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2025-2026

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Academic year 2025-2026 class Schedule

Table of courses offered for 2025-2026 academic year
Course # Course Title Fall Winter Spring

DISTRIBUTION COURSES - 100-LEVEL

102-7 Gaia Hypothesis Hurtgen
102-8 First Year Seminar (Topic TBD) Zhang
102-8 Sustainability and Social Justice Horton
105 Climate Catastrophes in Earth History Hurtgen
106 Ocean, Atmosphere, & Climate Blair
114 Evolution and the Scientific Method Sageman
170 Earth and the Biosphere Osburn
180 Fantasy Worlds Mulyukova

CORE COURSES - 200-LEVEL

201 Earth Systems Science - wEARTH 203. Will be EARTH 210 Horton Bush
EARTH 202 Earth's Interior - Will be 215 van der Lee
211 Data Analysis for Earth & Environmental Sciences - New Zhang
212

Health of the Biosphere - Prev. ENVR SCI 202

TBD 
213 Humans and the Environment -  Prev. ENVR SCI 203 Beddows
214 Physical Geology - Prev. EARTH 201 Jacobson

ADVANCED COURSES - 300/400 LEVEL

312 Stable Isotope Geochemistry Scott
331 Field Problems in Sedimentary Geology Sageman
340 Physics of Weather and Climate Horton
344 The Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization Jacobson, Sageman
350  Physics of the Earth for ISP Mulyukova
360 Instrumentation and Field Methods Beddows
361 Scientific Programming in Python Zhang
390 GIS Level 1 - Will be 363-1 Zhang Zhang
363-2 GIS Level 2 Zhang
366 Stable Isotope Analytical Methods Scott
371 Biogeochemistry Blair
373 Microbial Ecology Stevenson
390 Marine Chemistry (TBC) Hurtgen
397 Science Writing for DEEPS Osburn
DATA_SCI 401 Data-driven Research van der Lee
461 Global Tectonics Mulyukova
519 Responsible Conduct of Research Training Beddows

100-LEVEL COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATES

102-7 – Gaia Hypothesis

Despite massive external changes, Earth's surface has remained suitable for life for most of its history. For instance, the sun emitted about 30% less heat energy when the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago, and calculations suggest that the Earth's surface should have remained frozen until approximately 2 billion years ago. However, geologic evidence supports the existence of liquid water and life since at least 3.8 billion years ago. This seminar will explore the Gaia hypothesis, developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, which asserts that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system, with life playing a central role in sustaining the planet's habitability.

102-8 – Sustainability and Social Justice

 The challenge of sustainability to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" has evolved over the past few decades. This course will introduce fundamental concepts of sustainability, consider the application of these concepts in diverse societal, economic, and cultural settings, and explore the potential of climate science and sustainable development to act as forces for environmental and social justice.

105 –Climate Catastrophes in Earth History

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental components of the Earth system--the atmosphere, hydrosphere and solid Earth--and more importantly, examine how these components interact in response to internal and external influences to control climate. Within this Earth systems context, we will explore how climate is changing today, how it has changed (sometimes catastrophically) in the geologic past, and how it may change in the future. 

106 – Ocean, Atmosphere, & Climate

Most of our planet's surface is blanketed by ocean. The dynamic nature of the oceanic environment and how it influences the Earth as a whole will be explored in this course. The interconnectivity of ocean characteristics (chemistry, physics, geology, biology) will be stressed. This course includes short walking field trips to the lake front during class time

114 – Evolution and the Scientific Method

The scientific method is explored through the role it has played in the development of evolutionary thought. The course tracks the history of evolutionary theory from its earliest origins to the modern consensus, and in so doing, provides examples of scientific method as practiced in biology, geology, physics, and chemistry. It is the story of one of the greatest paradigm shifts in the history of human thought, and is designed to serve the needs of a broad spectrum of non-science majors seeking to satisfy the Area I distribution requirement. Review of evolutionary theory and its scientific, philosophical, social and religious impacts. Pre-lecture quizzes (CANVAS) and two exams

170 – Earth and the Biosphere

TBD

180 – Fantasy Worlds

The formation and evolution of rocky planets. Introduction of physical concepts common in the lives of planets as they are in our everyday lives: gravity, heat transport, magnetism, and others. Students will apply these concepts to build their own unique planet, and will present their creation at a culminating poster presentation.

