Atmospheric Science

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2017-18 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

About the Program

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Atmospheric Science major explores the fundamental natural processes controlling atmospheric composition, circulation dynamics, and climate. Understanding how these processes have changed in the past and may change in the future are among the greatest intellectual and technological challenges of our time. Topics covered will include the physics of climate variability and climate change, changes in stratospheric ozone, coupling of atmospheric chemistry and climate, changes in the oxidation capacity of the troposphere, smog, and the impacts of atmosphere-biosphere exchange on atmospheric composition.

Declaring the Major

The department strongly encourages students to see the student services adviser as early as possible. Students are accepted into the major with a C average or better. There are a number of scholarships and research opportunities as well as other benefits available to declared majors.

Honors Program

Students in the honors program must fulfill the following additional requirements:

  1. Maintain a GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses in the major, and an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in the University.
  2. Carry out an individual research or study project, involving at least three units of EPS H195. The project is chosen in consultation with a departmental adviser, and written report is judged by the student's research supervisor and a departmental adviser. Application for the honors program should be made through the student's adviser no later than the end of the student's junior year.

Minor Program

For information regarding the requirements, please see the Minor Requirements tab. Program planning and confirmation should be done with the undergraduate student services adviser and the Atmospheric Science faculty adviser.

Other Majors and Minors Offered by the Department of Earth and Planetary Science

Environmental Earth Science (Major and Minor)
Geology (Major and Minor)
Geophysics (Major and Minor)
Marine Science (Major and Minor)
Planetary Science (Major and Minor)


 

Visit Department Website

Major Requirements

In addition to the University, campus, and college requirements, listed on the College Requirements tab, students must fulfill the below requirements specific to their major program.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the major requirements below must be taken for graded credit, other than courses listed which are offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. Other exceptions to this requirement are noted as applicable.
  2. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs, with the exception of minors offered outside of the College of Letters & Science.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be maintained in both upper and lower division courses used to fulfill the major requirements.

For information regarding residence requirements and unit requirements, please see the College Requirements tab.

Lower Division Requirements

EPS 50The Planet Earth4
MATH 1ACalculus4
MATH 1BCalculus4
MATH 53Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 54Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
or PHYSICS 89 Introduction to Mathematical Physics
CHEM 1A
& 1AL		General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory		4
or CHEM 4A General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
Choose one of the following physics sequences:
PHYSICS 5A
& PHYSICS 5B
& PHYSICS 5C
Introductory Mechanics and Relativity
and Introductory Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics
and Introductory Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics
PHYSICS 7A
& PHYSICS 7B
& PHYSICS 7C
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
and Physics for Scientists and Engineers
and Physics for Scientists and Engineers

Upper Division Requirements 

EPS 102History and Evolution of Planet Earth4
EPS 150Case Studies in Earth Systems2
EPS C180Air Pollution3
EPS C181Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics3
EPS C182Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Laboratory3
Electives, select a minimum of 9 units from the following list of suggested courses:
EPS 103
Introduction to Aquatic and Marine Geochemistry
EPS 104
Mathematical Methods in Geophysics
EPS 109
Computer Simulations in Earth and Planetary Sciences
EPS 115
Stratigraphy and Earth History
EPS 117
Geomorphology
EPS 125
Stable Isotope Geochemistry
EPS C129
Biometeorology
EPS 131
Geochemistry
EPS C183
Carbon Cycle Dynamics
EPS 230
Radiation and Its Interactions with Climate
CHEM 105
Instrumental Methods in Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 120A
& CHEM 120B
Physical Chemistry
and Physical Chemistry
CHEM 125
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
GEOG 142
Climate Dynamics
GEOG 143
Global Change Biogeochemistry
ENE,RES 102
Quantitative Aspects of Global Environmental Problems
CIV ENG 100
Elementary Fluid Mechanics
CIV ENG 107
Climate Change Mitigation
CIV ENG 200A
Environmental Fluid Mechanics
CIV ENG 200B
Numerical Methods for Environmental Flow Modeling
CIV ENG 218B
Atmospheric Aerosols
CIV ENG 218C
Air Pollution Modeling
1

 All elective courses used to fulfill the major requirements must be approved by the faculty adviser. This list is intended as a guide; the suggested courses are not limited to only courses included in this list.

Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements and are noted officially on the transcript in the memoranda section, but are not noted on diplomas.

