***Note: The list of EAS courses is ever growing and changing; check back periodically. In addition, several courses may not be offered every semester. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for the list of available courses by semester.***
EAS1600 Introduction to Environmental Science
Introduction to environmental field science. Case study approach. Exposure to basic field equipment and techniques, analysis of data.
EAS1601 Habitable Planet
Introduction to the origin and evolution of Planet Earth, creation of the universe and the elements, early history of Earth, radioisotope geochemistry and the timing of events in the universe, the galaxy, and on Earth. Formation of the atmosphere and oceans. Climate.
EAS2551 Introduction to Meteorological Analysis
Pre-requisite: EAS 2750 or PHYS 2750
An introduction to analysis of forecasting data and model output.
EAS2600 Earth Processes
An introduction to earth materials and processes.
EAS2655 Quantitative Techniques in EAS
Pre-requisite: CS 1371 and MATH 2551 and MATH 2552
Integrated course in mathematical, physical, and computing techniques for application in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
EAS2750 Physics of the Weather
Pre-requisite: MATH 1552 and PHYS 2211
An introductory treatment of the application of the basic physical laws to the understanding of weather phenomena. Cross listed with PHYS 2750.
EAS2900 Special Problems
Description pending.
EAS3110 Environment, Energy, & Society
The rising global demand for fossil fuels, coupled with increasing concern about global warming, have made the search for affordable alternative energies a matter of local, national, and international importance. The path towards alternative energy infrastructures for the 21st century requires careful consideration of economic, environmental, technological, and political factors. This interdisciplinary course will blend current events, guest speakers, lively discussion, and a wide array of literature to separate fact from fiction in the heated debate concerning our nation's energy and climate future. Topics will include: i) an overview of America's current energy structure, including the science and technology underlying each energy source, ii) a review of key energy policies and precedent from the last several decades to present, including the Kyoto Protocol and the new California carbon mitigation bill, and iii) a look into the future of America's energy structure, with an emphasis on emerging technologies and policy development. Students will write briefs on topics covered in the first half of the course and, for the second half of the course, work in teams to conduct independent research into an energy-related question of their choosing.
EAS3603 Earth System Thermodynamics
Pre-requisite: PHYS 2212 and MATH 2551
An introduction to the thermodynamics of the Earth and atmosphere.
EAS3610 Introduction to Geophysics
Pre-requisite: PHYS 2212 and EAS 2600
An introduction to visualizing and understanding earth history, structure, and dynamics through geophysical methods including seismology, gravity, magnetism, heat flow, geochronology, and geodesy.
EAS3803 Geologic History
To identify the major techniques used by geologists to assess geologic time and to recognize the sequence of and interrelationships between major events in the history of the Earth, its surface, and its life forms.
EAS4200 Structural Geology and Continuum Mechanics
Pre-requisite: EAS 2600 and PHYS 2211
Structural geology and continuum mechanics for scientists and civil engineers. Stress and strain in rocks; faults, joints and folds; basic field mapping; laboratory exercises.
EAS4220 Environ Geochemsitry
Pre-requisite: MATH 1552 | CHEM 1212K
An exploration of the chemical, biological, and geological processes controlling the distribution of chemical nutrients and pollutants in aquatic and soil environments.
EAS4221 Environ Geochemsitry Lab
Lab and field exploration of the chemical, biological, and geological processes controlling the distribution of chemical nutrients and pollutants in aquatic and soil environments.
EAS4224 Mineral Surface Geochemistry
Chemical reactions occurring at the mineral-fluid interfaces are ubiquitous on Earth and other planets. They control the transport and distribution of a wide range of nutrients, carbon, metal, and organic and inorganic contaminants. In this course, we will learn the fundamental principles concerning mineral surface properties, element distribution in aqueous solutions and at the mineral-water interface, as well as a range of analytical techniques that are relevant to these interfacial reactions. We will also host guest lectures on selected topics and tour facilities (if schedule allows).
EAS4300 Oceanography
Chemistry and physics of the ocean. Distributions of temperature, salinity, and density. Equations of state and motion. Surface and deep-water circulation. Waves and tides. Composition of seawater: dissolved sales, gases, and nutrients. Biological processes. Marine sediments.
EAS4305 Phys & Chem Oceanography
Pre-requisite: MATH 1552, PHYS 2212, CHEM 1212K
Study of the dynamics of large-scale ocean circulation, air-sea interaction and their roles in biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients.
EAS4312 Geodynamics
This course is a quantitative discussion of the physical properties of earth materials and dynamic processes in the solid Earth. We will cover topics in stress and strain, elasticity and texture, heat transfer, gravity, fluid mechanics, rock rheology, and crustal faulting as mechanisms and consequences of plate tectonics.
EAS4314 Seismology
Pre-requisite: EAS 3610
Introduction to elastic wave propagation, and studies of the solid Earth's interior and earthquake source from seismic waves. Credit not allowed for both EAS 4314 and EAS 6314.
