Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

ESCI 561 Using Controversial Topics to Teach Nature of Science

Explores use of scientific "controversies" as a teaching strategy to understand the nature of science. Empirical evidences supporting major scientific concepts are integrated with pedagogical strategies.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall and/or Spring Odd Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: ESCI 561 and BIO 579 and SCED 561

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

ESCI 562 Conservation Biology

Examination of the fundamental principles of conservation biology (biodiversity, habitat degradation, extinction, restoration, planning) with discussion of current topics (climate change, conservation genetics, landscape vs. ecosystem conservation, sustainable development).

3

Offered

Generally offered Spring Odd Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: ESCI 562 and BIO 562

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

ESCI 572 Industrial Safety

Industrial safety covers the theory of historical occupational hazards, current safety issues, agencies that regulate workplace hazards, accident causation and prevention, and training needed for the workplace.
3

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Fee

Course Fee Required

ESCI 574 Principles of Surface and Groundwater Hydrology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Students will quantify and model the movement of water within the hydrologic and geologic cycles, including surface and groundwater hydrologic processes. The course will consist of lectures, laboratories, field projects, and presentations. Two field trips are required.
4

Prerequisites

Concurrent Prerequisite MATH 131 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Fee

Participation Fee Required

ESCI 575 Earth Systems Science Education

A variable content course covering integrated science content and pedagogy from the following: atmosphere (air), biosphere (life), hydrosphere (water), and/or lithosphere (land/rock).
1- 6

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

ST - Repeatable under different subtitles with no limits on the number of times it can be repeated

ESCI 578 K-12 Science Inquiry

Students will explore and define the elements of inquiry in P-16 science education from the perspective of teaching with inquiry, ability to do inquiry, and as part of science content.

3

Offered

Generally offered Interim Annually

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: ESCI 578 and BIO 575 and SCED 578

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

ESCI 581 Earth Systems: Water

An online course focusing on Colorado water resources and environmental issues in an Earth Systems context. Applications to societal issues and inquiry learning are emphasized.

3

Offered

Generally offered Fall and/or Spring Even Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit only allowed for one of these courses: ESCI 581 and SCED 581 and BIO 577

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

ESCI 584 Earth Sciences Field Experiences

Field studies in astronomy, geology, meteorology and/or oceanography, usually preceded by on campus orientation. Schedule of classes lists specific area and topic to be investigated when course is offered.
1-15

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

ESCI 591 Geoscience Field Issues

Analysis and investigation of contemporary issues and development of research skills in the field of earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, environmental sciences, or geosciences. The course may include extensive field work.
1- 6

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

Course Fee

Supervision Fee Required

ESCI 596 Earth Science Study Abroad

Exploration of contemporary issues associated with natural hazards, resources and environmental change impacting society, culture, and diverse ecosystems at international sites. Research skill development in geology, meteorology, and environmental sciences.
1- 6

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

ESCI 599 Seminar in Earth Sciences

Invited speakers, including graduate students, faculty and guests, present current earth science research topics in seminar format. Required of graduate students all semesters they are in residence at UNC. S/U graded.
1

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

ESCI 600 Introduction to Earth Science Research

Nature and methods of research in the earth sciences. Development of research proposal that will provide the basis for thesis or graduate research project. Required of all first year Earth Sciences graduate students.
2

Level Restriction

Include GR

ESCI 605 Global Change

An online, problem-based course in which students conduct data analysis on climate variability, modeling, and Earth system impacts and apply results to societal issues.

3

Offered

Generally offered Spring Even Years

Mutually Exclusive Course

Credit allowed for only one of these courses: BIO 605 and ESCI 605 and SCED 605

Level Restriction

Include GR

ESCI 692 Earth Science Internship

Internship in a public agency or private firm to provide professional experience under the supervision of an area specialist. S/U graded.
1-15

Level Restriction

Include GR

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 15 credit hours

ESCI 695 Special Topics in Earth Sciences

Faculty and students select an earth sciences topic for intensive study beyond the scope of existing departmental course offerings.
2

Level Restriction

Include GR

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations

ESCI 697 Graduate Research

Qualified graduate students select and research a problem and present professional quality written report.
1- 6

Level Restriction

Include GR

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with a maximum of 6 credit hours

ESCI 699 Thesis

Intensive study of selected earth sciences topic under the direction of student's graduate studies committee. S/U graded.
1- 6

Level Restriction

Include GR

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations