Geological Sciences
The following courses are offered by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
Courses
Prerequisites: Recommended preparation: basic high school science and math. Lab is a hands-on introduction to geochronology, paleontology, and historical geology with field trips. (See W1401 for lectures only.) Dinosaurs: a spectacular example of a common, highly successful form of life, dominant for 135 million years. Where did they come from? Why were they so successful? Why did they die out? … or did they? A basic introduction to the historical sciences and the interface between geology and biology.
Course Number
EESC1001W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 16:10-19:00Mo 13:10-14:25We 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/11407Enrollment
14 of 40Instructor
Paul OlsenPrerequisites: Enrollment limited. Students must also sign up for the corresponding lab course, EESC BC1011, to receive credit.
This class examines the basic principles of environmental science using current local and global environmental news as case studies. Issues covered are climate change, invasive species, water resources, sustainability, etc. A major goal is for students to understand the science behind environmental issues. Readings from the scientific literature, various newspaper articles, magazines and an online textbook are carefully coordinated with the topics. Because of our location, the lab curriculum features studies of the Hudson River and its forested shorelines. The lab is closely paired with the lecture and features hands-on and inquiry-based lab and field studies of statistics, data presentation, writing in the format of a scientific paper, data collection (on land and on the Hudson River), water chemistry, microbiology, microscopic and macroscopic life in the river, birds and plants in Riverside Park, biodiversity on a green roof, local geology, topographical maps, compass use, and museum studies.
Please note: In order to register for EESC BC1001, students must first register for one of the sections of Environmental Science Lab EESC BC1011 . Students must take both lecture and lab.
Course Number
EESC1001X001Points
5 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/00081Enrollment
54 of 85Instructor
Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch"Corequisite: EESC BC1001. To secure a spot in the class, students must first enroll in EESC BC1011, Environmental Science Lab before enrolling in EESC BC1001, Lecture, to be included in the waitlist for the lecture portion. Enrollment is secured by inclusion in the lab section which is limited in size."
Course Number
EESC1011X001Points
0 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-13:00Section/Call Number
001/00280Enrollment
12 of 17Instructor
Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch"Corequisite: EESC BC1001. To secure a spot in the class, students must first enroll in EESC BC1011, Environmental Science Lab before enrolling in EESC BC1001, Lecture, to be included in the waitlist for the lecture portion. Enrollment is secured by inclusion in the lab section which is limited in size."
Course Number
EESC1011X002Points
0 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 13:10-16:00Section/Call Number
002/00282Enrollment
11 of 17Instructor
Terryanne Maenza-Gmelch"Corequisite: EESC BC1001. To secure a spot in the class, students must first enroll in EESC BC1011, Environmental Science Lab before enrolling in EESC BC1001, Lecture, to be included in the waitlist for the lecture portion. Enrollment is secured by inclusion in the lab section which is limited in size."
Course Number
EESC1011X003Points
0 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
We 10:10-13:00Section/Call Number
003/00281Enrollment
12 of 17Instructor
Sedelia Rodriguez"Corequisite: EESC BC1001. To secure a spot in the class, students must first enroll in EESC BC1011, Environmental Science Lab before enrolling in EESC BC1001, Lecture, to be included in the waitlist for the lecture portion. Enrollment is secured by inclusion in the lab section which is limited in size."
Course Number
EESC1011X004Points
0 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
We 13:10-16:00Section/Call Number
004/00283Enrollment
12 of 17Instructor
Sedelia Rodriguez"Corequisite: EESC BC1001. To secure a spot in the class, students must first enroll in EESC BC1011, Environmental Science Lab before enrolling in EESC BC1001, Lecture, to be included in the waitlist for the lecture portion. Enrollment is secured by inclusion in the lab section which is limited in size."
Course Number
EESC1011X005Points
0 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Fr 10:10-13:00Section/Call Number
005/00284Enrollment
12 of 17Instructor
Sedelia RodriguezExplore the geology of the sea floor, understand what drives ocean currents and how ocean ecosystems operate. Case studies and discussions centered on ocean-related issues facing society.
