Upper Division Courses

Many upper-division courses require SIO 50, Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences, as a prerequisite. The quarter abbreviations (F,W,S) indicated the quarter in which the course is usually offered. Obviously, circumstances sometimes mandate a change of scheduled offerings. Students are strongly advised to check the current course offerings, the Schedule of Classes or to contact the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Undergraduate Programs Office (Galbraith Hall, room 188, (858) 534-8157) to obtain up-to-date information.

SIO 100. Introduction to Field Methods (4) Mapping and interpretation of geologic units. Field work is done locally and the data are analyzed in the laboratory. There will be one mandatory weekend field trip to Anza Borrego State Park. Program and /or material fee may apply.  Prerequisite: SIO 50, or consent of instructor. (F)

SIO 101. California Coastal Oceanography (4)

This course examines oceanographic connections between physical and climate forcing and marine ecosystem responses in the California coastal environment. Approach is inquiry-based, combining classroom and experiential learning to build critical and quantitative thinking and research insights and abilities. Prerequisite:  Chem 6A, or consent of instructor. (S)

SIO 102. Introduction to Geochemistry (4)

A broad introduction to the chemical composition and evolution of the Earth and the solar system. This course explores applications of chemical methods to elucidate the origin and geologic history of the Earth and the planets, the evolution of the oceans and atmosphere, and the impact of humankind on the environment. Prerequisites: SIO 50, Chemistry 6A-B-C or  consent of instructor. (W)

SIO 103. Introduction to Geophysics (4)

An introduction to the structure and composition of the solid earth. Topics include seismology, the gravity and magnetic fields, high-pressure geophysics, and concepts in geodynamics. Emphasis is on global geophysics, i.e., on the structure and evolution of the planet. Prerequisites: Math. 20A-B-C-D and Physics 2A-B-C, SIO 50, or consent of instructor. SIO 160 recommended. (F)

SIO 104/SIO 255 Paleobiology and History of Life (6)

Introduction to the major biological transitions in earth history from the origins of metabolism and cells to the evolution of complex societies. The nature and limitations of the fossil record, patterns of adaptation and diversity, and the tempo and mode of biological and environmental change. Undergraduate: BILD 3 or consent of instructor.  Graduate: graduate level standing  or consent of instructor.  Graduate students, additionally, will give  oral presentation or research paper.  Laboratories and substantial  field component complement and extend the lecture material.  Program and/or material fee may apply.  (W)

SIO 105. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4)

This course will examine sedimentary environments from the mountain tops to the deep sea across a variety of time scales. The focus will be to understand how depositional processes form the stratigraphic record. The central goal of the course is to develop the skills to interpret stratigraphy and read the history of the earth that it records.   Laboratories and substantial  field component complement and extend the lecture material.  Program and/or material fee may apply.  Prerequisite: SIO 50 or consent of instructor (S)

SIO 110. Introduction to GIS and GPS for Scientists (4)

A hands-on introduction to science applications of geographic information systems and global positioning system. Students acquire data through GPS field surveys, design and construct GIS using ESRI's ArcGIS software, analyze spatial data, and present the results in a web-based environment. Prerequisites: upper division standing or consent of instructor.  (S)

SIO 111/PHYS 111. Ocean Waves and Tides (4)

This course will cover a broad range physical oceanography topics including: linear dynamics of surface gravity waves, dispersion relations, spectral descriptions, group velocity, shoaling waves, ray theory, edge waves, Coriolis force, the tide generating force, LaPlace's tide equations, Kelvin waves. Prerequisites: Math 20A,B,C,D,E and Phys 2A,B,C or consent of instructor. (W)

SIO 112. Urban Landscapes (4)

Introduction to scientific principles, such as conservation of mass and energy and pattern formation, that govern the development of urban centers as complex systems. Contrasts between natural and urban landscapes will be highlighted, with examples including water routing and disease transmission. Prerequisite: upper-division standing. (S)

SIO 117. The Physical Climate System (4)

This course quantitatively examines the physical processes controlling Earth's climate including radiative transfer and energy balance, atmospheric and ocean circulations, clouds and the hydrological cycle, climate sensitivity and climate feedbacks, and natural and anthropogenic climate change. Prerequisites: Math 20A,B,C and Phys 2A,B,C or consent of instructor. (S)

SIO 120. Introduction to Mineralogy (4)

