Lower Division Courses
Upper Division Courses
Links to
Course Web Sites
EAS-101 Earth Systems I - Solid Earth
Lecture three hours per week. This course provides an introduction to all aspects of the solid Earth: origin and interior structure, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, crustal evolution, rocks and minerals, ice and snow, surface and groundwater hydrology, erosion and deposition, and Earth resources. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Fall & Spring Semesters.
EAS-102: Earth Systems I Lab (1)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: EAS-A101 or equivalent. Two hours laboratory per week. Provides introduction to classification and identification of minerals, rocks and ores; reading and use of topographic and geological maps. Fulfills one hour of science requirement. Fall and Spring semesters.
EAS-103: Earth Systems II - Atmosphere and Oceans
Can be taken before EAS-101. Lecture is three hours per week. This course provides an introduction to all aspects of Earth's oceans and atmosphere: physical properties of the oceans, ocean circulation, ocean currents and climate influences; atmosphere, composition and structure, radiation, heat, pressure and humidity, winds, planetary circulation, air-sea interation, weather analysis and forecasting, air pollution, world climate, and global change. Fulfills 3 hours of science requirement. Spring Semester
EAS-104: Earth Systems II Lab (1)
EAS-105 :Introduction to Oceanography (3)
Lecture three hours per week. Provides an introduction to ocean basin formation, chemical and physical properties of sea water, waves, currents, tidal forces and tides, interaction of land and ocean in coastal environments, marine biology and ocean resources. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Spring semester, alternate years.
EAS-107: Understanding the Weather (3)
A nonmathematical description of the processes that effect the weather are provided. Topics include solar radiation, horizontal and vertical structure of the atmosphere, atmospheric motions, and climate. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Fall and Spring semesters.
EAS-108 Introduction to Environmental Science (3)
Lecture three hours per week. Examination of natural and man-made hazards in
the environment, including earthquakes, volcanoes, storms, tsunamis, erosion
and pollution. Fulfills three hours of science requirements. Fall
semester.
EAS-114: Earth History (Historical Geology) (3)
Lecture three hours per week. Provides an introduction to the geologic origin and development of the earth; plant and animal inhabitants. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Spring semester, alternate years.
EAS-115: Climate and Humankind in History (3)
Treatment of the interaction of early people with the atmospheric
environment of the basis of existing paleoclimatological evidence. Interplay
between climate and civilization; recent historical events as related to
contemporaneous climates. Course developed around the notions of weather
systems and climates of various scales.Fulfills three hours of science
requirements. Fall semester.
EAS-117: Physical Geography (3)
Lecture three hours per week. Provides an introduction to the origin of land
forms, earth resources, climate and weather, implications of human use of
natural resources. (Satisfies
EAS-193: Introduction to Earthquakes (3)
Lecture three hours per week. Provides an introduction to the science of earthquakes. Discussions include the general character of science, plate tectonics, geologic time, seismic hazards, faults and faulting, earthquake prediction, seismic waves, and Earth structure and composition. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Fall semester.
EAS-211: Map and Chart Analysis (3)
Weather maps and diagrams plotted and analyzed; decoding of surface observation an numerical model codes. Basic concepts of meteorology examined qualitatively, requiring only a cursory knowledge of mathematics. Fall semester.
EAS-220: Mineralogy (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-A101 and 102 or consent of instructor. Lecture two hours,
laboratory three hours per week. Crystallography, physical, chemical, and
descriptive mineralogy. Mineral identification and atomic structure of
minerals. Fall semester.
EAS-221: Mineralogy Lab (1)
EAS-240: Field Techniques in Geology (1)
Prerequisite: Any EAS 100-level course. Instruction in the fundamental methods of field work. Students will learn to use a compass, maps and other geological aids, orienteer, describe basic geologic features, keep a field notebook and map simple geologic structures. Most of the course will be conducted in the field. Fall semester.