Course Number
EESC1030V001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 11:40-12:55Th 11:40-12:55Section/Call Number
001/11409Enrollment
65 of 160Instructor
Baerbel HoenischPrerequisites: Recommended preparation: basic high school science and math. Dinosaurs: a spectacular example of a common, highly successful form of life, dominant for 135 million years. Where did they come from? Why were they so successful? Why did they die out? … or did they? A basic introduction to the historical sciences and the interface between geology and biology.
Course Number
EESC1401W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 13:10-14:25We 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/11408Enrollment
29 of 100Instructor
Paul OlsenCourse Number
EESC1600W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/11428Enrollment
42 of 150Instructor
Peter KelemenCourse Number
EESC2100W001Format
In-PersonPoints
5 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Tu 16:10-19:00Section/Call Number
001/11410Enrollment
44 of 40Instructor
Adam SobelJerry McManusRecommended preparation: high school chemistry and physics; and one semester of college science. Exploration of how the solid Earth works, today and in the past, focusing on Earth in the Solar system, continents and oceans, the Earth's history, mountain systems on land and sea, minerals and rocks, weathering and erosion, glaciers and ice sheets, the hydrological cycle and rivers, geochronology, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, energy resources. Laboratory exploration of topics through examination of rock samples, experimentation, computer data analysis, field exercises, and modeling. Columbia and Barnard majors should plan to take W2200 before their senior year to avoid conflicts with the Senior Seminar.
Course Number
EESC2200W001Format
In-PersonPoints
5 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Th 16:10-19:00Section/Call Number
001/11411Enrollment
22 of 80Instructor
Jacqueline AustermannJonathan KingslakeThe course provides students with an understanding of Earth's natural systems that is essential to addressing the multi-faceted issues of sustainable development. After completing the course, students should be able to incorporate scientific approaches and perspectives into their research in other fields or policy decisions and be able to use scientific methods of data analysis. The semester will highlight the climate system and solutions from both physical and ecological perspectives; water resources; food production and the cycling of nutrients; and the role of biodiversity in sustainable development. The course emphasizes key scientific concepts such as uncertainty, experimental versus observational approaches, prediction and predictability, the use of models, and other essential methodological aspects.
Course Number
EESC2330W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 14:40-15:55Th 14:40-15:55Section/Call Number
001/11412Enrollment
69 of 120Instructor
John MutterJenna LawrenceCourse Number
EESC3016X001Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 09:00-10:50Fr 09:00-10:50Section/Call Number
001/00285Enrollment
5 of 15Instructor
Brian MaillouxCourse Number
EESC3017X001Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 11:10-13:00Th 11:10-13:00Section/Call Number
001/00289Enrollment
13 of 17Instructor
Garrett Albistegui-AdlerCourse Number
EESC3025X001Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/00290Enrollment
27 of 30Instructor
Martin StuteThis course seeks to impart students with knowledge of volcanic eruptions on Earth and the effects on the environment as a whole. The course will focus on the physical mechanisms responsible for eruptions, the effects eruptions have on humans and other living organisms, as well as the environment. The course will investigate how eruptions have contributed to global climate change. The course will also look at the positive effects volcanoes have had on Earth, such as providing nutrient rich soils for growing crops and providing renewable geothermal energy--a cleaner energy resource. Format: lecture, field trip, data collection and analysis, student presentations.
Course Number
EESC3028X001Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 16:10-17:25We 16:10-17:25Section/Call Number
001/00291Enrollment
10 of 16Instructor
Sedelia RodriguezPre-requisites Chem 1 and Calculus I ; Co-requisites Chemistry II (CHEM1404 or equivalent) and Calculus II (MATH UN2030 or equivalent)
By the end of this course, students will understand: The biogeochemical cycles driving the composition of trace gas and aerosol species that are both long- and short-lived in the atmosphere that influence climate by directly interacting with radiation (i.e. greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, CFCs, aerosols) and those that do so mainly by altering the concentrations of other gases (OH, NOx, etc.); The effects of these gas and aerosol species on climate and atmospheric composition; Climate mitigation strategies that are being considered in response to climate warming.
