Page 140 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

other planets. The lab/discussion section (GE 147) emphasizes both basic paleontology and environmental evolution including the study of fossils as a record of how life has evolved on Earth. Paul K. Strother GE 148 Dinosaurs: An Exploration of Prehistoric Earth (Fall: 3) Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement The course will deal with our understanding of how dinosaurs fit into the world. Although we will spend time discussing different cultural perspectives on dinosaurs and the roles theyve played in both social and scientific thought, the main emphasis will be on how we know what we know about dinosaurs. We will examine how different fields of study have increased our knowledge about how dinosaurs lived and we will spend some time every day learning how to interpret the information preserved in fossils. Students will have opportunities to handle and work with actual dinosaur fossils. David A. Krauss GE 150 Astronomy (Fall: 3) Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement Astronomical observations and theories date back to before the beginning of recorded history. The development of astronomy is closely tied to the growth of physics, mathematics, philosophy and theology. This survey course covers many of the exciting recent advances in astronomy. Emphasis is on large-scale concepts and on how we know what we know about our universe, stars, and to some extent, planets and other bodies of our solar system. The Department GE 157 Oceanography (Fall: 4) Corequisite: GE 158 Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement This course is an investigation of the worlds ocean as an integrated system driven by geological, chemical, physical and biological processes. Topics include: origin and evolution of the ocean basins, nature of the sea bottom, characteristics of ocean water, and causes and effects of ocean currents and circulation. An understanding of the oceans role in the health and evolution of the planet is stressed with special emphasis on coastal areas and the animal and plant life in the sea. Three hours of lecture and one two-hour laboratory each week. Gail C. Kineke GE 167 Environmental Geosciences I: Resources and Pollution (Fall/Spring: 3) Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement Technology and population growth are causing us to alter our planet at rates much faster than the geologic time it commonly needs to recover from our use and abuse. We will explore areas in which the human species is affecting the Earths long-term physical-chemical system by consuming and polluting its vital resources. The focus will be on geological issues critical to planning for a sustainable future. Topics, geared for the non-science major, include: population, future water supplies, urban/industrial pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, and meeting our energy needs. Judith Hepburn GE 168 Environmental Geosciences II: Earth Processes and Risk (Spring: 3) Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement This course may be taken independently of GE 167. This course deals with the Earths natural processes that make our planet at times a dangerous place for its human inhabitants. Subject matter will include volcanoes, earthquakes, river and coastal flooding, landslides, violent cyclonic storms, climate changes ranging from Ice Age cooling to Global Warming, large extraterrestial bodies that have on rare occasions smashed into Earth, causing major extinctions of ancient life. A major focus will be on assessing the risks of living on a dangerous planet, and what we can do about making us safer through such means as early warning systems, construction practices, risk analysis, and public awareness. Judith Hepburn GE 170 Rivers and the Environment (Spring: 3) Scientific understanding of rivers is vital to address many of todays environmental challenges. Rivers transport and distribute water, sediment, nutrients and contaminants throughout the landscape. They provide habitat and migration pathways for countless aquatic species. Rivers supply fresh water, power generation and recreational opportunities to much of the worlds human populations. We will learn about the geological, hydrological and biological processes that are important to rivers and watersheds, and how knowledge of these processes aids our ability to manage, protect and restore these systems. Noah Snyder GE 172 Weather, Climate, and the Environment (Fall: 4) Corequisite: GE 173 Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement The earths atmosphere is a dynamic system, causing weather changes daily, seasonal variations on an annual basis, and climate changes on time scales from centuries to millennia and even longer. This course examines the earths weather system at all these time scales. The latest methods in local weather forecasting are explored from the point of view of computer models and internet websites. The effects of ocean temperatures, El Nino, the extent of the earths ice caps, and volcanic eruptions on the long-term weather patterns are described, and man-made environmental effects such as the greenhouse effect and ozone holes are explored. John E. Ebel GE 177 Cosmos (Spring: 3) Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement We are in the process of exploring the solar system, our galaxy and the universe. The results from recent manned and unmanned space programs will be used to help develop models for the formation and evolution of our solar system and each of its planets. We will effectively build the solar system from scratch. The question of life on other planets, particularly Mars, will also be discussed. Throughout the course, the fundamentals of how science works will be emphasized. J. Christopher Hepburn GE 180 The Living Earth I: Probing the Depths of Our Restless Planet (Fall: 3) Corequisite: GE 181 Satisfies Natural Science Core Requirement Course is designed to introduce the non-science student to a variety of topics in the geosciences. The nature of scientific inquiry is examined, 140 The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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