Department: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Code Name Description
GEOLSCI1 Introduction to Geology Why are earthquakes, volcanoes, and natural resources located at specific spots on the Earth surface? Why are there rolling hills to the west behind Stanford, and soaring granite walls to the east in Yosemite? What was the Earth like in the past, and...
GEOLSCI103 Earth Materials: Rocks in Thin Section Use of petrographic microscope to identify minerals and common mineral associations in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Crystallization histories, mineral growth and reaction relations, deformation textures in metamorphic rocks, and prove...
GEOLSCI105 Introduction to Field Methods Two-week, field-based course in the White Mountains of eastern California. Introduction to the techniques for geologic mapping and geologic investigation in the field: systematic observations and data collection for lithologic columns and structural...
GEOLSCI106 Sediments: The Book of Earth's History Topics: weathering, erosion and transportation, deposition, origins of sedimentary structures and textures, sediment composition, diagenesis, sedimentary facies, tectonics and sedimentation, and the characteristics of the major siliciclastic and carb...
GEOLSCI107 Journey to the Center of the Earth The interconnected set of dynamic systems that make up the Earth. Focus is on fundamental geophysical observations of the Earth and the laboratory experiments to understand and interpret them. What earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, magnetic fields, an...
GEOLSCI10SC Mining and the Green Economy The average person in the United States uses ~25 tons (the weight of approximately 20 mid-size cars) of raw materials every year to maintain our modern lifestyle. These materials, especially metals, are mined from the rare and unique places where geo...
GEOLSCI110 Our Dynamic West: Practical methods in geological sciences an intro to how the Earth deforms Theory, principles, and practical techniques to measure, describe, analyze, and interpret deformation-related structures on Earth. Collection of fault and fold data in the field followed by lab and computer analysis; interpretation of geologic maps a...
GEOLSCI112 Geomorphology Development of earth's landscapes and landforms by processes by rock uplift, weathering, hill slopes and flowing water, wind and ice. Analysis of the imprint, role, and legacy of climate and tectonics in shaping modern landscapes. Application of ea...
GEOLSCI113 Virtual Field Trip to Ice Age Lake Lahontan: Contemplating our place in deep geologic time Are you curious about the history that shaped the geology of the west? Do you want a broader and deeper time perspective on climate change? insight into the earth and geological sciences? This course, which involves four lectures and an in-class guid...
GEOLSCI114A Our National Parks Explore the history and natural science of three national parks proximal to Stanford. Under the guidance of instructors, students will work in teams to learn about chosen aspects of these parks, develop dynamic self-guided tours for public consumpti...
GEOLSCI118Y Shaping the Future of the Bay Area The complex urban problems affecting quality of life in the Bay Area, from housing affordability and transportation congestion to economic vitality and social justice, are already perceived by many to be intractable, and will likely be exacerbated by...
GEOLSCI118Z Shaping the Future of the Bay Area Students are placed in small interdisciplinary teams (engineers and non-engineers, undergraduate and graduate level) to work on complex design, engineering, and policy problems presented by external partners in a real urban setting. Multiple projects...
GEOLSCI119 Formation and Dynamics of Planets This course will cover formation of planets within a protoplanetary disk, dynamical evolution of planetary systems (Grand Tack and Nice models, planet migration), condensation chemistry within the solar nebula and meteorite classification, classical...
GEOLSCI120 Planetary Surface Processes: Shaping the Landscape of the Solar System The surfaces of planets, moons, and other bodies are shaped and modified by a wide array of physical and chemical processes. Understanding these processes allows us to decipher the history of the Solar System. This course offers a quantitative examin...
GEOLSCI121 What Makes a Habitable Planet? Physical processes affecting habitability such as large impacts and the atmospheric greenhouse effect, comets, geochemistry, the rise of oxygen, climate controls, and impact cratering. Detecting and interpreting the spectra of extrasolar terrestrial...
GEOLSCI122 Planetary Systems: Dynamics and Origins (Students with a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences should register for 222.) Motions of planets and smaller bodies, energy transport in planetary systems, composition, structure and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, crateri...
GEOLSCI123 Evolution of Marine Ecosystems Life originally evolved in the ocean. When, why, and how did the major transitions occur in the history of marine life? What triggered the rapid evolution and diversification of animals in the Cambrian, after more than 3.5 billion years of Earth's hi...
