Earth Science (GS)
GS-101 Physical Geography
LASC Categories: NSP
Geographic principles of location; characteristics of landforms, soil, climate, minerals, water, flora, and fauna. [Formerly GE101.]
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
GS-110 Meteorology
LASC Categories: NSP, QAC
Understanding the atmosphere and worldwide weather, Earth-Sun relationships, atmospheric humidity and precipitation, air pressure and winds, circulation of the atmosphere, climate change, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, and extreme weather.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
GS-140 Physical Geology
LASC Categories: LAB, NSP, QAC
Introduction to geological science: rocks and minerals, internal and external geologic processes, topographic map and air photo analysis, local field study. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.
Fall and Spring and every year. 4 Credits
GS-165 Geographic Information Systems I
LASC Categories: NSP, LAB
Introduction to the use of geospatial technologies including geographic information systems and GPS.
Fall and Spring and every year. 4 Credits
GS-180 Field Geoscience
LASC Categories: NSP, LAB
Field Geoscience course for EEP majors as well as non-majors. Course explores the intersection of human activities and the Earth's landscape and processes, with a basic introduction to topics in geology, mapping and landscape analysis. Includes lecture, labs and field activities. Introductory lectures lab and field work on or near the Worcester State campus and then an overnight trip of 1-10 days.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 1-4 Credits
GS-193 First Year Seminar in Geography
LASC Categories: FYS
Introductory level course covering topics of special interest to first-year students. Offered only as a First-Year Seminar.
3 Credits
GS-195 Special Topics
Introductory course to be offered on a trial basis. Topic to be announced in advance.
1-6 Credits
GS-210 Geomorphology
LASC Categories: NLL, QAC
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-140 and an accuplacer score of 3 or one college level Math course.
The study of landforms and the processes that form them. Labs focus on interpretation of maps and aerial photographs. Three hour lecture and two hour laboratory.
Every 2-3 years. 4 Credits
GS-217 Spatial Data Methods
LASC Categories: QR
Prerequisites: GS-165
Introduction to the methods used in GIS programming and quantitative geospatial analysis.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-218 Introduction to Remote Sensing
LASC Categories: NSP
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-140 or EV-150 or BI-101 or BI-140
Introduction to the use and analysis of remotely sensed images such as aerial photographs and satellite imagery.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-225 Oceanography
LASC Categories: QAC, NSP, LAB
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-140.
This class will introduce you to the geological, physical, and climatic aspects of oceanography and the many ways the world ocean affects our daily lives. Topics include ocean waves and currents, marine geology and sediments, tides, coastal processes and hazards, and sea level change. Course includes field trips.
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
GS-230 Biogeography
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-110 or BI-101 or BI-140
The distribution patterns of plants and animals, processes affecting this distribution, and how these patterns change in space and time.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-235 Contemporary Climate Change
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-110 or EV-150 or CH-106.
The global climate system, factors influencing climate, recent climate change and the role of human activity.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-245 Planetary Geology
Prerequisites: GS-140 or PY-101
Solar system formation and evolution with emphasis on planetary interiors and surface features.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-250 Hydrology
LASC Categories: LAB
Prerequisites: GS-101 or GS-140 or GS-110 or EV-150
This course examines Earth's freshwater and its processes as it moves between Earth's atmosphere, surface, and subsurface. Explores the interactions of precipitation, surface runoff, infiltration, streamflow, and groundwater flow. Topics include hydrograph analysis, runoff estimations, groundwater-surface water interactions, groundwater flow, water quality assessment, and water resources assessment. Course includes field trips.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
GS-270 Sediments and Soils
LASC Categories: NSP, LAB
Prerequisites: GS-140.
This laboratory class will introduce you to how sediments and soils form and transform over time. The class will include laboratory and field investigations of modern sedimentary environments and local soils, following standardized protocols used by government agencies and environmental companies.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-299 Special Topics
Intermediate level course to be offered on a trial basis. Topic to be announced in advance.
