ERSC-EARTH
SCIENCES – 2005-07
Catalog
Earth and Soil Sciences Department
ERSC 110 Orientation in Soil Science (1)
(CR/NC)
(Also listed as SS 110)
Understanding
the depth and breadth of soils as a science. Examine potential career opportunities. Introduction to both student and professional organizations.
Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 activity.
ERSC 144 Introduction to Earth Systems (4)
Survey of fundamental processes of Earth sciences. Application of systems thinking to understanding
the dynamic interactions among geological, geo-graphic, soils and human factors
in shaping the Earth. 3 lectures, 1 activity.
ERSC 202 Soil Erosion and Water Conservation
(4)
(Also listed as SS 202)
Development of an erosion
and sediment control plan using climate, topography, soils and land use in
relation to soil and water quality. Evaluation of soil and water conservation
plans and best management practices for agriculture, urban, riparian, and
rangelands. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: SS
121 or consent of instructor.
ERSC 223 Rocks and Minerals (4) (Also listed as SS 223)
Origin,
composition, identification and weathering of rocks, minerals, and clays
important in the development of soils. Parent materials as related to the nature and
properties of soils. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.
Prerequisite: SS 121, CHEM 111 or CHEM 128.
ERSC 250 Physical Geography (4) (Also listed as
GEOG 250)
Addresses
the origins and patterns of the earth's diverse assemblage of climates,
landforms, biota and soils. A major focus on relationship between human cultures and these
earthly environments. 4 lectures.
ERSC 321 Soil Morphology (4) (Also listed as SS
321)
Identification
of soil morphological and site properties. Correlation of soil physical and chemical properties
with soil taxonomy and land use. Techniques of
interpretations for agriculture, forest lands, wetlands, range lands and urban
development. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.
Prerequisite: SS 121.
ERSC 323 Geomorphology (4) (Also listed as SS
323)
Recognizing and identifying
major landforms and their components by interpretation of aerial photographs
and topographic maps, and observations. Emphasis on analyzing
common landforms in the western
ERSC 325 Climate and Humanity (4) (Also listed
as GEOG 325)
Geographic
perspective on the interrelationships between climate and human cultures. Effects of people on climate and
the influence of climate and weather upon human activities and behavior.
Focus on global human conditions which are responsible for the alteration of
climate and in turn are vulnerable to climate change. 4
lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
ERSC 333 Human Impact on the Earth (4)
(Also listed as GEOG 333)
Global
assessment of the impact of humans on the earth's vegetation, animals, soil,
water and atmosphere. Emphasis on problems stemming from the interactions of human
attitudes, technologies, and population with natural resources. 4 lectures.
ERSC 401 Field-Geology Methods (4)
(Also listed as GEOL 401)
Collecting and
interpreting field-geologic data. Description of sedimentary
rocks and construction of stratigraphic columns.
Mapping geologic structures in the field. Surficial
geologic stratigraphy and surficial
geologic mapping. Understanding geologic processes
through field study. Communicating results of field
study. 1 lecture, 3 activities. Prerequisite: GEOL 102 or GEOL 201, GEOL
241, SS 223, SS 323.
ERSC 402 Geologic Mapping (4)
(Also listed as GEOL 402)
Bedrock
geologic mapping on topographic maps and aerial photos. Surficial geologic mapping on topographic maps and aerial photos.
Correlating and defining surficial geologic map units
on the basis of soil development. Understanding landscape
evolution using soil development 4 activities. Prerequisite: GEOL 102 or
GEOL 201, GEOL 241, SS 223, SS 323, ERSC/GEOL 401.
ERSC 414
Climatology (4) (Also
listed as GEOG 414)
The
earth's pattern of climates and the physical processes that account for them. Focus on interrelationships between climate and the
physical/biological and cultural environments. Special
emphasis on modern climate changes and their consequences. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOG 250 or consent
of instructor.
ERSC 461 Senior Project I (1)
(Also listed as SS 461)
Senior
project topic selection and contract development with project advisor. Statement of problems, subproblems, assumptions, objectives, hypothesis, methods
of analysis and statistical design. Development of
literature review and budget of time and finances. Proper
format and presentation of tabular and graphic information. 1 activity. Prerequisite: MATH 118 or MATH 131, STAT 211 or
STAT 321 or CRSC 411.
ERSC 462 Senior Project II (3)
(Also listed as SS 462)
Implementation
of materials and methods. Collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Completion of formal written report under advisor supervision.
Minimum 90 hours. Prerequisite: ERSC 461.
ERSC 463 Undergraduate Seminar (2) (Also listed as SS 463)
Review of current research,
experiments, and problems related to the student's major field of interest. Preparation and presentation of reports on problems or research
activities. 2 seminars.
ERSC 570 Selected Topics in Earth Science (1-4)
Directed
group study of selected topics for advanced students. Class Schedule
will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 12 units. 1
to 4 seminars. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.