GEOLSCI124 Introduction to Planetary Science This course provides an introduction to planetary science through the exploration of processes that formed and modified planetary bodies within the Solar System and beyond. Each lecture will be given by an expert in a specific subfield of planetary s...
GEOLSCI125 Atmospheric Evolution of Rocky Planets This course will cover formation and evolution of the atmospheres of rocky planets, with a focus on atmospheric chemistry. Topics to be discussed include atmospheric structure, energy balance, chemical equilibrium and kinetics, surface reactions, atm...
GEOLSCI127 Planetary Science Reading The course will meet once a week to discuss a recent journal article related to the broad field of planetary science, including but not limited to cosmochemistry, planet formation, planetary geology, planetary atmospheres, Earth history, astrobiology...
GEOLSCI128 Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems The what, when, where, and how do we know it regarding life on land through time. Fossil plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates (yes, dinosaurs) are all covered, including how all of those components interact with each other and with changing...
GEOLSCI129 Paleomagnetism Introduction to planetary magnetic fields and how they are recorded by rocks on Earth and other solar system bodies. Topics covered will include dynamo magnetic field generation and evolution, magnetization acquisition processes, paleointensity, pale...
GEOLSCI132 Evolution of Earth Systems This course examines biogeochemical cycles and how they developed through the interaction between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Emphasis is on the long-term carbon cycle and how it is connected to other biogeochemical cycl...
GEOLSCI134 Petroleum Geochemistry in Environmental and Archaeological Studies This course focuses on petroleum, including gases, liquids, refined products, and `tar' from seeps used as a binder in archaeological artifacts, such as projectile points or pottery. The course is designed for students of geology, environmental scien...
GEOLSCI135 Sedimentary Geochemistry and Analysis Introduction to research methods in sedimentary geochemistry. Proper laboratory techniques and strategies for generating reliable data applicable to any future labwork will be emphasized. This research-based course will examine how the geochemistry o...
GEOLSCI135A Sedimentary Geochemistry Field Trip Field trip to a sedimentary succession of geobiological interest. Students will measure the stratigraphic section, describe any fossils and trace fossils, and collect samples for geochemical analysis. Offered over spring break.
GEOLSCI136 Macroevolution The course will focus on the macroevolution of animals. We will be exploring how paleobiology and developmental biology/genomics have contributed to our understanding of the origins of animals, and how patterns of evolution and extinction have shap...
GEOLSCI137 The Sixth Extinction (and the Other Five) Are we living through Earth's sixth major mass extinction event? The course will address the causes and consequences of extinction. It will review current understanding of background and mass extinction in the fossil record, including aclose examinat...
GEOLSCI139 500 Million Years of Land Plant Evolution This course will explore the nearly 500-million-year history of green plants on land. We will cover the origin of terrestrial plants and their subsequent structural and ecological diversification on land. The course will tell the story of land plants...
GEOLSCI14 Our National Parks Explore the history and natural science of three national parks proximal to Stanford. Under the guidance of instructors, students will work in teams to learn about chosen aspects of these parks, develop dynamic self-guided tours for public consumpti...
GEOLSCI140 Data Science for Geoscience Overview of some of the most important data science methods (statistics, machine learning & computer vision) relevant for geological sciences, as well as other fields in the Earth Sciences. Areas covered are: extreme value statistics for predicting r...
GEOLSCI141 Machine Learning for Visual Recognition in Geosciences Analyzing images is a big part of day-to-day life of geoscientists, such as conducting seismic interpretation or lithofacies identification and classification. Furthermore, visual representation, recognition and feature extraction play a crucial role...
GEOLSCI145Q Nuclear Issues: Energy, Weapons and the Environment The advances of nuclear science and technology is closely tied to the development of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. This seminar reviews basic concepts of nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry and then describes the history of the development of...
GEOLSCI150 Senior Seminar: Issues in Earth Sciences Focus is on written and oral communication in a topical context. Topics from current frontiers in earth science research and issues of concern to the public. Readings, oral presentations, written work, and peer review.
GEOLSCI156 A Geologic Framework for Fluid-Rock Systems: Applications to Sustainable Energy System This course provides a rigorous framework for defining and working with subsurface rock-fluid systems. This has never been more relevant than in today's "new" energy climate in which multiple solutions are being tested to reduce the world's dependenc...
GEOLSCI161 Quantitative Methods in Paleobiology The advent of large, publicly accessible sources of data relevant to paleobiology has opened new avenues for quantifying large-scale patterns in the history of life and for identifying their underlying causes. How and why has biodiversity changed ove...
