Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) Undergraduate Course Descriptions
+EAS 104. Introduction to Atmospheric Science
Introductory study of the earth's weather. Topics include atmospheric composition, earth's energy budget, atmospheric motions, clouds and precipitation, climate change, measurement of weather data and interpretation of weather maps. Lab. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+EAS 105. The Water Environment
A study of the physical inter-relationships between oceans, lakes, and rivers, with individual lab experience. Lab. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+EAS 106. Introduction to Earth Sciences
Concepts from near-space astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, and geology. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+EAS 109. The Geologic Environment
The study of the basic concepts of geology and the utilization of these concepts to develop an understanding of the dynamic earth, with individual lab experience. Lab. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
EAS 160. Professional Meteorology
Overview of the requirements and career choices for meteorologists. Survey of recent developments, educational demands and student opportunities. 1 Cr. F.
EAS 205. Earth Systems for Teachers
Movement of energy and matter through the earth system. Earth materials, structure, and properties. Water, rock, and elemental cycles. Weather, climate, geologic time, fossils, rocks and minerals, topographic and geologic maps. Physical, computer, and mathematical models of earth processes. Lab. Prereq.: CHEM 210. 5 Cr. S.
EAS 220. Physical Geology Systems
Earth materials and plate tectonics are used to investigate deeply-buried, plutonic igneous and metamorphic systems and surface systems including sedimentary, fluvial and glacial. Lab. Prereq.: CHEM 210 or high school physics and chemistry. 4 Cr. F.
EAS 230. Dynamic Water Systems
The water cycle with emphasis on surface hydrology, ground-water hydrology, and physical oceanography. Quantitative and qualitative study of groundwater, streams, and ocean currents and waves. Field and hands-on laboratory work. Lab. Prereq.: MATH 112 or equivalent or permission of the instructor. 4 Cr. F, S.
EAS 235. Physical Oceanography
A descriptive study of currents and circulation of ocean waters; waves; tides; acoustical, chemical and optical oceanography; sea, ice, heat budget of the oceans; and coastal processes. Lab. Prereq.: 230. 2 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 260. Introductory Meteorology
Atmospheric structure and processes, including radiant energy, humidity, clouds, winds, global circulations, weather map interpretation, climate regimes, air pollution and climate change issues, severe weather, calculation of physical processes. Lab. Prereq.: MATH 112 or equivalent and high school physics. 4 Cr. F, S.
EAS 300. Environmental Earth Science
Basic concepts of earth sciences applied to the dispersion of pollutants and the management of earth resources using the economic, political, and values systems of the world. Prereq.: 220. 2 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 305. Historical Geology
Evolution of the earth with emphasis on biological and physical events of the stratigraphic record. Field work. Lab. Prereq.: 220 or 205. 3 Cr. S.
EAS 307. Field Geology
Field based problem solving of local geological relationships in central Minnesota, as well as several extended field trips to geologically significant areas in the Upper Midwest. Prereq.: 220. 3 Cr. F.
EAS 322. Surficial and Glacial Geology
A survey of the geologic processes responsible for the development of landforms. Glacial geology will be strongly considered. Prereq.: 220. 3 Cr. S, ALT.
EAS 325. Rocks and Minerals
Physical and chemical properties of minerals, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Hand-sample identification. Prereq.: 220 or permission of the instructor. 5 Cr. S.
EAS 332. Physical Hydrogeology
Principles of ground-water movement. Topics include wells and water supply; pump test analysis of aquifer characteristics; regional ground-water flow; geologic controls on ground-water occurrence; vadose zone processes; and ground-water interactions with wetlands, lakes and streams. Field and Lab. Lab. Prereq.: 230. 4 Cr. S.
EAS 334. Surface Hydrology
Rainfall-runoff analysis, unit hydrologic simulation models (HEC-1&2), urban hydrology, and floodplain hydraulics. Field and Lab. Lab. Prereq.: 230. 4 Cr. F.
