ERTH
Earth Science
ERTH 201IN HONORS EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE ERTH 212RN YELLOWSTONE SCIENTIFIC LAB ERTH 290R UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ERTH 291 SPECIAL TOPICS ERTH 303 WEATHER AND CLIMATE ERTH 307 PRINCIPLES OF GEOMORPHOLOGY ERTH 432R SURFACE WATER RESOURCES ERTH 450R SNOW DYNAMICS & ACCUMULATION ERTH 455 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES ERTH 494 SEMINAR ERTH 498 INTERNSHIP ERTH 490R UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ERTH 502 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY ERTH 505 GEOMICROBIOLOGY ERTH 512 MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS RIPARIAN PROCESSES ERTH 516 NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN GEOLOGY ERTH 517 ELECTRONIC HYDROLOGY ERTH 519 HYDROLOGY OF STREAMS AND LAKES ERTH 551 SNOW SCIENCE SEMINAR ERTH 582 QUATERNARY PALEOECOLOGY & VEGETATION HISTORY ERTH 583 TOPICS IN PALEOECOLOGY ERTH 584 QUATERNARY ENVIRONMENTS OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES ERTH 585 ADVANCES IN GEOBIOLOGY ERTH 588 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ERTH 589 GRADUATE CONSULTATION ERTH 590 MASTER'S THESIS ERTH 591 SPECIAL TOPICS ERTH 592 INDEPENDENT STUDY ERTH 594 SEMINAR ERTH 598 INTERNSHIP ERTH 605 HISTORY OF GEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS ERTH 689 GRADUATE RESEARCH/CREATIVE ACTIVITY INSTRUCTION ERTH 690 DISSERTATION RESEARCH ERTH 694 DOCTORAL SEMINAR
ERTH 201IN HONORS EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
F 4 cr. LEC 3 LAB 1
PREREQUISITES: Enrollment in the MSU Honors Program.
-- This Honors course explores the complex interactions occurring at
all scales between the Earth's geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and anthroposphere. The goal of the course is to understand the Earth
as a "system" of interconnected sources of energy through deep geologic
time and space.
ERTH 212RN YELLOWSTONE SCIENTIFIC LAB
F 4 cr. LEC 3 RCT 1
-- The Yellowstone region is an unparalleled laboratory for earth scientists.
The volcanic, glacial, climatic, and ecological processes that shaped
the region will be introduced through lecture, discussions, and projects.
Recitation sections and field trips provide additional hands-on experiences.
ERTH 290R UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
F,S 1-6 cr. IND may be repeated
-- Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate
in a written work or other creative project. Course will address responsible
conduct of research.
ERTH 291 SPECIAL TOPICS
On Demand 1 - 4 cr. Maximum 12 cr.
PREREQUISITES: None required but some may be determined necessary by
each offering department.
-- Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular
one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability
and demand before requesting a regular course number.
ERTH 303 WEATHER AND CLIMATE
F 3 cr. LEC 3
PREREQUISITE: GPHY 111.
-- The climates of the continents, and their classification, characteristics
and interrelationships with other factors of the physical and human
environment.
ERTH 307 PRINCIPLES OF GEMORPHOLOGY
F 4 cr. LEC 3 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: GEO 101 and GPHY 111; familiarity with spreadsheets and
word-processing is assumed. Junior standing
-- Framework, process, system, and time as factors which control the
generation of land forms. Laboratories involve field trips and map interpretation,
and computer modeling.
ERTH 432R SURFACE WATER RESOURCES
F alternate years, to be offered odd years 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: Junior Standing, GRHY 111 and STAT 216 or STAT 332 and
PHSX 205 or PHSX 220.
-- Physical analysis of the surface portion of the hydrologic cycle:
climate, evapotranspiration, precipitation, runoff, flooding, stream
channels, sediment production, sediment transport and drainage basins.
The surface-water resource in terms of regional supply and human use
and intervention. Laboratory fee required.
ERTH 450R SNOW DYNAMICS & ACCUMULATION
S 3 cr. LEC 1 LAB 2
PREREQUISITE: Junior or Senior standing; STAT 216; ability to ski at
intermediate level in alpine terrain; PHSX 205 or 220 and GPHY 111 or
consent of instructor.