This course is designed for undergraduate students seeking a quantitative introduction to climate and climate change science. EESC V2100 (Climate Systems) is not a prerequisite, but can also be taken for credit if it is taken before this course.
Course Number
EESC3031W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 14:40-15:55Th 14:40-15:55Section/Call Number
001/11413Enrollment
8 of 25Instructor
Roisin CommaneCourse Number
EESC3050X001Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 13:10-14:25We 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/00881Enrollment
10 of 15Instructor
Brian MaillouxCourse Number
EESC3101W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 11:40-12:55Th 11:40-12:55Section/Call Number
001/11414Enrollment
23 of 30Instructor
Terry PlankCourse Number
EESC3300X001Points
4 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 11:00-12:50We 11:00-12:50Section/Call Number
001/00880Enrollment
5 of 14Instructor
Garrett Albistegui-AdlerCourse Number
EESC3300X002Points
4 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 11:00-12:50We 11:00-12:50Section/Call Number
002/00974Enrollment
0 of 16Prerequisites: Required: at least a semester of calculus and physics; any 1000-level or 2000-level EESC course. Computer models are essential for understanding the behavior of complex natural systems in geosciences. This course is an introduction to writing computer models to simulate Earth processes. Students will learn methods for numerical modeling of a variety of geoscience topics, such as nonlinear systems of air chemistry, ocean currents, atmospheric dispersion, and more. Simulations will be created by learning to program with a user-friendly language (Python). Student learning will be facilitated through a combination of lectures, in-class exercises, homework assignments and a final project on a student-selected topic.
Course Number
EESC3400W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/11415Enrollment
15 of 15Instructor
William MenkeMass Extinctions are caused by catastrophic shifts in the earth's climate, solid earth, and life systems. These major inflection points in the history of life leave lasting impacts and require study across a variety of disciplines. In this course we will use these 'system breakdowns' to take a bird's eye view of the history of life. We'll study what happens when vast magmatic provinces spew gases into a darkened sky and try to pick up the pieces as asteroid impacts desecrate the world around them. Along the way, we'll consider how our own actions have the potential to shape the world around us, and the nature of our relationship with an ever-changing earth system. Over the course of the semester students will practice integrating paleontological data from a variety of sources to study both evolutionary hypotheses and the causes of climate change in deep time. We will incorporate foundational ideas from geochronology and stratigraphy as a group, to place fossils into a broader geologic context. Students from all backgrounds who have taken at least one of the three "Systems" courses or Dinosaurs and the History of Life are welcome.
Course Number
EESC3501W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 14:40-15:55Th 14:40-15:55Section/Call Number
001/12944Enrollment
15 of 15Instructor
Bennett SlibeckGuided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior thesis in the spring. Includes discussion about scientific presentations and posters, data analysis, library research methods and scientific writing. Students review work in progress and share results through oral reports. Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral and written reports.
Course Number
EESC3800X001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
001/00833Enrollment
26 of 70Instructor
Martin StuteGarrett Albistegui-AdlerGuided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior thesis in the spring. Includes discussion about scientific presentations and posters, data analysis, library research methods and scientific writing. Students review work in progress and share results through oral reports. Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral and written reports.
Course Number
EESC3800X002Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
002/00834Enrollment
0 of 30Instructor
Martin StuteGuided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior thesis in the spring. Includes discussion about scientific presentations and posters, data analysis, library research methods and scientific writing. Students review work in progress and share results through oral reports. Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral and written reports.
Course Number
EESC3800X004Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
004/00835Enrollment
0 of 30Instructor
Martin StuteGuided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior thesis in the spring. Includes discussion about scientific presentations and posters, data analysis, library research methods and scientific writing. Students review work in progress and share results through oral reports. Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral and written reports.
