Graduate courses in Earth Systems

(Same as BIOHOPK 182H, BIOHOPK 323H, EESS 323.) (Graduate students register for 323H.) Five weeks of marine science including oceanography, marine physiology, policy, maritime studies, conservation, and nautical science at Hopkins Marine Station, followed by five weeks at sea aboard a sailing research vessel in the Pacific Ocean. Shore component comprised of three multidisciplinary courses meeting daily and continuing aboard ship. Students develop an independent research project plan while ashore, and carry out the research at sea. In collaboration with the Sea Education Association of Woods Hole, MA. Only 6 units may count towards the Biology major.

16 units, Spr (Block, B; Dunbar, R; Micheli, F), alternate years, not given next year

EARTHSYS 208. Coastal Wetlands

(Same as EARTHSYS 108.) Ecological structure and function of wetlands emphasizing local, coastal wetlands. Topics include: wetland distribution, classification, and history; and interactions between biotic and abiotic components of wetland ecosystems. Labs and local field trips for exposure to landscape patterns, and common sampling equipment and methods. Recommended: 104 or CEE 166A.

3 units, Aut (Myers, L), alternate years, not given next year

EARTHSYS 210. Senior Seminar

Oral and written communication skills. Each student presents results of the Earth Systems internship and leads discussion. Group project analyzing local environmental problems with Earth Systems approach.

3 units, Win (Kennedy, J)

EARTHSYS 224. Environmental Justice: Local, National, and International Dimensions

(Same as EARTHSYS 124.) Focus is on whether minorities and low income citizens suffer disproportionate environmental and health impacts resulting from government and corporate decision making in contexts such as the siting of industrial facilities and waste dumps, toxic chemical use and distribution, and the enforcement of environmental mandates and policies. Implications of environmental justice issues at the international level, emphasizing climate change.

4 units, alternate years, not given this year

EARTHSYS 232. Energy Cooperation in the Western Hemisphere

(Same as EARTHSYS 132, IPS 263.) Current political dynamics in major western hemisphere fossil fuel producers in N. America, the Andean region, the Southern Cone of S. America, and Trinidad and Tobago. The potential for developing sustainable alternative energy resources in the western hemisphere for export particularly biofuels, and its impact on agricultural policy, environmental protection, and food prices. The feasibility of creating regional energy security rings such as the proposed N. American Energy Security and Prosperity Partnership.

4 units, Spr (O'Keefe, T)

EARTHSYS 241. Remote Sensing of the Oceans

(Same as EESS 141, EESS 241, EARTHSYS 141.) How to observe and interpret physical and biological changes in the oceans using satellite technologies. Topics: principles of satellite remote sensing, classes of satellite remote sensors, converting radiometric data into biological and physical quantities, sensor calibration and validation, interpreting large-scale oceanographic features.

3-4 units, alternate years, not given this year

EARTHSYS 242. Remote Sensing of Land Use and Land Cover

(Same as EESS 162, EARTHSYS 142.) The use of satellite remote sensing to monitor land use and land cover, with emphasis on terrestrial changes. Topics include pre-processing data, biophysical properties of vegetation observable by satellite, accuracy assessment of maps derived from remote sensing, and methodologies to detect changes such as urbanization, deforestation, vegetation health, and wildfires.

4 units, not given this year

EARTHSYS 247. Controlling Climate Change in the 21st Century

(Same as BIO 147, BIO 247, EARTHSYS 147, HUMBIO 116.) Global climate change science, impacts, and response strategies. Topics: scientific understanding of the climate system; modeling future climate change; global and regional climate impacts and vulnerability; mitigation and adaptation approaches; the international climate policy challenge; and decarbonization of energy and transportation systems.

3 units, Win (Schneider, S; Mastrandrea, M), alternate years, not given next year

EARTHSYS 250. Directed Research

Independent research related to student's primary track, carried out after the junior year, during the summer, and/or during the senior year. Student develops own project with faculty supervision. 10-15 page thesis. May be repeated for credit.