GEOLSCI163 Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry Isotopic variations in nature provide key insights into the age of the Earth and its rocks, as well as the evolution of Earth's major reservoirs, including the mantle, crust and hydrosphere. How do we know the age of the Earth? When did continents f...
GEOLSCI164 Geochemical Thermodynamics This course covers equilibrium thermodynamics relevant to geological systems with emphasis on practical numerical approaches. Students will learn how to perform Gibbs-energy minimization to define the equilibrium state of simple systems. Additional t...
GEOLSCI180 Magmatic and Eruptive Processes A dive into the processes involved in the generation, evolution, and eruption of magmas through the lens of local (northern California) magmatism. Explore concepts related to the compositional and textural evolution of magmas, including: the structur...
GEOLSCI189 Tectonics Field Trip What does an earthquake fault look like near Earth's surface? How about the inside of, or beneath, a volcano? Why does California experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions? Learn about thermo-physico-chemical evolution (mass transport, heat trans...
GEOLSCI190 Research in the Field Month long courses that provide students with the opportunity to collect data in the field as part of a team-based investigation of research questions or topics under the expert guidance of knowledgeable faculty and graduate students. Topics and loc...
GEOLSCI191 Stanford EARTH Field Courses Four- to seven-day field trips to locations of geologic and environmental interest. Includes trips offered during Spring break. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI192 Undergraduate Research in Geological Sciences Field-, lab-, or literature-based. Faculty supervision. Written reports. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI197 Senior Thesis For seniors who wish to write a thesis based on research in 192 or as a summer research fellow. May not be repeated for credit; may not be taken if enrolled in 199.
GEOLSCI198 Special Problems in Geological Sciences Reading and instruction under faculty supervision. Written reports. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI199 Honors Program Research on a topic of special interest. See "Undergraduate Honors Program" above.May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI2 Chemistry of the Earth and Planets Chemistry of the Earth and PlanetsCouse Description: Introduction to chemical principles with an emphasis on applications in the Earth Sciences. Topics include: origin and distribution of the elements in the solar system and on Earth, origin and stru...
GEOLSCI20 The Geoscience of Environmental Justice This course provides an introduction to environmental science concepts and geologic processes taught in the context of cases of environmental (in)justice in the United States. In addition to scientific learning objectives related to human impacts to...
GEOLSCI203 Earth Materials: Rocks in Thin Section Use of petrographic microscope to identify minerals and common mineral associations in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Crystallization histories, mineral growth and reaction relations, deformation textures in metamorphic rocks, and prove...
GEOLSCI205 Fundamentals of Geobiology Lecture and discussion covering key topics in the history of life on Earth, as well as basic principles that apply to life in the universe. Co-evolution of Earth and life; critical intervals of environmental and biological change; geomicrobiology; pa...
GEOLSCI206 Soil Biology Seminar course covering an area of structural biology, physiology, or ecology relevant to understanding the fossil record, with the topic changing each time the course is offered. Examples of potential topics are biomineralization, fluid mechanics, b...
GEOLSCI207 Journey to the Center of the Earth The interconnected set of dynamic systems that make up the Earth. Focus is on fundamental geophysical observations of the Earth and the laboratory experiments to understand and interpret them. What earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity, magnetic fields, an...
GEOLSCI208 Topics in Geobiology Reading course addressing current topics in geobiology. Topics will vary from year to year, but will generally cover areas of current debate in the primary literature, such as the origin of life, the origin and consequences of oxygenic photosynthesis...
GEOLSCI209 Microstructures Microstructures in metamorphic rocks reveal temperature, pressure, and rates of deformation in the crust and variations in its thermo-mechanical behavior. Topics include the rheology of rocks and minerals, strain partitioning, shear zones and brittle...
GEOLSCI210 Geologic Evolution of the Western U.S. Cordillera The geologic and tectonic evolution of the U.S. Cordillera based on its rock record through time. This region provides good examples of large-scale structures and magmatic activity generated during crustal shortening, extension, and strike-slip fault...
GEOLSCI212 Topics in Tectonic Geomorphology For upper-division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary and may include coupling among erosional, tectonic, and chemical weathering processes at the scale of orogens; historical review of tectonic geomorphology; hillslope and fluvial pro...