General Guidelines

  1. All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements below must be taken for graded credit.
  2. A minimum of three of the upper division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.
  3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for courses used to fulfill the minor requirements.
  4. Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters & Science students.
  5. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.
  6. All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which you plan to graduate. If you cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, please see a College of Letters & Science adviser.
  7. All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Requirements

Lower Division
EPS 50The Planet Earth 14
Upper Division
Select a minimum of five of the following:
EPS 102
History and Evolution of Planet Earth
EPS 104
Mathematical Methods in Geophysics
EPS C180
Air Pollution
EPS C181
Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
EPS C182
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Laboratory
EPS C183
Carbon Cycle Dynamics
EPS 230
Radiation and Its Interactions with Climate
GEOG 142
Climate Dynamics
GEOG 143
Global Change Biogeochemistry
ENE,RES 102
Quantitative Aspects of Global Environmental Problems
CIV ENG 107
Climate Change Mitigation
1

 Or equivalent.

College Requirements

Undergraduate students in the College of Letters & Science must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those required by their major program.

For detailed lists of courses that fulfill college requirements, please review the College of Letters & Sciences page in this Guide.

Entry Level Writing

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

American History and American Institutions

The American History and Institutions requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduated from an American university, should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.

American Cultures

American Cultures is the one requirement that all undergraduate students at Cal need to take and pass in order to graduate. The requirement offers an exciting intellectual environment centered on the study of race, ethnicity and culture of the United States. AC courses offer students opportunities to be part of research-led, highly accomplished teaching environments, grappling with the complexity of American Culture.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in math, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language requirement may be satisfied by demonstrating proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, and conversation in a foreign language equivalent to the second semester college level, either by passing an exam or by completing approved course work.

Reading and Composition

In order to provide a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking the College requires two semesters of lower division work in composition in sequence. Students must complete a first-level reading and composition course by the end of their second semester and a second-level course by the end of their fourth semester.

Breadth Requirements

The undergraduate breadth requirements provide Berkeley students with a rich and varied educational experience outside of their major program. As the foundation of a liberal arts education, breadth courses give students a view into the intellectual life of the University while introducing them to a multitude of perspectives and approaches to research and scholarship. Engaging students in new disciplines and with peers from other majors, the breadth experience strengthens interdisciplinary connections and context that prepares Berkeley graduates to understand and solve the complex issues of their day.

Unit Requirements

  • 120 total units, including at least 60 L&S units

  • Of the 120 units, 36 must be upper division units

  • Of the 36 upper division units, 6 must be taken in courses offered outside your major department

Residence Requirements

For units to be considered in "residence," you must be registered in courses on the Berkeley campus as a student in the College of Letters & Science. Most students automatically fulfill the residence requirement by attending classes here for four years. In general, there is no need to be concerned about this requirement, unless you go abroad for a semester or year or want to take courses at another institution or through UC Extension during your senior year. In these cases, you should make an appointment to meet an adviser to determine how you can meet the Senior Residence Requirement.

Note: Courses taken through UC Extension do not count toward residence.

Senior Residence Requirement

After you become a senior (with 90 semester units earned toward your BA degree), you must complete at least 24 of the remaining 30 units in residence in at least two semesters. To count as residence, a semester must consist of at least 6 passed units. Intercampus Visitor, EAP, and UC Berkeley-Washington Program (UCDC) units are excluded.

You may use a Berkeley Summer Session to satisfy one semester of the Senior Residence requirement, provided that you successfully complete 6 units of course work in the Summer Session and that you have been enrolled previously in the college.

Modified Senior Residence Requirement

Participants in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or the UC Berkeley Washington Program (UCDC) may meet a Modified Senior Residence requirement by completing 24 (excluding EAP) of their final 60 semester units in residence. At least 12 of these 24 units must be completed after you have completed 90 units.

Upper Division Residence Requirement

You must complete in residence a minimum of 18 units of upper division courses (excluding EAP units), 12 of which must satisfy the requirements for your major.

Student Learning Goals

Mission

The goal of the Earth and Planetary Science (EPS) BA degree is to provide students with a broad and sound education, that provides general and specialized knowledge and is intellectually challenging and stimulating. Upon completion of the degree students are ready to enter graduate school at top-ranking institutions (about half of them choose this path), find employment in the profession (geological and environmental engineering and consulting are major opportunities), continue in public education as teachers, or use their background as a sound basis for a new career such as in public policy, law, or medical sciences.

