Natural Sciences

This course will introduce students to the diversity of methods and techniques used in ecology and environmental biology. It will focus on major areas of research such as environmental science, population and community ecology, environmental physiology, and ecosystem ecology. In particular, we will discuss the processes that influence the relationships between the biosphere and the atmosphere and the effects of anthropogenic changes, the components and functions of biodiversity, the interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environments, and the major biogeochemical cycles. Each topic will be analyzed from a theoretical and an empirical - practical perspective during the weekly sessions.

This course will review the background mathematical and statistical tools necessary for students interested in pursuing ecological and environmental modeling. Topics include linear algebra; difference equation, ordinary differential equation, and partial differential equation models; stochastic processes; parameter estimation; and a number of statistical techniques.

The uses of phylogenetic trees in comparative biology. Covers the many applications of phylogenetics to biogeography, speciation, conservation, population genetics, ecology, behavior, development, functional morphology, and macroevolution that are revolutionizing those fields. Laboratories are closely integrated with lectures and cover algorithms and software. Requirements include a practical term project.

This course will consist of review and discussion of recently published advances in environmental change research, with an emphasis on important advances that are either (1) concerned with spatial phenomena, whether at a watershed scale or planetary scale, or (2) integrative in nature (meaning they tie together disparate elements to form a coherent view of the operation of earth systems).

To develop an advanced understanding of global environmental problems, it is necessary to adopt the approach of Earth systems science (the modern physical geography). Earth is viewed as a complete, systematic entity and analyzed as an interacting set of physical, chemical, and biological systems that produces the characteristics and dynamics of the global environment. This course is a semester-long introductory overview of the major components of Earth systems science. We will read and discuss one complete graduate-level Earth systems science text, with supplementary readings from the current research literature. Student evaluation is based primarily on participation in discussion and quality of supplementary literature reviews of selected topics.

This seminar focuses on important sample survey designs (simple random, systematic, stratified, ratio, regression, clustered, two-stage, multi-stage, and adaptive) used in natural resources and ecology. We critique research articles for appropriateness of their sampling design in meeting specified objectives. Alternate sampling designs and their relative merits are discussed.

An overview of the use of natural isotopic variations to study earth, planetary, and environmental problems. Topics include geochronology, cosmogenic isotope studies of surficial processes, radiocarbon and the carbon cycle, water isotopes in the water cycle, and radiogenic and stable isotope studies of planetary evolution, mantle dynamics, volcanoes, groundwater, and geothermal systems. The course begins with a short introduction to nuclear processes and includes simple mathematical models used in isotope geochemistry

Current problems in fluid flow, heat flow, and solute transport in the earth. Pressure- and thermal-driven flow, instability, convection, interaction between fluid flow and chemical reactions. Pore pressure; faulting and earthquakes; diagenesis; hydrocarbon migration and trapping; flow-associated mineralization; contaminant problems

Kinetic aspects of chemical fate and transport in aquatic systems. Quantitative descriptions of the kinetics of intermedia transport and pollutant transformation by abiotic, photochemical, and biological reactions. Techniques for the estimation of environmental reaction rates. Development of models of pollutant behavior in complex natural systems

This course addresses the principles and practices used to quantify trace elements, organic pollutants, smog-forming gases, and nutrients in the environment. Students will use modern analytical techniques to quantify pollutants in air, sediments, soils, and water at sites of local interest. In addition, they will assess pollutant fate, transport and degradation as well as techniques for remediating environmental contamination. During the final third of the course, students will implement independent projects to characterize pollutants at a site of their choice.