GEOLSCI213 Topics in Sedimentary Geology For upper division undergraduates and graduate students. Topics vary each year but the focus is on current developments and problems in sedimentary geology, sedimentology, Archean geology, and basin analysis. These include issues in deep-water sedime...
GEOLSCI214 Quantitative Dynamic Stratigraphy This seminar will address how numerical modeling of depositional systems can be used to test geological hypotheses and improve our understanding of subsurface reservoirs. What are some of the advantages as well as challenges of using computational mo...
GEOLSCI215 Topics in Geobiodiversity and Stable Isotopes This course exams the key questions of biodiversity through time (Geobiodiversity) and examines how we might tackle these questions using isotope biogeochemistry. The course consists of two interwoven components. First, what are the drivers of biod...
GEOLSCI217 Earth and Planetary Processes and Mechanics This course will introduce you to the applications of solid- and fluid mechanics to understanding the workings of earth and planetary systems. We will explore the use of mass and momentum conservation, as well as rheological / constitutive equations...
GEOLSCI218Y Shaping the Future of the Bay Area The complex urban problems affecting quality of life in the Bay Area, from housing affordability and transportation congestion to economic vitality and social justice, are already perceived by many to be intractable, and will likely be exacerbated by...
GEOLSCI218Z Shaping the Future of the Bay Area Students are placed in small interdisciplinary teams (engineers and non-engineers, undergraduate and graduate level) to work on complex design, engineering, and policy problems presented by external partners in a real urban setting. Multiple projects...
GEOLSCI219 Formation and Dynamics of Planets This course will cover formation of planets within a protoplanetary disk, dynamical evolution of planetary systems (Grand Tack and Nice models, planet migration), condensation chemistry within the solar nebula and meteorite classification, classical...
GEOLSCI220 Planetary Surface Processes: Shaping the Landscape of the Solar System The surfaces of planets, moons, and other bodies are shaped and modified by a wide array of physical and chemical processes. Understanding these processes allows us to decipher the history of the Solar System. This course offers a quantitative examin...
GEOLSCI221 What Makes a Habitable Planet? Physical processes affecting habitability such as large impacts and the atmospheric greenhouse effect, comets, geochemistry, the rise of oxygen, climate controls, and impact cratering. Detecting and interpreting the spectra of extrasolar terrestrial...
GEOLSCI222 Planetary Systems: Dynamics and Origins (Students with a strong background in mathematics and the physical sciences should register for 222.) Motions of planets and smaller bodies, energy transport in planetary systems, composition, structure and dynamics of planetary atmospheres, crateri...
GEOLSCI223 Reflection Seismology Interpretation The structural and stratigraphic interpretation of seismic reflection data, emphasizing hydrocarbon traps in two and three dimensions on industry data, including workstation-based interpretation. Lectures only, 1 unit. Prerequisite: 222, or consent o...
GEOLSCI223B Evolution of Marine Ecosystems Life originally evolved in the ocean. When, why, and how did the major transitions occur in the history of marine life? What triggered the rapid evolution and diversification of animals in the Cambrian, after more than 3.5 billion years of Earth's hi...
GEOLSCI224 Rivers: The Arteries of Earth's Continents Rivers are the arteries of Earth's continents, conveying water, sediments, and solutes from the headwaters to the oceans. They provide a haven for life and have been at the heart of the world's economy by generating fertile floodplains, human habitat...
GEOLSCI225 Atmospheric Evolution of Rocky Planets This course will cover formation and evolution of the atmospheres of rocky planets, with a focus on atmospheric chemistry. Topics to be discussed include atmospheric structure, energy balance, chemical equilibrium and kinetics, surface reactions, atm...
GEOLSCI225A Fundamentals of Geochemical Modeling A class devoted to geochemical models and the computational and analytical tools required to successfully construct and solve them. Topics include: box models, impulse responses, transfer functions, eigenvalues, advection-diffusion-reaction models, d...
GEOLSCI226 The Geologic Carbon Cycle In this course, we will (1) review the cycling of carbon between Earth's rock and surface reservoirs on timescales ranging from thousands to billions of years; (2) learn how processes within the carbon cycle partition carbon into various organic and...
GEOLSCI227 Planetary Science Reading The course will meet once a week to discuss a recent journal article related to the broad field of planetary science, including but not limited to cosmochemistry, planet formation, planetary geology, planetary atmospheres, Earth history, astrobiology...