Learning Goals for the Major

EPS majors acquire knowledge through course work, laboratory training (expertise in experimental techniques), primary field research, library research, and computer applications, with oral presentations and written reports required in many of our classes.

The undergraduate program provides strong technical training for those who wish to pursue professional careers in the earth, environmental and planetary sciences, as well as training in analytical, creative and critical thinking and communication that serves well those who choose paths in new fields.

The Atmospheric Science track provides students with a strong foundation in the physical sciences as well as an outstanding introduction to atmospheric dynamics and evolution, atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemistry. Students gain a rigorous, quantitative, and predictive (in addition to descriptive) knowledge of the earth system with an emphasis on atmospheric processes.

Advising

Undergraduate Student Services Manager

Nadine Spingola-Hutton
nspingola@berkeley.edu
510-643-4068

Faculty Adviser

Assistant Professor David Romps
romps@berkeley.edu 

EPS Undergraduate Advising Calendar and Appointments

To make an appointment and view the advising calendar, please visit the Contact Undergraduate Adviser website.

Courses

Atmospheric Science

EPS 3 The Water Planet 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018, Summer 2017 8 Week Session
An overview of the processes that control water supply to natural ecosystems and human civilization. Hydrologic cycle, floods, droughts, groundwater. Patterns of water use, threats to water quality, effects of global climate change on future water supplies. Water issues facing California.
The Water Planet: Read More [+]

EPS 7 Introduction to Climate Change 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017
This course covers the physical processes that determine Earth's past, present, and future climate, with a particular focus on the essentially irreversible climate change (a.k.a., global warming) caused by the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. Topics will also
include the estimation of future warming and impacts, the Earth resources that can be used to combat climate change, and the policies being used to shift towards the use of those resources.
Introduction to Climate Change: Read More [+]

EPS C12 The Planets 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe.
The Planets: Read More [+]

EPS W12 The Planets 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Summer 2017 8 Week Session, Summer 2016 10 Week Session, Summer 2015 8 Week Session
A tour of the mysteries and inner workings of our solar system. What are planets made of? Why do they orbit the sun the way they do? How do planets form, and what are they made of? Why do some bizarre moons have oceans, volcanoes, and ice floes? What makes the Earth hospitable for life? Is the Earth a common type of planet or some cosmic quirk? This course will introduce basic physics, chemistry, and math to understand planets, moons, rings, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and oceans. Understanding other worlds will help us save our own planet and help us understand our place in the universe. This course is web-based.
The Planets: Read More [+]

EPS 20 Earthquakes in Your Backyard 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
Introduction to earthquakes, their causes and effects. General discussion of basic principles and methods of seismology and geological tectonics, distribution of earthquakes in space and time, effects of earthquakes, and earthquake hazard and risk, with particular emphasis on the situation in California.
Earthquakes in Your Backyard: Read More [+]

EPS C20 Earthquakes in Your Backyard 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Introduction to earthquakes, their causes and effects. General discussion of basic principles and methods of seismology and geological tectonics, distribution of earthquakes in space and time, effects of earthquakes, and earthquake hazard and risk, with particular emphasis on the situation in California.
Earthquakes in Your Backyard: Read More [+]

EPS 24 Freshman Seminar in Earth and Planetary Sciences 1 Unit

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
The freshman seminar in earth and planetary science is designed to provide new students with an opportunity to explore a topic in geology or earth sciences with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Topics will vary from semester to semester but will include such possible topics as great voyages of geologic discovery and the role of atmospheric sciences in geologic study.
Freshman Seminar in Earth and Planetary Sciences: Read More [+]

EPS 39A Freshman/Sophomore Seminar 2 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Freshman and sophomore seminars offer lower division students the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member and a group of peers in a small-seminar setting. These seminars are offered in all campus departments; topics vary from department to department and from semester to semester.
Freshman/Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

EPS 50 The Planet Earth 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Summer 2018 8 Week Session, Spring 2018
An introduction to the physical and chemical processes that have shaped the earth through time, with emphasis on the theory of plate tectonics. Laboratory work will involve the practical study of minerals, rocks, and geologic maps and exercises on geological processes.
The Planet Earth: Read More [+]

EPS 80 Environmental Earth Sciences 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Fall 2017, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
This course focuses on the processes on and in the earth that shape the environment. Humanity's use of land and oceans is examined based on an understanding of these processes.
Environmental Earth Sciences: Read More [+]