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200-LEVEL COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATES

201-0 – Earth Systems Science - wEARTH 203. Will be 210

ENVR SCI 201 - This course provides an overview of the physical processes governing environmental systems, from the Earth's lithosphere to hydrosphere to atmosphere. We will cover internal and external sources of energy to the Earth system; the processes from tectonic to atmospheric that are driven by that energy; and some human impacts on the resulting environmental systems. Students will gain physical science perspectives on current debates about environmental issues, such as those over water resources, energy, and climate change.

EARTH 203 - This course covers the evolution of the Earth's dynamic systems and its record through geologic time. Emphasis of this course is centered on the physical, chemical and biological components of the Earth system that interact to regulate Earth's surface environment and how these processes have changed through time. Topics include the systems approach to Earth science, the co evolution of life and Earth's surface environment, the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate, Snowball Earth events, and mass extinctions.

EARTH 202 – Earth's Interior - Will be 215

Mechanics of plate tectonics; past plate motions; seismic waves; earthquake mechanisms; earth structure from seismology; shape, size, density, & gravity of the Earth; radiometric age dating; heat and temperature in the Earth; composition and dynamics of mantle and core; oceanic & continental lithosphere, minerals & rocks; planetary formation. Students should be familiar with calculus, introductory physics, introductory chemistry. Some familiarity with computer programming or other ways to process and visualize data (e.g. spreadsheet) is also expected.

211-0 – Data Analysis for Earth & Environmental Sciences - New

Overview of quantitative methods and modeling approaches for earth, environmental and planetary sciences, including data standards, environmental statistics, box modeling, geospatial and geo-temporal analyses. Teaching methods focus on skill-mastery, and teamwork. The data sets used span sub-disciplines, such as population, climate, solid earth, and water science.

212-0 – Health of the Biosphere  - Prev. ENVR_SCI 202

This course studies the growth of populations and their interactions in ecological communities. Topics include: the ecological niche; projections of population growth, including the history of human growth, harvesting populations, and population viability analysis of endangered species; interactions among species, including competition, predation, and disease transmission; measuring the diversity of ecological communities; the effects of diversity on energy flow. More advanced topics will also be addressed, including the biodiversity-stability relationship, the economic values of biodiversity and ecosystem function, and the biology and management of metapopulations in fragmented habitats.

213-0 – Humans and the Environment (Prev. ENVR SCI 203)

Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the living and nonliving parts of their environment. In this course, we will examine current environmental challenges, such as climate change, the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable production of energy, and the implications of human population growth. A case study approach will be used bringing in dimensions of ethics, justice, law, economics, policy, culture, and more, in compliment to the understanding of the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere functions and condition. 

214-0 –Earth Systems Revealed - Prev. EARTH 201

Introduction to Physical Geology: The study of Earth systems and their interactions. This course will approach the study of Earth systems from two perspectives: 1) description and classification of Earth's features, including Earth materials, internal structure, and landforms and 2) description and explanation of the physical, chemical and biological processes that form and modify these features. Topics include minerals; sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks; the interior Earth, oceans, and atmosphere; solid Earth processes, such as volcanism, seismicity, and plate tectonics and their interactions with the atmosphere and hydrosphere to drive surface Earth processes, such as climate, weathering, and glaciation; geologic time; global change. This course includes a mandatory field trip to Baraboo, Wisconsin (see registration requirements for details).

 

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300-LEVEL COURSES FOR UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATE STUDENTS

312 – Stable Isotope Geochemistry

A survey of the chemical, physical and biological mechanisms and fundamental concepts of stable isotope fractionation. The course will focus on applications of H, O, C, S, N and trace metal (i.e., Fe and Mo) isotopes to geologic problems with an emphasis on climate change and ancient ocean chemistries.

