Graduate courses in Geological and Environmental Sciences

(Same as CTL 312, ENGR 312.) For students interested in an academic career and who anticipate designing science courses at the undergraduate or graduate level. Goal is to apply research on science learning to the design of effective course materials. Topics include syllabus design, course content and format decisions, assessment planning and grading, and strategies for teaching improvement.

2-3 units, Win (Wright-Dunbar, R; Sheppard, S)

GES 207. Journey to the Center of the Earth

(Same as GES 107, GEOPHYS 107, GEOPHYS 207.) The interconnected set of dynamic systems that make up the Earth. Focus is on fundamental geophysical observations of the Earth and the laboratory experiments to understand and interpret them. What earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, magnetic fields, and rocks reveal about the Earth's formation and evolution.

3 units, Win (Lawrence, J; Mao, W)

GES 209. Microstructures

Microstructures in metamorphic rocks reveal temperature, pressure, and rates of deformation in the crust and variations in its thermo-mechanical behavior. Topics include the rheology of rocks and minerals, strain partitioning, shear zones and brittle-ductile transition in the crust, mechanisms of foliation and lineation development, preferred crystallographic fabrics, and geochronologic methods useful for dating deformation. Labs involve microstructure analysis of suites of rocks from classic localities. 5 units for extra project.

3-5 units, not given this year

GES 210. Geologic Evolution of the Western U.S. Cordillera

The geologic and tectonic evolution of the U.S. Cordillera based on its rock record through time. This region provides good examples of large-scale structures and magmatic activity generated during crustal shortening, extension, and strike-slip faulting and affords opportunity to study crustal-scale processes involved in mountain building in context of plate tectonic motions.

2-3 units, Aut (Miller, E)

GES 211. Topics in Regional Geology and Tectonics

May be repeated for credit.

2-3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 212. Topics in Tectonic Geomorphology

For upper-division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary and may include coupling among erosional, tectonic, and chemical weathering processes at the scale of orogens; historical review of tectonic geomorphology; hillslope and fluvial process response to active uplift; measures of landscape form and their relationship to tectonic uplift and bedrock lithology. May be repeated for credit.

2 units, Aut (Hilley, G)

GES 213. Topics in Sedimentary Geology

For upper division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary each year but the focus is on current developments and problems in sedimentary geology, sedimentology, and basin analysis. These include issues in deep-water sediments, their origin, facies, and architecture; sedimentary systems on the early Earth; and relationships among tectonics, basin development, and basin fill. May be repeated for credit.

2 units, Aut (Lowe, D)

GES 214. Topics in Paleobiology

For upper division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary each year; focus is on paleontological, sedimentological, and geochemical approaches to the history of life. Topics may include: mass extinction events; evolutionary radiations; the history of global biodiversity; links between evolutionary histories of primary producers and consumers; and the quality of the fossil record. Term paper. May be repeated for credit.

2 units, not given this year

GES 215A. Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics

(Same as CEE 297G.) Quantitative field and laboratory data integrated with solutions to initial and boundary-value problems of continuum mechanics introduce tectonic processes in Earth's crust that lead to the development of geological structures including folds, faults, fractures and fabrics. Topics include: techniques and tools for structural mapping; using differential geometry to characterize structures; dimensional analysis and scaling relations; kinematics of deformation and flow; traction and stress analysis. Data sets analyzed using MATLAB. Prerequisites: GES 1, MATH 53, MATLAB or equivalent.

3-5 units, Aut (Pollard, D)

GES 215B. Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics

(Same as CEE 297H.) Field equations for elastic solids and viscous fluids derived from conservation laws to develop mechanical models for tectonic processes and their structural products. Topics include: conservation of mass and momentum in a deformable continuum; linear elastic deformation and elastic properties of rock; brittle deformation including fracture and faulting; linear viscous flow including folding, model development, and methodology. Models constructed and solutions visualized using MATLAB. Prerequisite: GES 215A.

