ESCI

and ESCI 1101L - Earth Science-Geography Lab (1)

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Elective Courses (9 credit hours) Select 9 credit hours from any 2xxx, 3xxx, or 4xxx GEOG course. Environmental Studies students cannot double count major requirements or electives as the 9 elective credits in this minor. GEOG 2xxx Any 2000 level GEOG course 2026-2027 UNC CHARLOTTE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Sustainability (3)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

topical issues in Earth Sciences. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

(3) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101, ESCI 1101L, GEOL 1200, and GEOL 1200L; or permission of instructor. Field techniques used in studies of earth and environmental sciences. Skills related to the collection and presentation of scientific data emphasized. Earth Sciences majors should take ESCI 2210 as soon as possible after completion of ESCI 1101, ESCI 1101L, GEOL 1200, and GEOL 1200L. ESCI 2222. Environmental Science. (3) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 and

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Elective Courses (12 credit hours) Select from the following:

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

ESCI 1101 and ESCI 1101L or GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L, and permission of instructor. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of the earth sciences. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 or GEOL 1200, GEOL 1200L. Regional 672 | Course Descriptions geomorphology and ecology of North America with emphasis on development, maintenance, and interaction of the geomorphic and ecological provinces.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 and ESCI 1101L, or GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L, or permission of instructor. A discussion of the geological, environmental, and policy aspects of America’s national parks, which preserve some of the finest landscapes and scenic beauty in the world. Students learn about the geological processes that created the landscapes in Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon, as well as many other parks and monuments. The role the parks play as protectors of endangered species, habitats, and undeveloped lands are also discussed.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Enrollment in this course is required for the department's earth sciences cooperative education students during each semester that they are working. Participating students pay a course registration fee for transcript notation. Assignments must be arranged and approved in advance. The Cooperative Education Program is only open to undergraduate students; graduate level students are encouraged to contact their academic departments to inquire about academic or industrial internship options for credit. For more information, contact the University Career Center. Course may be repeated. Graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. 2026-2027 UNC CHARLOTTE UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

may be repeated.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

ESCI 1101, ESCI 1101L, GEOL 1200, GEOL 1200L, or permission of instructor. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of the earth sciences. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

or STAT 2122 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3) or STAT 3122 - Probability and Statistics I (3) or MATH 3122 - Probability and Statistics I (3)

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101. The science, business, and implementation of ecological restoration projects. Topics include: the basics of stream and wetland regulations, restoration, funding, design, construction, and long-term land conservation. ESCI 4155. Fluvial Processes. (4) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 and ESCI 1101L or GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L. Hydrologic and geomorphic study of the transport of water and earth materials within stream systems. Erosion, mass wasting, open channel flow, sediment transport, flooding, stream channel morphology, morphometry of drainage basins, and related topics. Three lecture hours, three lab hours per week. ESCI 4160. Contaminant Transport. (3) Prerequisite(s): GEOL 1200, GEOL 1200L, ESCI 1101, ESCI 1101L, GEOL 4145, or permission of instructor. Development and application of equations describing mass and energy transport in the subsurface environment. Three hours lecture per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

to M.S. in Earth Science program. Exploration of the climatic, meteorological, and geographic processes that determine water availability for human use and vegetation growth across Earth's ecosystems. Precipitation in tropical and extratropical weather systems; climate and land-

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Total = 20 Credit Hours

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Dynamics (3)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 or GEOL 1200 or METR 1102, or instructor’s approval. Cross-listed Course(s): ESCI 5230. Satellites offer Course Descriptions | 673

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subsurface Flow Elective (4 credit hours) Select one of the courses shown below:

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Permission of department. Research and/or work experience designed to be a logical extension of a student's academic program. The student must apply to the department for an internship by submitting a proposal which specifies the type of work/research experience preferred and how the internship will complement his or her academic program. The department will attempt to place the selected students in cooperating community organizations to complete specified research or work-related tasks which are based on a contractual arrangement between the student and community organization. The student can receive three to six hours credit, depending on the nature and extent of the internship assignment. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

(1) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101, ESCI 1101L, GEOL 1200, GEOL 1200L; Senior standing; Earth Sciences or Geology major; or permission of instructor. Advanced seminar series examining major historical and modern research themes in the Earth and Environmental Sciences. Coursework consists of a series of independent and group oral presentations. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Permission of department and credit hours established in advance; and, when taken for honors credit, approval of a proposal through the Honors College Application to Candidacy process the semester prior to taking the course. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Civil Engineering Technology (ETCE)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