331 – Field Problems in Sedimentary Geology

Enforced Pre-requisite - EARTH 330 or approval of the instructor.  Includes 3½-week late-summer field trip to Colorado and Utah.  Field methods in stratigraphy and sedimentology; interpretation of depositional systems, facies models, and sequence stratigraphy based on field observations.  

340 – Physics of Weather and Climate

An investigation of atmospheric processes and the physical laws that govern them. Topics covered include atmospheric composition and structure, radiative transfer, thermodynamics, convection, precipitation, and the general circulation of the three-dimensional atmosphere. When possible course content will engage with contemporaneous atmospheric conditions, and provide students with a better understanding of their meteorological and climatic environments. Completion of introductory calculus and physics are required prior to enrollment.

344 - Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization

The Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization will address the fundamental scientific understanding of how biogeochemical cycles moderate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and marine realm, how changes in these gases control Earth climate on short and long timescales, and how human activities have rapidly altered the geologic balance of the carbon cycle. This knowledge base provides the foundation to understand decarbonization. Because most decarbonization strategies target different aspects of the carbon cycle, the core content of the course will review the geochemistry of carbon on land, in the lithosphere, and in the atmosphere, oceans, and other waters. This background will prepare students for a series of guest lectures from alumni of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences that will present the most recent advances in decarbonization being investigated and/or implemented in the U.S. and abroad.

350 – Physics of the Earth for ISP

Introduction to geophysics for students with strong mathematics and physics backgrounds. Basic ideas in seismic wave propagation, plate tectonics, geomagnetism, geothermics, and gravity. Study of the earth's surface and the deep interior.

360 – Instrumentation and Field Methods

Theory and practicum on electronic instrumentation for monitoring and measurement in earth sciences, including data loggers, conceptual design and construction of electronic sensors, signal processing, data management, and network design. Recommended Background: 3 EARTH or ENVR SCI or BIOL SCI courses at the 300 level.

361 – Scientific Programming in Python

Introduction to coding, scientific computing, and visualization for analyzing data in the physical sciences. Emphasis on Python, but Unix, shell scripting, and Generic Mapping Tools are also introduced. Students undertake a significant final coding project individually or in pairs. 

390 - Geographical Information Systems - GIS Level 1 - Will be 363-1

 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an analytical tool for organizing, visualizing, creating, and analyzing geospatial and temporal data. Students with no prior GIS experience will learn core skills with lectures and labs, and also formulate hypotheses they will test using GIS to address real problems. This introductory course covers the theory and application of GIS. Topics include components of a GIS, the characteristics of spatial data, database models, vector operations, raster operations, and GIS applications. The course uses ESRI ArcGIS Pro.

363-2 – Geographical Information Systems - GIS Level 2

TBD

366 – Stable Isotope Analytical Methods

This class will include chemical and analytical techniques for stable isotope analysis of a variety of matrices and organic compounds. This will include hands-on laboratory experiments as well as some theoretical considerations. Extraction, chromatography, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, data processing, and other common techniques in organic and inorganic chemistry will be discussed.

371 – Biogeochemistry

The cycling of biogenic elements (C, N, S, Fe, Mn) in surficial environments is the focus of this course. Emphasis will be placed on microbial processes and isotopic signatures.Taught with CIV ENV 317; students may not earn credit for both courses.

373 – Microbial Ecology

This course will provide a framework for understanding the role of microbes in natural environments in terms of cell numbers, metabolisms, and interactions with geochemical cycles. We will delve deeply into the interactions between microbial populations, higher organisms, and even our own bodies. The course will finish on a survey of microbial composition and dynamics in key settings across the planet. Recommended Background: Basic understanding of chemistry, biology, and earth science.

390 – TBC - Marine Chemistry - New

TBD

397 – Science Writing for DEEPS - Prev. EARTH 204

This course will help undergraduate Earth Sciences majors hone their communication skills, and learn some specific communication styles applicable to our field. Science writing and scientific literature can be intimidating and obtuse. This course is designed to break manuscripts down into their base components, detailing the goal, style, and content required for each section. In addition we will cover verbal and visual forms of communication such as posters and talks. Writing is learned through practice, so this course will be hands on with weekly assignments, peer review, and required classroom engagement.