3-5 units, Win (Pollard, D)

GES 216. Rock Fracture Mechanics

Principles and tools of elasticity theory and fracture mechanics are applied to the origins and physical behaviors of faults, dikes, joints, veins, solution surfaces, and other natural structures in rock. Field observations, engineering rock fracture mechanics, and the elastic theory of cracks. The role of natural fractures in brittle rock deformation, and fluid flow in the earth's crust with applications to crustal deformation, structural geology, petroleum geology, engineering, and hydrogeology. Prerequisite: 215 or equivalent.

3-5 units, given next year

GES 217. Faults, Fractures, and Fluid Flow

Process-based approach to rock failure; the microstructures and overall architectures of the failure products including faults, joints, solution seams, and types of deformation bands. Fluid flow properties of these structures are characterized with emphasis on sealing and transmitting of faults and their role in hydrocarbon flow, migration, and entrapment. Case studies of fracture characterization experiments in aquifers, oil and gas reservoirs, and waste repository sites. Guest speakers; weekend field trip. Prerequisite: first-year graduate student in Earth Sciences.

3 units, Win (Aydin, A)

GES 218. Communicating Science

For undergraduates and graduate students interested in teaching science in local schools. Inquiry-based science teaching methods. How to communicate scientific knowledge and improve presentations. Six weeks of supervised teaching in a local school classroom. Prerequisite: course in introductory biology, geology, chemistry, or marine sciences.

3 units, Aut (Saltzman, J)

GES 220. Planetary and Early Biological Evolution Seminar

(Same as GES 120.) Interdisciplinary. For upper division science undergraduates and graduate students. Synthesis of biology, geology, physics, and chemistry. Recent approaches for identifying traces of past life on Earth. How to look for life on other planets such as Mars, Europa, and Titan. May be repeated for credit.

2-3 units, not given this year

GES 222. Planetary Systems: Dynamics and Origins

(For students with a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences; other should register for 122.) Motions of planets, moons, and small bodies; energy transport in planetary systems; meteorites and the constraints they provide on the formation of the solar system; asteroids and Kuiper belt objects; comets; planetary rings; planet formation; and extrasolar planets. In-class presentation of student papers.

3-4 units, not given this year

GES 223. Planetary Systems: Atmospheres, Surfaces, and Interiors

Focus is on physical processes, such as radiation transport, atmospheric dynamics, thermal convection, and volcanism, shaping the interiors, surfaces, and atmospheres of the major planets in the solar system. How these processes manifest themselves under various conditions in the solar system. Case study of the surface and atmosphere of Mars. Application of comparative planetary science to extrasolar planets and brown dwarfs. In-class presentation of student papers.

3 units, not given this year

GES 224. Modeling Environmental Transformations

Quantitative overview of chemical and physical transport and transformation processes that govern elemental and contaminant concentrations in solids, fluids, and gases. Topics include the kinetics of mass transfer across environmental interfaces, formulation of reactor models, and elementary transport phenomena. Emphasis is on reactive transport modeling of fluid-mineral, isotopic, and microbial processes in the context of water-rock systems. Quantitative techniques for conceptualizing environmental processes from simple finite difference approaches to more sophisticated numerical reactive transport models.

3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 237. Surface and Near-Surface Hydrologic Response

(Same as CEE 260B.) Quantitative review of process-based hydrology and geomorphology. Introduction to finite-difference and finite-element methods of numerical analysis. Topics: biometeorology, unsaturated and saturated subsurface fluid flow, overland and open channel flow, and physically-based simulation of coupled surface and near-surface hydrologic response. Links hydrogeology, soil physics, and surface water hydrology.

3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 238. Soil Physics

Physical properties of the soil solid phase emphasizing the transport, retention, and transformation of water, heat, gases, and solutes in the unsaturated subsurface. Field experiments.

