2005-06 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

210S. Paleoenvironmental Analysis. Methods of paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic
analysis. Includes radiometric and other methods of dating, stable isotopes, trace elements,
paleobiotic and other methods of reconstructing climate, hydrology and environment of the
past. Also includes approaches to modeling paleoenvironmental data. Instructor: Baker. 3
units.
211. The Climate System. Components of the climate system: observed climate change,
concept of energy balance, basic circulation of the atmosphere and ocean, introduction to
climate models, sample applications of climate models, interactions between the
atmosphere/ocean/ and biosphere, land surface, cryosphere (snow and ice), and chemistry
of the atmosphere. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Instructor: Crowley. 3 units.
212. Climate Change. Introduction to the greenhouse effect; radiatively important trace
gases and their cycles, climate observations and their uncertainties, statistical techniques for
evaluating climate data and models, climate variability, projects of future climate change,
detection and attribution of climate change due to greenhouse gases, changes in extremes of
climate, economic and societal impact, policy options for climate change, technological
alternatives for energy usage. Prerequisite: Earth and Ocean Sciences 211 and/or consent of
the instructor. Instructor: Staff. 3 units.
213. Modern and Ancient Oceanic Environments. Description of oceanic environments
and geological processes that create or modify them through time. Reconstruction of
paleoenvironmental/paleoceanographic conditions in the world's oceans using sediments
and fossils with emphasis on global climate change over a range of time scales. Inductive
interpretations of geological data to construct paleoenvironmental models. Includes field
trip. Research paper required. Instructors: Corliss and staff. 3 units.
215. Introduction to Physical Coastal Processes. Nearshore physical processes
responsible for the evolution of beaches and barrier islands. Various problems and possible
solutions arising from human development of retreating shorelines. Involves a field trip and
research paper. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Murray. 3 units.
220. Introduction to Fluid Dynamics. Conservation equations for mass, momentum and
heat, with an emphasis on large temporal and spatial scales; application to the earth, ocean,
and environmental sciences. Some background in differential equations highly recommended.
Instructor: Lozier. 3 units.
222. The Geology Side of Energy. The elementary geology of Earth's energy resources;
how the Earth provides usable energy. Energy exploration. The geology of hydrocarbon,
geothermal system, and fissionable element reservoirs. Alternative energy reservoirs such
as gas clathrates and peat. The geologic conditions for CO2 sequestration. Global energy
resource assessment. Speakers from industry and government. Optional field trip to active
energy exploration and production sites during Fall Break. Prerequisites: upper division or
graduate standing. Instructor: Malin. 3 units.
224. Environmental Geology. A case history, field and lab exercise, and quantitative model
approach to the role of geological materials and processes in environmental assessment
studies. The quantitative and qualitative impact of rock type, faulting, folding, volcanism,
weathering, erosion, flooding, and underground fluid flow on the human environment. An
introduction to quantitative probabilistic hazard analysis and its application to establishing
monetary cost/benefit ratios. The basics of engineering geology in environmental studies.
Cases taken from current and past geological studies of environmentally sensitive sites.
Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Malin. 1 unit. C-L: Earth and Ocean Sciences 120
225. Water Contamination. Geochemistry of water contamination, focusing on behavior
of inorganic constituents dissolved in rainwater. Contaminants produced by human
interactions with the environment, such as industry and construction. Salinization and
desalinization. Prerequisites: Chemistry 12L or 22L. Instructor: Vengosh. 3 units.
233S. Oceanic Crust and Ophiolites. Structure, tectonics, petrology, and geochemistry of
oceanic spreading environments and ophiolite complexes. Prerequisite: Earth and Ocean
Sciences 106L or consent of instructor. Instructor: Karson and Klein. 3 units.
Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS) 111