Complete Your General Education at the College of Mines and Earth Sciences
Diversity (DV)
Gender and Contemporary Issues in Mines and Earth Sciences
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CMES 3600
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Diversity
Description
This class introduces students to foundational concepts and themes in the interdisciplinary
field of gender studies, with a focus on contemporary issues at the personal, interpersonal,
and institutional levels (Unit 1). The second half of the semester turns the Gender
Studies lens to the fields of study and professional practice in the College of Mines
& Earth Sciences (Unit 2). While our focus in this course is on the social construct
of gender and its applications to fields of study and professional practice in the
College of Mines & Earth Sciences, this lens will provide a framework for students
to consider other aspects of identity (e.g., race, class, ability…) and their relevance
to the fields of study and professional practice in the College of Mines & Earth Sciences.
Not available this Spring 2023, check back later to see if this course is available in future semesters!
International Requirement (IR)
Atmospheric Chemistry and
Air Pollution
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ATMOS 3100
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: CHEM 1210 AND MATH 1220.
Requirement Designation: International Requirement
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
The course will apply basic principles of physics and chemistry to quantitatively
describe the processes that control the chemical composition and evolution of the
Earth's atmosphere. Special topics include acid rain, the ozone hole, photochemical
smog production, health effects of air pollution, and alternative energy sources.
Living With Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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GEO 3030
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: International Requirement & P/L Sci Exploration
Description
Where and why do earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur today? How do local cultural
attitudes and economic conditions affect the local consequences of earthquakes and
volcanoes? The concept of plate tectonics explains global patterns of earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions. Hazards, prediction, and societal impacts are considered,
using examples from many countries.
Physical / Life Science Exploration
Secrets of the Greatest Snow
on Earth
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ATMOS 1000
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Description
Class in the atmospheric and snow sciences designed to build useful knowledge and
expertise for students with a passion for mountains, powder, and winter sports. This
course will explore the contemporary and enduring issues involving the ski industry
and water resources and the potential impacts of climate change on mountain sports
and culture in Utah and around the world
Severe and
Unusual Weather
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ATMOS 1010
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
Survey of the fundamentals of atmospheric science with an emphasis on severe and hazardous
weather including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, and snowstorms.
Climate Change
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ATMOS 1020
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Quantitative Intensive BS
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
Explores the natural and human induced variations in the Earth's climate. Emphasis
will be placed on the evidence underlying climate change and the factors that control
Earth's climate. Topics range from climate of the Earth's history, present-day global
warming, climatic effects of volcanic eruptions, to impacts of climate change on hurricanes,
tornadoes, floods, and droughts.
Energy, Water, Air, and Metals: Sustainable Use and Development
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ATMOS 2750
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Quantitative Intensive BS
Course Attribute: Honors Course
Description
Modern society has utilized the vast fossil fuel and metal reserves of the Earth to
increase both its technological sophistication and the standard of living for its
residents. However, this progress has come at a price. Access to clean water and air
is no longer guaranteed for millions of citizens and regional/global conflicts have
arisen as countries attempt to control the raw materials which fuel our society. This
course will explore the environmental pressures exerted by continued economic development
and evaluate various technologies and strategies aimed at creating a more sustainable
society. To the extent possible, discussions and student projects will focus on locally
relevant and timely issues.
Earth Science
in the Cinema
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GEO 1000
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
Earth Scientists study a wide range of provocative subjects with real-world implications
for society, from evolution and extinction to natural disasters. Unsurprisingly, many
of these subjects are also of interest to movie-makers in Hollywood and beyond, whose
exciting thrillers sometimes do justice to the science and sometimes make a mess of
it. This course explores current Earth science research themes in the context of film.
Each week centers on a feature-length film and the science behind it, including presentation
of the current state of the science, critique of the movie’s depiction of the science,
and discussion of societal implications.
The World of Dinosaurs
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GEO 1040
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Description
Dinosaurs are the most celebrated fossil organisms. These remarkably diverse and successful
animals inhabited every major continent, persisted more than 150 million years, and
evolved numerous bizarre forms of varying body sizes. This course presents an overview
of the major dinosaur groups and places them into temporal, biogeographic, and ecological
context. Topics include modes of preservation, feeding adaptations, social behavior,
evolution, extinction, and the origin of birds. Dinosaurs are also used as a vehicle
to introduce the scientific method.