EAS-242: Computer Applications in Earth Science (1)
Restricted to students in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Laboratory two hours per week. Students gain experience in the use of word processors, spreadsheets and graphing packages for tabulating, analyzing and reporting scientific data in the geosciences. Spring semester.
EAS-244: Atmospheric Motions (3)
EAS-253: Physical Climatology (3)
Prerequisite: Calculus I
Basic causes of climate and microclimate: meteorological interpretations of existing climates; methods of climate classification; emphasis on the physical processes of climate changes.Spring Semester.
EAS-260: Environmental
Science Seminar Series (1)
EAS-293: Special topics (1-4)
EAS-: Special Study in Meteorology (0-3)
Upper Division Courses
EAS-305: Geomorphology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-A101 and 102 or consent of instructor. Lecture three
hours, laboratory one hour per week. Origin and development of forms and
features of the landscapes of
EAS-310: Environmental Issues (3)
EAS-315: Broadcast Meteorology I (3)
EAS-316: Broadcast Meteorology II (3)
EAS-325: Global Change (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-101, EAS-103, and MT-120. Fundamentals of climate physics, global and regional scale average solar and terrestrial radiation regimes and respective radiation balances; radiation instruments of roof station; hydrologic cycle and water balance; energy balance for atmosphere, ground and total earth system; heat transfer in ocean and ground; paleoclimatology; climatic change. Fulfills three hours of science requirement. Spring semester
EAS-331: Paleontology (3)
Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours per week. Classification, anatomical structure and geological history of invertebrate fossils. On request.
EAS-335: Surface Water Hydrology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-A101 and EAS-A103. Precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and effects that various geomorphological and geological features have on these processes. Temporal and spatial variability of streamflow and flooding as influenced by both natural and cultural factors. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-350: Computational Methods in Meteorology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-366. Computational techniques in Meteorology is designed to introduce students to computational tools and techniques. These computational techniques will be discussed with specific meteorological problems in mind. The course will concentrate on the benefits and drawbacks of the different numerical forecast methods and how they affect the interpretation of the results. During this course, the student will write a simple barotropic model. Each assignment will illustrate a numerical technique. This course assumes a background in Fortran and the use of a workstation.
EAS-370: Mesoanalysis and Severe Storms (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-433 and EAS-444 The structure, dynamics, and climatology
of severe local storms are studied. Forecasting techniques for sever local
storms are carried out. The tropical cyclone is studied with respect to its
climatology, structure, and forecasting techniques. Fall Semester.
EAS-393: SLU TV Practicum
EAS-403: Elements of Air Pollution
Prerequisite: Calculus I and consent of instructor. Basic concepts in air pollution meteorology are discussed including sources of air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, air pollution legislation; current topics include acid rain, ozone depletion, and global change. Alternate spring semesters.
EAS-405: Petrology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-220 or consent of instructor. Origin, occurrence, classification and characteristics of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Lecture three hours per week. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-406: Petrology Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: EAS-405 or concurrent registration. Three hours laboratory per week. An introduction to the description, classification and analysis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Both microscopic (thin section) and macroscopic (hand sample) approaches are used. A brief introduction to optical mineralogy is included. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-415: Instrumentation and Remote Sensing (3)
Prerequisite: Calculus II. Meteorological instruments will be studied from the viewpoint of performance characteristics, sensitivity, dynamical error, and sinusoidal and step response. Statistical treatment of output data; digital measurement systems; computerized data processing and retrieval as it applies to the synoptic laboratory and climatology. Spring Semester
EAS-420: Synoptic Meteorology I (3)
Prerequisite: Calculus III and concurrent registration in EAS-444. Laboratory study of the structure and processes of the atmosphere including the equations of motion and thermodynamics, Norwegian cyclone theory and quasi-geostrophic theory. Diagnostic and prognostic meteorological charts will be used. Fall semester
EAS-422: Synoptic Meteorology II (3)
Those in the BS program should concurrently register for EAS-445. Topics include: Isentropic diagnostic analysis techniques, mesoscale meteorology and severe weather forecasting and numerical weather prediction (NGM, Ita models) including statistical products. Emphasis is placed on real-time map discussions and forecasts. Spring Semester
EAS-423: Micrometeorology (3)
Prerequisite: Calculus III. Physical relations between profiles of temperature, moisture, and wind in the atmospheric boundary layer; influence of low-level atmospheric turbulence, diffusion, and heat transfer processes on the boundary layer. Spring semester.
