Models are simple representations of the real;world, which can be used to convey information,;generate and test hypotheses, and make;predictions about what will happen in the future.;This course introduces students to the art and;science of modeling natural systems, as well as;their mathematical and statistical foundations. ;Students will gain experience in asking research;questions, creating hypotheses, collecting and;arranging data, and designing computer models (in;R) to address a variety of environmental;problems.

From the A-bomb to zircon, uranium has;revolutionized humanity's destructive potential;and wisdom about time. Uranium is the planet's;heaviest naturally occurring element, and it;transforms by both radioactive decay and nuclear;fission. This course uses computer modeling to;explore these two transformations and what we;make of them, specifically: the age of the earth,;high-precision dating of recent geologic and;climate events, nuclear power, nuclear weapons,;and radiation and health. Writing and reading;assignments focus on science communication for a;general audience.

In this course you will learn to recognize the common rock-forming minerals and principal rock types, and to understand their origins, properties, associations, and geological significance. Observational skills and hand sample identification will be emphasized in lab and on field trips. Students must have either a one-year high school earth science class or any 100- or 200-level geology course or Geography 107. One or more field trips required.

This course provides a hands-on introduction to;earth science and methods in geology. Students;will learn the fundamental tools of the trade and;explore local geology on field trips. Interactive;laboratory work will include projects on;groundwater contamination, landfill siting,;geologic hazards, and earth materials. Students;will also develop skills in reading topographic;and geologic maps.

This course provides a hands-on introduction to;earth science and methods in geology. Students;will learn the fundamental tools of the trade and;explore local geology on field trips. Interactive;laboratory work will include projects on;groundwater contamination, landfill siting,;geologic hazards, and earth materials. Students;will also develop skills in reading topographic;and geologic maps.

Life forms have inhabited the surface of our;planet for most of its history. Earth, as a;result, has a strange geology unlike that of any;other known planet. In this course we will;examine the interrelations between life processes;and Earth's crust and atmosphere, and how these;relationships interact to generate the geology of;the planet. By means of hands-on analysis of;rocks and fossils, we will study the origin and;evolution of life, the diversification of complex;life forms, the appearance of large predators,;and the causes and consequences of oxygenation of;the atmosphere.

The only planet known to sustain life, Earth provides all the resources that sustain us, yet at the same time it can be an unpredictable and sometimes dangerous home. Floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural processes challenge our ingenuity, while we also contend with self-induced problems such as pollution, desertification, and even global climate change. This course examines earth processes, how these affect our lives, and how we can best live with and sustain our environment. May be taken for 200-level credit with permission of instructor.

Community-based learning that effectively develops civic leaders and engages purposefully in community development requires students to develop networking, reflection, and analytic practices. Readings on civic engagement, discussions and exercises will advance campus and community networks, writing and oral reflection on field experiences, and information-sharing so students will better understand themselves and communities. This course is designed to facilitate learning and impact for CBL Program student staff pursuing concurrent fellowships and mentorships. Students in C.A.U.S.E.

This course is intended for students who are new to American academic writing or identify as non-native speakers of English. Students should also be enrolled in a writing-intensive course. Through discussion and analysis of their own writing and peer work, students evaluate the effectiveness of their written communication and writing process. A variety of strategies for strengthening written communication are applied to current writing projects.