Course Descriptions
College of Geosciences
(GEOS)
101. Introduction to the Geosciences. (1-0). Credit 1.
Introduction to the geosciences; geography, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences and oceanography; areas and opportunities in the various geoscience fields. Open to all freshman and sophomore non-geoscience students interested in geosciences.
105. Introduction to Environmental Geoscience. (3-0). Credit 3.
Key concepts and generalizations of global environmental issues within an Earth systems science framework including climate change, air pollution, land and coastal degradation, water resources and pollution, and habitat loss; environmental ethics, economics and politics; environmental issues in Texas. Enrollment preference will be given to environmental geoscience and environmental studies majors.
291. Research. Credit 1 to 4.
Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in the College of Geosciences. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification and approval of instructor.
301. College of Geosciences Study Abroad. Credit 1 to 18.
For students in approved programs abroad. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Admission to approved program and approval of academic dean.
405. Environmental Geosciences. (2-2). Credit 3.
Dynamics and human interactions with near-surface environments including land, atmosphere and oceans through problem-based learning; interdisciplinary environmental problem topic, for example, water quality, urbanization, coastal development, or environmental pollution; geoscience techniques used for monitoring human-geosphere interaction. Prerequisites: GEOS 105; junior or senior classification.
410. Global Change. (3-0). Credit 3.
The interaction of the earth, atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and life, including the impact of human society on the environment and climate; global change modeling; politics, policy and decision making; and personal awareness. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
411. Vegetation Response to Climate Change. (3-0). Credit 3.
Changes of vegetation with historical and predicted climate change; Holocene changes and methods of predicting future change. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.
485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.
Advanced problems in geosciences.
489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified area of geosciences. May be repeated for credit.
491. Research. Credit 1 to 4.
Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in the College of Geosciences. May be repeated 2 times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of instructor.