37 courses with the subject GS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
GS 101Understanding Earth: an Introduction to Physical Geography
A comprehensive exploration of Earth's interconnected systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, with a focus on how these systems interact to shape the planet. Students will examine the dynamic processes that drive environmental change, such as weather patterns, climate variability, plate tectonics, and the cycling of water and nutrients. By analyzing the feedback loops and relationships among these systems, students will gain a deeper understanding of how natural processes influence landscapes, ecosystems, and human activities. The course also explores the role of human interactions with physical systems and how to address global environmental challenges.
This course introduces the physical principles that govern Earth's atmosphere and drive weather and climate at local, regional, and global scales. Topics include Earth-Sun relationships and atmospheric energy balance; atmospheric composition, humidity, cloud formation, and precipitation processes; air pressure, winds, and large-scale atmospheric circulation; and interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and land surface. The course also examines contemporary environmental challenges such as climate change, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and extreme weather events. Emphasis is placed on understanding underlying physical processes and on developing the ability to interpret weather observations, forecasts, and climate data using scientific reasoning.
Introduction to geological science: rocks and minerals, internal and external geologic processes, topographic map and air photo analysis, local field study. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.
Field Geoscience course for EEP majors as well as non-majors. Course explores the intersection of human activities and the Earth's landscape and processes, with a basic introduction to topics in geology, mapping and landscape analysis. Includes lecture, labs and field activities. Introductory lectures lab and field work on or near the Worcester State campus and then an overnight trip of 1-10 days.
The study of landforms and the processes that form them. Labs focus on interpretation of maps and aerial photographs. Three hour lecture and two hour laboratory.
Introduction to the use and analysis of remotely sensed images such as aerial photographs and satellite imagery. The course will examine fundamental concepts of atmospheric interactions with electromagnetic energy, types of sensors and platforms used as well as the history of Remote Sensing. Students will complete exercises analyzing and interpreting imagery and will be introduced to the use of Unpiloted Aerial Vehicles or drones.
This class will introduce you to the geological, physical, and climatic aspects of oceanography and the many ways the world ocean affects our daily lives. Topics include ocean waves and currents, marine geology and sediments, tides, coastal processes and hazards, and sea level change. Course includes field trips.
This course examines the spatial patterns of life and the Earth system processes that shape them through time. Topics include Earth's biomes, global patterns of biodiversity, dispersal and colonization, island biogeography, speciation and extinction, and the influence of past continental and climatic change. The course also addresses how human activities, including climate change, land-use change, and biological invasions, are reshaping biogeographic patterns. The course uses real-world data, computer simulations, and primary scientific literature to explore the dynamic connections between life and Earth's physical systems.
This course examines Earth's freshwater and its processes as it moves between Earth's atmosphere, surface, and subsurface. Explores the interactions of precipitation, surface runoff, infiltration, streamflow, and groundwater flow. Topics include hydrograph analysis, runoff estimations, groundwater-surface water interactions, groundwater flow, water quality assessment, and water resources assessment. Course includes field trips.
The study of the formation, processes, classification and composition of soils with emphasis on environmental applications, including watershed delineation. Every year.
This laboratory class will introduce you to how sediments and soils form and transform over time. The class will include laboratory and field investigations of modern sedimentary environments and local soils, following standardized protocols used by government agencies and environmental companies.
Examination of advanced functions and datasets using Geospatial Information System tools. Introduces the use of relational databases for storing spatial and attribute data and the implementation of database queries. Explores advanced spatial analysis functions and editing of spatial data and attributes.
Computer based methods of representing, storing and analyzing landscape features. Explores technologies such as LiDAR and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for gathering landscape data and the use of geospatial tools to analyze and represent landscape features. 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab.
Underground water and its movement. Aquifer identification and test; wells, contamination and remediation, ground water as a geologic agent. Lab course.
Atmospheric Science introduces students to the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, and examines the science behind current issues such as global climate change, air pollution, and reductions in stratospheric ozone. Atmospheric physics includes both weather (clouds, rain, winds) and climate (weather averaged over longer timescales, as well as trends in climate over time). Atmospheric chemistry investigates processes controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere, including related processes in the and biosphere, as well as anthropogenic pollution (smog, stratospheric ozone loss, etc.)
This interdisciplinary course will introduce you to the geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes of aquatic systems. You will gain hands on field and laboratory experience sampling aquatic systems, measuring and interpreting limnological data, and identifying aquatic organisms. We will cover topics such as: the origin and evolution of lake systems, human impacts on water quality and biodiversity, and lakes and climate change. One full day weekend field trip to examine lakes outside of Worcester County. [Cross-listed with EV-370 and BI-377]
Field Geoscience course for EEP majors. Course explores the intersection of human activities and the Earth's landscape and processes examining advanced topics in geology, mapping and landscape analysis. Includes lecture, labs and field activities. Introductory lectures lab and field work on or near the Worcester State campus and then an overnight trip to field sites, 1-10 days depending on the number of credits.
LASC Categories: CAP n GE-200 and senior standing Capstone course for geography majors. Students prepare a comprehensive term paper and present on the topic. Course includes portfolio and career development. Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
Directed study offers students, who because of unusual circumstances may be unable to register for a course when offered, the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction and with agreement from a faculty member.
Opportunity for advanced students to pursue an earth science or geoscience topic of special interest involving extensive reading, experimentation, and research.
