30 courses with the subject ESSC, 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.
ESSC 108Introduction to Environmental Sustainability Credits: 33
Analyzes humanity’s relationship to the natural environment and its resources. Attention is given to both current utilization and predicted future availability of natural resources. Specific topics may include population demographics, agriculture, mineral and energy resources, climate change, ecology, and water resources. Along with understanding the underlying science, all topics are examined using the perspective of current economic, social, and political conditions.
Examines and analyzes the geological processes and elements involved in the mobile earth, with emphasis on earth materials, external and internal processes, and earth history. Attention given to human interaction with the geological environment. Topographic maps, fossils, minerals and rocks are used to enhance understanding and student involvement. Lab/lecture.
ESSC 111Introduction to Weather and Climate Credits: 33
Introduction to the atmospheric processes that produce weather and climate patterns as well as the scientific methods commonly employed in understanding such patterns. The course emphasizes the scientific method of inquiry and is segmented into three parts: 1. basic atmospheric concepts such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and precipitation; 2. major atmospheric disturbances such as blizzards, tornados, and hurricanes; 3. human impacts on the atmosphere such as urban heat islands, air pollution, and global warming. Laboratory and hands-on exercises are used to aid the understanding of atmospheric and scientific processes in general.
ESSC 115Coastal Hazards and Sustainability Credits: 33
Provides a global perspective of the geology and geography of coastal landscapes, the processes responsible for their formation, diversity, and change over time. Content includes a review of human impacts and responses (i.e. engineering, mitigation, adaptation, emergency response, land use planning, etc.) to coastal hazards affecting people living in coastal zones. Historic and late-breaking case studies will be integrated, especially studies of the Eastern U.S. Students will collect and analyze real data to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world issues affecting human populations today and in the future. Students will consider options to improve resiliency and sustainability in these dynamic environments. Course is delivered in hybrid format and includes required field study at the Chincoteague Bay Field Station at Wallops Island, Virginia.
Deals with origin and evolution of the geological and biological earth. Major areas include principles of historical geology, significance of sedimentary rocks, fossil records, and history of the Earth. Lab/lecture.
Presents broad overview and basic geology in limited detail of the North American continent and Hawaii, particularly as represented by the National Parks. Classroom discussion supplemented by demonstration/laboratory exercises with earth materials, models, maps, and stereo photos.
Comprehensive study of the ocean and surroundings. Main topics include origin of the ocean basins; water of the sea; physiography of the sea floor; plate tectonics; marine sediments; chemical properties of the sea; ocean circulation; waves, tides, beach, and shoreline processes; estuaries and life of the ocean.
ESSC 110 or CHEM 103 or CHEM 105 or HONR 244 or HONR 196 or permission of instructor
ESSC 226Hydrology Credits: 33
Presents basic concepts of hydrology with emphasis on the relationship of water to natural and human systems. Major topics include the dynamics of surface water flow, hydrogeology, water pollution, and water resources analysis.
Deals with atmosphere and stresses those forces which bring about changes within it. Insolation, temperature, precipitation, humidity, winds, storms, and cloudiness are the chief topics studied. Origin and development of cyclones and their significance in weather forecasting play an important interpretative part of this course. Two hours lecture and two hours lab/week.
ESSC 399Independent Study in Earth Science Credits: 33
Independent study affords students the opportunity to engage in independent study related to their major field, a supporting area, or specialized interest.
ESSC 400PASSHE Geology Field Experience Credits: 3-63-6
The PASSHE Geology Field Experience is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills to the investigation of Pennsylvania’s unique and varied geology. Students will prepare surficial and bedrock geologic maps, construct stratigraphic columns and geologic cross sections, conduct stream monitoring, and perform geochemical analyses. They will work independently and in groups to analyze field collected data and develop scientific reports. The course is offered throughout Pennsylvania at select locations with field-based modules taught by experts from across the state system.