This course focuses on the symmetry, crystal structure, chemical, and physical properties of minerals with special emphasis on the common rock-forming minerals, and highlights the applications of mineralogical and X-ray crystallographic techniques to a spectrum of important problems in the earth sciences. The laboratory will introduce the students to the polarizing microscope and X-ray powder diffraction methods for the study of rock-forming minerals. Prerequisites: SIO 50 or consent of instructor.  (W)

SIO 135/SIO236. Satellite Remote Sensing (4)

Satellite remote sensing provides global observations of Earth to monitor changes in the environment of land, oceans, and ice. This course is an overview of the physical principles of remote sensing including orbits, electromagnetic radiation, diffraction, electro-optical, and microwave systems. Weekly labs remote sensing data sets.  Graduate students will also be  required   to write a term paper and do an oral presentation.  Prerequisites: Undergraduate: Physics 2A-B or Physics 4A-B-C or consent of instructor.  Graduate:  graduate level standing or consent of instructor.   (S)

SIO 138.  The Coral Reef Environment (4)

Assessment of the physical, chemical and biological interactions that define the coral reef system; essential geography and evolutionary history of reefs; natural and human perturbations to the coral reef ecosystem; aspects of reef management and sustainability.  Prerequisites:  BILD 3, Math 10A, Chem 6B or consent of instructor.  (S)

SIO 141/CHEM 174. Chemical Principles of Marine Systems (4)

Introduction to the chemistry and distribution of the elements in seawater, emphasizing basic chemical principles such as electron structure, chemical bonding, and group and periodic properties and showing how these affect basic aqueous chemistry in marine systems. Prerequisites: Chem 6C.with a grade of C- or better or consent of instructor.  (F)

SIO 144/SIO 252A. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry (4)

Radioactive and stable isotope studies in geology and geochemistry, including geochronology, isotopes as tracers of magnetic processes, cosmic-ray produced isotopes as tracers in the crust and weathering cycle, isotopic evolution of the crust and mantle. Prerequisites: Undergraduate: SIO 50, SIO 102 and SIO 120, or consent of instructor.  Graduate:  graduate level standing or consent of instructor.  Graduate level requires student presentation.  (W)

SIO 148/SIO 248. Evolution of Earth's Biosphere (4)

Paleoecological development of marine and terrestrial environments during Earth's  evolution.  Ecological and chemical evolution of the oceans, atmosphere, biogeochemical cycles, and environments with particular emphasis on the long-term history and climate of the Earth's surface.  Additionally, at graduate level, oral presentation or research paper required.  Substantial field component (three weekend field trips in San Diego county) complement and extend the lecture material.  Prerequisites:  Undergraduate:  SIO 104 or consent of instructor.  Graduate:  graduate-level standing or consent of instructor.  (S)

SIO 152. Petrology and Petrography (4)

Mineralogic, chemical, textural, and structural properties of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; their origin and relations to evolution of the Earth?s crust and mantle. Includes rocks of both the continents and ocean basins. The laboratory emphasizes both hand specimens and microscopic studies of rocks in thin sections. Prerequisites: SIO 50, SIO 102, and SIO 120 or consent of instructor.   (S)

SIO 154/SIO 254. Macroevolution (4)

Tempo and mode of evolution with emphasis on the marine fossil record. Large scale patterns and trends in diversity, speciation, and extinction. Innovation, disparity, and adaptive radiation. Evolutionary turnover and the role of the environment in macroevolution.  Graduate students will also be required to write a term paper or do oral presentation.  Prerequisites: SIO 104 or BIEB 150 or consent of instructor.  Graduate:  graduate-level standing or consent of instructor.  (W)

SIO 155/SIO 251. Petrology and Geochemistry of the Solid Earth  (4)

A geochemical and petrogenetic overview of the Earth and planets.  Topics include formation and differentiation of the Earth into core, mantle, crust, and atmosphere/hydrosphere, generation of magma, and isotope and trace element geochemistry of igneous and metamorphic rocks.  Prerequisite: Undergraduate:  SIO 152, or consent of instructor.   Graduate:  graduate-level standing  or consent of instructor.  Graduate students, additionally, must submit a term paper in one aspect of work discussed during the quarter to be presented orally in class.  (W)

SIO 160. Introduction to Tectonics (4)

The theory of plate tectonics attempts to explain how forces within the earth give rise to continents, ocean basins, mountain ranges, earthquake belts and most volcanoes. In this course we will learn how plate tectonics works. Prerequisites: SIO 50 or consent of instructor. (S)

SIO 162/SIO 256. Structural Geology (4)