3 units, Aut (Loague, K)

GES 240. Geostatistics for Spatial Phenomena

(Same as ENERGY 240.) Probabilistic modeling of spatial and/or time dependent phenomena. Kriging and cokriging for gridding and spatial interpolation. Integration of heterogeneous sources of information. Multiple-point geostatistics and training image-based stochastic imaging of reservoir/field heterogeneities. Introduction to GSLIB and SGEMS software. Case studies from the oil and mining industry and environmental sciences. Prerequisites: introductory calculus and linear algebra, STATS 116, GES 161, or equivalent.

3-4 units, Win (Journel, A)

GES 246. Reservoir Characterization and Flow Modeling with Outcrop Data

(Same as ENERGY 246.) Project addressing a reservoir management problem by studying an outcrop analog, constructing geostatistical reservoir models, and performing flow simulation. How to use outcrop observations in quantitative geological modeling and flow simulation. Relationships between disciplines. Weekend field trip.

3 units, Aut (Graham, S; Tchelepi, H; Boucher, A)

GES 249. Petroleum Geochemistry in Environmental and Earth Science

How molecular fossils in crude oils, oil spills, refinery products, and human artifacts identify their age, origin, and environment of formation. The origin and habitat of petroleum, technology for its analysis, and parameters for interpretation, including: origins of molecular fossils; function, biosynthesis, and precursors; tectonic history related to the evolution of life, mass extinctions, and molecular fossils; petroleum refinery processes and the kinds of molecular fossils that survive; environmental pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources including how to identify genetic relationships among crude oil or oil spill samples; applications of molecular fossils to archaeology; worldwide petroleum systems through geologic time.

3 units, Win (Moldowan, J)

GES 250. Sedimentation Mechanics

The mechanics of sediment transport and deposition and the origins of sedimentary structures and textures as applied to interpreting ancient rock sequences. Dimensional analysis, fluid flow, drag, boundary layers, open channel flow, particle settling, erosion, sediment transport, sediment gravity flows, soft sediment deformation, and fluid escape. Field trip required.

4 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 251. Sedimentary Basins

Analysis of the depositional framework and tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins. Topics: tectonic and environmental controls on facies relations, synthesis of basin development through time in terms of depositional systems and tectonic settings. Weekend field trip required. Prerequisites: 110, 151.

3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 252. Sedimentary Petrography

Siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Research in modern sedimentary mineralogy and petrography and the relationship between the composition and texture of sediments and their provenance, tectonic settings, and diagenetic histories. Topics vary yearly. Prerequisite: 151 or equivalent.

4 units, Aut (Lowe, D)

GES 253. Petroleum Geology and Exploration

The origin and occurrence of hydrocarbons. Topics: thermal maturation history in hydrocarbon generation, significance of sedimentary and tectonic structural setting, principles of accumulation, and exploration techniques. Prerequisites: 110, 151. Recommended: GEOPHYS 184.

3 units, Spr (Graham, S)

GES 254. Carbonate Sedimentology

Processes of precipitation and sedimentation of carbonate minerals with emphasis on marine systems. Topics include: geographic and bathymetric distribution of carbonates in modern and ancient oceans; genesis and environmental significance of carbonate grains and sedimentary textures; carbonate rocks and sediments as sources of geochemical proxy data; carbonate diagenesis; changes in styles of carbonate deposition through Earth history; carbonate depositional patterns and the global carbon cycle. Lab exercises emphasize petrographic and geochemical analysis of carbonate rocks including map and outcrop scale, hand samples, polished slabs, and thin sections.

3-4 units, not given this year

GES 255. Basin and Petroleum System Modeling

For advanced undergraduates or graduate students. Students use stratigraphy, subsurface maps, and basic well log, lithologic, paleontologic, and geochemical data to construct 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D models of petroleum systems that predict the extent of source-rock thermal maturity, petroleum migration paths, and the volumes and compositions of accumulations through time (4-D). Recent software such as PetroMod designed to reconstruct basin geohistory. Recommended: 251 or 253.

