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ERSC180 Introduction to Meteorology (3 semester hours)
Introduction to Meteorology covers the fundamental principles governing the behavior of our atmosphere and the duties and methods of the professional meteorologist. Students will gain insight into the exciting discipline of meteorology, discussing topics such as cloud formation, movement in the atmosphere, thunderstorms, tornadoes, meteorological satellites, and climate change. Students will discuss the process of the scientific method and also demonstrate science information literacy skills through source selection and creation of a narrated presentation.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC181 Introduction to Geology (3 semester hours)
Geology encompasses the study of our planet, and students in this course will explore: how it formed, the nature of its interior, the materials of which it is composed, landforms, earthquakes and volcanoes, geologic resources, and geologic history. Current events that students learn about in the news, ranging from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, and more will fit into a larger picture of how Earth works and why such things happen.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC204 Earth System History (3 semester hours)
Earth System History explores the amazing history of our planet. Many astonishing events of the geologic past, and the science behind how they came to be understood are examined. The Earth and its inhabitants have undergone continuous change during the last 4.56 billion years. These changes are investigated using an integrated approach that considers the inter- relationships between the solid Earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Thus, students learn how our planet became a place where life began and continued to flourish; how change has dominated Earth history; and how continuing changes to Earth’s subsystems may challenge us in the future.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC302 Geomorphology (3 semester hours)
Geomorphology is the study of the physical features of the Earth’s crust. The study of geomorphology helps us understand not only about the earth as it is today, but also as it may have been in the past. Climate change and global warming are hot issues in current events these days, but how do scientists determine the climate is actually changing? Through observation of what we see today, and comparison to what we “see” in the past. This allows us to determine if the climate of the earth has always been like it is today or whether it's changed over time. With that knowledge we can predict how the climate might change (or not) in the future. If global warming and cooling has happened before, then it might happen again. One way to determine past climatic conditions is to study the landscape. What types of landforms are associated with different climatic conditions? The Midwest used to be the bottom of a vast shallow sea; the northern part of our continent was sculpted by glaciers that no longer exist. Understanding geomorphology, gives us insight to the landforms we see today that are the result of processes no longer at work on the landscape. (Prerequisite: SCIN138)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC304 Remote Sensing and GIS for Earth Sciences (3 semester hours)
This class introduces students to the fundamentals of remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and associated geospatial technologies and techniques such as global positioning systems and image interpretation. It will provide an understanding of spatial data and its creation, manipulation, and analysis, through a combination of conceptual learning and hands-on exercises that focus on applications in earth and space studies.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC305 Ocean and Atmospheric Dynamics (3 semester hours)
This course will explore the fluid mechanical principles guiding the atmosphere and ocean on a global scale. We will examine the inherit variables in the equations of motion, hydrostatic equations, and balanced flow principles. An examination of the atmospheric general circulation will be discussed including vertical and horizontal structure of temperature, pressure and density as well as a discussion on the dynamics of convection. Ocean dynamics will be discussed including the air--ocean interaction, thermohaline circulation and ocean heat budget and transport.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC401 Natural Hazards and Society (3 semester hours)
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the complex relationships between the natural hazards of earth processes that have direct, and often sudden and violent impacts on human society. The course integrates principles of geology, hydrology, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, soil science, ecology and solar system astronomy. This class describes the earth processes that drive hazardous events in an understandable way, illustrates how these processes interact with our civilization, and describes how we can better adjust to their effects. Examples and case studies are taken from international and U.S. experiences, along with how societies adjust to natural hazards. (Prerequisites: GEOG103 and ERSC302)
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.
ERSC402 Earth and Planetary Sustainability (3 semester hours)
This course introduces students to the principles of planetary sustainability. Students explore various aspects of sustainability, including energy use, industrial processes, waste generation and disposal, and the built environment. As part of the focus on solutions, the course introduces students to tools society can use to attain and implement sustainable practices, such as policy, law, education and communication, marketing, research advocacy, and international agreements and collaboration.
View the course schedule AMU or APU to find out details about each course including prerequisites, course objectives, course materials, a snapshot of the syllabi, and session dates.