EAS 336. Chemical Hydrogeology
Study of ground-water chemistry, ground-water contamination, and clean-up. Topics include review of principles of aquatic chemistry; chemistry of natural ground waters; water-quality standards; contaminant detection and migration; remediation and treatment techniques; and ground-water risk assessment. Prereq.: 230. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 338. River Hydraulics
Study of water flow in rivers. Topics include hydraulics of flow in river channels, sediment movement, river engineering, analytical river morphology, meander processes, and modeling of erodible channels and alluvial rivers. Lab. Prereq.: 230 and 334. 4 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 360. Aviation Meteorology
Atmospheric structure, processes, events, and observations of special significance to aviation, including charts and weather maps, data formats, forecast products, hazards to flight, and jet streams. (Credit for meteorology majors only with prior approval). Lab. Prereq.: 104; PHYS 231 or equivalent. 4 Cr. S.
EAS 364. Meteorological Instruments
Physical principles of measurement with emphasis on meteorological instruments. Sensor types and characteristics, performance standards, sources of errors, exposure. Statistical analysis for data quality control. Lab. Prereq.: 260, PHYS 235 and STAT 229 or higher. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 365. Atmospheric Thermodynamics
Equation of state for the atmosphere, first and second laws of thermodynamics, Clausius-Clapeyron, equation, thermodynamics of dry and moist air, hydrostatics, thermodynamic diagrams, stability. Prereq.: 260; PHYS 234. 3 Cr. S.
EAS 375. Atmospheric Dynamics
Atmospheric forces, equations of motion in rotating coordinate system. Geostrophic, gradient, and thermal winds. Circulation and vorticity, friction layer winds. Prereq.: 260; PHYS 234; MATH 321. 3 Cr. S.
EAS 380. Introduction to Forecasting
Instruction in operational weather forecasting. Interpretation of weather charts, raw weather data, and derived fields during daily forecasting activity. Bi-weekly interpretation and application of theoretical concepts to current data analysis. Prereq.: 260 or permission of instructor. 2 Cr. F, S.
EAS 381. Weather Forecast Discussion
Modern weather forecasting principles and techniques with emphasis on current weather situations. Preparation of forecasts. Credit for meterology majors only with prior approval. S/U grading. Prereq.: 260. 2 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 385. Synoptic Meteorology
Analysis of cold-season mid-latitude weather systems, severe weather triggering mechanisms. Illustration and computation of basic precipitation-producing mechanisms such as warm advection, vorticity advection, application of continuity equation. Lab. Prereq.: 375, 380. 4 Cr. F.
EAS 386. Micrometeorology
Small-scale meteorological process in the planetary boundary layer. Energy budgets, measurements, turbulent transport, applications including air pollution. Prereq.: 385. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 387. Broadcast Meteorology
Preparation and broadcast of radio and television forecasts through hands-on exercises. Heavy emphasis on creative writing skills and chroma-key techniques. Employment opportunities and their development. Several classes held at Twin-Cities television studios. Permission only. Prereq.: 380. 2 Cr. S, ALT.
EAS 401. Earth Sciences Field Studies (Topical)
Selected field trips to examine exemplary environments and apply field techniques. Minimum of five days spent at natural areas such as the Grand Canyon and the Florida Keys. Arranged instructional sessions may be required before or after trip. Extra fees. By permission only. Repeated with advisor approval to maximum of 9 Cr. 1-3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 405. Research Seminar for Teachers
Earth and Space Science research. Developing, conducting, and presenting an individual scientific research inquiry. Lab. Prereq.: 205, 230, 260, 405, ASTR 205, or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 432. Ground-Water Modeling
Study of ground-water modeling from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics include principles of applied mathematical modeling-analytical, numerical, and stochastic models; modeling of ground-water flow; and modeling of contaminant transport. Significant hands-on computer modeling using several full-scale scientific and commercial modeling programs. Prereq.: 332 and 336. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 434. Surface Water Modeling
An advanced study of water flow in rivers. Computer-assisted floodplain hydrology and hydraulics. Topics include training in the use of HEC-simulation software, hydraulics of flow in river channels, sediment movement, and interaction with artificial structures. Lab. Prereq.: 230, 334, and 338. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 435. Planetology
Planetary atmospheres, planetary models and internal structures, formation of surface features and comparative planetology. Prereq.: 220 or 235 or 260. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 440. Topics in Hydrology
Non-sequence courses designed for intensive study of a special topic. Topic announced in class schedule. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 credits. Lab. Prereq.: department approval. 3-9 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 451. Senior Research Proposal
Description of the senior research project or study. Examination of procedural steps and tools available at SCSU for completing the research project. Preparation of a proposal for a viable research project or study. Prereq.: permission of instructor. 1 Cr. S.
