37 courses with the subject ESCI, 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.
ESCI 101Geohazards0.5
Geohazards explores the geological and societal causes of death and destruction by earthquakes, landslides, floods, volcanoes, storms, and avalanches around the world. Students explore basic earth processes and learn how the Earth and its inhabitants interact in dangerous ways because people repeatedly fail to appreciate Earth’s power. Two 75-minute periods during the first six weeks of the semester. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
The bucolic landscapes of the Hudson Valley are the result of over a billion years of geological processes. The rocks of this region host an archive of this history, of once towering mountains, ancient tropical seas, and thick sheets of ice. Each week a trip to a local field locality is supplemented by lectures and readings. First six-week course. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 111Environmental Justice in the Anthropocene1
Geoscientists have proposed a new designation in the geological time scale for our current period, “the Anthropocene.” The designation reflects the fact that human beings are acting as geological agents, transforming the Earth on a global scale. Environmental justice — including among others eco-feminism and issues of environmental racism — extinction events and historical and ongoing climate crises are, along with other, issues addressed when discussing the Anthropocene. Open only to first-year students; satisfies the college requirement for a First-Year Writing Seminar. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
Volcanic eruptions are awe inspiring events that easily capture our attention and imagination. The activity of Earth’s volcanoes is inextricably linked with our collective past as eruptions have triggered both regional and global environmental and climatic changes. This course explores the links between volcanism and human civilization. Emphasis is placed on eruptions that have altered the trajectory of human civilization, such as the eruption of Toba 74,000 years ago, the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius, and the eruption of Tambora in 1815. We also consider how volcanoes could affect our collective future. An optional field trip to an active volcano is possible. Open only to first-year students; satisfies the college requirement for a First-Year Writing Seminar. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
(Same as GEOG 151 ) The Earth is a dynamic planet. As planetary citizens, we need to understand the components of the Earth and what geologic processes occur on it. Therefore, in this course we develop skills that enable us to examine the materials that comprise the solid Earth and understand processes that operate in the geosphere. We explore topics including but limited to plate tectonics, minerals and rocks, volcanism, maps, geologic time and fossils. Jill Schneiderman (fall); Michele Tebolt (spring). Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 153Fluid Earth: Oceans, Atmosphere, & the Climate System1
(Same as ENST 153 and GEOG 153 ) Earth’s oceans are critical for human societies: They absorb carbon dioxide emissions, provide food and natural resources, and their life generates half of the oxygen we breathe. The oceans’ counterpart, the atmosphere, is where weather systems develop and our planet’s temperature is determined. In this introductory course, we examine the physical, chemical, and biological building blocks of the ocean and atmosphere and how they are changing as a result of human activities. We explore climate phenomena such as planetary wind belts, extreme precipitation and El Niño events, and ocean acidification. Students explore the ways that climate science is conducted and communicated to the public, as well as what can be done to create just and equitable climate solutions. This course is a complement to ESCI 151 / GEOG 151 The Solid Earth: Physical Geology . Kirsten Menking (fall); Laura Haynes (spring). Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
0.5 or 1 unit(s) Execution and analysis of field, laboratory, or library study. Project to be arranged with individual instructor. The department. The Department. Open to first-year students and sophomores only. Course Format: CLS
The solid Earth is made up of minerals, melts, and rocks. These materials act as reservoirs for atoms that have been continually recycled by geological and geochemical processes in operation sin c e our planet’s formation. This course holistically considers the identification of these materials as we investigate the processes that drive their formation, alteration, and breakdown. We approach these topics through a combination of field (outcrop description, hand specimen identification), laboratory (optical and electron microscopy, x-ray analysis), and computational techniques (simple thermodynamic models). John Zayac.
ESCI 151 or permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
ESCI 202Public Policy and Human Environments1
(Same as ENST 202 , ESSC 202 , GEOG 202 and URBS 202 ) This course combines the insights of the natural and social sciences to address a selected topic of global concern. Geographers bring spatial analysis of societal and political-ecological changes, while Earth Scientists contribute their knowledge of the diverse natural processes shaping the earth’s surface. Together, these distinctive but complementary fields contribute to comprehensive understandings of the physical limitations and potential uses and misuses of the Earth’s natural resources. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
In this course we study the methods and principles employed in deciphering the geologic history of Earth and the development of life on the planet. We emphasize the geologic evolution of the North American continent through the lens of the Supercontinent Cycle and the main features of the fossil record. Students learn to recognize and characterize patterns in the biological and tectonic evolution of Earth through time, from formation to the present. Woven throughout the course is consideration of the history of geologic thought. Laura Haynes. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
Sediments and sedimentary rocks preserve information about the rocks that were eroded to form them, the fluids and forces that transported them, the mechanisms by which they were deposited, and the processes by which they were lithified. This course introduces the principles of sedimentology, including sediment composition, fluid mechanics, bedform analysis, and depositional environments. Weekend field trips may be required. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Not offered in 2026/27.
ESCI 220Cartography: Spatial Data Visualization with GIS1
(Same as GEOG 220 ) Geographic information systems (GIS) give us the ability to display and analyze data, and thus give us broader perspectives on social and environmental processes and patterns. Map-making and communication with spatial data are therefore fundamental aspects of Geography. This course uses GIS to make thematic maps and to acquire and present spatial data in diverse ways. In addition, we explore the culture, politics, and technology of historical cartography, and we examine how maps have been used as rhetorical and political texts. Throughout the course, we focus on strategies for clear, efficient, and intentional communication through graphic presentation of data. Thus, the course integrates problems of design, esthetics, and communication with techniques for manipulating quantitative data. In the final project, students apply ideas to a topic of their individual interest. ArcGIS is used in labs for map production and data analysis. Neil Curri.
One 100-level Geography or Earth Science course, or permission of the instructor. Satisfies the college requirement for quantitative reasoning. Two 75-minute periods and one 2-hour lab. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
ESCI 221Soils1
(Same as GEOG 221 ) Soils form an important interface between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. As such, they are critical to understanding the functioning of ecosystems. This course studies soil formation, and the physical and chemical properties of soils critical to the understanding of natural and constructed ecosystems. Field trips and laboratory work focus on the description and interpretation of local soils.
One introductory course in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science; or ENST 124 . Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory/field period. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 224GIS: Spatial Analysis1
(Same as GEOG 224 ) Geographic information systems (GIS) are increasingly important and widespread packages for manipulating and presenting spatial data. While this course uses ArcGIS, the same software as Cartography, the primary focus here is spatial analysis (calculating patterns and relationships), rather than map design for data visualization. We explore a variety of techniques for answering questions with spatial data, including overlay, map algebra (math using multiple input layers), hydrologic modeling, surface interpolation, and site selection. Issues of data collection through remote sensing and sampling are addressed. GIS involves a more rapid introduction to the software than Cartography does; it is useful to take both Cartography and GIS (preferably in that order) to gain a more complete understanding of spatial data analysis and manipulation. Mary Ann Cunningham. Satisfies the college requirement for quantitative reasoning. Two 75-minute periods; one 2-hour laboratory.
(Same as GEOG 226 ) Remotely sensed imagery allows us to study major environmental questions such as sea ice extent, agricultural land uses, urban expansion, or deforestation. Understanding how to work with these data sources, such as Landsat or MODIS imagery, is an important part of learning geospatial analysis. This 6-week Intensive provides a short introduction to remotely sensed data and then focuses on an analytical project involving image acquisition, application of indices, and image classification and interpretation. We use ArcGIS Pro to practice different ways of using imagery for environmental questions. This Intensive complements GIS, Cartography, and other courses concerned with mapping and land change analysis. It has no prerequisites, but a willingness to explore new software and to help lead group work is important. Mary Cunningham. First six-week course. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: INT
ESCI 231Geomorphology: Surface Processes and Evolution of Landforms1
(Same as GEOG 231 ) Quantitative study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that create Earth’s many landforms. Topics include weathering and erosion, landsliding and debris flows, sediment transport by rivers and glaciers, the role of climate in landscape modification, and the use of landforms to document earthquake hazards. Lab exercises emphasize fundamental skills in geomorphologic analysis such as mapping, surveying, interpretation of aerial photography, and use of Geographic Information Systems software. Kirsten Menking.
Permission of the instructor. Satisfies college requirement for quantitative reasoning. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory/field period. An overnight weekend field trip may be required. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
ESCI 235Water1
Sixty to seventy percent of Dutchess County residents depend on groundwater supplies to meet their daily needs. Industrial pollution and road salt have contaminated many of these supplies, spawning legal actions and requiring costly remediation. Ensuring adequate and safe groundwater supplies for humans and ecosystems requires extensive knowledge of the hydrologic cycle and of how contaminants may be introduced into water resources. We explore how rainfall and snowmelt infiltrate into soils and bedrock to become part of the groundwater system, learn what factors govern subsurface flow, and discuss the concept of well-head protection, which seeks to protect groundwater recharge areas from contamination. Using Vassar’s teaching well at the field station we perform a number of experiments to assess aquifer properties, water chemistry, and presence of microbial contaminants. Comfort with basic algebra and trigonometry is expected. Deon Knights.
