Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
» http://www.ceps.unh.edu
Earth Sciences (ESCI)
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Chairperson: William C. Clyde
Professor: Larry A. Mayer, Samuel B Mukasa
Research Professor: Stephen E. Frolking
Affiliate Professor: Andrew Armstrong, Jim Gardner, Christopher E. Parrish, Peter J. Thompson
Associate Professor: Julia G. Bryce, William C. Clyde, J. Matthew Davis, Joel E. Johnson, Jo Laird, Joseph M. Licciardi, James M. Pringle
Research Associate Professor: Jack E. Dibb, Thomas C. Lippmann, Ruth K. Varner, Cameron P. Wake, Larry G. Ward
Affiliate Associate Professor: Mark A. Fahnestock, Douglas C. Vandemark
Assistant Professor: Margaret S. Boettcher, Rosemarie E. Came, Linda Kalnejais, Anne Lightbody
Affiliate Assistant Professor: Joseph Salisbury, Mary D. Stampone
The courses offered in the Department of Earth Sciences cover the broad spectrum of geosciences, with emphases on geology, hydrology, geochemistry, and oceanography. The curriculum encompasses a group of related studies concerned with an understanding of the Earth and its environment. Study of the processes that shape the continents and oceans, drive the hydrologic cycle and ocean circulation, and affect climate change and the evolution of life is based on a foundation of basic mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
The need for people trained in the Earth and environmental sciences has been increasing in response to society’s growing concern with sound environmental and resource management. Issues of particular concern include the impact of global climate change, the management of water resources, the development of energy and mineral resources, the disposal of waste on land and in the atmosphere and oceans; and the assessment of environmental hazards. In addition, the demand for well-trained secondary school teachers of Earth sciences has been steadily increasing.
The Department of Earth Sciences offers five majors: B.S. geology, B.S. environmental sciences (interdisciplinary with the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture), B.A. Earth sciences, B.A. Earth sciences/oceanography, and B.A. Earth science teaching. These programs prepare students for advanced study in the geosciences; for entry-level professional employment in public or private institutions concerned with environmental and resource management, including consulting firms, government agencies, energy- and resource-extraction firms, utilities, and nonprofit organizations; and for secondary-school teaching of Earth sciences.
The Department of Earth Sciences also offers a minor in geology, as well as an interdisciplinary minor in oceanography.
Descriptions and requirements for the majors and minors are arranged alphabetically.
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences
The bachelor of arts in Earth sciences is offered through the Department of Earth Sciences. This program provides students an opportunity to obtain a broad education and a general background in the Earth sciences with a greater degree of freedom in choosing electives than in the bachelor of science programs. By careful choice of electives, students can prepare for graduate school, business, or industry.
Requirements
1. Satisfy the Discovery Program requirements. ESCI 401, 402, 405, 409, 420, 501 cannot be taken to fulfill Discovery Program requirements.
2. Satisfy the bachelor of arts degree requirements.
3. Complete a minimum of eight courses in the department (with a C- or better), including ESCI 401, The Dynamic Earth, or ESCI 409, Geology and the Environment; ESCI 402, Earth History; ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy; and five upper-level courses, two of which must be 700 or above.
4. Math requirements: 425, Calculus I, and 426, Calculus II.
It is strongly advised that students complete, as early as possible, a year each of college chemistry and physics.
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences, Oceanography Option
The bachelor of arts in Earth sciences, oceanography option, is offered by the Department of Earth Sciences. This program provides students an opportunity to obtain a broad education and a general background in the Earth sciences, as well as the flexibility to choose electives in the area of oceanography. A clear, comprehensive understanding of the ocean environment will prepare students for graduate school or for employment opportunities available on our coasts in ocean-related fields such as aquaculture, fishing, tourism, environmental protection, shipping, construction, government regulation, and education.
Requirements
1. Satisfy the Discovery Program requirements. ESCI 401, 402, 405, 409, 420, 501 cannot be taken to fulfill Discovery Program requirements.