GEOG 5000-6999 - Geography Elective (3) PHYS 5000-6999 - Physics Elective (3)

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): METR 3140 and MATH 1241 with grades of C or above, or permission of instructor. Principles of computer programming applied to the analysis of meteorological data. Students become familiar with the Unix environment, learn programming basics, and create programs to analyze various meteorological datasets. Topics include: program composition, compiling, data types, mathematical operators, selective execution, repetitive execution, arrays, functions, and subroutines. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

METR 3210 with a grade of C or above, or permission of the instructor. An overview of common atmospheric measurements systems and their applications. Particular attention is paid to surface, sounding, radar, and satellite systems. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Cross-listed Course(s): ESCI 4122. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Develop techniques in a programming environment to quantitatively summarize spatiotemporal data related to Earth sciences using univariate and bivariate statistical calculations; defend interpretations of spatiotemporal Earth science data from both statistical and physical perspectives. duate Catalog  2026-2027

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

1101; GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L; or permission of instructor. Atmospheric, soils and geologic aspects of surface and ground water processes. Three lecture hours and one three-hour lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

standing in an M.S. program or permission of the instructor. Cross-listed Course(s): ESCI 4145. Physical and chemical groundwater hydrology, study of aquifer solids, and the role of groundwater in environmental sustainability. Water balance, flow, transport, and chemical reactions in aquifers, including groundwater interactions with other parts of the hydrologic cycle. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week, with occasional field trips. ESCI 5155. Fluvial Processes. (4) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 and ESCI 1101L; GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L; or permission of instructor. Hydrologic and geomorphic study of the transport of water and earth materials within stream systems. Erosion, mass wasting, open channel flow, sediment transport, flooding, stream channel morphology, morphometry of drainage basins, and related topics. Three lecture hours, three lab hours per week.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): ESCI 1101 and GEOL 1200, or permission of instructor. Introduces the physical fundamentals of remote sensing, provides an overview of airborne and satellite remote sensing systems, and offers a basic instruction in the use and interpretation of remote sensing imagery. Identification, interpretation and mapping of both natural and cultural landscape features are also covered. One 2- 1/2 hour lecture and one three-hour lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Offers both a basic instruction in the use and interpretation of remote sensing data, and advanced remote sensing techniques to help students understand what and how remote sensing can contribute to the information needs in various fields. 2-1/2 lecture hours and three lab hours per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

listed Course(s): ESCI 4190. An overview of current environmental issues. Solutions to environmental problems are not always clear-cut; this course focuses on the controversies, debates, and clashing views.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

standing in Earth Science. Global climate, climate variability, and dynamics within the climate system, including large- scale phenomena such as El Nino and the North Atlantic Oscillation. Analysis of the links between large-scale climate phenomena and local weather. Three hours of combined lab and lecture per week. ESCI 5210. Soil Science. (4) Prerequisite(s): GEOL 3124 and GEOL 3115, or permission of instructor. Study of soils, soil- forming processes and soil morphology with an emphasis on soils as they relate to geologic landscapes and surficial processes. Students will learn how to describe and interpret soils in the field. Three hours lecture, three hours lab per week with occasional field trips. Graduate students will fulfill the requirements of ESCI 4210. In addition, graduate students will be required to acquire laboratory and interpretive skills in soil chemical analyses and will have additional writing assignments for the course.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Environmental Dynamics (3)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

CHEM 1251 and MATH 1242 with grades of C or above, or permission of instructor. Basic physical chemistry and a survey of major topics in atmospheric chemistry including fundamental properties of the atmosphere, tropospheric chemistry, air pollution, acid rain, stratospheric chemistry and the ozone hole, and the role of chemistry in the Earth’s climate. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week. ESCI 5222. Watershed Science. (3) Prerequisite(s): ESCI 4140 or ESCI 5140, or permission of instructor. Examination of the cycling of water and chemical elements in natural and perturbed watersheds with emphasis on linkages between the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes which control runoff water quality. Topics include: runoff processes, evapotranspiration, nutrient export and stream, riparian and hyporheic zone hydrochemical dynamics.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Atmosphere. (4) Prerequisite(s): Graduate status. Cross- uate Catalog  2026-2027

