The College Catalogue

First-Year Seminars

For a full description of first-year seminars, see the First-Year Seminar section.

20 {1020} a. Living Downstream: Dams, Floods, and the Politics of River Management. Fall 2012. Gabrielle David.

Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Courses

101 {1105} a - INS. Investigating Earth. Every fall. Fall 2012. Emily Peterman.

Dynamic processes, such as earthquakes and volcanoes, shape the earth on which we live. In-class lectures and exercises examine these processes from the framework of plate tectonics. Weekly field laboratories explore rocks exposed along the Maine coast. During the course, students complete a research project on Maine geology.

102 {1505} a - INS. Oceanography. Every spring. Spring 2013. Collin Roesler.

The fundamentals of geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography: tectonic evolution of the ocean basins; sedimentation as a record of ocean history; global ocean circulation, waves, and tides; chemical cycles; ocean ecosystems and productivity; and the oceans’ role in climate change. Weekly labs and fieldwork demonstrate these principles in the setting of Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Students complete a field-based research project on coastal oceanography. (Same as Environmental Studies 102 {1102}.)

104 {1305} a - MCSR, INS. Environmental Geology and Hydrology. Spring 2014. Gabrielle David.

An introduction to aspects of geology and hydrology that affect the environment and land use. Topics include lakes, watersheds and surface-water quality, groundwater contamination, coastal erosion, and landslides. Weekly labs and fieldwork examine local environmental problems affecting Maine’s rivers, lakes, and coast. Students complete a community-based research project on Maine water quality. Formerly Geology 100 (same as Environmental Studies 100). (Same as Environmental Studies 104 {1104}.)

105 {1515} a - INS. Oceanography of the Gulf of Maine. Fall 2012. Nicholas Record.

The Gulf of Maine is in many ways a microcosm of the North Atlantic. It lies at the intersection of subpolar and subtropical seas, has a wide variety of coastal habitats, ecosystems, and morphologies, and historically has supported productive fisheries. Introduction to the fundamentals of geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, using the Gulf of Maine as a natural laboratory. Weekly labs apply the principles in the coastal Gulf of Maine. (Same as Environmental Studies 105 {1515}.)

200 {2005} a. Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change. Every fall. Fall 2012. Michèle LaVigne.

Understanding global change requires knowing how the biosphere, geosphere, oceans, ice, and atmosphere interact. An introduction to earth system science, emphasizing the critical interplay between the physical and living worlds. Key processes include energy flow and material cycles, soil development, primary production and decomposition, microbial ecology and nutrient transformations, and the evolution of life on geochemical cycles in deep time. Terrestrial, wetland, lake, river, estuary, and marine systems are analyzed comparatively. Applied issues are emphasized as case studies, including energy efficiency of food production, acid rain impacts on forests and aquatic systems, forest clearcutting, wetland delineation, eutrophication of coastal estuaries, ocean fertilization, and global carbon sinks. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or fieldwork per week. (Same as Environmental Studies 200 {2221}.)

Prerequisite: One of the following: Earth and Oceanographic Science 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), 103 (same as Environmental Studies 103), 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104) [formerly Geology 100 (same as Environmental Studies 100)], or 105 (same as Environmental Studies 105); Biology 102 or 109; or Chemistry 102 or 109.

205 {2020} a - INS. Earth, Ocean, and Society. Every spring. Spring 2013. Emily Peterman.

Explores the historical, current, and future demands of society on the natural resources of the earth and the ocean. Discusses the formation and extraction of salt, gold, diamonds, rare earth elements, coal, oil, natural gas, and renewable energies (e.g., tidal, geothermal, solar, wind). Examines how policies for these resources are written and revised to reflect changing societal values. Students complete a research project that explores the intersection of natural resources and society. (Same as Environmental Studies 205 {2250}.)

Prerequisite: One of the following: Earth and Oceanographic Science 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), 103 (same as Environmental Studies 103), 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104) [formerly Geology 100 (same as Environmental Studies 100)], 105 (same as Environmental Studies 105), or 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200).

206 {2325} a - INS. Environmental Chemistry. Spring 2013. Dharni Vasudevan.

Focuses on two key processes that influence human and wildlife exposure to potentially harmful substances—chemical speciation and transformation. Equilibrium principles as applied to acid-base, complexation, precipitation, and dissolution reactions are used to explore organic and inorganic compound speciation in natural and polluted waters; quantitative approaches are emphasized. Weekly laboratory sections are concerned with the detection and quantification of organic and inorganic compounds in air, water, and soils/sediments. (Same as Chemistry 205 {2050} and Environmental Studies 211 {2205}.)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 109.

211 {2110} a - INS. Volcanoes. Fall 2012. Rachel Beane.

Volcanoes make the news for their human impact, and they reveal much about the inner workings of Earth. Examination of volcanic eruptions, landforms, products, and hazards. Exploration of tectonic influence and magmatic origins of volcanoes. Investigation into the impact of volcanoes on humans, climate, and earth history.

Prerequisite: One 100-level course in earth and oceanographic science.

220 {2325} a - INS. Sedimentary Systems. Spring 2014. Peter Lea.