ENST 124 or ESCI 151 or ESCI 153 or permission of the instructor. Satisfies the college requirement for quantitative reasoning. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory/field period. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
ESCI 251Global Geophysics and Tectonics1
Geophysicists use an array of physical and mathematical techniques to investigate the processes that shape our planet. Knowledge of these processes provides insight into the structure of Earth’s interior, mountain building processes, the formation of basins, and geologic hazards. We learn how to use seismology, variations in Earth’s gravitational field, and heat flow measurements to image the interior of our planet and to investigate the processes and driving mechanisms behind plate tectonics. Laboratory exercises are designed to use the skills required in many Earth Science fields, including the collection and use of geophysical data and the development of simple computer models John Zayac.
ESCI 151 or permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
ESCI 254Environmental Science in the Field1
(Same as CHEM 254 and ENST 254 ) The environment consists of complex and often elegant interactions between various constituents so that an interdisciplinary approach is required to understand how human interactions may affect it. In this course, we study a variety of aspects of a specific environment by considering how biological, chemical, geological, and human factors interact. We observe these interactions first hand during a weeklong field trip. Some of the questions we may consider are: How does a coral polyp create an environment that not only suits its particular species, but also helps regulate the global climate? How has human development and associated water demands in the desert Southwest changed the landscape, fire ecology, and even estuary and fisheries’ health as far away as the Gulf of California? How have a variety of species (humans included) managed to survive on an island with the harsh environment of the exposed mid-ocean ridge of Iceland? The course is offered every other year, and topics vary with expertise of the faculty teaching the course. Lynn Christenson, Alison Keimowitz.
Permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 265Resource Extraction: History, Economy & Sustainability of Fossil Fuels1
(Same as ENST 265 ) This course is designed for students who wish to learn more about the environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural impacts of resource extraction and energy production on communities. The Appalachian area of the United States and the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean serve as focal points representing one domestic and one international region, respectively, that have been uniquely shaped by resource extraction. We consider communities within these regions to guide class discussions and to investigate 1) their geological history and natural resources; 2) the history of indigenous communities, colonization, resource extraction and economic development; and 3) the challenges and solutions for sustainability and environmental justice faced by these communities. Deon Knights. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 271Structural Geology: Deformation of the Earth1
Structural geology explores the deformation of Earth’s crust caused by the movement of its tectonic plates and the resulting structures that are produced at scales ranging from the microscopic to the mountainous. It underpins the oil and gas industry and mining because fossil fuels and precious metals are commonly associated with folds and faults. It is also important in earthquake and landslide hazard prediction. Lab exercises emphasize the fundamentals of geologic mapping, how to use geometric principles to predict what lies in the subsurface from surface observations, and how rocks behave under varying conditions of stress. Many exercises occur in the field.
Permission of the instructor. Satisfies the college requirement for quantitative reasoning. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory/field period. An overnight weekend field trip may be required. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 273Ocean-Based Climate Solutions1
(Same as ENST 273 ) Ocean-based climate solutions are being urgently explored by the US federal government and a new generation of ocean engineering start-up companies. Ideas to draw down carbon dioxide include dumping minerals in the ocean and on beaches, planting kelp forests, and restoring coastal wetlands. What are the scientific underpinnings of ocean-based climate solutions? How critical are they to mitigating climate change? And how are the risks, governance, and just implementation of these solutions being considered? This course explores the past, present, and potential future modification of the oceans by humans. To reach this goal, we ground ourselves in the basic the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and governance of the ocean. We evaluate proposals for ocean engineering and design ways to test their risks and impacts. Along the way we consider how histories of colonialism have impacted humanity’s relationship with the ocean and now influence approaches to ocean-based climate solutions. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
(Same as ENST 277 ) Our planet is uniquely suited in our solar system to support complex life. In turn, the engines of biology have altered Earth’s geochemistry in ways that have allowed for the development of higher animals and the establishment of a relatively stable climate system. How do Earth’s biology, chemistry, and geology work together to create the Earth System we know today? We explore major milestones in Earth’s History such as the oxygenation of the atmosphere, the colonization of the continents by land plants, and the advent of calcifying organisms. Lab and field activities give us insight into biogeochemical processes ranging in scale from global ocean carbon cycling to the impact of road salt on local river chemistry. In the process, we cement our understanding of biogeochemical cycles and how humanity is altering them today.