Course Number
EESC3800X005Points
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
005/00836Enrollment
0 of 10Instructor
Martin StuteGuided, independent, in-depth research culminating in the senior thesis in the spring. Includes discussion about scientific presentations and posters, data analysis, library research methods and scientific writing. Students review work in progress and share results through oral reports. Weekly seminar to review work in progress and share results through oral and written reports.
Course Number
EESC3901W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
001/11416Enrollment
25 of 50Instructor
Maureen RaymoIn this course, students develop and complete a one-semester independent research project in an area of Climate System Science. Each student works closely with a research Mentor, and the course experience for all students is coordinated with a course Instructor. This course fulfills the Capstone experience for the Climate System Science major in DEES. This course cannot be combined with one semester of Senior Seminar UN3901, which is designed as a 1-year course.
Course Number
EESC3904W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/11417Enrollment
4 of 10Instructor
Jacqueline AustermannPrerequisites: Permission of the chair required. Does not provide major credit. Advanced projects for students who have adequate backgrounds to work independently with guidance from a member of the faculty.
Course Number
EESC3999X001Points
4 ptsCourse Number
EESC4008W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 16:10-18:40Section/Call Number
001/11418Enrollment
35 of 40Instructor
Lorenzo PolvaniPrerequisites: Course Cap 20 students. Priority given to graduate students in the natural sciences and engineering. Advanced level undergraduates may be admitted with the instructors permission. Calculus I and Physics I & II are required for undergraduates who wish to take this course. General introduction to fundamentals of remote sensing; electromagnetic radiation, sensors, interpretation, quantitative image analysis and modeling. Example applications in the Earth and environmental sciences are explored through the analysis of remote sensing imagery in a state-or-the-art visualization laboratory.
Course Number
EESC4050W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Th 17:40-18:55Fr 09:00-10:45Section/Call Number
001/11419Enrollment
0 of 20Instructor
Christopher SmallPrerequisites: introductory geology or the equivalent, elementary college physics and chemistry, or the instructors permission. Minerals come in dazzling colors, amazing shapes and with interesting optical effects. But mineralogy is also an essential tool for the understanding of Earth evolution. Minerals represent fundamental building blocks of the Earth system and planetary bodies. Minerals form through geological and biological processes such as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary from high to low temperatures, from the deep interior to the Earth’s surface and related to volcanism, tectonics, weathering, climate and life. Minerals are one of our most important sources of information on such processes through Earth’s history. Minerals also represent important natural resources and are fundamental to the global economy and modern technology as we know it. In this course, we will approach mineralogy from the standpoint of earth and environmental sciences, the study of mineralogy however is of interest to many other sciences including Material Sciences, Planetology, Archeology, Biology, Chemistry and Physics with most of the 20 Nobel Prizes awarded for research involving crystals being in these last fields. The goal of this class is to (1) understand the physical and chemical properties of minerals, (2) learn techniques of mineral identification with an emphasis on optical mineralogy, (3) understand the relationship between minerals and the broader geological context.
Course Number
EESC4113W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Tu 16:10-19:00Section/Call Number
001/11420Enrollment
9 of 25Instructor
Yves MoussallamPrerequisites: none; high school chemistry recommended. This course is open to graduate students, and juniors and seniors within DEES, Sus Dev, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and APAM - or with the instructors permission. Survey of the origin and extent of mineral resources, fossil fuels, and industrial materials, that are non renewable, finite resources, and the environmental consequences of their extraction and use, using the textbook Earth Resources and the Environment, by James Craig, David Vaughan and Brian Skinner. This course will provide an overview, but will include focus on topics of current societal relevance, including estimated reserves and extraction costs for fossil fuels, geological storage of CO2, sources and disposal methods for nuclear energy fuels, sources and future for luxury goods such as gold and diamonds, and special, rare materials used in consumer electronics (e.g. ;Coltan; mostly from Congo) and in newly emerging technologies such as superconducting magnets and rechargeable batteries (e.g. heavy rare earth elements, mostly from China). Guest lectures from economists, commodity traders and resource geologists will provide ;real world; input.
