171.101-102.
Waugh 3 credits

270.360 (N) Climate Change: Science and Policy
This course will investigate the policy and scientific debate over global warming. It will review the current state of scientific knowledge about climate change, examine the potential impacts and implications of climate change, explore our options for responding to climate change, and discuss
the present political debate over global warming.
Waugh 3 credits

270.369 (N) Geochemistry of the Earth & Environment
An introduction to all aspects of geochemistry: theoretical, experimental, and observational, including the application of geochemistry to issues such as the migration of toxic metals and nuclear waste.
Sverjensky 3 credits 1 hour lab

270.377 (N) Climates of the Past
An overview of Earth’s climatic components, global climate regimes, climate variability, the climate-sensitive Earth archives, paleoclimate through geologic time, episodes of extremes, and models of paleoclimate change.
For upper-level and beginning graduate students.
Prerequisite: 270.220 or instructors' premission.
Hinnov, Levin, Passey  3 credits

270.378 (N) Present and Future Climate
Intended for majors who are interested in the science that underlies the current debate on global warming. The focus is on recent observations, and one can glean from model simulations. Prerequisites: Calculus I and II (110.108-109) and General Physics (171.101-102).
Arking, Waugh, Zaitchik  3 credits

270.395 (N) Planetary Physics and Chemistry
The fundamental principles governing the dynamic processes within and around the planets are treated in some detail. Core equations are developed and used to analyze nebula condensation, planetary accretion, convection in mantles and atmospheres, radiative and conductive
heat transport, seismic waves, hurricanes, volcanism, and meteorite impacts, among others. Emphasis is on fundamentals and problem solving.
Prerequisites: Calculus II, 030.101, 171.101-102 or 103-104 or 105-106.
Marsh, Strobel 3 credits

270.400 Intersession Independent Study
An independent course of study may be pursued under the direction of an adviser on those topics not specifically listed in the form of regular courses.

270.405 (N)  Modeling the Hydrological Cycle
Survey of modeling techniques for hydrological monitoring, analysis and prediction, including applied exercises with commonly used models.  Topics include the terrestrial water balance, rivers and floods, groundwater, atmospheric transport, and precipitation processes.  Focus is on numerical methods applicable at the large watershed to global scale. 
Zaitchik   3 credits

270.407 (N)  Seminar in Planetary Sciences
Waugh

270.415 (N)  Climate Change Discussions
Discussion of current topics in climate change science.
Zaitchik

270.422 (N) Geochemistry of Ore Deposits
This course explores the geologic processes and economic factors that result in the development of commercial concentrations of non-energy mineral resources. The course will discuss a broad spectrum of ore deposits, ranging from the formation of placer-type Au deposits at Rand, society’s largest source of Au, to the genetic link between subduction zone dehydration, porphyry-type Cu, Au, Mo, W, Bi, Sn deposits and shallow-level epithermal Au, Ag deposits. Emphasis will be placed on the physicochemical differences between deposit types and the geochemical causes of ore deposit diversity. The course will examine the relationship between element suites (e.g., Platinum group elements: copper, silver, gold), their position in the periodic table and the reasons they are found
together in nature. Related topics to be discussed include importance of mineral resources to the global economy, mineral exploration and evaluation, and mineral extraction and processing. Reading material for the course will be selected from academic journals.
Staff 3 credits

270.425 (N) Earth and Planetary Fluids
Introductory course on the properties, flow, and transport characteristics of fluids throughout the Earth and planets. Topics covered include constitutive relationships, fluid rheology, hydrostatics, dimensional analysis, low Reynolds number flow, porous media, waves, stratified and rotating
fluids, plus heat, mass and tracer transport. Illustrative examples and problems are drawn from the atmosphere, ocean, crust, mantle, and core of the Earth and other planets. Open to graduate and advanced undergraduate students.
Waugh/Olson 3 credits

270.495-496 (N,W) Senior Thesis
Preparation of a substantial thesis based upon independent student research, supervised by at least one faculty member in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Open to senior departmental majors only. Required for departmental honors.
Staff 4 credits per semester

270.501-502 Independent Study
An independent course of study may be pursued under the direction of an adviser on those topics not specifically listed in the form of regular courses.

270.507-508 Internship

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