EAS-425: Project in Environmental Science (0-6)
This course will be lecture, field and laboratory based. The goal will be to discuss local and global environmental issues important to society and allow students to acquire first-hand knowledge of such issues in the laboratory and in the field. Lectures will emphasize the methods of scientific analysis, data collection, library research, identification of environmental problems and possible solutions, report writing, and presentation of results. Several case studies will be reviewed in detail. As needed.
EAS-426: Environmental Geophysics (3)
Prerequisites: EAS-101, 102, 103; MT-142. Lecture three hours per week. Geophysical techniques for exploration and characterization of shallow structure and media in the geosciences. Includes gravity, magnetic, seismic, electrical, borehole and ground-penetrating radar methods. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-428: Environmental Geochemistry (3)
Prerequisites: EAS-101, 102, 103; CH-161; EAS-240 recommended. Lecture three hours per week. Application of geochemical principles towards the understanding of chemical processes occurring at or near the Earth's surface. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-430: Structural Geology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-220. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours per week. Description of structures in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks at scales ranging from atomic to continental. Introduction to stress, strain, deformation mechanisms, and techniques of kinematic and dynamic analyses. Laboratory includes geometrical techniques for solving structural problems, map interpretation and field exercises. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-431: Structural Geology
Lab (1)
EAS-433: Physical Meteorology I (3)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: Calculus III. Physical principles underlying atmospheric processes: thermodynamics of dry and moist air, various thermodynamic diagrams, and formation of clouds and precipitation. Fall semester
EAS-434: Physical Meteorology II (3)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: Calculus III. Principles of radiative transfer in the atmosphere; solar and terrestrial radiation; absorption and emission of radiation; theory and characteristics of Black-Body radiation. Energy transfer processes near the earth's surface; vertical fluxes of momentum; heat and water vapor in the boundary layer by turbulence; and energy budget at the earth-atmosphere interface. Refraction by water drops, and rainbow and atmospheric signal phenomena. Spring Semester.
EAS-435: Groundwater Hydrology (3)
Prerequisites: EAS-A101, EAS-A102, EAS-A103, MT-A1412; PH-A131 and MT-A142 (recommended). Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours per week. Introductory course in hydrogeology. Describes relations between surface water and groundwater, principles of groundwater flow, relations between groundwater and geology, and problems related to groundwater pollution. Numerous experiments and simulations are used in the course. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-A437: Earth Dynamics (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-101, 102, 103 and permission of Instructor. Lecture three hours per week. The relation between plate tectonics and properties of Earth's interior inferred from geological and geophysical observations. Emphasis will be on the relation of Earth's surface features to processes at depth. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-440: Advanced Field Methods (2)
Prerequisites: EAS-A240; at least one upper level EAS geoscience course. Instruction in advanced methods of field work. Students will map igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, soils, and structures such as folds and faults. Most of the course will be conducted in the field. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-444: Principles of Dynamic Meteorology I (3)
Prerequisites: Calculus III and concurrent registration in EAS-A 420. Dynamic principles underlying large scale atmospheric motion: development of the primitive equations, horizontal wind approximations, thermal wind concept, coordinate system transformations, kinematics, circulation theorem, and flow in the planetary boundary layer.Fall semester.
EAS-445: Principles of Dynamic Meteorology II (3)
Corequisite: MT-351. Introduction to numerical weather prediction, atmospheric inertial and gravity waves, and barotropic and baroclinic instabilities. Spring semester.