GEOLSCI228 Evolution of Terrestrial Ecosystems The what, when, where, and how do we know it regarding life on land through time. Fossil plants, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates (yes, dinosaurs) are all covered, including how all of those components interact with each other and with changing...
GEOLSCI229 Paleomagnetism Introduction to planetary magnetic fields and how they are recorded by rocks on Earth and other solar system bodies. Topics covered will include dynamo magnetic field generation and evolution, magnetization acquisition processes, paleointensity, pale...
GEOLSCI230 Laboratory Characterization of Properties of Rocks and Geomaterials Lectures and laboratory experiments. Properties of rocks and geomaterials and how they relate to chemo-mechanical processes in crustal settings, reservoirs, and man-made materials. Focus is on properties such as porosity, permeability, acoustic wave...
GEOLSCI232 Evolution of Earth Systems This course examines biogeochemical cycles and how they developed through the interaction between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Emphasis is on the long-term carbon cycle and how it is connected to other biogeochemical cycl...
GEOLSCI233A Microbial Physiology Introduction to the physiology of microbes including cellular structure, transcription and translation, growth and metabolism, mechanisms for stress resistance and the formation of microbial communities. These topics will be covered in relation to th...
GEOLSCI234 Petroleum Geochemistry in Environmental and Archaeological Studies This course focuses on petroleum, including gases, liquids, refined products, and `tar' from seeps used as a binder in archaeological artifacts, such as projectile points or pottery. The course is designed for students of geology, environmental scien...
GEOLSCI235 Sedimentary Geochemistry and Analysis Introduction to research methods in sedimentary geochemistry. Proper laboratory techniques and strategies for generating reliable data applicable to any future labwork will be emphasized. This research-based course will examine how the geochemistry o...
GEOLSCI236 Macroevolution The course will focus on the macroevolution of animals. We will be exploring how paleobiology and developmental biology/genomics have contributed to our understanding of the origins of animals, and how patterns of evolution and extinction have shap...
GEOLSCI237 The Sixth Extinction (and the Other Five) Are we living through Earth's sixth major mass extinction event? The course will address the causes and consequences of extinction. It will review current understanding of background and mass extinction in the fossil record, including aclose examinat...
GEOLSCI239 500 Million Years of Land Plant Evolution This course will explore the nearly 500-million-year history of green plants on land. We will cover the origin of terrestrial plants and their subsequent structural and ecological diversification on land. The course will tell the story of land plants...
GEOLSCI240 Data Science for Geoscience Overview of some of the most important data science methods (statistics, machine learning & computer vision) relevant for geological sciences, as well as other fields in the Earth Sciences. Areas covered are: extreme value statistics for predicting r...
GEOLSCI241 Machine Learning for Visual Recognition in Geosciences Analyzing images is a big part of day-to-day life of geoscientists, such as conducting seismic interpretation or lithofacies identification and classification. Furthermore, visual representation, recognition and feature extraction play a crucial role...
GEOLSCI247 Architecture of Turbidite Depositional Systems This course considers the research that has led to current architectural models of turbidite deposits as we examine diverse data sets that allow us to test these models. Intense exploration and exploitation activities by the petroleum industry have s...
GEOLSCI248 The Petroleum System: Investigative method to explore for conventional & unconventional hydrocarbons How the petroleum system concept can be used to more systematically investigate how hydrocarbon fluid becomes an unconventional accumulation in a pod of active source rock and how this fluid moves from this pod to a conventional pool. How to identif...
GEOLSCI249 Deciphering Depositional Environments in the Pre-Vegetation Rock Record This course is a companion seminar to GEOLSCI 258, in which we will explore and discuss the ambiguities of existing facies models for fluvial, eolian, and near-shore depositional environments in the pre-vegetation sedimentary record. Our goal will be...
GEOLSCI250 Sedimentation Mechanics The mechanics of sediment transport and deposition and the origins of sedimentary structures and textures as applied to interpreting modern sediments and ancient rock sequences. Dimensional analysis, fluid flow, drag, boundary layers, open channel fl...
GEOLSCI251 Sedimentary Basins Analysis of the sedimentary fill and tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins. Topics: tectonic and environmental controls on depositional systems, detrital composition, burial history, and stratigraphic architecture; synthesis of basin development t...
GEOLSCI252 Sedimentary Petrography Siliciclastic sediments and sedimentary rocks. Research in modern sedimentary mineralogy and petrography and the relationship between the composition and texture of sediments and their provenance, tectonic settings, and diagenetic histories. Prerequi...