3 units, Win (Magoon, L; Peters, K)

GES 257. Clastic Sequence Stratigraphy

Sequence stratigraphy facilitates integration of all sources of geologic data, including seismic, log, core, and paleontological, into a time-stratigraphic model of sediment architecture. Tools applicable to regional and field scales. Emphasis is on practical applications and integration of seismic and well data to exploration and field reservoir problems. Examples from industry data; hands-on exercises.

3 units, Spr (McHargue, T)

GES 258. Introduction to Depositional Systems

The characteristics of the major sedimentary environments and their deposits in the geologic record, including alluvial fans, braided and meandering rivers, aeolian systems, deltas, open coasts, barred coasts, marine shelves, and deep-water systems. Emphasis is on subdivisions; morphology; the dynamics of modern systems; and the architectural organization and sedimentary structures, textures, and biological components of ancient deposits.

3 units, Spr (Lowe, D)

GES 260. Laboratory Methods in Organic Geochemistry

Knowledge of components in geochemical mixtures to understand geological and environmental samples. The presence and relative abundance of these compounds provides information on the biological source, depositional environment, burial history, biodegradation, and toxicity of organic materials. Laboratory methods to detect and quantify components of these mixtures. Methods for separation and analysis of organic compounds in geologic samples: extraction, liquid chromatography, absorption by zeolites, gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Student samples considered as material for analysis. Recommended: 249.

2-3 units, Spr (Moldowan, J)

GES 261. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals and Mineral Surfaces

The concepts of symmetry and periodicity in crystals; the physical properties of crystals and their relationship to atomic-level structure; basic structure types; crystal chemistry and bonding in solids and their relative stability; the interaction of x-rays with solids and liquids (scattering and spectroscopy); structural variations in silicate glasses and liquids; UV-visible spectroscopy and the color of minerals; review of the mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and structures of selected rock-forming silicates and oxides; mineral surface and interface geochemistry.

4 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 262. Thermodynamics and Disorder in Minerals and Melts

The thermodynamic properties of crystalline, glassy, and molten silicates and oxides in light of microscopic information about short range structure and ordering. Measurements of bulk properties such as enthalpy, density, and their pressure and temperature derivatives, and structural determination by spectroscopies such as nuclear magnetic resonance and Mössbauer. Basic formulations for configurational entropy, heats of mixing in solid solutions, activities; and the energetics of exsolution, phase transitions, and nucleation. Quantitative models of silicate melt thermodynamics are related to atomic-scale views of structure. A general view of geothermometry and geobarometry. Prerequisites: introductory mineralogy and thermodynamics.

3 units, Spr (Stebbins, J)

GES 263. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry

(Same as GES 163.) Stable, cosmogenic, and radiogenic isotopes; processes that govern isotopic variations. Application of isotopes to geologic, biologic, and hydrologic questions. Major isotopic systems and their applications. Simple modeling techniques used in isotope geochemistry.

3 units, Aut (Maher, K)

GES 267. Solution-Mineral Equilibria: Theory

Procedures for calculating and evaluating the thermodynamic properties of reversible and irreversible reactions among rock-forming minerals and aqueous solutions in geologic systems. Emphasis is on the generation and utility of phase diagrams depicting solution-mineral interaction relevant to phase relations associated with weathering diagenetic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic processes, and the prediction of temperature, pressure, and the chemical potential of thermodynamic components compatible with observed mineralogic phase relations in geologic outcrops. Individual research topics. Prerequisite: 171.

3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 272. Nontraditional Stable Isotope Geochemistry

(Same as GES 172.) Elements other than C, N, O, S, and H that exhibit mass-dependent and non mass-dependent isotopic fractionation; examples include Mg, Ca, Si, Fe, Cr, Mo, Cu, Zn, and Hg. These systems represent a new frontier in isotope geochemistry and Earth Sciences as new tools for understanding geochemical, environmental and biological cycles. The theoretical calculations that form the basis for predicting fractionation, as well as the current state and applications of non-traditional isotope systems.