-- Senior capstone for the Snow Science Option. The accumulation, redistribution,
and metamorphism of snow as related to humans. Avalanche, recreation,
agriculture, silviculture, runoff, and the alpine environment. Field
studies are conducted on a regular basis under rigorous field conditions.
ERTH 455 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED
STATES
On Demand 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, ERTH 307.
-- The physiographic provinces of the United States, their physical
characteristics, evolution, and identification.
ERTH 490R UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
F,S,Su 1 - 6 cr. IND May be repeated. Max 12 cr.
-- Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate
in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis Course
will address responsible conduct of research.
ERTH 494 SEMINAR
On Demand 1 cr. SEM 1 Maximum 4 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Junior standing and as determined for each offering.
-- Topics at the upper division level not covered in regular courses.
Students participate in preparing and presenting discussion material.
ERTH 498 INTERNSHIP
On Demand 2 - 12 cr. IND
PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of
department head.
-- An individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business or
other organization to provide guided experience in the field.
ERTH 502 FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
On Demand 3 cr. LEC 3
PREREQUISITE: ERTH 307 or other introduction to fluvial systems or instructor
permission.
-- This course provides a foundation for understanding fluvial processes,
interpreting fluvial forms, and teaches basic tools for use in watershed
and river assessment. Course will cover drainage networks, channel form,
and apply these concepts to a river assessment problem.
ERTH 505 GEOMICROBIOLOGY
S alternate years, to be offered even years 3 cr. SEM
-- The course will examine geochemical and microbial interactions that
control earth surface processes and ultimately major bigeochemical cycles.
The course will study integrated approaches to research problems using
geochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, culture-based and molecular
microbial techniques.
ERTH 512 MOUNTAINS AND PLAINS RIPARIAN
PROCESSES
Su On Demand 2 cr. SEM 2
PREREQUISITE: Introductory geology (GEO 101), secondary teaching certification
plus two years teaching experience; recommended ERTH 516 and access
to the world wide web.
-- Riparian hydrologic and gemorphic processes with examples drawn from
the mountains and plains. Ground-water recharge and discharge; Horton
overland flow; partial variable runoff areas; riparian best management
practices; sapping, types of springs; sediment from slopes. K-12 riparian
science education.
ERTH 516 NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN GEOLOGY
Su 2 cr. SEM 1 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to physical geology (GEO 101), intro to physical
geography (GPHY 111), early history and evolution (GEO 211); graduate
standing; secondary teaching certification plus two years teaching experience
; a computer with modem.
-- Geologic history of Northern Rocky Mountains, and landscapes from
Archean to present. Structural, tectonic, and surficial elements. Field
examination of geologic evidence for history of the Gallatin Range,
Bridger Range, and Yellowstone National Park. Exploration and development
of teaching methods and resources for the K-12 classroom.
ERTH 517 ELECTRONIC HYDROLOGY
Su On Demand 2 cr. SEM 2
PREREQUISITE: GEO 101, GPHY 111; secondary teaching certification plus
two years teaching experience; access to the world wide web linked with
telnet. Recommended ERTH 511 or ERTH 519.
-- Electronic acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of hydrologic
data for K-12 teachers. Data acquired through the world wide web and
telnet. Students will learn to download, analyze and interpret data
including rainfall, snowfall, precipitation probability, temperature,
stream flow, flood frequency, evapotranspiration, and reservoir capacity.
ERTH 519 HYDROLOGY OF STREAMS AND LAKES
Su On Demand 3 cr. SEM 3
PREREQUISITE: Introductory geology/physical geography; two years K-12
teaching experience; recommended ERTH 516, and a basic course in physics.
-- Streams lakes in the mountains and plains: drainage basic analysis,
stream hydraulics, slope, channel plan, channel cross section, channel
types, geologic origin, evaporation, ground water recharge/discharge.
Applications in the K-12 science classroom (habits of a scientific mind).
ERTH 551 SNOW SCIENCE SEMINAR
On Demand 1 cr. SEM 1
PREREQUISITE: Graduate Standing; PHSX 220, STAT 332 or STAT 401; Interest
in snow science.