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400/500-LEVEL COURSES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

DATA_SCI 401 – Data-driven Research

Major projects in earth sciences, physics, and astronomy have revolutionized research in these fields and have created major data challenges. In this course we will review the science motivation and goals and the relevant data challenges of the Earthscope, aLIGO, and LSST projects that represent large-scale investments in these research communities. Although the goals for the three projects may appear to overlap only partially, there are strong intellectual bridges and shared challenges because of the data-intensive science involved.

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461 – Global Tectonics

TBD

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519 – Responsible Conduct of Research Training

All Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences Graduate Students and Post Doctoral Fellows must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training in their first year of the program. This course includes 6 online "CITI" modules as well as discussion sections. New students and fellows should contact the Assistant Chair with any questions.

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Fall 2025

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Fall 2025 class Schedule

Courses offered for Fall 2025 quarter
Course Title Instructor Day/Time Lab(s)
102-7 Gaia Hypothesis Hurtgen TTh 12:30p - 1:50p
106 Ocean, Atmosphere, & Climate Blair TTH 9:30a - 10:50a F 11:00a - 12:50p

F 1:00p - 2:50p
210 Earth Systems Science Horton TTH 2:00p - 3:20p
215 Earth's Interior van der Lee TTh 12:30p - 1:50p M 12:00p - 1:50p

M 3:00p - 4:50p
331 Field Problems in Sedimentary Geology Sageman MF 12:30p - 1:50p
361 Scientific Programming in Python Zhang TTh 11:00a - 12:20p
363-1 GIS Level 1 Zhang MW 2:00p - 3:20p F 2:00p - 3:50p
461 Global Tectonics Mulyukova TTh 9:30a-10:50a

Fall 2025 course descriptions

102-7 – Gaia Hypothesis

Despite massive external changes, Earth's surface has remained suitable for life for most of its history. For instance, the sun emitted about 30% less heat energy when the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago, and calculations suggest that the Earth's surface should have remained frozen until approximately 2 billion years ago. However, geologic evidence supports the existence of liquid water and life since at least 3.8 billion years ago. This seminar will explore the Gaia hypothesis, developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, which asserts that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system, with life playing a central role in sustaining the planet's habitability.

Back to top

106 – Ocean, Atmosphere, & Climate

Most of our planet's surface is blanketed by ocean. The dynamic nature of the oceanic environment and how it influences the Earth as a whole will be explored in this course. The interconnectivity of ocean characteristics (chemistry, physics, geology, biology) will be stressed. This course includes short walking field trips to the lake front during class time

Back to top

210-0 – Earth Systems Science - Prev ENVR_SCI 201 or EARTH 203

ENVR SCI 201 - This course provides an overview of the physical processes governing environmental systems, from the Earth's lithosphere to hydrosphere to atmosphere. We will cover internal and external sources of energy to the Earth system; the processes from tectonic to atmospheric that are driven by that energy; and some human impacts on the resulting environmental systems. Students will gain physical science perspectives on current debates about environmental issues, such as those over water resources, energy, and climate change.

EARTH 203 - This course covers the evolution of the Earth's dynamic systems and its record through geologic time. Emphasis of this course is centered on the physical, chemical and biological components of the Earth system that interact to regulate Earth's surface environment and how these processes have changed through time. Topics include the systems approach to Earth science, the co evolution of life and Earth's surface environment, the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate, Snowball Earth events, and mass extinctions.

Back to top 

215-0 – Earth's Interior (Prev. EARTH 202)

Mechanics of plate tectonics; past plate motions; seismic waves; earthquake mechanisms; earth structure from seismology; shape, size, density, & gravity of the Earth; radiometric age dating; heat and temperature in the Earth; composition and dynamics of mantle and core; oceanic & continental lithosphere, minerals & rocks; planetary formation. Students should be familiar with calculus, introductory physics, introductory chemistry. Some familiarity with computer programming or other ways to process and visualize data (e.g. spreadsheet) is also expected.

