Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College · Courses
EARTH
31 courses with the subject EARTH, 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.
EARTH 100Environment Earth3
This course is designed to introduce students to issues surrounding the development and maintenance of human civilization on Earth. This includes developing an understanding of how human population has grown over time, the resources required by humans and how this has changed over time, and the by-products of activities related to resource extraction on the environment and, hence, on human health and the cost of maintaining human civilization. A considerable focus is placed on developing critical thinking skills by using scientific data to describe, and evaluate the relative importance of, environmental issues. Accordingly, the course presents, and explains, scientific data in formats that students are likely to find in scientific journals, mass media, and websites. In this course, students will: * Develop an understanding of the Earth system and how it operates, * Quantify human demands on natural resources, * Learn how resource extraction and use impacts the environment, * Foster the ability to critically evaluate scientific arguments, and * Practice expressing reasoned opinions on complex problems. By the end of the semester, students will be able to: * Identify important, and human- relevant, environmental issues. * Understand the breadth and complexity of environmental issues. * Think critically about environmental issues. * Have scientifically-accurate discussions about environmental issues with others. * Propose, and evaluate critically, solutions to environmental issues. Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
EARTH 100HEnvironment Earth: Environment and Energy3
Examination of climate change and energy issues. EARTH 100H Environment Earth: Environment and Energy (3) (GN) In this course, students will be asked to investigate the natural processes that affect the Earth's climate and their effects on Life on Earth. Once a fundamental understanding of natural processes is developed, then an examination of the anthropogenic atmospheric changes covers the increases in greenhouse gases mainly due to fossil fuel use and agriculture. After discussing the potential environmental and economic impacts of increased greenhouse gases on Man and Nature, the major energy sources will be studied for their potential to meet increasing energy needs and their possible ability to mitigate climate change.
EARTH 101Natural Disasters: Hollywood vs. Reality3
3 EARTH 103N Earth in the Future: Predicting Climate Change and 3 3 Its Impacts Over the Next Century 3 EARTH 105N Environments of Africa: Geology and Climate 3 3 Change 3 EARTH 150 Dinosaur Extinctions and Other Controversies 3 2 EGEE 101 Energy and the Environment 3 1 EGEE 101A Energy and the Environment 3 3 EGEE 101H Energy and the Environment 3 3 EGEE 102 Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection 3 3 EGEE 102H Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection 3 3 EMSC 121 Minerals and Modern Society 3 4 EMSC 125 Plastics in the Environment 3 4 EMSC 240N Energy and Sustainability in Contemporary Culture 3 3 ENT 202N Insect Connections: Insects, Globalization and 3 1 Sustainability 4 ENVST 100N Visions of Nature 3 4 ENVST 428 Environmental Economics and Policy 3 4 ERM 210 Environmental Factors and Their Effect on Your 3
EARTH 103NEarth in the Future: Predicting Climate Change and Its3
Impacts Over the Next Century Earth has a complex, fascinating, interconnected system of processes that control the state of the climate. If we can understand how this system works, then we can make intelligent predictions about the climate in the future. The future of climate is of great importance to the quality of life in the future. In this class, we will explore the workings of the climate system ¿ at the present, and in the past ¿ through a series of modules with hands-on learning activities. We will learn how simple and sophisticated computer models can provide useful tools for making predictions about what our climate will be like in the next few hundred years, which will be a critical time for our species as we endeavor to find a more sustainable way of living. A changing climate means changes in, among other things, temperature and precipitation, which will affect our water supplies, our energy consumption, and our ability to grow enough food to feed the people of Earth. A changing climate also means a range of stresses on the global economy. We will examine these climate impacts, but we will not stop there ¿ we will also focus our attention on what can be done to help us successfully meet these challenges Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies
This class explores how we can shift our society to a sustainable energy system that improves our quality of life, our economy, and our natural environment. Energy provides well-being, jobs and about 10% of our economy, while powering the rest. But, energy is also the least sustainable part of our economy-we rely on fossil fuels that we are burning about a million times faster than nature saved them for us. These fossil fuels, mostly coal, oil and gas, help us grow food and avoid some environmental disasters, but the limited fossil-fuel supplies mean we must move toward a more sustainable system. And, we will be better off by avoiding damaging climate changes from fossil-fuel CO2 if we move before all of the fossil fuels are gone. The warming influence of fossil-fuel CO2 is shown by physics known for more than a century and really refined by the US Air Force after WWII. History, data, and models confirm the physics, giving us high confidence that burning much of the remaining fossil-fuel resource and releasing the CO2 will cause much larger climate changes than we have experienced so far. This class will explore the big issues in energy, including the value of burning oil rather than whales, and other historical insights. Then, after looking at the basic science and engineering of our energy system and how it affects climate, we will examine the multitude of options for the future, including alternative energy sources, conservation, and intentionally manipulating the climate. The economics, policies and ethics of these options will help us consider how to build a sustainable energy system that will encourage economic growth and improved quality of life, while at the same time defending against potentially catastrophic future climate change. General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