2. Satisfy the bachelor of arts degree requirements.
3. Complete a minimum of eight courses in the department (with a C- or better) including ESCI 401, The Dynamic Earth, or ESCI 409, Geology and the Environment; ESCI 402, Earth History or ZOOL 503, Introduction to Marine Biology; ESCI 501, Introduction to Oceanography; ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy; and four upper-level ocean related courses, two of which must be 700 or above. Typically these would be chosen from ESCI 658, Earth, Ocean, and Atmosphere Dynamics; ESCI 750, Biological Oceanography; ESCI 752, Chemical Oceanography; ESCI 758, Physical Oceanography; and ESCI 759, Geological Oceanography.
4. Math requirements: 425, Calculus I, and 426, Calculus II.
It is strongly advised that students complete, as early as possible, a year each of college chemistry and physics.
Oceanography Minor
See the Special University Programs, Interdisciplinary Programs, and Marine Sciences sections of the catalog.
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science Teaching
The bachelor of arts in Earth science teaching program is offered by the Department of Earth Sciences in coordination with the Department of Education. The program is specifically designed to prepare students to teach Earth sciences in secondary school. Upon graduation from this program, students are prepared to complete a master’s degree in Education with an additional year of graduate study, which includes a year-long internship (EDUC 900/901). After completing this typically five-year program, students receive full teacher certification, which is recognized in most states.
Requirements
1. Satisfy the Discovery Program requirements.
2. Satisfy the bachelor of arts degree requirements.
3. Complete the following: ESCI 401, The Dynamic Earth, or ESCI 409, Geology and the Environment; ESCI 402, Earth History; ESCI 501, Introduction to Oceanography; GEOG 473, The Weather; CHEM 403-404, General Chemistry; PHYS 401-402, Introduction to Physics I and II; PHYS 406, Introduction to Modern Astronomy; plus 12 approved elective credits from intermediate and/or advanced Earth sciences courses.
4. Math requirements: 425, Calculus I, and 426, Calculus II.
5. Satisfy the secondary-school teacher education program.
General Science Certification
Students majoring in animal sciences, biochemistry, biology, Earth sciences, environmental conservation studies, environmental sciences, forestry, microbiology, plant biology, wildlife management, or zoology may seek certification to teach science at the middle, junior, or high school level.
For further information, contact the coordinator of teacher education in the Department of Education.
Bachelor of Science in Geology
The bachelor of science in geology is offered through the Department of Earth Sciences. The program represents a strong concentration in the Earth sciences and is especially well suited for students who plan to continue their studies in graduate school. Beyond a central core of courses, there is sufficient flexibility in course selection so that students may, in consultation with their academic advisers, orient the program toward a particular facet of the Earth sciences (e.g., mineralogy-petrology, oceanography, hydrogeology, geophysics-structural geology, geomorphology-glacial geology, geochemistry, paleontology-stratigraphy). Students are encouraged to attend an off-campus field camp, for which scholarship funds may be available.
Requirements
1. Satisfy the Discovery Program requirements and the bachelor of science degree requirements.
2. Satisfactorily complete MATH 425 and 426, CHEM 403-404 (or CHEM 405), PHYS 407-408, and PHYS 505 or ESCI 658. Some of these courses may also satisfy Discovery Program requirements.
3. Complete a minimum of 12 courses in Earth sciences, which should include ESCI 401, The Dynamic Earth, or ESCI 409, Geology and the Environment; ESCI 402, Earth History; ESCI 501, Introduction to Oceanography; ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy; ESCI 614, Optical Mineralogy and Petrography; ESCI 530, Geological Field Methods; ESCI 561, Landscape Evolution; ESCI 631, Structural Geology; ESCI 652, Paleontology; and three approved Earth sciences 700-level electives.
4. Complete four approved science/math electives. The following should be considered: one additional 700-level course in the Earth sciences; additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; courses in computer science, engineering, and the biological sciences; and an off-campus field camp.
Capstone Experience
A capstone experience is required of all undergraduate Earth sciences majors during their senior year. All capstone experiences at UNH must meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. The capstone synthesizes and applies disciplinary knowledge and skills.