1-6 Credits
GS-318 Geographic Information Systems II
Prerequisites: GS-165
Advanced production of digital choropleth maps on PCs using a GIS vector oriented software.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-328 Digital Landscape Analysis
Prerequisites: GS 165 and one 200 level GS course.
Computer based methods of representing, storing and analyzing landscape features. Explores technologies such as LiDAR and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for gathering landscape data and the use of geospatial tools to analyze and represent landscape features. 3 hours of lecture and 2 hours of lab.
Every 2-3 years. 4 Credits
GS-335 Hydrogeology
Prerequisites: GS-140 or GS-250 and a math placement test score of 3, or a college level math course.
Underground water and its movement. Aquifer identification and test; wells, contamination and remediation, ground water as a geologic agent.
Fall only and other or on demand. 3 Credits
GS-338 Atmospheric Sciences
Prerequisites: # GS-101 # Take CH-120 or CH-112;
Atmospheric Science introduces students to the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, and examines the science behind current issues such as global climate change, air pollution, and reductions in stratospheric ozone. Atmospheric physics includes both weather (clouds, rain, winds) and climate (weather averaged over longer timescales, as well as trends in climate over time). Atmospheric chemistry investigates processes controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere, including related processes in the and biosphere, as well as anthropogenic pollution (smog, stratospheric ozone loss, etc.)
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
GS-340 Special Topics: Advanced Earth Science
Advanced course to be offered on a trial basis. Topic to be announced in advance.
1-6 Credits
GS-348 Fundamentals of Earth Data Analytics
LASC Categories: NSP, QR, QAC, LAB
Prerequisites: GS-101 Take 1 course; From Subjects GS; From Levels 200;
The theory and practice of data analytics using remote sensing and in-situ earth observations, and communicating the science.
Fall only and every year. 4 Credits
GS-370 Lakes & Environmental Change
LASC Categories: WAC, NLL
Prerequisites: GS-140 Take one earth science course at the 200-level or above.
Modern physical, biogeochemical, and sedimentary processes in lakes. Lake sediments as archives of past climate and environmental change. Includes fieldwork.
Every 2-3 years. 4 Credits
GS-380 Advanced Field Geoscience
LASC Categories: NLL
Prerequisites: GS 140 and one other 200 level GS course.
Field Geoscience course for EEP majors. Course explores the intersection of human activities and the Earth's landscape and processes examining advanced topics in geology, mapping and landscape analysis. Includes lecture, labs and field activities. Introductory lectures lab and field work on or near the Worcester State campus and then an overnight trip to field sites, 1-10 days depending on the number of credits.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 1-4 Credits
GS-400 Senior Seminar
LASC Categories: CAP
Prerequisites: GE-102 GS-101 GS-140 GS-165 and GE-200 and senior standing
Capstone course for geography majors. Students prepare a comprehensive term paper and present on the topic. Course includes portfolio and career development.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
GS-408 Directed Study: Earth Science Or Geoscience
Directed study offers students, who because of unusual circumstances may be unable to register for a course when offered, the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction and with agreement from a faculty member.
Other or on demand and every year. 1-4 Credits
GS-410 Independent Study: Earth Science- Geoscience
Opportunity for advanced students to pursue an earth science or geoscience topic of special interest involving extensive reading, experimentation, and research.
Fall and Spring and every year. 1-4 Credits
GS-420 Advanced Geoscience Research and Fieldwork
Lab and or field-based research on a specific geoscience topic under supervision of a faculty member. [Permission of instructor.]
1-6 Credits
GS-450 Readings and Directed Research
Directed study on selected topics; open to senior majors.
3 Credits
GS-460 Internship: Geography
Students assigned to various government and private agencies under joint supervision of agency and faculty. Major GPA of 3.0 or above required.
Other or on demand. 1-6 Credits