This course focuses on one of several geologic provinces in North America in the most direct manner possible - in the field. After an initial lecture orientation, the class explores the rocks, land forms, structures, and fossils first hand. Students learn to make their own observations and interpretations along the way. Each student becomes an expert in the geology of a selected area and makes in-field presentations to the rest of the class, as well as compiling a field notebook of the features that the class examines.

This course is a survey of natural and human-influenced geological "catastrophes," and focuses primarily on four hazards that are relevant to the Puget Sound region: (1) volcanic eruptions, (2) earthquakes, (3) floods, (4) landslides. It examines the relationship of science and other fields, including economics and politics, in the development of policy to help us cope with potential catastrophes.

A broad review of quantitative and qualitative biogeochemical methods used in the study of environmental science. The course will focus on isotopic and elemental analyses of geological and biological materials with applications to a range of questions. Examples include; energy flow, nutrient cycling, animal migration, and paleoceanographic conditions. The course readings will draw heavily upon case studies from the primary scientific literature.

This course provides an introduction to the ways in which chemical principles are used to study geological and environmental processes. The emphasis is on low-temperature processes that influence the chemistry of water, sediment, and soil. Specific topics include aqueous solutions, thermodynamics, mineral-water equilibria, oxidation-reduction reactions, adsorption-desorption processes, and applications of radiogenic and stable isotopes. The laboratory component of the course is field-based and involves sampling and analysis of water and sediment from around Tacoma.

This course provides an introduction to the study of a variety of the Earth's natural resources, and the environmental impacts of their extraction and use. The course focuses on the origin of different types of resources including metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits, and building stone. A discussion/lab session is scheduled for in-class activities, labs and field trips. Course readings center around case studies from the primary scientific literature.

The Pacific Northwest is at the forefront of the fastest energy transition in human history with its move away from fossil fuels and development of wind, solar, hydro, nuclear and energy storage technologies. The lab requirement for this class is met with field experiences along the Columbia Plateau during the first part of spring break that engages students with the innerworkings of energy facilities, environmental professionals and other groups and individuals navigating the alternative energy transition.

This course examines the physical, chemical, and geologic processes that determine the distribution, movement, and nature of freshwater resources (rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater). The course pays particular attention to issues of water supply and quality in North America. Lab and field exercises introduce the fundamentals of measuring and modeling river and groundwater flow; field trips to several dams and reservoirs in Washington illustrate some of the ways that surface water resources are utilized.

In this course students learn a variety of techniques that are used to locate, describe, and document features in the field. Specific topics may include navigating with topographic maps and GPS, sketching features relating to scientific endeavors, recognizing and interpreting features on topographic maps, aerial photos and lidar images, and working with ArcGIS to produce a variety of different types of maps. All-day field trips on Saturdays and/or Sundays may be required.

This course investigates how life on earth has changed through time as recorded in the fossil record. It includes a survey of major invertebrate and vertebrate fossil groups, with emphasis on paleoecological pattern and process, and reconstruction of paleoenvironments.

The principles, methods, and materials of stratigraphy and paleontology used to interpret the physical and biological history of the Earth. Emphasizes the classification, correlation, interrelationships, and interpretation of rock strata and of the various types of fossils that occur in these rocks.