EPS 81 Atmospheres 3 Units

Terms offered: Not yet offered
An introductory survey of the atmospheres of Earth and other planets, spanning diverse phenomena such as hurricanes, drought, Martian dust storms, and the exotic winds on planets orbiting other stars. This course introduces the basics of planetary weather and climate, showing through exploration of a diverse set of atmospheres and paleoclimates that the world around us need not always be the way we currently observe it. Topics include atmospheric composition and structure, planetary orbits and radiation, habitability, global patterns of wind, clouds and precipitation, prediction of weather, chaos theory, and vortices such as tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and Jupiter’s great red spot.
Atmospheres: Read More [+]

EPS C82 Oceans 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
This course offers multidisciplinary approach to begin answering the question "Why are oceans important to us?" Upon a physical, chemical, and geologic base, we introduce the alien world of sea life, the importance of the ocean to the global carbon cycle, and the principles of ecology with a focus on the important concept of energy flow through food webs. Lectures expand beyond science to include current topics as diverse as music, movies, mythology, biomechanics, policy, and trade.
Oceans: Read More [+]

EPS N82 Introduction to Oceans 3 Units

Terms offered: Summer 2018 First 6 Week Session, Summer 2018 Second 6 Week Session, Summer 2017 Second 6 Week Session
The geology, physics, chemistry, and biology of the world oceans. The application of oceanographic sciences to human problems will be explored through special topics such as energy from the sea, marine pollution, food from the sea, and climate change.
Introduction to Oceans: Read More [+]

EPS 84 Sophomore Seminar 1 or 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Spring 2012
Sophomore seminars are small interactive courses offered by faculty members in departments all across the campus. Sophomore seminars offer opportunity for close, regular intellectual contact between faculty members and students in the crucial second year. The topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment limited to 15 sophomores.
Sophomore Seminar: Read More [+]

EPS 88 PyEarth: A Python Introduction to Earth Science 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018
Earthquakes and El Ninos are examples of natural hazards in California. The course uses Python/Jupyter Notebook and real-world observations to introduce students to these and other Earth phenomena and their underlying physics. The students will learn how to access and visualize the data, extract signals, and make probability forecasts. The final module is a project that synthesizes the course material to make a probabilistic forecast. The course will be co-taught by a team of EPS faculty, and the focus of each semester will depend on the expertise of the faculty in charge.
PyEarth: A Python Introduction to Earth Science: Read More [+]

EPS 98 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2012, Spring 2009, Spring 2008
Group studies of selected topics which vary from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

EPS 100A Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Introduction to structural, compositional, and physical properties of minerals, their analogs and related substances, their genesis in various geological and synthetic processes, and laboratory techniques to identify and investigate minerals. One field trip to selected mineral deposits and visits to laboratories.
Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin: Read More [+]

EPS 100B Genesis and Interpretation of Rocks 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Introduction to the principal geologic environments where rocks are formed and displayed. Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic processes discussed in the context of global tectonics.
Genesis and Interpretation of Rocks: Read More [+]

EPS C100 Communicating Ocean Science 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
For undergraduates interested in improving their ability to communicate their scientific knowledge by teaching ocean science in elementary schools or science centers/aquariums. The course will combine instruction in inquiry-based teaching methods and learning pedagogy with six weeks of supervised teaching experience in a local school classroom or the Lawrence Hall of Science with a partner. Thus, students will practice communicating scientific knowledge and receive mentoring on how to improve their presentations.
Communicating Ocean Science: Read More [+]

EPS 101 Field Geology and Digital Mapping 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Geological mapping, field observation, and problem-solving in the Berkeley hills and environs leading to original interpretation of geological processes and history from stratigraphic, structural, and lithological investigations. Integration of the Berkeley hills geology into the Coast Ranges and California as a whole through field trips to key localities. Training in digital field mapping, global positioning systems, and laser surveying. Interdisciplinary focus encourages participation by nonmajors.
Field Geology and Digital Mapping: Read More [+]

EPS 102 History and Evolution of Planet Earth 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Formation and evolution of the earth. Nucleosynthesis; formation of the solar system; planetary accretion; dating the earth and solar system; formation of the core, mantle, oceans, and atmosphere; plate tectonics; heat transfer and internal dynamics; stratigraphic record of environment, and evolution; climate history and climate change.
History and Evolution of Planet Earth: Read More [+]