Ten percent of the world's population or approximately 600 million people live on land that is within 10 meters of sea level. This low elevation coastal zone includes some of the world's most populous cities including New York, London, Miami, Calcutta, Tokyo, and Cairo. This zone is threatened by a host of environmental challenges, including but not limited to sea level rise. The overarching goal of this course is to provide students with a global perspective of coastal landscapes, the processes responsible for their formation, diversity and change over time, as well as socioeconomic and policy responses to current biophysical changes in the coastal zones around the world. Students will use real-world coastal data sets to evaluate hazards such as hurricanes and tsunamis and their effects on coastal populations. Coastal processes to be considered include tectonic settings, effects of glaciation, sediment supply, and wave and tidal energy. The impacts of sea level rise and its local effects on communities will be a focus. Engineering solutions to projected sea level rise impacts such as coastal flooding and habitat loss in coastal areas will also be examined. Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3991 Recommended Preparation: MATH 22 General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
EARTH 109The Fundamentals of Shale Energy Development3
Energy is a critical component of modern society, yet we face significant challenges associated with balancing energy demands, energy security, environmental sustainability, and stable economics with sound regulations and policy. Unconventional energy development from shale formations has been a game changer for the fossil fuel industry over the past decade and is projected to continue to grow over the next several decades. But there are still many uncertainties on how to optimally develop these largely untapped resources to maximize the social benefits while minimizing environmental impacts. This course covers key topics needed to provide students with an overview of the science, engineering, environmental impacts, geopolitics, economics and societal impacts of shale energy development. These topics include geology, resource assessment, drilling technology, hydraulic fracturing methods, environmental impacts, economics, workforce needs, infrastructure, utilization trends, regulation, energy policy, energy exports, international geopolitics, societal considerations, and the future of unconventional energy and its relationship with other energy forms. The class is geared toward a broad audience of students to provide a big picture view of the shale energy landscape. The course is structured in four parts. The course begins with the geology of shale (part 1), then examines engineering and environmental aspects of shale energy production (part 2), then explores relevant economic, geopolitical and societal issues (part 3) and ends with a capstone project (part 4). Shale energy development in a key U.S. shale basin is used in parts 1 -3 to provide examples and illustrate concepts, impacts and problems. In the capstone project, students will learn about the shale energy development in another basin of their choosing and present their findings to the class, thereby developing further the students' understanding of the core course content while gaining an overview of shale energy development beyond the U.S. shale basin presented in the course. General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies
The Earth is often called "The Blue Planet", a reference to the fact that over two-thirds of its surface is covered by water. Despite its apparent abundance, water is a valuable and limited resource; less than 2.5% of the water on the planet is fresh, and only one third of that is potable. The small fraction of Earth¿s water that is useable to humans is distributed very unevenly. As a result, conflicts over water occur from the local level, for example: pitting rancher against developer - to the global level, at which nations square off against one-another in war and use water as a mechanism for imposing sanctions. The dire situation
Concepts of climate sciences highlighted by evidence-based explanations and scientific discourse in preparation for K-6 science teaching. This introductory, multidisciplinary course will focus on the interactions among physical science concepts, earth science concepts, and scientific practices to develop understandings about Earth's climate system. The course is primarily intended for prospective elementary school teachers (Childhood and Early Adolescent Education, PK-4 and 4-8 majors), although it is available to other non-science majors. The development of models is an integral part of the course as a means to facilitate climate systems thinking by serving as a means to explain phenomena and predict outcomes. In addition, students in the course consider how what they are learning applies to teaching by offering opportunities to think about how they might extend their knowledge to teaching contexts. This course consists of integrated lectures and laboratory investigations in class meetings each week, with work on collaborative projects outside of class. Cross-listed with: SCIED 112