GEOLSCI253 Petroleum Geology and Exploration The origin and occurrence of hydrocarbons. Topics: thermal maturation history in hydrocarbon generation, significance of sedimentary, structural and tectonic setting, trapping geometries and principles of accumulation, and exploration techniques. Pre...
GEOLSCI254 Sedimentology and Rock Physics of Carbonates Processes of precipitation and sedimentation of carbonate minerals as well as their post-depositional alteration with emphasis on marine systems. Topics include: geographic and bathymetric distribution of carbonates in modern and ancient oceans; gene...
GEOLSCI255 Basin and Petroleum System Modeling This course examines the coupled nature of rock and fluid systems to obtain a deeper understanding of the physical processes that shape the subsurface of sedimentary basins. Weekly lectures lay the foundation for subsequent computer lab modeling of...
GEOLSCI257 Clastic Sequence Stratigraphy Sequence stratigraphy facilitates integration of all sources of geologic data, including seismic, log, core, and paleontological, into a time-stratigraphic model of sediment architecture. Tools applicable to regional and field scales. Emphasis is on...
GEOLSCI258 Introduction to Depositional Systems The characteristics of the major sedimentary environments and their deposits in the geologic record, including alluvial fans, braided and meandering rivers, aeolian systems, deltas, open coasts, barred coasts, marine shelves, and deep-water systems....
GEOLSCI259 Stratigraphic Architecture The stratigraphic architecture of deposits associated with a spectrum of depositional environments, using outcrop and subsurface data. Participants read and discuss selected literature.
GEOLSCI260 Quantifying Uncertainty in Subsurface Systems Broad conceptual overview of the various components required to uncertainty quantification (UQ) for decision making in subsurface engineering problems such as oil/gas production, groundwater management, contaminant remediation, geothermal energy and...
GEOLSCI261 Quantitative Methods in Paleobiology The advent of large, publicly accessible sources of data relevant to paleobiology has opened new avenues for quantifying large-scale patterns in the history of life and for identifying their underlying causes. How and why has biodiversity changed ove...
GEOLSCI262 Life and Landscape Linkages Seminar Each week, we will cover a topic of interest to geoscientists by reading and discussing papers related to the dynamic interaction of life and landscape.
GEOLSCI263 Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry Isotopic variations in nature provide key insights into the age of the Earth and its rocks, as well as the evolution of Earth's major reservoirs, including the mantle, crust and hydrosphere. How do we know the age of the Earth? When did continents f...
GEOLSCI264 Geochemical Thermodynamics This course covers equilibrium thermodynamics relevant to geological systems with emphasis on practical numerical approaches. Students will learn how to perform Gibbs-energy minimization to define the equilibrium state of simple systems. Additional t...
GEOLSCI266 Managing Nuclear Waste: Technical, Political and Organizational Challenges (Formerly IPS 266) The essential technical and scientific elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, focusing on the sources, types, and characteristics of the nuclear waste generated, as well as various strategies for the disposition of spent nuclear fuel...
GEOLSCI280 Magmatic and Eruptive Processes A dive into the processes involved in the generation, evolution, and eruption of magmas through the lens of local (northern California) magmatism. Explore concepts related to the compositional and textural evolution of magmas, including: the structur...
GEOLSCI281 Principles of 40Ar/39Ar Thermochronometry The 40Ar/39Ar method is based upon the K-Ar decay scheme and allows high precision geochronology and thermochronology to be performed with K-bearing minerals. Provides a detailed exploration of the method including all practical considerations and l...
GEOLSCI282 Interpretative Methods in Detrital Geochronology Over the past decade, the number of studies that make use of isotopic provenance data has sky-rocketed. This type of data is now routinely used throughout the geosciences to solve a broad range of geologic problems. This seminar examines the state-...
GEOLSCI283 Thermochronology and Crustal Evolution Thermochronology analyzes the competition between radioactive in-growth and temperature-dependant loss of radiogenic isotopes within radioactive mineral hosts in terms of temperature-time history. Coupled with quantitative understanding of kinetic ph...
GEOLSCI284 Rates and Dates of Geomorphic Processes Advances in dating methods have revolutionized scientists' understanding of how the Earth's surface has changed over time. This course is designed to give graduate students an understanding of the science behind numerical dating techniques in geomorp...
