Environmental Studies - Earth System Science

Do you ever wonder how the Earth formed and evolved into the planet that we inhabit? What events and processes have sculpted Earth’s surfaces? In this class, we will explore the formation of the Earth and the events that shaped it by reading the rock record and observing fossil evidence. We will learn to use geological maps to piece together what happened in the past by applying stratigraphic concepts and understanding of geologic timescales.

This course will focus on chemical cycles in the Earth’s natural environment. Topics introduced will include aqueous environmental chemistry, including water pollution and treatment, and atmospheric environmental chemistry, including air pollution, smog, and greenhouse gases, Additional topics covered will be soil chemistry, energy sources, and hazardous wastes. Laboratory exercises will address current environmental questions and students will learn specific instrumental and laboratory techniques in the chemical analysis of natural materials including rocks, soil, and water.

Wetlands have been greatly maligned as wasted land and mosquito breeding grounds for centuries; however, these delicate environments have been shown to provide essential ecosystem services, including filtering of nutrients and sediments, bird and fish habitat, and attenuation of floods. Because of this, many environmental agencies and non-profit groups are working to restore wetlands. In Wetland Ecology, we will explore the characteristics and function of wetlands, what sorts of organisms live in wetlands, and how humans can improve their interactions with wetlands in both in the classroom and through field and laboratory experiences. We will develop an appreciation of these critical ecosystems.

Will future climate changes advance gradually, or abruptly and catastrophically, as they have in the past? Understanding processes that have affected climate in the past will help us predict future global warming. This course explores the mechanisms and indicators of global change, and treats topics such as the “snowball earth,” ocean fertilization, oceanic methane release and the ocean conveyor belt.

How do geological processes on the surface of the Earth affect human societies? How do humans change Earth’s surface? These two questions will be addressed as this course explores the geological processes that interact with the global environment and human societies. Major environmental geological problems will be addressed such as water and soil resources, mineral resources, and geological hazards. Special attention will be given to local environmental geology problems in Maryland. Examples of laboratory activities include reading and interpreting topographic maps, slope stability, groundwater and surface water resources, and earthquakes.