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in Earth Science. Examines the flow of temperature, moisture and wind within the atmosphere's boundary layer, including their interactions and exchanges with Earth's land and water surfaces. Applications to the diurnal cycle, short-term forecasting, and air pollution are also discussed. Three hours of lecture per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): METR 3250 with a grade of C or above, MATH 2171, and MATH 2241, or permission of instructor. In-depth examination of atmospheric dynamics, focusing on the structure and evolution of synoptic and mesoscale weather systems, wave dynamics (Rossby, topographic, inertia-gravity, etc.), scale-analysis, nondimensional numbers, and atmospheric modeling. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): METR 3250 with a grade of C or above or permission of instructor. An integrated view of synoptic and dynamic meteorology focusing on advanced conceptual models and analysis techniques for mid-latitude weather systems and regional precipitation events. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

3250 or permission of instructor. A comprehensive study of the tropical atmosphere, including climatology, mean structure and circulation, air-sea energy exchange, cumulus transport, synoptic waves, and tropical storms. Special attention is paid to the formation, evolution, motion, and societal impacts of hurricanes. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Corequisite(s): METR 3250 or permission of instructor. A comprehensive study of the structure, evolution, and dynamics of atmospheric phenomena having spatial scales between 2 and 2000 km. Topics include: fronts, convective initiation, mesoscale convective systems, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, low-level jets, drylines, land-sea breezes, shallow convection, and terrain effects. Three hours of combined lecture and lab per week.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Graduate Committee. Research and/or work experience designed to be a logical extension of a student's academic program. The student must apply to Graduate Advisory Committee for an internship by submitting a proposal which specifies the type of work/research experience preferred and how the internship will complement his or her academic program. The Graduate Committee will attempt to place the selected students in cooperating community organizations to complete specified research or work-related tasks which are based on a contractual arrangement between the student and community organization. The student can receive three to six hours credit, depending on the nature and extent of the internship assignment.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and credit hours established in advance. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): permission of the Earth Sciences Graduate Program Director. In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the concentrations in earth sciences (Solid Earth Sciences; Climatology and Hydrology; Environmental Systems Analysis). May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

4

Credits (max)

4

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Cross-listed Course(s): INES 8120. Focuses on fundamental principles and applications of numerical modeling in simulating components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, land, and water. Philosophical considerations of why and how numerical models and model output are used in the Earth sciences are discussed. Also delves into the technical details of constructing a model, including finite differencing, boundary conditions, and parameterizations, and how these choices influence model output.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Cross-listed Course(s): GEOG 6130; GEOG 8130; INES 8130. Interactive, discussion-based course exploring effective pedagogy in the geosciences, applicable to many geoscience-related disciplines including atmospheric, ecological, oceanic, geologic, and geographic sciences. Students will explore what makes learning in the geosciences unique, teaching methods that enhance student learning, and how to create effective learning environments. Other topics include putting together lesson plans, assessing student work, and conducting pedagogical research.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Cycles (3)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Cross-listed Course(s): GEOG 6222, GEOG 8222, and INES 8222. A multi-disciplinary course which surveys methods used to reconstruct past climates, past environments, and past landscapes during the Quaternary period. Changes in past environmental conditions are discussed in light of present and future landscape predictions emphasizing both natural and human causes. Focuses on biotic and abiotic material from terrestrial and marine sediment cores, ice cores, and other proxies for past environments and past climates.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

3

Credits (max)

3

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Applications (3)

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Admission into the M.S. in Earth Sciences program. Discussion of holistic themes, discipline-specific issues, and current challenges in the Earth Sciences. Students actively participate in seminars delivered by student researchers, faculty, and invited speakers. Participation counts for a total of 2 credit hours (1 credit hour for each of two academic years). Prior to graduation, each student makes at least two seminar presentations and provides at least one formal critique of a presentation. May be repeated for credit.

Subject

ESCI

Credits (min)

1

Credits (max)

1

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and credit hours established in advance. Tutorial study or special research problems. May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit with change of topic.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu

permission of the student’s research advisor. Students complete hypothesis or problem-driven research that includes formulation, implementation, analysis and presentation components. Graded on a Satisfactory Progress/Unsatisfactory Progress or Standard Letter Grade basis each term. May be repeated for credit.

Subject

ESCI

Type

course

Repeatable

May be repeated for credit.

Edition

2026-2027

Source

catalog.charlotte.edu