3 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 273. Isotope Geochemistry Seminar

(Same as GES 173.) Current topics including new analytical techniques, advances in isotopic measurements, and new isotopic approaches and systems.

1-3 units, Win (Maher, K)

GES 275. Electron Probe Microanalytical Techniques

The practical and theoretical aspects of x-ray generation and detection, and the behavior of electron beams and x-rays in solids. The basic principles needed to quantitatively analyze chemically complex geological materials. Operation of the JEOL 733 electron microprobe and associated computer software for quantitatively analyzing materials. X-ray chemical mapping. Enrollment limited to 8.

2-3 units, Win (Jones, R)

GES 277. Flood Basalts and Mass Extinctions

Recent work in geochronology and paleobiology supports the temporal coincidence of the eruption of continental flood basalts with mass extinction in the marine and terrestrial realms. The mechanisms and timescale of flood basalt eruptions, their likely environmental and biological consequences, and the evidence for flood basalt eruptions as the triggers of many mass extinction events. Sources include recent primary literature.

3 units, Aut (Payne, J)

GES 283. Thermochronology and Crustal Evolution

Thermochronology analyzes the competition between radioactive in-growth and temperature-dependant loss of radiogenic isotopes within radioactive mineral hosts in terms of temperature-time history. Coupled with quantitative understanding of kinetic phenomena and crustal- or landscape-scale interpretational models, thermochronology provides an important source of data for the Earth Sciences, notably tectonics, geomorphology, and petrogenesis. The underpinning concepts and key developments in thermochronology, focusing upon analytical and interpretative innovations developed over the past decade.

4 units, Win (Grove, M)

GES 284. Field Seminar on Eastern Sierran Volcanism

For graduate students in the earth sciences and archaeology. Four-day trip over Memorial Day weekend to study silicic and mafic volcanism associated with the western margin of the Basin and Range province: basaltic lavas and cinder cones erupted along normal faults bounding Owens Valley, Long Valley caldera, postcaldera rhyolite lavas, hydrothermal alteration and hot springs, Holocene rhyolite lavas of the Inyo and Mono craters, volcanism of the Mono Basin with subaqueous basaltic eruptions, floating pumice blocks, and cryptodomes punching up lake sediments. If snow-level permits, silicic volcanism associated with the Bodie gold district. Prerequisite: 1, 102 or equivalent.

1 unit, Spr (Mahood, G)

GES 285. Igneous Petrogenesis

Radiogenic isotopes, stable isotopes, and trace elements applied to igneous processes; interaction of magmas with mantle and crust; convergent-margin magmatism; magmatism in extensional terrains; origins of rhyolites; residence times of magmas and magma chamber processes; granites as imperfect mirrors of their source regions; trace element modeling of igneous processes; trace element discriminant diagrams in tectonic analysis; phase equilibria of partial melting of mantle and crust; geothermometry and geobarometry. Topics emphasize student interest. Prerequisite: 180 or equivalent.

4 units, alternate years, not given this year

GES 286. Geoarchaeology

(Same as GES 186.) For juniors, seniors, and beginning graduate students with interests in archaeology or geosciences. Geological concepts, techniques, and data in the study of artifacts and the interpretation of the archaeological record. Topics include: sediments and soils; sedimentary settings of site formation; postdepositional processes that disturb sites; paleoenvironmental reconstruction of past climates and landscapes using plant and animal remains and isotopic studies; raw materials (minerals, metals, stone, shells, clay, building materials) and methods used in sourcing; estimating age based on stratigraphic and radiometric techniques. Weekly lab; weekend field trip to local archaeological/geological site.

5 units, not given this year

GES 290. Departmental Seminar in Geological and Environmental Sciences

Current research topics. Presentations by guest speakers from Stanford and elsewhere. May be repeated for credit.

