Summer Session

GEO 101: Environmental Geology

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: E SBC: SNW

Fundamental earth science concepts are used to assess the impact of increasing global population and development on earth's natural resources and also to examine how natural processes affect human activities. Topics include water usage and pollution, soil pollution and erosion, radioactive and solid waste disposal, landslides, stream flooding, coastal erosion, environmental consequences of energy and mineral resource utilization, acid rain, global climate change, and the environment effects on human health. Aspects of environmental geology that are particularly applicable to Long Island and metropolitan New York are emphasized.

GEO 102: The Earth

Undergraduate 3 credits

DEC: E SBC: SNW

A summary of the processes that have shaped the earth and the other terrestrial planets as inferred from study of their surface materials, structural features, and interiors. Topics include the earth in the solar system; earth materials and rock-forming processes; surface processes and their bearing on human activities; crustal deformation and global tectonics; the earth's interior; and the geological features, compositions, and evolution of the terrestrial planets. Not for credit in addition to GEO 122.

GEO 106: Planetary Geology

Undergraduate 3 credits

Advisory Prerequisite: High School Earth Science

DEC: E SBC: SNW

Geology and geological history of the terrestrial planets, planetary satellites and minor bodies of the solar system are evaluated. Whenever possible, emphasis will be placed on geological results from the most recent planetary missions. Among the main topics to be considered are meteorites and the origin of terrestrial planets, the internal structure of terrestrial planets, planetary volcanism, planetary stratigraphy, surface processes such as meteorite impacts, wind and weathering, minor bodies of the solar system and the origin of the solar system. Not for credit in addition to AST 105 or AST 205.

GEO 313: Understanding Water Resources

Undergraduate 3 credits

Prerequisite: one D.E.C. E or SNW course

DEC: H SBC: ESI; STAS

A survey of the world's water resources and the fundamental processes and concepts that govern their distribution and resupply. Topics to be covered include processes in the hydrologic cycle, water resource supply and demand, water quality, and societal aspects relating to drinking water, and industrial and agricultural water usage. Consideration is given to global water shortages, projected impacts of climate change, water-based conflict, water resource management, and conservation practices. Detail will be devoted to pollution sources, water quality standards, drinking water treatment, and government regulation. Local water issues will also be addressed.

GEO 513: GIS Fundamentals I

Graduate 3 credits

This course provides the basic concepts underlying modern geographic information science and technology. Emphasis is placed on the principles of GIS for collecting, storing, characterizing, and maintaining data and computer-based techniques for processing and analyzing spatial data. The course includes three hours of lecture, in class exercises and homework projects each week. This is a computer based class with the majority of students work involving GIS computer software. Prerequisite: working knowledge of spreadsheet software