ESSC 110 (Required) ESSC 212 (Recommended) or Permission of Instructor Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit
ESSC 404Applied Weather and Climate Credits: 33
Project-based study of atmospheric phenomena and how they relate to other Earth systems or human endeavors. Specific examples may include climate change and its impacts, alternative energy and energy efficiency, hydrologic monitoring and forecasting, and urban climatology. Secondary focus is to enhance research and writing skills through the development of a semester-long applied research project focused on a subject of the student’s choosing.
ESSC 111 Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit.
ESSC 405Groundwater and Hydrogeology Credits: 33
Examines the fundamental concepts of groundwater and hydrogeology in the context of real-world applications on the foundations of theory. Emphasis on the principles of groundwater flow, well installation, field data collection, and the analysis of physical and water chemistry as they relate to professional groundwater investigations. Grades based on exams and application-oriented assignments (problem sets). Required field trip(s) will supplement classroom material (field trip dates and times will be determined during class).
ESSC 110 or HONR 244 Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit.
ESSC 410Sedimentary Geology and Paleoenvironments Credits: 33
Sedimentary Geology involves the study of physical, chemical, and biologic processes that result in the formation, transportation and deposition of soils, sediments, fossils, and sedimentary rocks. These earth materials accumulate in a range of terrestrial, marginal-marine and marine depositional environments that experience processes that are often characteristic and unique to those environments. This course will engage students in an exploration of various earth materials (soils, sediments, and sedimentary rocks), sedimentary structures, and fossils, and the chemical, physical, and biologic processes that impact their formation. Students will also explore how soils, sediments, fossils, and sedimentary rocks record spatial and temporal changes in plate tectonics, earth system processes, and environments. An important focus will be on how geoscientists reconstruct ancient environments using earth materials and how they generate scientific models to help test short-term and long-term changes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere through time. The course will entail lectures, local and regional field trips that make occur on the weekend, as well as laboratory assignments that are designed to provide students with substantial hands-on, field experience.
ESSC 110 or HONR 244 Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit.
ESSC 413Mineral and Rock Resources Credits: 33
Deals with metallic ore deposits such as iron, ferroalloys and nonferrous metals, mineral fuels, and other selected minerals of economic significance. Emphasis on geologic occurrence and mode of origin, geographical distribution, and importance to humans.
ESSC 110 or HONR 244 Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit.
ESSC 421Structural Geology Credits: 33
Recognition, interpretation and illustration of geological structures; kinematic and dynamic analysis of rock deformation; stress, strain and deformation mechanisms. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hours lab., Field trips required
ESSC 110 or HONR 244 and ESSC 212 with C or higher. Students must provide their own transportation for the course as
ESSC 424Soils Credits: 33
The course examines the physical characteristics of soil, processes of soil formation (physical, chemical, and biological), taxonomic classification, geographic distribution, and environmental applications of soil science. Study is set in the context of geoenvironmental science and environmental land use planning through lecture, laboratory exercises, and field work.
ESSC 110 or HONR 244 or graduate student standing Graduate Credit: This course is available for graduate credit
ESSC 442Environmental Geology Credits: 33
Deals with relationships between man and the geological habitat. Concerned with problems people have in using the earth and the reaction of the earth to that use in both a rural and urban setting. Stress placed on developing problem-solving skills in collecting, recording, and interpreting data through field investigations and simulation techniques.
This field-intensive course examines the interaction of biological, chemical, physical, geological, and ecological ocean processes as applied to coastal environments. A significant emphasis is focused on describing and documenting coastal environments, their biotas, their environmental tolerances and ranges. Emphasis is also placed on environmental management issues of the coastal zone. Topics include water quality analysis, barrier island geology and ecology, estuarine pollution, beach defense and biological implications in areas of coastal upwelling and coastal fronts. Specific cases in coastal pollution, human impacts on coastal landforms, shoreline erosion, wetland loss, sea-level fluctuations, nutrients in estuaries, and climate change will be examined from coastal environments around the U.S. Lecture, field trips, and laboratory exercises are designed to provide students with hands-on experience with field and laboratory equipment used to solve real-world problems in diverse coastal settings. The course is field-based and taught out of the Marine Science Consortium, Wallops Island, Virginia. The course may also include a travel component to the Florida Keys Marine Lab or similar research facility for additional field experience.