Investigates modern and ancient sedimentary systems, both continental and marine, with emphasis on the dynamics of sediment transport, interpretation of depositional environments from sedimentary structures and facies relationships, stratigraphic techniques for interpreting earth history, and tectonic and sea-level controls on large-scale depositional patterns. Weekend trip to examine Devonian shoreline deposits in the Catskill Mountains in New York is required.

Prerequisite: One course in earth and oceanographic science or permission of the instructor.

241 {2125} a - MCSR, INS. Field Studies in Structural Geology. Fall 2012. Rachel Beane.

Geologic structures yield evidence for the dynamic deformation of the earth’s crust. Examines deformation at scales that range from the plate-tectonic scale of the Appalachian mountains to the microscopic scale of individual minerals. A strong field component provides ample opportunity for describing and mapping faults, folds, and other structures exposed along the Maine coast. In-class exercises focus on problem-solving through the use of geologic maps, cross-sections, stereographic projections, strain analysis, and computer applications.

Prerequisite: One course in earth and oceanographic science or permission of the instructor.

242 {2145} a - INS. The Plate Tectonics Revolution. Spring 2014. Emily Peterman.

Although only about forty years old, the theory of plate tectonics forever changed the way we view our earth, from static to dynamic. Plate tectonics provides a global framework to understand such varied phenomena as earthquakes, volcanoes, ocean basins, and mountain systems both on continents (e.g., the Himalaya, the Andes) and beneath the seas (e.g., the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the East Pacific Rise). In-depth analysis of plate boundaries, the driving forces of plate tectonics, global plate reconstructions, and the predictive power of plate tectonics. Lectures and three hours of laboratory or fieldwork per week.

Prerequisite: One of the following: Earth and Oceanographic Science 101, 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102), 104 (same as Environmental Studies 104) [formerly Geology 100 (same as Environmental Studies 100)], 105 (same as Environmental Studies 105), or 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200).

252 {2525} a. Marine Biogeochemistry. Spring 2013. Michèle LaVigne.

Oceanic cycles of carbon, oxygen, and nutrients play a key role in linking global climate change, marine primary productivity, and ocean acidification. Fundamental concepts of marine biogeochemistry used to assess potential consequences of future climate scenarios on chemical cycling in the ocean. Past climate transitions evaluated as potential analogs for future change using select case studies of published paleoceanographic proxy records derived from corals, ice cores, and deep-sea sediments. Weekly laboratory sections and student research projects focus on creating and interpreting new geochemical paleoclimate records from marine archives and predicting future impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine calcifiers. (Same as Environmental Studies 251 {2251}.)

Prerequisite: One 100-level course in earth and oceanographic science or Earth and Oceanographic Science 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200).

255 {2575} a - MCSR, INS. Numerical Modeling of Ocean Ecosystems. Spring 2013. Nicholas Record.

An interdisciplinary approach to ocean ecology, covering the coupling of physical and biological processes that control the distributions of species in the ocean. Using a combination of computational techniques and simplified physical and biological models, we solve problems related to plankton dynamics, dispersal of fish larvae, and the distributions of higher predators. Laboratory work focuses on the application of computer programming in solving these modeling problems.

Prerequisite: One 200-level course in earth and oceanographic science and Mathematics 161.

[257 {2810} a. Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics. (Same as Environmental Studies 253 {2253} and Physics 257 {2810}.)]

262 {2165} a. Mountains to Trenches: Petrology and Process. Spring 2013. Emily Peterman.

Exploration of the processes by which igneous rocks solidify from magma (e.g., volcanoes) and metamorphic rocks form in response to pressure, temperature, and chemical changes (e.g., mountain building). Interactions between the petrologic processes and tectonics are examined through a focus on the continental crust, mid-ocean ridges, and subduction zones. Learning how to write effectively is emphasized throughout the course. Laboratory work focuses on field observations, microscopic examination of thin sections, and geochemical modeling. Earth and Oceanographic Science 101, 200, or 202 is recommended.

Prerequisite: One course in earth and oceanographic science.

270 {2345} a. Landscapes and Global Change. Spring 2015. Peter Lea.

The Earth’s surface is marked by the interactions of the atmosphere, water and ice, biota, tectonics, and underlying rock and soil. Even familiar landscapes beget questions on how they formed, how they might change, and how they relate to patterns at both larger and smaller scales. Examines Earth’s landscapes and the processes that shape them, with particular emphasis on how future changes may both influence and be influenced by humans. Topics include specific land-shaping agents (rivers, glaciers, landslides, groundwater), as well as how these agents interact with one another and with changing climate, tectonics, and human activities. (Same as Environmental Studies 270 {2270}.)

Prerequisite: One course in earth and oceanographic science or permission of the instructor.

277 {2315} a. A World of Rivers. Spring 2013. Gabrielle David.

Rivers connect both geologic and human history. Despite similarities in hydrology and hydraulics, river morphology is incredibly complex through time and space. This complexity explored by examining some of the largest rivers in the world including the Nile, Amazon, Ganges, Danube, Congo, and Mississippi. Controls on river forms and processes studied through the use of qualitative, quantitative, and statistical models. The variability and complexity of rivers discussed in the context of sustainable river management. Weekly laboratories reinforce understanding of river form and process and introduce students to standard hydraulic and sediment transport models. (Same as Environmental Studies 277 {2277}.)