-- Seminar-style discussion of recent developments in snow science based
upon current literature, important journal articles, and newly published
or about to be published literature regarding snow science. Topics will
depend upon the interests of the instructor and students in the course.
ERTH 582 QUATERNARY PALEOECOLOGY &
VEGETATION HISTORY
F alternate years, to be offered odd years 3 cr. SEM 3
PREREQUISITE: Upper division background in ecology, biogeography, stratigraphy,
or paleontology.
-- Course examines the history and development of modern biomes and
the causes and consequences of long-term ecological change.
ERTH 583 TOPICS IN PALEOECOLOGY
S alternate years, to be offered odd years 3 cr. SEM 3
PREREQUISITE: Upper division background in ecology, biogeography, stratigraphy,
or paleontology.
-- Course examines important themes in paleoecology. Topics change on
a yearly basis addressing needs and interests of current students. It
is intended for students with an interest in ecology, paleontology and
environmental history.
ERTH 584 QUATERNARY ENVIRONMENTS OF THE WESTERN
UNITED STATES
F, to be offered even years 3 cr. SEM 3
PREREQUISITE: GEO 445, GEOL 581, ERTH 307, GPHY 411 or equivalent course
work, or consent of the instructor.
-- This graduate course examines current research and recent developments
in Quaternary paleoclimatology in the western U.S. The seminar will
be centered around weekly discussions of the primary literature, hands-on
experience with international data bases, and class paper and presentation.
ERTH 585 ADVANCES IN GEOBIOLOGY
F, to be offered even years 1 cr. SEM 1
-- Discussion of recent developments in paleontology, paleoecology,
biogeochemistry, and biogeography based on current literature and presentation
of faculty and student works in progress.
ERTH 588 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
On Demand 1 - 3 cr. May be repeated; maximum 3 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, teaching experience and/or current
employment in a school organization, consent of instructor and Dean
of Graduate Studies.
-- Courses offered on a one-time basis to fulfill professional development
needs of in service educators. A specific focus is given to each course
which is appropriately subtitled.
ERTH 589 GRADUATE CONSULTATION
F,S,Su 3 cr. TUT
PREREQUISITE: Master's standing and approval of the Dean of Graduate
Studies.
-- This course may be used only by students who have completed all of
their course work (and thesis if on a thesis plan) but who need additional
faculty or staff time or help.
ERTH 590 MASTER'S THESIS
F,S,Su 1 - 10 cr. IND Maximum credits unlimited.
PREREQUISITE: Master's standing.
ERTH 591 SPECIAL TOPICS
On Demand 1 - 4 cr. Maximum 12 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Upper division courses and others as determined for each
offering.
-- Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular
one time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability
and demand before requesting a regular course number.
ERTH 592 INDEPENDENT STUDY
On Demand 1 - 3 cr. IND Maximum 6 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor, approval of
Department Head and Dean of Graduate Studies.
-- Directed research and study on an individual basis.
ERTH 594 SEMINAR
On Demand 1 cr. SEM 1 Maximum 4 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or seniors by petition. Course prerequisites
as determined for each offering.
-- Topics offered at the graduate level which are not covered in regular
courses. Students participate in preparing and presenting discussion
material.
ERTH 598 INTERNSHIP
On Demand 2 - 12 cr. IND
PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and approval
of department head.
-- An individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business or
other organization to provide guided experience in the field.
ERTH 605 HISTORY OF GEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS
On Demand 3 cr. LEC 3 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Course limited to graduate students or senior undergraduates
with permission.
-- Weekly seminars examine the evolution of geological thinking through
an exploration of its history and contributions to science. The course
enables students to research the origin and importance of concepts in
their area of scientific specialization.
ERTH 689 GRADUATE RESEARCH/CREATIVE
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTION
F,S 1 - 3 cr. RCT Maximum 3 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Doctoral candidate standing.
-- Directed doctoral research/creative activity projects; may include
reading research publications in the field in preparation for beginning
dissertation research.
ERTH 690 DISSERTATION RESEARCH
F,S,Su 1 - 10 cr. IND Maximum credits unlimited.
PREREQUISITE: Doctoral candidate standing.
ERTH 694 DOCTORAL SEMINAR
F,S,Su 1 - 3 cr. SEM Maximum 6 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Doctoral candidate standing.
