EMU ESSC

Geology and Earth Science Programs

What is Earth Systems Science?

Earth systems science views Earth as a physical system of interrelated phenomena, governed by complex processes involving the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and. biosphere. The Earth system science
approach emphasizes relevant interactions of chemical, physical, biological
and dynamical processes that extend over spatial scales from microns to
the size of planetary orbits, and over time scales of milliseconds to billions of
years. The Earth systems approach has become widely accepted as a
framework posing disciplinary and interdisciplinary questions in relationship
to humankind.

After revisions in the Earth Science program the following have taken effect:

•All Geology and Earth Science courses now have a common course prefix: ESSC (= Earth System Science). This single prefix
replaces both the old GEOL (Geology) and GESC (Earth Science) prefixes.

•Most courses have the same number as they did with the GEOL and

GESC prefixes, but there are two important exceptions:

GEOL 160 Physical Geology = ESSC 110 The Dynamic Earth System.

GEOL 161 Historical Geology = ESSC 111 The Earth System Through Time.

•All students starting the Geology or Earth Science programs during or after the Fall 2003 semester MUST follow the new curricula and must satisfy the course requirements defined therein (no exceptions). In addition, all prerequisites for all courses in the revised programs will be strictly enforced.

•Students that began the Geology or Earth Science programs before the Fall 2003 semester, after consulting with an advisor, may
elect to follow either the new curriculum or the old curriculum in their program area, but may not "mix and match." For those that
began the Earth Science or Geology program prior to the Fall 2003 semester, that took GESC 108 before that time, and that elect
to follow the old curriculum, GESC 108 will count in place of ESSC 110 (and only ESSC 110) for those courses that specifically
list ESSC 110 as a prerequisite (such as ESSC 111 and ESSC 208).

•As part of the revision process, new, upper-level courses were created specifically for Elementary Education Students. These include
the following:

ESSC 307 Essentials of Oceanography

ESSC 311 Weather and Climate for Elementary Teachers

ESSC 312 Plate Tectonics for Elementary Teachers

ESSC 414 Teaching Science with Dinosaurs (for both Elem. and Secondary ed.)

What Classes Are Being Offered and When?

(effective Fall, 2004)

Every Fall and Winter Term

•ESSC 108 Earth Science (Lecture) (geared for non-majors)

•ESSC 109 Earth Science (Lab) (geared for non-majors)

•ESSC 110 The Dynamic Earth System (required first course for the Geology, Geography and ES major)

•ESSC 111 The Earth System Through Time

•ESSC 114 National Parks and Monuments (geared for non-majors)

•ESSC 202 Earth Science for Elementary Teachers

•ESSC 212 Weather, Climate, and the Earth System

•ESSC 229 Rocks and Minerals

•ESSC 320 Oceanography

•ESSC 324 Weather

In addition, at least one (and probably two) courses for Elementary Ed. students will be offered each Fall and Winter semester
from the list below:

ESSC 307 Essentials of Oceanography

ESSC 311 Weather and Climate for Elementary Teachers

ESSC 312 Plate Tectonics for Elementary Teachers

ESSC 414 Teaching Science with Dinosaurs (for both Elem. and Secondary ed.)

Every Fall Term

•ESSC 200 Introduction to Hydrology

•ESSC 208 Natural Environmental Hazards

•ESSC 228 Mineralogy

•ESSC 325 Geomorphology

•ESSC 331 Paleontology

•ESSC 347 Teaching Earth Science and Physical Geography

Every Winter Term

•ESSC 120 The Fossil Record (geared for non-majors)

•ESSC 370 Glacial Geology

•ESSC 425 Severe and Unusual Weather

•ESSC 448 Hydrogeology

Fall Term (odd years)

•ESSC 326 Structural Geology

•ESSC 424 Climatology

Winter Term (even years)

•ESSC 327 Soil Science

•ESSC 329 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Winter Term (odd years)

•ESSC 330 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

•ESSC 460 Contaminant Hydrology