Page 140 of Boston College 2005-2006 University Catalog by Boston College University

GE 250 Environmental Geology: Environmental Characterization and Assessment Regulatory and Statutory Approach (Spring: 4) Prerequisites: GE 132-133, or equivalent Corequisite: GE 251 The course focus is on quality of ground and surface waters within the watershed boundaries. Concepts of chemical aqueous equilibria, chemical weathering, changing chemical and mineralogical composition inside the watershed systems will be introduced and discussed. Contaminations of natural waters will be assessed in the context of toxicity and risk, regulatory requirements and statutory limits. Practical field and laboratory exercises will introduce methods for environmental characterizations and protection of water resources. Laboratory exercises (GE 251) will follow an established protocol of field investigation, drilling, surveying, material characterization, computer applications and technical report preparation. The Department GE 330 Paleontology (Fall: 4) Prerequisite: One year of introductory geology, or one year of introductory biology, or permission of the instructor Corequisite: GE 331 Methods in paleontology will be considered. We will look at some practical applications of paleontology in science and industry. The history and evolution of life on Earth will be the primary theme. This course will concentrate on fossil animals, but will also consider plants and environmental analyses. The study of invertebrates will occupy a large portion of the course. A significant amount of time will be spent discussing the evolution of dinosaurs, birds, and other vertebrates. The goal of this course is to give students a better understanding of modern environmental systems through the study of the fossil record. David Krauss GE 372 Petrology I (Fall: 4) Prerequisites: First year chemistry, GE 132, GE 220, or equivalent Corequisite: GE 373 This course has two parts: The first part is a review of rock forming minerals, and an introduction to crystal chemistry and crystallography. The second part of the course covers the basic principles of polarized light microscopy (PLM) and its application to mineral identification using a polarizing light microscope. Students will learn the techniques of the polarizing microscopy to identify minerals in thin sections. Rudolph Hon GE 400 Watershed Geomorphology (Spring: 4) Prerequisites: GE 132, PH 209 (or equivalent) Corequisites: GE 401 (Watershed Geomorphology Lab) This course focuses on the physical processes that shape the landscape. Understanding the flow of water, sediment, nutrients, and contaminants throughout watersheds is vital to earth scientists and land managers. In this course, emphasis is placed on interactions of geomorphic processes with external factors such as land use, climate change, and tectonics. Topics include: sediment creation by chemical and physical weathering; hill slope hydrology and transport; mass-wasting processes; steam erosion, transport and deposition; and glacial landform development. The course will include one or two fieldtrips. Noah Snyder GE 410 Site Characterization, Remediation, and Long Term Monitoring for Hazardous Waste Sites (Spring: 3) Prerequisite: GE 132, or equivalent, or permission of instructor A survey of techniques available for environmental assessment of contaminated sites will be presented. The characterization of contaminated sites will be defined and quantified. The remediation techniques used for cleaning-up contaminated soils and bedrock will be discussed. Technologies currently used for remediation will be evaluated. In many cases, valid techniques for clean-up exist but are cost prohibitive. Long term monitoring of remediated sites and criteria for assessing the completeness of remediation will be presented. Randolph Martin, III GE 418 Hydrogeology (Spring: 4) Corequisite: GE 419 This is an introductory course in groundwater hydrogeology for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. The course covers the following topics: the hydrologic cycle, porosity, permeability and hydraulic conductivity of geologic materials, principles of groundwater flow, well hydraulics and aquifer testing, geologic control on groundwater flow, an introduction to contaminant hydrogeology and field methods of site characterization. GE 419 is the laboratory/discussion group component of this course. Alfredo Urzua GE 424 Environmental Geophysics (Fall: 4) Prerequisites: MT 102-103, PH 209-210, or PH 211-212, or permission of instructor Corequisite: GE 425 This is an applied course in geophysical exploration. The emphasis is on the methods that are used in environmental site assessments and geotechnical engineering work. The principles and methods studied are also applicable to petroleum and mineral exploration. The methods covered include: resistivity, induced polarization, electromagnetics, magnetics, gravity, self potentials and ground penetrating radar. In this course students will participate in a geophysical investigation (GE 425). Lectures will be given on field methodology, instrumentation, theory, and interpretation. John E. Ebel GE 480 Applications of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) (Spring: 4) Corequisite: GE 481 The course covers fundamental concepts and practical applications of GIS in the geosciences, environmental sciences, land use, and other related fields. Students will learn the basics and principles of spatial database management, database query, and preparation of printed maps. Formal presentations and practical laboratory assignments (GE 581) will use ArcView and ArcGIS software packages with spatial data sets taken from across the disciplines including geosciences, environmental studies and land use/city planning, marketing and other fields. Students will gain working experience of applying GIS to their studies and research, as well as achieve practical skills for the marketplace. Rudolph Hon GE 580 Environmental Seminar (Spring: 3) Prerequisite: Undergraduates need permission from the instructor Corequisite: GE 581 Environmental studies minors and students at all levels will answer the question: Are humans performing a massive experiment on the The Boston College Catalog 2005-2006 137 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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