Course Number
EESC4600W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
001/11429Enrollment
22 of 25Instructor
Peter KelemenCourse Number
EESC4835W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/11421Enrollment
15 of 15Instructor
Dorothy PeteetThis course explores the fundamentals of organic geochemistry and its applications to the study of Earth History. The course will examine the structure of organic molecules and their fate in the Earth System, and will provide students with a theoretical grounding as well as hands-on training in analytical methods in organic geochemistry. The objective of the course is to prepare students to critically evaluate the ways in which organic geochemical approaches are applied to a variety of Earth Science topics, industrial applications, and organo-pollutant and environmental health research. The course is aimed at students with interests in a wide range of Earth Science disciplines, including paleoclimate, carbon cycling, cell metabolism, petroleum geology, astrobiology, and environmental science.
Pre-requisites: One year of Chemistry is required. Organic Chemistry is recommended, but not required. Recommended: EESC2100 (Climate System), EESC2200 (Solid Earth).
Course Number
EESC4882W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 11:40-12:55Th 11:40-12:55Section/Call Number
001/13856Enrollment
12 of 20Instructor
William D'AndreaPrerequisites: Recommended preparation: a solid background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Topics: Physical properties of seawater, hydrography (water masses and their distribution), dispersal (advection and diffusion), ocean dynamics (Navier Stokes equation), processes (eddies, waves, tides), large-scale circulation (wind-driven gyres, overturning circulation).
Course Number
EESC4925W001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/11422Enrollment
17 of 25Instructor
Andreas ThurnherrCourse Number
EESC6001G001Format
In-PersonPoints
1 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Fr 15:30-16:30Section/Call Number
001/14190Enrollment
36 of 80Instructor
Kaleigh MatthewsCourse Number
EESC6823G001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 15:00-16:00We 15:00-16:00Section/Call Number
001/11473Enrollment
6 of 15Instructor
Sonya DyhrmanPrerequisites: calculus. Recommended preparation: linear algebra, statistics, computer programming. Introduction to the fundamentals of quantitative data analysis in Earth and environmental sciences. Topics: review of relevant probability, statistics and linear algebra; linear models and generalized least squares; Fourier analysis and introduction to spectral analysis; filtering time series (convolution,deconvolution,smoothing); factor analysis and empirical orthogonal functions; covariance and correlation; methods of interpolation; statistical significance and hypothesis testing; introduction to Monte Carlo methods for data analysis. Problem sets and term project require use of MATLAB or Python.
Course Number
EESC6908G001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:25We 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/11425Enrollment
13 of 20Instructor
Alberto MalinvernoCourse Number
EESC6921G001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/11426Enrollment
11 of 25Instructor
Ronald MillerCourse Number
EESC6926G001Format
In-PersonPoints
3 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-15:55Section/Call Number
001/11427Enrollment
6 of 15Instructor
Galen McKinleyCourse Number
EESC9001G001Format
In-PersonPoints
12 ptsFall 2025
Section/Call Number
001/13668Enrollment
0 of 10Instructor
Kaleigh MatthewsA reading seminar that explores current topics and debates in Cenozoic climate history. Topics vary by year and student interest.
Course Number
EESC9600G001Format
In-PersonPoints
2 ptsFall 2025
Times/Location
We 14:00-15:30Section/Call Number
001/14795Enrollment
7 of 20Instructor
Maureen RaymoThe goal of this course is to help students improve their writing for journal publication. Topics will include strategies for constructing an article; for keeping the manuscript moving forward; and for improving the quality of the student’s writing. Students must be actively working on a manuscript for publication, and must be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 minutes of writing per day. Additional work will include short reading and writing assignments throughout the term, and a small number of peer-review sessions outside of class. The course will be discussion oriented and taught in seminar style and will meet once per week for 1.5 hrs.