National Parks: Geology Behind
the Scenery
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GEO 1050
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Description
Examining and understanding the natural geologic processes that have built and shaped
our country’s national parks, national monuments, national recreation areas, and national
seashores.
Evolving Earth
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GEO 1100
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Recommended Prerequisites: MATH 1210 AND CHEM 1210.
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Description
This course will explore the different systems that shape our evolving Earth through
time. We will consider the planet’s formation and composition; history of continents
and oceans; and balance of life and energy. We will introduce the many systems that
drive change on Earth through time: tectonics, water, carbon, life, and climate. Students
will learn what distinguishes the major phases of Earth’s past, and will become familiar
with the fundamental cycles that shape present environments and ecosystems. This course
serves as context for subsequent Geology and Geophysics core curriculum.
Living With Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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GEO 3030
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: International Requirement & P/L Sci Exploration
Description
Where and why do earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur today? How do local cultural
attitudes and economic conditions affect the local consequences of earthquakes and
volcanoes? The concept of plate tectonics explains global patterns of earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions. Hazards, prediction, and societal impacts are considered,
using examples from many countries.
The Water Planet
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GEO 3300
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: International Requirement & P/L Sci Exploration
Description
Why is Paris warmer than Boston in the winter? Is religion thicker than water? Is
groundwater becoming deeper and saltier? This course will examine the physical and
chemical properties of water in the context of societal problems and needs, and the
role of water in shaping global climate and civilization. Important properties of
water will be explored to understand topical issues. Class project is required. For
non-science majors. Field trip.
Energy Choices for the 21st Century
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GEO 3368
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Basic Algebra (Recommended).
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
Graduate students should enroll in GEOG 5368 or GEO 5368 and will be held to higher
standards and/or more work. This class provides an introduction to critical energy
issues facing our planet, with a focus on controversial topics and issues in Utah.
These may include: hydraulic fracturing (fracking), offshore oil and gas development,
oil shale and tar sand development, nuclear energy, renewable energy technologies
such as wind and geothermal, the smart grid, difficulties in commercializing new energy
technologies, air pollution, transportation choices, energy policy development, and
global issues including population dynamics, climate change, carbon management, water
resources, the Law of Unintended Consequences, and tipping points. A number of outstanding
guest lecturers will provide expertise in their respective fields.
Not available this Spring 2023, check back later to see if this course is available in future semesters!
The Oceans
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GEO 3800
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Lecture
Enrollment Information
Requirement Designation: Physical/Life Science Exploration
Course Attribute: Sustainability - Limited
Description
This is an interdisciplinary course that explores all aspects of the ocean including
origins and evolution of ocean basins, physical and chemical properties of seawater,
and links between circulation, currents, and climate, coastal processes, human interactions,
and sustainability of ocean systems. Students will develop an “oceanic” perspective
of earth systems, examine oceanic processes and the relationships between the ocean
and other earth systems, and appreciate how the oceans influences societies and how
humans affect the ocean.
Not available this Spring 2023, check back later to see if this course is available in future semesters!
Quantitative Resoning-Statistics / Logic (QB)
Introductory Surveying
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MG EN 2400
Course Details
Units: 3.0
Units: 3.0
Course Components: Laboratory and Lecture
Enrollment Information
Prerequisites: MATH 1060 OR MATH 1080 OR MATH 1210 OR MATH 1220 OR MATH 1310 OR MATH
1320.
Requirement Designation: Quantitative Reasoning (Statistics/Logic)
Description
Use of transit, level, total station GPS, and other equipment in field surveying.
Practical astronomy, calculation procedures, state plane coordinates, public-land
division and introduction to Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information
Systems (GIS). Field demonstration and use of surveying equipment illustrate concepts
presented in lecture. Laboratory fee assessed.
Not available this Spring 2023, check back later to see if this course is available in future semesters!