Prerequisite: Earth and Oceanographic Science 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200), or permission of the instructor.

282 {2585} a - MCSR, INS. Ocean and Climate. Every other fall. Fall 2012. Collin Roesler.

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of Earth’s surface. It has a vast capacity to modulate variations in global heat and carbon dioxide, thereby regulating climate and ultimately life on Earth. Beginning with an investigation of paleo-climate records preserved in deep-sea sediment cores and in Antarctic and Greenland glacial ice cores, the patterns of natural climate variations will be explored with the goal of understanding historic climate change observations. Predictions of polar glacial and sea ice, sea level, ocean temperatures, and ocean acidity investigated through readings and discussions of scientific literature. Weekly laboratory sessions devoted to field trips, laboratory experiments, and computer-based data analysis and modeling to provide hands-on experiences for understanding the time and space scales of processes governing oceans, climate, and ecosystems. Laboratory exercises form the basis for student research projects. Mathematics 171 is recommended. (Same as Environmental Studies 282 {2282}.)

Prerequisite: Earth and Oceanographic Science 102 (same as Environmental Studies 102) or 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200), and Mathematics 161, or permission of the instructor.

287 {2530} a. Poles Apart: An Exploration of Earth’s High Latitudes. Every other fall. Fall 2013. Collin Roesler.

Compares and contrasts the tectonic evolution, geography, climate, glaciers and sea ice, ocean circulation and ocean biology of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Emphasis on the polar regions’ role in global climate regulation and the sensitivity of these regions to climate change. In addition to scientific readings (text book chapters and journal articles), students read an array of first-hand accounts of polar exploration from the turn of the twentieth century. (Same as Environmental Studies 287 {2287}.)

Prerequisite: One course in earth and oceanographic science or permission of the instructor.

291–294 {2970–2973} a. Intermediate Independent Study in Earth and Oceanographic Science. The Department.

299 {2999} a. Intermediate Collaborative Study in Earth and Oceanographic Science. The Department.

302 {3020} a. Earth Climate History. Spring 2013. Michèle LaVigne.

The modern world is experiencing rapid climate warming and some parts extreme drought, which will have dramatic impacts on ecosystems and human societies. How do contemporary warming and aridity compare to past changes in climate over the last billion years? Are modern changes human-caused or part of the natural variability in the climate system? What effects did past changes have on global ecosystems and human societies? Students use environmental records from rocks, soils, ocean cores, ice cores, lake cores, fossil plants, and tree rings to assemble proxies of past changes in climate, atmospheric CO2, and disturbance to examine several issues: long-term carbon cycling and climate, major extinction events, the rise of C4 photosynthesis and the evolution of grazing mammals, orbital forcing and glacial cycles, glacial refugia and post-glacial species migrations, climate change and the rise and collapse of human civilizations, climate/overkill hypothesis of Pleistocene megafauna, climate variability, drought cycles, climate change impacts on disturbances (fire and hurricanes), and determining natural variability vs. human-caused climate change. (Same as Environmental Studies 302 {3902}.)

Prerequisite: Earth and Oceanographic Science 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200), or permission of the instructor.

315 {3115} a. Research in Mineral Science. Spring 2013. Rachel Beane.

Minerals are the Earth’s building blocks and an important human resource. The study of minerals provides information on processes that occur within the Earth’s core, mantle, crust, and at its surface. At the surface, minerals interact with the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, and are essential to understanding environmental issues. Minerals and mineral processes examined using hand-specimens, crystal structures, chemistry, and microscopy. Class projects emphasize mineral-based research.

Prerequisite: Earth and Oceanographic Science 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200).

352 {3520} a. Biodiversity in the Open Ocean. Fall 2012. Nicholas Record.

Seminar. An analysis of the multiple and often conflicting notions of biodiversity in the open ocean. Explores biodiversity properties that are unique to ocean ecosystems. Attempts to disentangle the scientific definitions of biodiversity from the conservation- or policy-driven interpretations. Focuses on interpreting, synthesizing, and identifying key questions in the scientific literature.

Prerequisite: One 100-level course in earth and oceanographic science, Earth and Oceanographic Science 200 (same as Environmental Studies 200), and one other 200-level course in earth and oceanographic science.

357 {3050} a. The Physics of Climate. Every other spring. Spring 2013. Mark Battle.

A rigorous treatment of the earth’s climate, based on physical principles. Topics include climate feedbacks, sensitivity to perturbations, and the connections between climate and radiative transfer, atmospheric composition, and large-scale circulation of the oceans and atmospheres. Anthropogenic climate change also studied. (Same as Environmental Studies 357 {3957} and Physics 357 {3810}.)

Prerequisite: Physics 229, 257, or 300, or permission of the instructor.

401–404 {4000–4003} a. Advanced Independent Study and Honors in Earth and Oceanographic Science. The Department.

405 {4029} a. Advanced Collaborative Study in Earth and Oceanographic Science. The Department.