GEOLSCI287 Fundamentals of Mass Spectrometry This course explains ion creation, mass separation, and ion detection in mass spectrometry methods commonly used in the Earth Sciences. Gas source (C-O-H-S stable isotope, 40Ar/39Ar, and (U-Th)-He), secondary ionization (SIMS), laser ablation and s...
GEOLSCI289 Tectonics Field Trip What does an earthquake fault look like near Earth's surface? How about the inside of, or beneath, a volcano? Why does California experience earthquakes and volcanic eruptions? Learn about thermo-physico-chemical evolution (mass transport, heat trans...
GEOLSCI290 Departmental Seminar in Geological Sciences Current research topics. Presentations by guest speakers from Stanford and elsewhere. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI291 GS Field Trips Field trips for teaching and research purposes. Trips average 5-10 days. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
GEOLSCI292 Directed Reading with Geological Sciences Faculty May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI293 Advanced structural mapping in the field Advanced geologic mapping techniques, approaches and methods of data collection in the field. 7-10 days in the field with lectures prior to the trip and follow up mapping and data analysis after the trip. Across the Cordillera September 2018
GEOLSCI293A Geology of Oman Field Trip Reading and discussion of papers addressing current topics related to the geology of Oman, including Neoproterozoic and Permian-Triassic environmental change. By invitation only. May be repeat for credit.
GEOLSCI293B Geology of Spain Field Trip Reading and discussion of papers addressing current topics related to the geology of Spain. By invitation only. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI293C Geology of Spain Field Trip Reading and discussion of papers addressing current topics related to the geology of Spain, including the Cenozoic structure and stratigraphy of the Tabernas-Sorbas Basin, SE Spain. By invitation only. May be repeat for credit.
GEOLSCI293D Evolution of the Laurentian Margin Field and reading-based course on the evolution of the western and northern Laurentian margins, from Precambrian to the present. The course will involve pre-field trip lectures, a field trip, reading sessions, and final paper. Students are expected t...
GEOLSCI294 Our Dynamic West: Practical methods in geological sciences an intro to how the Earth deforms Theory, principles, and practical techniques to measure, describe, analyze, and interpret deformation-related structures on Earth. Collection of fault and fold data in the field followed by lab and computer analysis; interpretation of geologic maps a...
GEOLSCI295 Research in the Field Month long courses that provide students with the opportunity to collect data in the field as part of a team-based investigation of research questions or topics under the expert guidance of knowledgeable faculty and graduate students. Topics and loc...
GEOLSCI299 Field Research Two-three week field research projects. Written report required. May be repeated three times.
GEOLSCI3 Earth and Planetary Processes and Mechanics This course will introduce you to the applications of solid- and fluid mechanics to understanding the workings of earth and planetary systems. We will explore the use of mass and momentum conservation, as well as rheological / constitutive equations...
GEOLSCI304 Survey of research in the Geological Sciences Introduction to the faculty and research in the Department of Geological Sciences.
GEOLSCI305 Invisible Curriculum seminar This is a course about graduate school and a launch pad for your professional career including the invisible curriculum-information that is often assumed to be known or informally picked up along the way. Graduate education gives you the opportunity...
GEOLSCI306 Effective Scientific Presentation and Public Speaking The ability to present your research in a compelling, concise, and engaging manner will enhance your professional career. I will work to convince you that the best way to capture an audience and leave a lasting impression is to tell a story, do a dem...
GEOLSCI307 Research Proposal Development and Delivery In this class students will learn how to write rigorous, high yield, multidisciplinary proposals targeting major funding agencies. The skills gained in this class are essential to any professional career, particularly in research science. Students wi...
GEOLSCI30N Designing Science Fiction Planets Science fiction writers craft entire worlds and physical laws with their minds. While planetary formation in the real world is a little different, we can use fantastical places and environments from film, television, and literature as conversation st...
GEOLSCI311 Interpretation of Tectonically Active Landscapes Focuses on interpreting various topographic attributes in terms of horizontal and vertical tectonic motions. Topics include identification, mapping, and dating of geomorphic markers, deducing tectonic motions from spatial changes in landscape steepn...
GEOLSCI312 Analysis of Landforms Quantitative methods to analyze digital topography and to interpret rates of tectonic and geomorphic processes from topographic metrics. Topics include analysis of digital topography using local and neighborhood-based methods, spectral methods, and...