EARTH 150Dinosaur Extinctions and Other Controversies3
One of the most dramatic developments in the Earth sciences is the suggestion that extinction of the dinosaurs was caused by a meteorite impact. Evidence for and against this controversial idea is just one of the subjects addressed by this course, dealing broadly with the history of our planet, the evolution of life upon it, and the sometimes rocky development of our understanding of Earth history. In addition to dinosaur extinction, we will discuss issues relating to catastrophic vs. gradual theories about the Earth's history, fossils and the history of life, and mass extinctions, including whether or not we're in the middle of one now. How are scientific discoveries made? What distinguishes a scientific argument from a non-scientific one? What roles do social and historical factors play in the construction and acceptance of scientific theories? Questions such as these will permeate the course. Readings will include selected texts by leading scientists, with supplements from the primary scientific literature, including current discoveries published in Science and Nature. Bachelor of Arts: Natural Sciences General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking GenEd Learning Objective: Soc Resp and Ethic Reason
EARTH 155NScientific Controversies and Public Debate is an
introduction to critical thinking about the messages consumers get from public relations (PR) on behalf of industry, and from scientists regarding environmental health risks. Because such messages may be contradictory, the course seeks to help students understand the extent to which message communication influences our perception of risk. The course is designed to familiarize students with science topics that, because of message manipulation, are (or historically were) perceived as controversial (e.g., smoking, secondhand smoke, flame retardants, nuclear energy, the ozone hole, global climate change, acid rain, junk science, rBGH milk, biosolids, pesticides, vaccines, and endocrine disrupting chemicals). Students will learn the science and environmental health risks underlying several controversial topics. They will be guided to consider how industry and science messaging has shaped their own perceptions of risk. Then, using tools for effective communication, and avoiding communication pitfalls and deceptive tactics, students will combine accurate science content with compelling storytelling in a professional-quality video to inform the public about a targeted environmental health risk and persuade the public to avoid that risk. EARTH 155N focuses on the intersection between science and communication in the realm of environmental health. The course guides students to closely examine controversial environmental health topics, learn the science to understand public health risks, learn strategies to identify false or misleading arguments, and then think critically about industry and science messaging, including the impact of such messaging on their own lives. EARTH 155N Scientific Controversies and Public Debate is an interdomain course that integrate GN environmental health topics with GH message evaluation. It has no prerequisites, and is designed for students who may be unfamiliar with, or have only introductory knowledge of controversial environmental health topics, the norms of science communication, and public relations techniques. General Education: Humanities (GH) General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking
EARTH 200NEarth Systems through a Social and Environmental Justice
Lens is an introduction to critical thinking about the intersectionality between environmental degradation and human harm. The course seeks to help students understand the relationships among lack of access (e.g., to credit, affordable housing, good schools, greenspace, healthcare, nutritious food, walkable streets), social factors (e.g, racism, poverty, unemployment), and environmental hazards (e.g., pollution, natural disasters, disease, heat islands, rising sea level, melting permafrost) for marginalized groups, and the institutional structures that support inequality. The course is designed to familiarize students with commonly misunderstood SJ topics such as race as a social (not biological) construct, historical racial inequality, and its present-day consequences (e.g., wealth and education gaps), environmental racism, the root causes of urban poverty, redlining, etc. Case studies will familiarize students with major environmental issues in each sphere (anthroposphere, biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere). In addition to academic content, research suggests that case studies help students make meaningful affective connections and practice empathy. The case studies presented in EARTH 200N show EJ issues from the perspective of marginalized groups that have organized to reduce inequalities. Students will learn the science underlying major environmental issues associated with exceeding Earth's planetary boundaries in areas such as biogeochemical cycling, climate change, chemical pollution, and freshwater use. The scale (local, regional, global) of various environmental issues will be discussed. EARTH 200N Earth Systems through a Social and Environmental Justice Lens is an interdomain course that integrates GN Earth systems science with GS social justice (SJ) and environmental justice (EJ). It has no prerequisites, and is designed for students who may not be familiar with the intersectionality between environmental degradation and human harm. General Education: Natural Sciences (GN) General Education: Social and Behavioral Scien (GS) General Education - Integrative: Interdomain GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Integrative Thinking