1-9 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

EARTHSYS 252. Pathways Out of Rural Poverty

(Same as EARTHSYS 152, ECON 155B, IPS 261.) Determinants of rural poverty and historical pathways that have led the rural poor out of it. Policy perspectives: the macro level concerning overall economic growth and structural transformation; the sectoral level focusing on the role of agriculture in poverty reduction; and the household level focusing on individual characteristics and asset holdings, including human capital. The impact of globalization on pathways out of poverty and on agriculture and structural transformation in developing countries. Prerequisite: ECON 106 or 118 or EARTHSYS 180.

5 units, Spr (Timmer, C)

EARTHSYS 260. Internship

Supervised field, lab, private sector, or advocacy project, normally through an internship sponsored by government agencies or research institutions, or independently developed by the student with the written approval of the Associate Director of Academics. 10-15 page report.

1-9 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

EARTHSYS 275. Law and Science of California Coastal Policy

(Same as CEE 175A, CEE 275A, EARTHSYS 175.) Interdisciplinary. The legal, science, and policy dimensions of managing California's coastal resources. Coastal land use and marine resource decision making. The physics, chemistry, and biology of the coastal zone, tools for exploring data from the coastal ocean, and the institutional framework that shapes public and private decision making. Field work: how experts from different disciplines work to resolve coastal policy questions.

3-4 units, Win (Boehm, A; Sivas, D; Caldwell, M)

EARTHSYS 280. Fundamentals of Sustainable Agriculture

(Same as BIO 180, BIO 280, EARTHSYS 180.) Ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainable agriculture in the context of a growing world population. Focus is on management and technological approaches, and historical content of agricultural growth and change, organic agriculture, soil and water resource management, nutrient and pest management, biotechnology, ecosystem services, and climate change.

3 units, Spr (Naylor, R), alternate years, not given next year

EARTHSYS 281. Concepts of Urban Agriculture

(Same as EARTHSYS 181.) For advanced undergraduates and graduate students from all fields. Seminar. Current status of and potential for global urban agriculture. Topics include: environmental and economic dimensions of urban food production and sourcing; city policy and land-use planning; and an ecosystem services approach to urban agriculture. Developed and developing world contexts. Two field trips to nearby cities; guest lectures; case studies; group projects. Prerequisite: application.

2 units, Win (Matson, P)

EARTHSYS 284. Climate and Agriculture

(Same as EARTHSYS 184.) The effects of climate change on global food and agricultural systems. Climate assessment and socioeconomic modeling approaches to quantify the impacts of climate on agro-ecosystems and society. Enrollment limited to 25; priority to graduate students, seniors, and juniors. Prerequisites: ECON 106/206, and consent of instructor.

3 units, Spr (Naylor, R; Lobell, D)

EARTHSYS 288. The Political Economy of Energy in India

(Same as EARTHSYS 188.) Seminar. How central, state, and local governments in India balance the competing goals of alleviating poverty, protecting the environment, and assuring the financial viability of India's energy companies. Case studies. Two-week field trip to India in June 2007 to visit industrial sites and meet with stakeholders in industry, government, and consumer advocacy. Prerequisite: application.

2-3 units, not given this year

EARTHSYS 290. Master's Seminar

Open to Earth Systems master's students only. Independent research, oral presentation of results, and preparation of an original proposal for innovative Earth Systems science/policy research.

2 units, Win (Kennedy, J)

EARTHSYS 297. Directed Individual Study in Earth Systems

Under supervision of an Earth Systems faculty member on a subject of mutual interest.

1-9 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

EARTHSYS 298. Advanced Topics in Earth Systems

For Earth Systems master's students only. Continuation of EARTHSYS 290. May be repeated for credit.

2 units, not given this year

EARTHSYS 299. M.S. Thesis

1-9 units, Aut (Staff), Win (Staff), Spr (Staff), Sum (Staff)

EARTHSYS 300. Earth Sciences Seminar

(Same as EESS 300, EEES 300, GES 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)

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Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Stanford Bulletin, Archive 2008-09

Alphabetical Index

Bulletin Archive

Graduate courses in Earth Systems