Back to top

331 – Field Problems in Sedimentary Geology

Enforced Pre-requisite - EARTH 330 or approval of the instructor.  Includes 3½-week late-summer field trip to Colorado and Utah.  Field methods in stratigraphy and sedimentology; interpretation of depositional systems, facies models, and sequence stratigraphy based on field observations.  

Back to top

361 – Scientific Programming in Python

Introduction to coding, scientific computing, and visualization for analyzing data in the physical sciences. Emphasis on Python, but Unix, shell scripting, and Generic Mapping Tools are also introduced. Students undertake a significant final coding project individually or in pairs. 

Back to top

363-1 – Geographical Information Systems - GIS Level 1

 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an analytical tool for organizing, visualizing, creating, and analyzing geospatial and temporal data. Students with no prior GIS experience will learn core skills with lectures and labs, and also formulate hypotheses they will test using GIS to address real problems. This introductory course covers the theory and application of GIS. Topics include components of a GIS, the characteristics of spatial data, database models, vector operations, raster operations, and GIS applications. The course uses ESRI ArcGIS Pro.

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461 – Global Tectonics

TBD

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Winter 2026

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Winter 2026 class Schedule

Courses offered for Winter 2026 quarter (some details TBD)
Course Title Instructor Day/Time Lab(s)
102-8 First Year Seminar (Topic TBD) Zhang TBD TBD
105 Climate Catastrophes in Earth History Hurtgen TBD TBD
114 Evolution and the Scientific Method Sageman TBD TBD
212 Health of the Biosphere TBD TBD TBD
312 Stable Isotope Geochemistry Scott TBD TBD
350 Physics of the Earth for ISP Mulyukova TBD TBD
360 Instrumentation and Field Methods Beddows TBD TBD
363-1 GIS Level 1 Zhang TBD TBD
371 Biogeochemistry Blair TBD TBD
397 Science Writing for DEEPS - Prev EARTH 204 Osburn TBD TBD
519 Responsible Conduct of Research Training Beddows TBD TBD

Winter 2026 course descriptions

102-8 – First Year Seminar (Topic TBD)

TBD

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105 –Climate Catastrophes in Earth History

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the fundamental components of the Earth system--the atmosphere, hydrosphere and solid Earth--and more importantly, examine how these components interact in response to internal and external influences to control climate. Within this Earth systems context, we will explore how climate is changing today, how it has changed (sometimes catastrophically) in the geologic past, and how it may change in the future. 

Back to top

114 – Evolution and the Scientific Method

The scientific method is explored through the role it has played in the development of evolutionary thought. The course tracks the history of evolutionary theory from its earliest origins to the modern consensus, and in so doing, provides examples of scientific method as practiced in biology, geology, physics, and chemistry. It is the story of one of the greatest paradigm shifts in the history of human thought, and is designed to serve the needs of a broad spectrum of non-science majors seeking to satisfy the Area I distribution requirement. Review of evolutionary theory and its scientific, philosophical, social and religious impacts. Pre-lecture quizzes (CANVAS) and two exams

Back to top

212-0 – Health of the Biosphere  - Prev. ENVR_SCI 202

This course studies the growth of populations and their interactions in ecological communities. Topics include: the ecological niche; projections of population growth, including the history of human growth, harvesting populations, and population viability analysis of endangered species; interactions among species, including competition, predation, and disease transmission; measuring the diversity of ecological communities; the effects of diversity on energy flow. More advanced topics will also be addressed, including the biodiversity-stability relationship, the economic values of biodiversity and ecosystem function, and the biology and management of metapopulations in fragmented habitats.

Back to top

312 – Stable Isotope Geochemistry

A survey of the chemical, physical and biological mechanisms and fundamental concepts of stable isotope fractionation. The course will focus on applications of H, O, C, S, N and trace metal (i.e., Fe and Mo) isotopes to geologic problems with an emphasis on climate change and ancient ocean chemistries.

Back to top

350 – Physics of the Earth for ISP

Introduction to geophysics for students with strong mathematics and physics backgrounds. Basic ideas in seismic wave propagation, plate tectonics, geomagnetism, geothermics, and gravity. Study of the earth's surface and the deep interior.

Back to top

360 – Instrumentation and Field Methods

Theory and practicum on electronic instrumentation for monitoring and measurement in earth sciences, including data loggers, conceptual design and construction of electronic sensors, signal processing, data management, and network design. Recommended Background: 3 EARTH or ENVR SCI or BIOL SCI courses at the 300 level.

Back to top 

363-1 – Geographical Information Systems - GIS Level 1

 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an analytical tool for organizing, visualizing, creating, and analyzing geospatial and temporal data. Students with no prior GIS experience will learn core skills with lectures and labs, and also formulate hypotheses they will test using GIS to address real problems. This introductory course covers the theory and application of GIS. Topics include components of a GIS, the characteristics of spatial data, database models, vector operations, raster operations, and GIS applications. The course uses ESRI ArcGIS Pro.

Back to top

371 – Biogeochemistry

The cycling of biogenic elements (C, N, S, Fe, Mn) in surficial environments is the focus of this course. Emphasis will be placed on microbial processes and isotopic signatures.Taught with CIV ENV 317; students may not earn credit for both courses.

Back to top

397 – Science Writing for DEEPS (Prev. EARTH 204)

This course will help undergraduate Earth Sciences majors hone their communication skills, and learn some specific communication styles applicable to our field. Science writing and scientific literature can be intimidating and obtuse. This course is designed to break manuscripts down into their base components, detailing the goal, style, and content required for each section. In addition we will cover verbal and visual forms of communication such as posters and talks. Writing is learned through practice, so this course will be hands on with weekly assignments, peer review, and required classroom engagement.

Back to top

519 – Responsible Conduct of Research Training

All Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences Graduate Students and Post Doctoral Fellows must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training in their first year of the program. This course includes 6 online "CITI" modules as well as discussion sections. New students and fellows should contact the Assistant Chair with any questions.

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Spring 2026

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Spring 2026 class Schedule

Courses offered for Spring 2026 quarter (some details TBD)
Course Title Instructor Day/Time Lab(s)
102-8 Sustainability and Social Justice Horton TBD TBD
170 Earth and the Biosphere - New Osburn TBD TBD
180 Fantasy Worlds Mulyukova TBD TBD
210 Earth Systems Science (Prev. ENVR SCI 201 or EARTH 203) Bush TBD TBD
211 Data Analysis for Earth & Environmental Sciences - NEW Zhang TBD TBD
213 Humans and the Environment (Prev. ENVR SCI 203) Beddows TBD TBD
214 Physical Geology (Prev. EARTH 201) Jacobson TBD TBD
340 Physics of Weather and Climate Horton TBD TBD
344 The Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization Jacobson, Sageman TBD TBD
363-2 GIS Level 2 Zhang TBD TBD
366 Stable Isotope Analytical Methods Scott TBD TBD
390 TBC - Marine Chemistry (new) Hurtgen TBD TBD
DATA_SCI 401 Data-driven Research van der Lee TBD TBD

Spring 2026 course descriptions

102-8 – Sustainability and Social Justice

 The challenge of sustainability to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" has evolved over the past few decades. This course will introduce fundamental concepts of sustainability, consider the application of these concepts in diverse societal, economic, and cultural settings, and explore the potential of climate science and sustainable development to act as forces for environmental and social justice.

Back to top

170 – Earth and the Biosphere

TBD

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180 – Fantasy Worlds

The formation and evolution of rocky planets. Introduction of physical concepts common in the lives of planets as they are in our everyday lives: gravity, heat transport, magnetism, and others. Students will apply these concepts to build their own unique planet, and will present their creation at a culminating poster presentation.

Back to top

210-0 – Earth Systems Science - Prev ENVR_SCI 201 or EARTH 203

ENVR SCI 201 - This course provides an overview of the physical processes governing environmental systems, from the Earth's lithosphere to hydrosphere to atmosphere. We will cover internal and external sources of energy to the Earth system; the processes from tectonic to atmospheric that are driven by that energy; and some human impacts on the resulting environmental systems. Students will gain physical science perspectives on current debates about environmental issues, such as those over water resources, energy, and climate change.