2. The capstone fosters reflection on undergraduate learning and experience.
3. The capstone demonstrates emerging professional competencies.
4. The capstone applies, analyzes, and/or interprets research or data or artistic expression.
5. The capstone explores areas of interest based on the integration of prior learning.
Examples of Department of Earth Sciences capstone experiences include Senior Thesis (ESCI 799), UROP/SURF projects, environmental or geologic field camps, or Earth Sciences education and outreach activities. Additional experiences may qualify (e.g., ESCI 795/796 field courses, INCO 590, INCO 790, internships) if they are designed according to the above criteria. Students should work closely with their advisers to define the most appropriate capstone experience for the Earth sciences degree option and all capstone experiences must be approved by the Department of Earth Sciences undergraduate coordinator. Presentation of projects or experiences developed for the capstone is encouraged at the annual UNH Undergraduate Research Conference or other appropriate venue.
Geology Minor
Any University student who is interested in Earth sciences may minor in geology. The minor consists of at least 18 semester hours, typically from five ESCI courses, each with a grade of C- or better, while maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. A maximum of eight credits may be used for both major and minor credit. Courses include both introductory and more advanced courses. Specific course requirements are flexible to accommodate the student’s interest in different facets of the geosciences. Interested students should see the Earth sciences undergraduate coordinator to complete an Intent to Minor form no later than their junior year.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences
http://www.envsci.unh.edu/
The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) and the College of Life Science and Agriculture (COLSA) jointly offer a bachelor of science degree in environmental sciences. Environmental sciences is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the interaction of biological, chemical, and physical processes that shape our natural environment. Students graduating with a degree in Environmental Sciences will have an understanding of these interacting processes, the ability to effectively communicate with both scientific and lay audiences, competency in field methods appropriate for entry-level environmental science positions, competency in the use and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a basic understanding of environmental policy, and the ability to contribute to multidisciplinary teams. The University of New Hampshire is a recognized leader in environmental sciences research, and the environmental sciences program capitalizes on faculty expertise in this area. The program has 12 full-time faculty members, with major teaching and research emphases in the areas of biogeochemical cycling, environmental chemistry, ecosystem science, global change, hydrology, plant ecology, soil science, and water resource management.
Employment opportunities include: environmental consulting firms, educational facilities (e.g., science centers), environmental monitoring laboratories (e.g., water treatment plants; the Environmental Protection Agency), government agencies (e.g., the U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resource Conservation Service), university and government research laboratories, and nongovernment environmental organizations. The environmental sciences program also constitutes an excellent preparation for graduate programs in several areas relating to the environment. Students should consult with their adviser early if their goals include further study.
Requirements
In addition to Discovery Program and University Writing requirements, all students will take Introduction to Environmental Science (NR 403) and Professional Perspectives in Natural Resources (NR 400), plus one other elective introductory environmental science course. Foundation courses include two semesters of chemistry (CHEM 403, 404) and calculus (MATH 425, 426), one semester of geology (ESCI 401, 402, or 409), one semester of statistics (MATH 644 or BIOL 528), one semester of physics (PHYS 407) and one approved biology course. Core courses include Techniques in Environmental Sciences (ESCI 534), Introduction to GIS (NR 658), Fate and Transport in the Environment (ESCI 654), Natural Resource and Environmental Policy (NR 602), and a capstone experience (NR 791) and an independent study or capstone course approved by the program coordinator.
Students must complete an additional eight courses in one of the following options:
Hydrology
PHYS 408, General Physics II
ESCI 561, Landscape Evolution
NR 501, Studio Soils, or ESCI 512, Principles of Mineralogy
ESCI 705, Principles of Hydrology
ESCI 710, Groundwater Hydrology
Two approved electives
Soil and Watershed Management
PHYS 408, General Physics II, or NR 527, Forest Ecology, or BIOL 541, General Ecology
NR 501, Studio Soils
NR 703, Watershed Water Quality Management
NR 706, Soil Ecology, or NR 744, Biogeochemistry
Three approved electives
Ecosystems
NR 527, Forest Ecology, or BIOL 541, General Ecology
NR 730, Terrestrial Ecosystems
NR 765, Community Ecology
NR 751, Aquatic Ecosystems
Four approved electives
For a list of approved elective courses and for further information about the major, contact the program coordinator, Ruth K. Varner, 450 Morse Hall, (603) 862-0853; ruth.varner@unh.edu