EAS-447: Elementary Tropical Meteorology (3)
Prerequisite: EAS-433 and EAS-444. Tropical Climatology; Convergence Zones and Weather Systems; Trade Winds; El Nino, and Southern Oscillation; Quasi-Biennial Oscillation; Hurricanes, Formation, Theories, and Prediction; Monsoons; Global Tropical Forecasting; and Satellite Estimation of Precipitation. Alternate spring semesters.
EAS-450: Scientific Communications (2)
Restricted to students in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Lecture two hours per week. Principles of effective writing for a scientific audience; the structure of reports, papers and communications; techniques for the organization and delivery of results for oral, written and poster presentations. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-451: Principles of Seismic Exploration (2)
Prerequisites: General Physics, MT-142, EAS-430 recommended. It is also recommended that EAS-452 be taken concurrently. Exploration for natural resources using seismic waves; refraction and reflection methods and interpretation; elementary seismic data processing. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-452: Seismic Exploration Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: EAS-451 or concurrent registration. Laboratory and field problems, two hours per week. Collection and interpretation of seismic data; applications of the computer to data interpretation. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-453: Principles of Electrical Exploration (3)
Prerequisites: General Physics, PH-421 or concurrent registration. Electrical properties of earth materials, natural electrical fields, electrical fields in layered media, electrical methods of exploration. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-455: Principles of Gravity and Magnetic Exploration (4)
Prerequisites: MT-371 and PH-421. Earth's gravity and magnetic fields, density and magnetic properties of rocks, gravity and magnetic methods of exploration. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-460: Introduction to the Physics of the Solid Earth (3)
Prerequisites: General Physics, MT-244. Physical properties and processes in the earth's interior structure, composition, heat flow, rheological processes, and evolution. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-462: Introduction to Earthquake Seismology (3)
Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours per week. Causes and effects of earthquakes; parameters of seismic foci determinable from seismographic records; seismic geography and structure of the earth inferred from seismic data. Laboratory exercises with problems of record interpretation. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-465: Weather Forecasting (3)
Prerequisites: EAS-420 and EAS-444. Students study and practice
weather briefing techniques. Short term (48 hours) weather forecasts are
prepared for
EAS-470: Theory of Vibrating Systems (3)
Prerequisites: MT-351, PH-311 recommended. Single and multiple degree of freedom oscillators. Theoretical and practical study of ground vibrations caused by earthquakes, machinery, quarry blasts, and other disturbances; effects of these vibrations on buildings and other structures. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-472: Seismological Instrumentation (3)
Prequisites: MT-351 and EAS-470 recommended. Lecture two hours, laboratory one hour per week. Physical principles underlying design and operation of the seismograph. Selection of the seismograph for specific problems; calibration and response characteristics. Laboratory practice in assembly, installation and calibration of modern seismographs. Spring or Fall semester.
EAS-478: COMET Modules (1-3)
Prerequisite: EAS-420, EAS-444, and EAS-422 (or concurrent enrollment).
This is a self-study, self-paced course which utilizes the computer-based
learning (CBL) modules on the laser video disk and CD-ROM, purchased from the
Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training
(COMET). Credits earned are based upon the number of modules chosen. The
modules vary in length and include frequent quizzes and lab exercises which are
computer evaluated. The student will contract to finish a certain number of
modules during the term, and complete them on the department PCs which runs the
modules. The completion of the modules will be monitored by the student's
advisor. Fall or spring semesters.
EAS-480-00: Internship (0-6)
Students have the opportunity to develop new skills and gain first-hand experience working in geological, geophysical, meteorological or environmental fields for either a private or public entity under the direction of a skilled professional. Arrangements for the working relationship must be established prior to registration.
EAS-488: Senior Inquiry Research Project (0-6)
EAS-490: Senior Inquiry Future-Oriented Problems Course (0-6)
EAS-493: Special Topics (1-4)
EAS-495: Senior Residency (0)
EAS-498: Advanced Independent Study (0-6)
Prior permission of sponsoring professor and chair required.