Principles of stratigraphy and structural geology applicable to field geologic studies. Discussion and laboratory exercises. Two to three field trips required. Program and/or material fee may apply.  Prerequisites: SIO 50 and SIO 100, or consent of instructor.  (W)

SIO 170. Introduction to Volcanology (4)

This course teaches fundamental aspects of physical and chemical volcanology with a major field study component on an active volcano on Hawaii. (Two weeks early September) Subjects are introduced in lectures and reinforced and expanded in field exercises. Students return to campus to attend regular lectures and to prepare final field report during Fall quarter.  Prerequisites: SIO 50,  SIO 100 and Chem. 6A, upper-division standing or consent of instructor.  Department stamp required.   (F)

SIO 182A. Environmental and Exploration  Geophysics A (4)

First of two part sequence on theory and application of practical geophysics.Lectures are supplemented by the collection of gravity, magnetic, and seismic data and production of field reports. Includes an introduction to MATLAB for analysis and interpretation of data.  SIO 103 recommended.   Prerequisites: Math 20D and Phys. 2C,2D or consent of instructor.  (W)

SIO 182B. Environmental and Exploration  Geophysics B (4)

Second of two-part sequence on theory and application of practical geophysics. Lectures are supplemented by the collection of electrical and ground penetrating radar data.    Prerequisite: SIO 182A or consent of instructor.  (S)

SIO 185. Applied Complexity (4)

Techniques from the study of complex systems, including genetic algorithms, neural networks, forecasting, artificial life and agent-based modeling, are introduced and applied to problems in geology, physics, engineering, biology, and economics. Prerequisites: Math 20A-B-C-D or consent of instructor.   MATLAB recommended. (S)

SIO 190. Special Topics in Earth Sciences (2-4)

A seminar course designed to treat emerging or topical subjects in the earth sciences. Involves reading from the literature and student participation in discussion. Topics vary from year to year.  Enrollment by permission of instructor.  (Students may enroll in SIO 190 and/or Erth 190 no more than two times for credit. )  Prerequisite:  upper-division standing, a minimum UCSD G.P.A. of 3.0 or consent of instructor.  

SIO 192.  Senior Seminar in Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1) 

The Senior Seminar Program is designed to allow SIO senior undergraduates to meet with faculty members in a small group setting to explore an intellectual topic in SIO (at the upper division level).  Topics will vary from quarter to quarter.  Senior Seminars may be taken for credit up to four times, with a change in topic, and permission of the department.  Enrollment is limited to twenty student, with preference give to seniors. 

SIO 194. Research Seminar in Washington, D.C. (4)

Course attached to a six to eight unit internship taken by students participating in the UCDC Program.  Involves weekly seminar meetings with faculty and teaching assistant and a substantial research paper.  Prerequisites:  Departmental approval.  Participation in the UCDC program during quarter enrolled in seminar.  
 

SIO 195. Methods of Teaching Earth Sciencecs (4)

Introduction to teaching earth sciences class section in a lower-division class, hold office hours, assist with examinations. This course counts only once towards the major. Prerequisites: junior or senior earth sciences major with GPA of 3.0 or an A in the course, overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, ninety units or more, and consent of instructor, plus department stamp.

SIO 196. Honors Thesis Research (4)

Independent  research on a problem in earth sciences by special arrangement with a faculty member. (Letter grade only.)  Students may take ERTH 196 and/or SIO 196 two times for credit.  Prerequisites:  completed ninety units of courses including twelve units of ERTH and/or SIO courses.  Achieved a GPA of 3.3 overall and 3.5 in SIO/ERTH courses.  Submitted to Earth Sciences Steering committee, and had approved, an honors thesis research proposal.  Department stamp. 

SIO 197. Earth Science Internship (2-4)

The earth science internship program is designed to complement the program's academic curriculum with practical field experience. Prerequisites: completion of ninety units with a GPA of 2.5, and approved Special Studies form,  UCSD Application for Enrollment  Special Studies Cousres 197, 198, 199 and department stamp.  

SIO 198. Directed Group Study (2-4)

This course covers a variety of directed group studies in areas not covered by formal SIO courses (P/NP grades only.) Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

SIO 199. Independent Study for Undergraduates (4)

Independent reading or research on a problem. By special arrangement with a faculty member. (P/NP grades only.)

GRADUATE SIO 228. Research Seminar (2)

A three quarter required sequence for B.S./M.S. Earth Sciences students to prepare students for thesis writing.  Prerequisites:  current earth sciences B.S./M.S. student.  Department stamp required.  (F,W,S)