EAS4316 Earthquake Physics
The course consists of a series of lectures and discussions on the fundamental physical processes that control fault slips and earthquakes with a focus on the latest emerging research topics in the field.
EAS4331 Physical Volcanology
Volcanic eruptions are the surface expression of the transfer of mass and volatiles from the deep interior of the planet. Violent eruptions rapidly transform the landscape and impact the atmosphere on short timescales, and the integrated history of magmatism has played a central role in the production of the crust and the degassing history of the planet. The fluid dynamics of volcanoes span a vast array of phenomena from viscous magma flows to turbulent, multiphase eruptions. This course will trace the path of magmas from their ultimate source in the mantle, storage and evolution in the crust, through eruption at the surface where they interact with the landscape and atmosphere.
EAS4350 Paleoclimatology and Paleooceanography
This course explores the history of the Earth's climate, covering methods for reconstructing past climate and the mechanisms behind these climate changes.
EAS4360 Space Physics and Instrumentation
This course will explore the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere using a combination spacecraft observations and fundamental plasma physics. Credit not allowed for both EAS 4360 and EAS 6360.
EAS4370 Physics of Planets
Pre-requisite: PHYS 2212 and MATH 2552
In this course we will study the forces and influences that determine the composition, structure and evolution of the planets in our solar system.
EAS4380 Land Remote Sensing
This course will cover the broad spectrum of techniques for making remote measurements of the composition, morphology, and thermophysical properties of solid surfaces on Earth and other planetary bodies. Both the physics underlying the techniques and their applications to a range of problems of interest will be discussed. Students will gain experience accessing, processing and interpreting remote sensing data, and will acquire an understanding of which techniques are most useful for answering particular scientific questions about a range of land environments.
EAS4403 Glacier & Ice Sheet Dynamics
This course covers the fundamentals of glacier and ice-sheet dynamics and their application to problems in sea level, paleoclimate, and planetary science. Course content includes glacier mass balance, the material properties and rheology of ice, the basic equations of ice-sheet and -shelf flow, basal processes, the stability and history of ice sheets. This course is targeted at graduate students in climate, geophysics and planetary sciences, but is also appropriate for any undergraduate with sufficient interest and prerequisite understanding of undergraduate-level mathematics and Earth sciences.
EAS4410 Climate and Global Change
The physics behind the climate and its potential changes, as well as an introduction to the policy issues in global change.
EAS4420 Environmental Field Methods
Pre-requisite: EAS 2600 and (EAS 4200 or EAS 4656 or EAS 4221) and EAS 3610 or (EAS 4220 or EAS 4305 or EAS 4370 or EAS 4655 or EAS 4740)
Semester-long focus on single environmental project in the local area. Chemical and physical techniques for parameterizing environmental problems, data analysis, report writing, and interpretation of results in societal context.
EAS4450 Synoptic Meteorology
Pre-requisite: EAS 2750 and EAS 4655
Synoptic meteorology traditionally refers to the analysis of weather at a specific period of time, with that analysis being accomplished through the investigation observed surface and tropospheric weather data.
EAS4460 Satellite and Radar Meteorology
Pre-requisite: MATH 24X3 or 2X52 and PHYS 2212
Satellite and Radar Meteorology Blog
The goal of this course is to learn about how satellites and radars "work" and to apply these technologies to observing (and even forecasting) hazardous atmospheric phenomena. This will be accomplished by tailoring the material of this course around a combination of theory and a series of "case study" events with emphasis on the application of these technologies.
EAS4480 Environmental Data Analysis
Pre-requisite: CS 1301 or CS 1315 or CS 1371 AND MATH 1553
Data analysis methods used in environmental research are taught through examples. Students learn to implement these methods to areas of their own interest.
EAS4525 Introduction to Weather Risk and Catastrophe Modeling
This course is intended for junior/senior undergraduate and junior graduate students who are interested in learning about weather risk and its management in real life. The goal of the first part of the class is to provide students detailed knowledge of physical processes that lead to hazardous weather at various temporal and spatial scales. The second part of the class will introduce to the students the philosophy, concept and methodology of catastrophe modeling of natural hazards and discuss the application of catastrophe models in the insurance/reinsurance industry and in the general financial market.
EAS4602 Biogeochemical Cycles
Pre-requisite: EAS 4220 and EAS 4221 and (BIOL 1510 or BIOL 1520)
An investigation of global change focusing on the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes that cycle the elements through the Earth system.
EAS4610 Earth Systems Modelling
Pre-requisite: CS 1371 or CS 1301 and MATH 2551 and MATH 2552
Covers the fundamentals of numerical methods and their application to problems in Earth sciences. Course content includes differential equations (ordinary and partial), integrals, root-finding and linear algebra. This course is targeted at undergraduate students in Earth & Atmospherics Sciences, and is the undergraduate equivalent of EAS 6130, though it covers somewhat less material at a more deliberate pace.