1 unit, Aut (Hilley, G; Payne, J), Win (Hilley, G; Payne, J), Spr (Hilley, G; Payne, J)

GES 291. GES Field Trips

Field trips for teaching and research purposes. Trips average 5-10 days. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

1 unit, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

GES 292. Directed Reading with Geological and Environmental Sciences Faculty

May be repeated for credit.

1-10 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

GES 299. Field Research

(Same as GES 190.) Two-three week field research projects. Written report required. May be repeated three times.

2-4 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

GES 300. Earth Sciences Seminar

(Same as EESS 300, EARTHSYS 300, EEES 300, GEOPHYS 300, IPER 300.) Required for incoming graduate students except coterms. Research questions, tools, and approaches of faculty members from all departments in the School of Earth Sciences. Goals are: to inform new graduate students about the school's range of scientific interests and expertise; and introduce them to each other across departments and research groups. Two faculty members present work at each meeting. May be repeated for credit.

1 unit, Aut (Harris, J)

GES 310. Climate Change, Climate Variability, and Landscape Development

The impact of long-term climate change on erosional processes and the evolution of Cenozoic landscapes. Climate data that highlight recurring climate variability on inter-annual to decadal timescales. The behavior of climate on multi-decadal to tectonic timescales over which significant changes in topography take place. The effects of climate change and variability on landscape development, sedimentary environments, and the deposits of these events. May be repeated for credit.

1 unit, not given this year

GES 314. Structural Geology and Geomechanics

Research seminar. May be repeated for credit.

1-5 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff)

GES 315. Literature of Structural Geology

Classic studies and current journal articles. May be repeated for credit.

1 unit, Aut (Pollard, D), Win (Pollard, D), Spr (Pollard, D)

GES 325. The Evolution of Body Size

(Same as BIO 325.) The influence of organism size on evolutionary and ecological patterns and processes. Focus is on integration of theoretical principles, observations of living organisms, and data from the fossil record. What are the physiological and ecological correlates of body size? Is there an optimum size? Do organisms tend to evolve to larger size? Does productivity control the size distribution of consumers? Does size affect the likelihood of extinction or speciation? How does size scale from the genome to the phenotype? How is metabolic rate involved in evolution of body size? What is the influence of geographic area on maximum body size?

2 units, not given this year

GES 328. Seminar in Paleobiology

For graduate students. Current research topics including paleobotany, vertebrate and invertebrate evolution, paleoecology, and major events in the history of life on Earth.

1 unit, Spr (Payne, J)

GES 333. Water Policy Colloquium

(Same as CEE 333, IPER 333.) Student-organized interdisciplinary colloquium. Creation, implementation, and analysis of policy affecting the use and management of water resources. Weekly speakers from academia and local, state, national, and international agencies and organizations.

1 unit, Spr (Freyberg, D)

GES 355. Advanced Stratigraphy Seminar and Field Course

Student-led presentations; poster-sized display on assigned topic; field trip.

1-3 units, not given this year

GES 381. Igneous Petrology and Petrogenesis Seminar

Topics vary by quarter. May be repeated for credit.

1-2 units, Win (Mahood, G)

GES 384. Volcanology Seminar

Specialized and advanced topics vary by offering. May be repeated for credit.

1-2 units, Aut (Mahood, G)

GES 385. Practical Experience in the Geosciences

On-the-job training in the geosciences. May include summer internship; emphasizes training in applied aspects of the geosciences, and technical, organizational, and communication dimensions. Meets USCIS requirements for F-1 curricular practical training.

1 unit, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

GES 399. Advanced Projects

Graduate research projects that lead to reports, papers, or other products during the quarter taken. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.

1-10 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

GES 400. Graduate Research

Faculty supervision. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.

1-15 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

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Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Alphabetical Index

Bulletin Archive

Graduate courses in Geological and Environmental Sciences