ESCI 151 / GEOG 151 or ESCI / ENST 153 or ENST 124 or permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
0.5 to 1 unit(s) Execution and analysis of a field, laboratory or library study. The project, to be arranged with an individual instructor, is expected to have a substantial paper as its final product.
Critical analysis, usually through observation or experimentation, of a specific research problem in earth science. A student electing this course must first gain, by submission of a written research proposal, the support of a member of the earth science faculty with whom to work out details of a research protocol. The formal research proposal and a final paper and presentation of results are required parts of the course. A second faculty member participates in the final evaluation.
Permission of the instructor. Yearlong course 300- ESCI 301 . Course Format: INT
Offered
Fall
ESCI 301Senior Research and Thesis0.5
Critical analysis, usually through observation or experimentation, of a specific research problem in earth science. A student electing this course must first gain, by submission of a written research proposal, the support of a member of the earth science faculty with whom to work out details of a research protocol. The formal research proposal and a final paper and presentation of results are required parts of the course. A second faculty member participates in the final evaluation.
Permission of the instructor. Yearlong course ESCI 300 -301. Course Format: INT
Offered
Spring
ESCI 321Advanced Topics in Environmental Geology1
This course investigates fundamental geologic controls on environmental issues such as resource distribution and use, ground and surface water pollution, and atmospheric pollution. A specific topic is selected each year, and work in the class includes a survey of relevant literature, field visits to local sites, and development of a group project.
Permission of the instructor. One 3-hour period. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: INT
ESCI 323History of Geological Thought 20201
(Same as STS 323 ) In this course we examine the historical context and scientific ideas put forth by natural philosophers and scientists including Thomas Burnet, Nicolas Steno, James Hutton, Charles Lyell, Charles Darwin, Alfred Wegener, Marie Tharp, Bruce Heezen, Stephen Jay Gould, Niles Eldredge, Neil Shubin, James Lovelock and Walter Alvarez. Topics of study include geologic time, continental drift and plate tectonics, evolution and punctuated equilibrium, Gaia, and bolide impacts. This intensive requires a one-week field trip to Great Britain in the first week of Spring Break.
Must be a science or Science, Technology, and Society major at the sophomore, junior or senior level, or by permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: INT
ESCI 325Mass Extinctions1
It is often argued that our planet today is undergoing the “sixth mass extinction”. What defines a mass extinction in the rock record? What forces are able to cause such immense destruction of life on Earth? And, what are the outcomes of mass extinction for life on the planet? In this course we use the geologic record as our guide to understanding the consequences of asteroid impacts, rapid greenhouse gas emissions, and glaciation for the Earth System. We also explore ongoing controversies in the scientific literature regarding the cause of these catastrophic events. In group discussions, we probe the ways that the context of past mass extinctions can be used to inform conservation policy.
ESCI 203 or permission of the instructor. One 3-hour period. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
ESCI 335Paleoclimatology1
(Same as ENST 335 ) In recent decades, record high temperatures and extreme weather events have led scientists and policy makers to grapple with the fact that human activities are affecting the climate system. At the same time, scientists have come to realize that climate is capable of dramatic shifts in the absence of human intervention. The science of paleoclimatology seeks to understand the extent and causes of natural climatic variability in order to establish the baseline on top of which anthropogenic changes are occurring. In this course, we examine the structure and properties of the oceans and atmosphere and how the general circulation of these systems redistributes heat throughout the globe; study how cycles in Earth’s orbital parameters, plate tectonics, changes in ocean circulation, and the evolution of plants have affected climate; and explore the different lines of evidence used to reconstruct climate history from the Paleozoic through the Little Ice Age. We also undertake a semester-long project on a sediment core from a local lake or bog for the purpose of paleoclimatic reconstruction. Using proxies such as pollen, plant macrofossils, diatoms, and sediment chemistry and mineralogy, we explore the climate history of the Hudson Valley region since retreat of the Laurentide ice sheet. Kirsten Menking.