EAS4651 NWS Practical Internship
Pre-requisite: EAS 4450
This course is an internship collaboration with the National Weather Service Peachtree City, GA office. Students will work with one or more members of the NWS office on a term research project. Students will be required to work at the NWS office or remotely and/or in-person about 9 hours per week (hours vary depending on discussion with NWS personnel and course instructor). Must have approval in advance.
EAS4655 Atmospheric Dynamics
Pre-requisite: PHYS 2212 and MATH 2551 and MATH 2552
An introduction to the atmospheric physical and dynamic processes that control the weather and climate.
EAS4656 Atmospheric Dynamics Practicum
Students learn to apply meteorological analysis tools to atmospheric observations to interpret the structure and dynamics of historical and real-time weather events.
EAS4670 Atmospheric Dynamics II
Pre-requisite: EAS4655
This course emphasizes physical concepts and analytic techniques for solving problems in atmospheric instabilities and wave dynamics at various temporal and spatial scales.
EAS4699 Undergraduate Research
Research with EAS faculty. To learn how to get involved click here.
EAS4740 Atmospheric Chemistry
Pre-requisite: (CHEM 1310 or CHEM 3411) and EAS 3603 and MATH 2551 and PHYS
This course provides a general chemical description of the Earth atmospheric system with a major focus on the two lowest layers of the atmosphere, i.e., the troposphere and the stratosphere.
EAS4795 Groundwater Hydrology
Pre-requisite: (CEE 3040 or EAS 3630) and (MATH 2552 or PHYS 2212)
Dynamics of flow and solute transport in groundwater, including theory, implementation, and case studies. Cross listed with CEE 4795.
EAS4801 Deep Oceans Minimester
“More than eighty percent of our ocean is unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. Much remains to be learned from exploring the mysteries of the deep.” Jul 11, 2018, Ocean Service, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
EAS4801 Planetary Science & Astrobiology Seminar
The aim of this course is to expose students to the diversity of research areas that encompass astrobiology and planetary science, and to enhance the communication between astrobiologists, planetary scientists, engineers, and other space enthusiasts on campus. Each week an invited speaker (internal or external) will present on a topic related to astrobiology and/or planetary science for 40-45 minutes, with time for questions and discussion.
EAS4801 Wx Challenge Forecasting Seminar
The goal of this seminar is to provide an opportunity for Georgia Tech's weather and climate enthusiasts consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff to meet weekly to discuss weather forecast techniques and strategies. You and another colleague will be asked to lead one or more weather discussion(s) centered on the WxChallenge competition's forecast city. If you are not presenting during a class period, you will be expected to provide feedback for the presenters and/or actively participate in the weather discussion. Guest speakers may also be visiting throughout the semester to provide their weather analysis and forecasting experience. We will also be discussing forecasting techniques and strategies throughout the semester to put our forecasting team in the best position for success within the WxChallenge competition.
EAS4801 EAS Career Development
It is an interactive-style class, teaching skills and strategies for identifying a preferred career path and conducting a successful job search. A few goals for the end of the course: network effectively to advance career goals, perform the fundamentals of good interviewing, and create a high impact resume that represents the student.
EAS4803 Special Topics
Look for common special topics offered. Including: Weather Risk, Tropical Dynamics, Mesoscale Dynamics, Earth and Planetary Materials, and more!
EAS4803 Space Instrumentation for Life Detection
Enrollment is restricted via permits. Please contact the course instructor for more information at cecarr@gatech.edu
This course will cover the interdisciplinary foundations of space instrument development focusing on the search for life beyond Earth. Both non-contact and destructive methods of sample analysis, including fluid handling, and analytical methods for detecting life as we know it and don’t know it, will be covered in the context of specific mission scenarios. Environmental and engineering challenges will be addressed as well as common solutions; examples include autonomy, radiation resistance, thermal control, and data analysis methods such as machine learning. Group projects will involve modifying, building, or modeling a life detection instrument or supporting hardware.
EAS4803 Geomorphology
This course is designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students. The goals for this course are to provide both an intuitive understanding of geomorphic processes as well as the quantitative background to predict and measure landscape change. Quantitative aspects of this course will also develop practical skills manipulating and interpreting Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) in Matlab. The course also includes an opportunity for field experience in geomorphic observation, interpretation and peer-instruction. For graduate students, this course also serves as a introduction to the geomorphology academic literature.
EAS4813 Mesoscale Meteorology
Mesoscale meteorology focuses on the study of weather phenomena on spatial and temporal scales that are smaller than synoptic meteorology features but generally larger than cumulus-scale phenomena. Course topics can include: mesoscale instabilities, mesoscale frontal dynamics, and deep moist convection (e.g., severe weather).
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***page updated August 2021