EARTH 203 - This course covers the evolution of the Earth's dynamic systems and its record through geologic time. Emphasis of this course is centered on the physical, chemical and biological components of the Earth system that interact to regulate Earth's surface environment and how these processes have changed through time. Topics include the systems approach to Earth science, the co evolution of life and Earth's surface environment, the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate, Snowball Earth events, and mass extinctions.

Back to top

211-0 – Data Analysis for Earth & Environmental Sciences - New

Overview of quantitative methods and modeling approaches for earth, environmental and planetary sciences, including data standards, environmental statistics, box modeling, geospatial and geo-temporal analyses. Teaching methods focus on skill-mastery, and teamwork. The data sets used span sub-disciplines, such as population, climate, solid earth, and water science.

Back to top

213-0 – Humans and the Environment (Prev. ENVR SCI 203)

Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study of how humans interact with the living and nonliving parts of their environment. In this course, we will examine current environmental challenges, such as climate change, the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable production of energy, and the implications of human population growth. A case study approach will be used bringing in dimensions of ethics, justice, law, economics, policy, culture, and more, in compliment to the understanding of the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere functions and condition. 

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214-0 –Physical Geology (Prev. EARTH 201)

Introduction to Physical Geology: The study of Earth systems and their interactions. This course will approach the study of Earth systems from two perspectives: 1) description and classification of Earth's features, including Earth materials, internal structure, and landforms and 2) description and explanation of the physical, chemical and biological processes that form and modify these features. Topics include minerals; sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks; the interior Earth, oceans, and atmosphere; solid Earth processes, such as volcanism, seismicity, and plate tectonics and their interactions with the atmosphere and hydrosphere to drive surface Earth processes, such as climate, weathering, and glaciation; geologic time; global change. This course includes a mandatory field trip to Baraboo, Wisconsin (see registration requirements for details).

Back to top

340 – Physics of Weather and Climate

An investigation of atmospheric processes and the physical laws that govern them. Topics covered include atmospheric composition and structure, radiative transfer, thermodynamics, convection, precipitation, and the general circulation of the three-dimensional atmosphere. When possible course content will engage with contemporaneous atmospheric conditions, and provide students with a better understanding of their meteorological and climatic environments. Completion of introductory calculus and physics are required prior to enrollment.

Back to top

344 –The Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization

The Scientific Foundations of Decarbonization will address the fundamental scientific understanding of how biogeochemical cycles moderate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and marine realm, how changes in these gases control Earth climate on short and long timescales, and how human activities have rapidly altered the geologic balance of the carbon cycle. This knowledge base provides the foundation to understand decarbonization. Because most decarbonization strategies target different aspects of the carbon cycle, the core content of the course will review the geochemistry of carbon on land, in the lithosphere, and in the atmosphere, oceans, and other waters. This background will prepare students for a series of guest lectures from alumni of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences that will present the most recent advances in decarbonization being investigated and/or implemented in the U.S. and abroad.

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363-2 – Geographical Information Systems - GIS Level 2

TBD

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366 – Stable Isotope Analytical Methods

This class will include chemical and analytical techniques for stable isotope analysis of a variety of matrices and organic compounds. This will include hands-on laboratory experiments as well as some theoretical considerations. Extraction, chromatography, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, data processing, and other common techniques in organic and inorganic chemistry will be discussed.

Back to top

390 – TBC - Marine Chemistry - New

TBD

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DATA_SCI 401 – Data-driven Research

Major projects in earth sciences, physics, and astronomy have revolutionized research in these fields and have created major data challenges. In this course we will review the science motivation and goals and the relevant data challenges of the Earthscope, aLIGO, and LSST projects that represent large-scale investments in these research communities. Although the goals for the three projects may appear to overlap only partially, there are strong intellectual bridges and shared challenges because of the data-intensive science involved.

Back to top