EAS 452. Senior Research Project
Complete a concentrated study or research project in an area of earth and atmospheric science. Complete written and oral presentations of the results. Prereq.: 451. 2 Cr. F, S, SUM.
EAS 465. Physical Meteorology
Principles of atmospheric physics including radiation laws, radiative transfer, atmospheric aerosols, cloud microphysics, physics of precipitation formation, atmospheric electricity, atmospheric optics. Meterological radar. Prereq.: 365, PHYS 235. 3 Cr. F.
EAS 468. Radar and Satellite Meteorology
Principles of remote sensing. Weather radar observations; reflection mechanisms; Doppler radar methods and their application in storm detection, analysis, and forecasting; wind profilers. Visible and infrared satellites; global observation of temperature and moisture. Lab. Prereq.: 365 or approval, PHYS 235. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 475. Advanced Atmospheric Dynamics
Theoretical development and motion of mid-latitude synopic systems, quasigeostrophic dynamics, linear perturbation theory and waves, atmospheric instability. Prereq.: 375. 3 Cr. F.
EAS 478. Climate Dynamics
Balance requirements of the climate system, atmospheric and oceanic general circulation, history of earth's climate, causes of climate change, climate modeling with consideration of dynamical systems analysis as well as global coupled models. Prereq.: 465, 475. 3 Cr. S.
EAS 485. Advanced Synoptic Meteorology
Three dimensional analysis of cold and warm season events, jet stream circulations, frontogenesis. Vertical velocity estimates using isentropic analysis of gridded data. Current topics of synoptic and mesoscale research, possible field trips to regional conferences. Lab. Prereq.: ECE 102 or CSCI 200. 4 Cr. S.
EAS 486. Mesoscale Meteorology
Methods of observing mesoscale motion systems; waves, turbulence, and convection; theoretical and computer models; analysis and forecasting applications. Prereq.: 385. 3 Cr. S.
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students
EAS 402/502. Earth Sciences Institute
Selected topics in earth science for experienced teachers. 2-4 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 420/520. Seminar
Lectures, readings, discussions on selected topics. May be repeated. 1-3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 423/523. Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Sedimentary processes and environments, formation of sedimentary rocks, stratigraphy, and basin analysis. Use of stratigraphic principles to interpret earth history. Lab. Prereq.: 305. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 424/524. Structural Geology and Tectonics
Brittle and ductile deformation. Stress and strain theory. Structural interpretation problems. Development and significance of plate tectonics as a unifying theory for geology. Lab. Prereq.: 220, 305. 4 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 425/525. Petrography
Principles of optical mineralogy. Thin-section identification of minerals and rocks. Petrogenesis of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Prereq.: 325 or permission of the instructor. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
EAS 429/529. Geophysics
The basic concepts of physics are applied to the global earth and to the geologic processes at work in the earth. Prereq.: 220, PHYS 231 or 235, MATH 222. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
EAS 467/567. Numerical Weather Prediction
History of numerical prediction, processes to be represented, primitive equations, methods of solution, grid format for data, objective analysis, NAM, GFS and other models, initialization of model, boundary conditions, parameterization. Prereq.: 375. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
