An introduction to spoken and written German, and to the culture and history of German-speaking people and countries. Emphasis on grammar and practical vocabulary for use in conversational practice, written exercises, and listening and reading comprehension. By the end of the year, students will be able to read short edited literary and journalistic texts as a basis for classroom discussion and to compose short written assignments. Students who successfully complete this year-long course and take GER 200 and GER 250 (220) will be eligible for the Junior Year Abroad in Hamburg.

Admission by permission of the department. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the project director by the end of the first week of classes.

A project-oriented study of the processes and products of sediment formation, transport, deposition and lithification. Modern sediments and depositional environments of the Massachusetts coast are examined and compared with ancient sedimentary rocks of the Connecticut River Valley and eastern New York. Field and laboratory analyses focus on the description and classification of sedimentary rocks, and on the interpretation of their origin. The results provide unique insights into the geologic history of eastern North America. Two weekend field trips.

A study of the major groups of fossil invertebrates including their phylogenetic relationships, paleoecology, and the importance of fossils in biostratigraphy. Special topics include speciation, functional adaptations, paleoenvironments, the origin of life, the record of mass extinctions and originations, and how life has changed through time. At least one weekend field trip. Prerequisite: 101 and 102, or 108, or FYS 103, or 102 with any other GEO 100 level course. 102 can be taken concurrently; open without prerequisite to majors in the biological sciences.

A project-oriented study of minerals and the information they contain about planetary processes. The theory and application to mineralogic problems of crystallography, crystal chemistry, crystal optics, x-ray diffraction, quantitative x-ray spectroscopy, and other spectroscopic techniques. The course normally includes a weekend field trip to important geologic localities in the Adirondack Mountains. Prerequisite: 101 and 102, or 108, or FYS 103, or 102 with any other GEO 100 level course. 102 can be taken concurrently. Recommended: CHM 111 or equivalent.

Same as ENV 150. A geographic information system (GIS) manages location-based (spatial) information and provides the tools to display and analyze it. GIS provides the capabilities to link databases and maps and to overlay, query, and visualize those databases in order to analyze and solve problems in many diverse fields.

An analysis of earthquakes, tsunami, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, asteroid impacts, and wildfires. Topics include: the current status of predicting disasters, how to minimize their impacts, public policy issues, the effect of disasters on the course of human history, and the record of past great disasters in myth and legend, rapid climate change, and what the future holds. Discussion sections will focus on utilizing GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to investigate disaster mitigation.

The Connecticut Valley region is rich with geologic features that can be reached by a short van ride from Smith. This is a field-based course that explores that geology through weekly trips and associated assignments during which we will examine evidence for volcanoes, dinosaurs, glaciers, rifting continents, and Himalayan-size mountains in Western Massachusetts. Students who have taken FYS 103 Geology in the Field are not eligible to take GEO 102. This class, when taken in conjunction with any other 100-level course, can serve as a pathway to the Geoscience major.

The Connecticut Valley region is rich with geologic features that can be reached by a short van ride from Smith. This is a field-based course that explores that geology through weekly trips and associated assignments during which we will examine evidence for volcanoes, dinosaurs, glaciers, rifting continents, and Himalayan-size mountains in Western Massachusetts. Students who have taken FYS 103 Geology in the Field are not eligible to take GEO 102. This class, when taken in conjunction with any other 100-level course, can serve as a pathway to the Geoscience major.

An exploration of the concepts that provide a unifying explanation for the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the formation of mountains, continents, and oceans. A discussion of the origin of life on earth, the patterns of evolution and extinction in plants and animals, and the rise of humans. Students planning to major in geosciences should also take GEO 102 concurrently.