The geography, geology, biology ecology and chemistry of coral reef ecosystems; threats to reef environments; and techniques for reef surveying and monitoring; with local geologic and distant modern field studies. EARTH 240 Coral Reef Systems (4) (GN) The course introduces students to coral reef environments, past and present. It describes the processes that control the distribution, growth, and morphology of reefs and introduces students to the complexity of the coral reef ecosystem. The course emphasizes the role that reefs play in the natural environment and examines their importance to society both globally (e.g. in terms of biodiversity and its potential benefits) and locally in terms of, for example food supply and tourism. We then look at the natural disturbances (such as disease, storms, sea surface temperature variations) that affect the reef, as well as ways in which reefs are threatened from human impacts, with an emphasis on global climate change and the long-term outlook for reef survival. Students will work in groups to research elements of the system, first at a global scale, and then focusing specifically on one region -- the Bahamas platform. Students will look at the history Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3993 of the Bahamas platform and its relationship to the present nature and distribution of coral reefs. They will then examine these in the context of their social, cultural, and economic importance to local communities. A third component of the course will concentrate on the identification of vertebrate and invertebrate species and substrate conditions that are important indicators of reef health. There will then be a one-week field trip to a coral reef system to conduct reef surveys. The surveys follow the Reef Check protocol (a volunteer, community-based monitoring protocol designed to measure the health of coral reefs on a global scale). Reef Check is administered out of the University of California at Los Angeles. The coral reef surveys will be conducted on scuba and the field trip and participation in the survey are required elements of the course. Students who are not scuba certified will be given the opportunity to obtain open water scuba certification as part of the course, through Penn State’s Science Diving Program (The PSU Science Diving Program is a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences). There will be an additional charge for the scuba certification course and the field trip. Student assessment will be through group presentations, term papers, 3 exams and their contribution to the field program. The course satisfies part of the field requirement for the University's Marine Science Minor and serves as an introduction to the Science Diving Program. Recognized Scube Certification
Prerequisite or concurrent: KINES045 or Nationally
EARTH 296Independent Studies1-18
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Climate change is an existential threat that will impact every aspect of life in countries around the world, including basic needs for human survival such as food and water. Understanding the systems that control Earth's climate is key to making predictions about the future. Even though the direction of climate change is clear, predictions are uncertain because of the complexity of the climate system and the ability of countries to curb carbon emissions. Widespread understanding of the scientific issues and choices among citizens is central to making sound decisions about sustainability in their own lives. Beyond this, communication of this understanding to business leaders and lawmakers is critical to making changes in policy and the corporate world that will impact future sustainability. In this course, students will learn about the climate system, predictions for the coming century and how they are made, the impact on food, water, and sea level, and what changes are necessary to help us , successfully meet these challenges. A fundamental part of the course will be the development and communication of sound policy aimed at lawmakers and corporate leaders. EARTH 002 or EARTH 100 or GEOG 30N )
EARTH 412 examines the relationships between people and the environment in the context of urban spaces with international context, United States national conditions and perspectives, and local implementation and practice. The course explores the fundamental question of "What is urban sustainability?" by: First, framing sustainabilit through the unique aspects of urban sustainability including political, economic, and social challenges; and investigating the roots of unsustainability and possible ways to address it. Second, the dimensions of sustainability will introduce urban food production and food systems issues; challenges linking affordable housing and transportation alternatives; urban waste management problems; and urban water systems incorporation of green infrastructure and low- impact development research and implementation. And third, improving sustainability with an introduction to industrial ecology; the role of intermediaries and civic engagement; and an examination of the role of government policy in addressing urban sustainability through legislation, regulation, and judicial action. Concepts of sustainable development principles, justice and equity, urban food policy, affordable housing, transportation options, water and green infrastructure, waste management, industrial ecology, sustainable design, and community development will be addressed via in class activities and (virtual or in- person) field trips. GEOSC 1; Recommended Preparation: Completion of one of the listed prerequisite courses, or permission of program instructor.