GEOLSCI313 Modeling of Landforms Geomorphic-transport-rule-based, as well as mass- and momentum-conservation based models to understand the evolution of Earth's topography. Topics include formulation of land-sculpting processes as geomorphic transport rules, coupling this mass-cons...
GEOLSCI330 Breathless in the Oceans This reading course will explore how oxygen and temperature changes affect marine life in the oceans, both in the geological past and with respect to modern global change.
GEOLSCI336 Stanford Alpine Project Seminar Weekly student presentations on continental collision tectonics, sedimentology, petrology, geomorphology, climate, culture, and other topics of interest. Students create a guidebook of geologic stops in advance of field trip. May be repeated for cred...
GEOLSCI384 Experimental Rock Physics Research on the use of laboratory geophysical methods for the characterization of the physical properties of rocks and their response to earth stresses, temperature, and rock-fluid interactions. May be repeated for credit.
GEOLSCI385 Practical Experience in the Geosciences On-the-job training in the geosciences. May include summer internship; emphasizes training in applied aspects of the geosciences, and technical, organizational, and communication dimensions. Meets USCIS requirements for F-1 curricular practical train...
GEOLSCI386 Graduate Teaching Experience in Geological Sciences Practical teaching experience by serving as the primary instructor in a student-led course. Graduate student instructors are mentored by at least one faculty mentor.
GEOLSCI38N The Worst Journey in the World: The Science, Literature, and History of Polar Exploration This course examines the motivations and experiences of polar explorers under the harshest conditions on Earth, as well as the chronicles of their explorations and hardships, dating to the 1500s for the Arctic and the 1700s for the Antarctic. Materia...
GEOLSCI398 Teaching in Geological Sciences Practical experience in teaching by serving as a teaching assistant in a geological sciences course.
GEOLSCI399 Advanced Projects Graduate research projects that lead to reports, papers, or other products during the quarter taken. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.
GEOLSCI4 Coevolution of Earth and Life (EPS 4 - Former GEOLSCI 4) Earth is the only planet in the universe currently known to harbor life. When and how did Earth become inhabited? How have biological activities altered the planet? How have environmental changes affected the evolution of l...
GEOLSCI400 Graduate Research Faculty supervision. On registration, students designate faculty member and agreed-upon units.
GEOLSCI40N Diamonds Preference to freshmen. Topics include the history of diamonds as gemstones, prospecting and mining, and their often tragic politics. How diamond samples provide clues for geologists to understand the Earth's deep interior and the origins of the sola...
GEOLSCI42 Moving and Shaking in the Bay Area Active faulting and erosion in the Bay Area, and its effects upon landscapes. Earth science concepts and skills through investigation of the valley, mountain, and coastal areas around Stanford. Faulting associated with the San Andreas Fault, coastal...
GEOLSCI42B Moving and Shaking in the Bay Area Active faulting and erosion in the Bay Area, and its effects upon landscapes. Earth science concepts and skills through investigation of the valley, mountain, and coastal areas around Stanford. Faulting associated with the San Andreas Fault, coastal...
GEOLSCI45 Developing and maintaining a habitable Earth: A global challenge? Did you ever wonder how we got here and where we are going? This course examines how the Earth became habitable for humans after 4.5 billion years of history and where we are headed as we continue to alter the Earth's livable environment. The Earth...
GEOLSCI46Q Environmental Impact of Energy Systems: What are the Risks? In order to reduce CO2 emissions and meet growing energy demands during the 21st Century, the world can expect to experience major shifts in the types and proportions of energy-producing systems. These decisions will depend on considerations of cost...
GEOLSCI5 Living on the Edge A weekend field trip along the Pacific Coast. Tour local beaches, geology, and landforms with expert guides from the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. Enjoy a BBQ dinner and stay overnight in tents along the coast. Get to know facult...
GEOLSCI59N Earthquake 9.0: The Heritage of Fukushima Daiichi 6 Years Later We will consider the case for nuclear power as an energy source through the lens of the Fukushima disaster. Specific topics will include the cause of the earthquake and tsunami, the causes for the nuclear power plant failure, the mechanisms for the r...
GEOLSCI6 Data Science for Geoscience This course provides an overview of the most relevant areas of data science to address geoscientific challenges and questions as they pertain to the environment, earth resources & hazards. The focus lies on the methods that treat common characters of...
GEOLSCI801 TGR Project TGR Project
GEOLSCI802 TGR Dissertation TGR Dissertation