200-level work in Earth Science or permission of the instructor. Recommended Students who have taken BIOL 208 , and/or BIOL 241 are particularly encouraged to speak to the instructor about adding the course if they have not done 200-level work in Earth Science. One 4-hour period. Course Format: INT
Offered
Fall
ESCI 351Volcanology1
Volcanoes provide a window into the interior workings of our planet. They are also spectacular landscape features, serene in repose and often violent in eruption. This course addresses the physical aspects of volcanism, including topics such as the generation of magmas, the styles and products of eruptions, tectonic controls on the distribution of volcanoes, and methods for predicting and mitigating the hazards associated with volcanic activity. A required field trip to an active volcano is possible. John Zayac.
ESCI 201 , or permission of the instructor. One 4-hour period. Course Format: INT
Offered
Fall
ESCI 353Ocean-Based Climate Solutions1
Ocean-based climate solutions are being urgently explored by the US federal government and a new generation of ocean engineering start-up companies. Ideas to draw down carbon dioxide include dumping minerals in the ocean and on beaches, planting kelp forests, and restoring coastal wetlands. What are the scientific underpinnings of ocean-based climate solutions? How critical are they to mitigating climate change? And how are the risks, governance, and just implementation of these solutions being considered? This course explores the past, present, and potential future modification of the oceans by humans. To reach this goal, we ground ourselves in the basic the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and governance of the ocean. We evaluate proposals for ocean engineering and design ways to test their risks and impacts. Along the way we consider how histories of colonialism have impacted humanity’s relationship with the ocean and now influence approaches to ocean-based climate solutions. Laura Haynes.
One class in Earth Science at the 200 level. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
ESCI 361Modeling the Earth1
(Same as ENST 361 ) Computer models are powerful tools in the Earth and Environmental Sciences for generating and testing hypotheses about how the Earth system functions and for allowing simulation of processes in places inaccessible to humans (e.g., Earth’s deep interior), too slow to permit observation (e.g., orbitally controlled ice sheet growth and decay), or too large to facilitate construction of physical models (e.g., circulation of the world ocean). Taking readings from the scientific literature, we create and then perform experiments with simple computer models, using the STELLA iconographic box-modeling software package. The course emphasizes Earth’s climate system; topics include our planet’s radiative balance with the sun and resulting temperature, the flow of ice in glaciers, the role of life in moderating Earth’s climate, how temperature profiles in permafrost record the last two centuries of global warming, and the impacts of fossil fuel combustion on ocean acidification. Toward the end of the semester, students apply the skills they have acquired to a modeling project of their own devising.
One 200-level course in the natural sciences. Satisfies the college requirement for quantitative reasoning. One 4-hour period. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: INT
ESCI 383Planetary Geology1
This seminar-style Intensive consists of reading and discussion of technical scientific papers in the field of planetary geology. Students read and discuss the original research that led to groundbreaking discoveries related to the planetary topic of the week and think about how our understanding of our Earth, the solar system, and the universe, has changed throughout history. Topics include: Venus, Earth & astrobiology, Mars, gas giants, Europa, Titan, comets & meteorites. There is an emphasis on past and present planetary missions including a class focused on the finalist proposals for one of the most recent NASA multi-year space missions. This course allows students to hone their scientific reading, writing, and communication skills while learning about the surface and subsurface processes, atmospheres, fluvial systems, and scientific missions throughout our solar system. Michelle Tebolt.
A 200-level course in either Earth Science or Astronomy. One 3-hour period. Course Format: INT
Offered
Spring
ESCI 389The Geology of Ceramics0.5
Ceramics is an ancient art form, but the clay used to make ceramics comes from our planet’s even deeper geologic history. This Intensive explores the formation and geologic properties of clay minerals and how this has impacted the craft of ceramics throughout human history. We explore the geochemistry of chemical weathering, the process that makes clay, and investigate how the geologic setting and clay mineralogy of a region impacted the ceramic traditions that arose there. Field trips to collect local clays provide a window into local geologic and climate history. Students have the opportunity to create their own ceramics and investigate the geochemical and physical properties of ceramics throughout the firing process. Glaze chemistry and history are explored. No experience in ceramics is required. The Department.
ESCI 151 / GEOG 151 , ENST 153 / ESCI 153 / GEOG 153 . Recommended An intermediate Earth Science course. Second six-week course. One 3-hour period. Course Format: INT
Offered
Spring
ESCI 399Senior Independent Work
0.5 to 1 unit(s) Execution and analysis of a field, laboratory, or library study. The project, to be arranged with an individual instructor, is expected to have a substantial paper as its final product. The department.