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
EARTH 530Earth Surface Processes in the Critical Zone3
Introduction to Earth surface processes including weathering and soils, geomorphology, erosion and sedimentation, hydrogeology, low- temperature geochemistry and Earth systems. EARTH 530 Earth Surface Processes in the Critical Zone (3)Rapid changes in Earth's surface largely in response to human activity have led to the realization that fundamental questions remain to be answered regarding natural functioning of the Critical Zone, the thin veneer at Earth's surface where the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere interact. To understand these processes requires a broad array of scientific expertise spanning: geology, soil science, biology, ecology, geochemistry, geomorphology and hydrology. EARTH 530 will introduce students to the basic information necessary for understanding Earth surface processes in the Critical Zone through an integration of various scientific disciplines. Those who successfully complete EARTH 530 will be able to apply their knowledge of fundamental concepts of Earth surface processes to understanding outstanding fundamental questions in Critical Zone science and how their lives are intimately linked to Critical Zone health. EARTH 530 will combine digital video, audio, simulation models, virtual field trips to on-line data resources, text, and interactive quizzes that provide instantaneous feedback. The overarching goal of the course is to help secondary science teachers understand Earth surface processes at a level they can communicate to their students. These processes will be presented in a Critical Zone framework - the teachers and subsequent students will leave with a better knowledge of how their daily lives are impacted by natural processes, and conversely how their daily activities impact Earth's surface and the Critical Zone. Students will be required to complete weekly assignments. There are 12 lessons divided into 7 units in EARTH 530. Each unit will contain interactive exercises, links, animations, movies, and novel explanations of the basic scientific principles of Critical Zone science. Students will also be assigned four unit projects throughout the semester (Units 2-6). Projects require students to apply the principles they have learned to various scientific inquires of Earth surface processes in the Critical Zone. A capstone Semester Project will require students to use the skills and knowledge they develop in the course to produce a learning module that they, in turn, will be able to use to teach course concepts to their own secondary school students.
EARTH 540Essentials of Oceanography for Educators3
Chemical and physical principles of the oceans and their interaction with the biosphere, atmosphere and the solid Earth. EARTH 540 Essentials of Oceanography for Educators (3)EARTH 540 introduces knowledge and broadens understanding of the oceans and their role in climate, coastal processes, and life within the fluid Earth. Students will gain insight into the physical and chemical processes that determine properties of the ocean and govern interactions between the ocean, atmosphere, groundwater, and the fluid/solid Earth. Topics will reinforce fundamental scientific principles such as heat transfer, chemical equilibrium, and conservation of energy. EARTH 540 will combine digital video, audio, simulation models, virtual field trips to on-line data resources, text, and interactive quizzes that provide instantaneous feedback.
Development of a capstone project, supervised on an individual basis outside the scope of formal courses. EARTH 591 Individual Studies: Research Project (3)EARTH 591 broadens the content knowledge of students in the program, while deepening their understanding of a specific topic of their choosing. Students will gain insight into the essence and process of current scientific research by working with an academic advisor who is a member of the graduate faculty. They will practice transforming the results of their own investigations into modules that can then be taught to others. Students will design, develop, and conduct a project in consultation with an advisor. Appropriate projects are expected to combine basic scientific research and pedagogical techniques. Examples of projects could include (but of course are not limited to): development of a new curriculum appropriate for grades 7-12 based on a specific discipline in the Earth Sciences, such as meteorology; or an independent research project in a specific scientific subfield, such as a recent climate change, the results of which may then be taught to students.
24 credits in the Master's Degree program in Earth Science
EARTH 597Special Topics1-9
/Maximum of 9 Formal courses given on a topical or special interest subject which may be offered infrequently; several different topics may be taught in one year or semester.
EARTH 801Computation and Visualization in the Earth Sciences3
/Maximum of 999 Students practice data visualization and analysis using computational methods for Earth science data to build content knowledge and interpretation skills. EARTH 801 helps students to develop procedural programming skills in a programming language designed for visual artists and visualization while exploring Earth science topics. In particular, students learn and practice digital graphics capabilities in order to render Earth science concepts that are otherwise difficult to visualize due to complicated space and time scales. Both spatial and object visualization skills are key to success in the Earth sciences; students in this course will build an awareness of these skills and practice them with an eye to being able to teach them to their own secondary school students. In this course, students will interact with large, open, freely-available Earth science data sets by collecting, plotting, analyzing them using a variety of computational methods. Students will therefore be ready to teach their own secondary school students a range of Next Generation Science Standards skills involving data collecting, manipulation, analysis, and plotting. EARTH 801 students will also read and discuss current research regarding the teaching, learning, and evaluation of visualization skills in the Earth sciences, as well as exploring the theory of "multiple external representations" as applied to Earth science concepts and data sets.