EPS 103 Introduction to Aquatic and Marine Geochemistry 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2015
Introduction to marine geochemistry: the global water cycle; processes governing the distribution of chemical species within the hydrosphere; ocean circulation; chemical mass balances, fluxes, and reactions in the marine environment from global to submicron scales; carbon system equilibrium chemistry and biogeochemistry of fresh and salt walter; applications of natural and anthropogenic stable and radioactive tracers; internal ocean processes.
Introduction to Aquatic and Marine Geochemistry: Read More [+]

EPS 104 Mathematical Methods in Geophysics 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Spring 2013
Linear systems. Linear inverse problems, least squares; generalized inverse, resolution; Fourier series, integral transforms; time series analysis, spherical harmonics; partial differntial equations of geophysics; functions of a complex variable; probability and significance tests, maximum likelihood methods. Intended for students in geophysics and other physical sciences.
Mathematical Methods in Geophysics: Read More [+]

EPS 108 Geodynamics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Basic principles in studying the physical properties of earth materials and the dynamic processes of the earth. Examples are drawn from tectonics, mechanics of earthquakes, etc., to augment course material.
Geodynamics: Read More [+]

EPS 109 Computer Simulations in Earth and Planetary Sciences 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2016, Fall 2015
Introduction to modern computer simulation methods and their application to selected Earth and Planetary Science problems. In hands-on computer labs, students will learn about numerical algorithms, learn to program and modify provided programs, and display the solution graphically. This is an introductory course and no programming experience is required. Examples include fractals in geophysics, properties of materials at high pressure, celestial mechanics, and diffusion processes in the Earth. Topics range from ordinary and partial differential equations to molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations.
Computer Simulations in Earth and Planetary Sciences: Read More [+]

EPS 111 Petroleum Geology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Fall 2012
Basin development related to plate tectonics. Origin of petroleum: quality, quantity, thermal maturation of organic matter in source rock. Primary and secondary migration. Petroleum composition. Reservoir rock: stratigraphy and geometry. Traps: structural, stratigraphic or combination. Reservoir fluids and energy. Oil provinces, individual fields.
Petroleum Geology: Read More [+]

EPS 115 Stratigraphy and Earth History 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Collecting, analyzing, and presenting stratigraphic data; dating and correlating sedimentary rocks; recognizing ancient environments and reconstructing Earth history; seismic and sequence stratigraphy; event stratigraphy and neocatastrophism; applications of stratigraphy to climate change, petroleum geology, and archaeology.
Stratigraphy and Earth History: Read More [+]

EPS 116 Structural Geology and Tectonics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Introduction to the geometry and mechanics of brittle and ductile geologic structures; their origins and genetic relation to stress fields and their use as kinematic indicators; case histories of selected regions to elucidate tectonic evolution in different plate tectonic settings. Laboratory exercises will focus on analysis of hand specimens and structural relations portrayed on geologic maps. Several trips to observe geologic structures in the field to supplement laboratory exercises.
Structural Geology and Tectonics: Read More [+]

EPS 117 Geomorphology 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Quantitative examination of landforms, runoff generation, weathering, mechanics of soil erosion by water and wind, mass wasting, glacial and periglacial processes and hillslope evolution.
Geomorphology: Read More [+]

EPS 118 Advanced Field Course 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2016, Spring 2015
Advanced geological mapping, intensive field observation, and problem solving in the field areas selected by instructors. Includes preparation of final reports.
Advanced Field Course: Read More [+]

EPS 119 Geologic Field Studies 2 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Fall 2016, Spring 2016
Two to four weekend field trips to localities of geological interest.
Geologic Field Studies: Read More [+]

EPS 122 Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Gravity field, density distribution, and internal seismic structure of the Earth and planets. Constitution, composition, temperature distribution, and energetics of the Earth's interior. The geomagnetic field and the geodynamo, and concepts in seismic imaging and geophysical fluid dynamics. This
course welcomes physics, computer science, engineering and applied maths majors.
Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors: Read More [+]

EPS 124 Isotopic Geochemistry 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2015, Fall 2013
An overview of the use of natural isotopic variations to study earth, planetary, and environmental problems. Topics include geochronology, cosmogenic isotope studies of surficial processes, radiocarbon and the carbon cycle, water isotopes in the water cycle, and radiogenic and stable isotope studies of planetary evolution, mantle dynamics, volcanoes, groundwater, and geothermal systems. The course begins with a short introduction to nuclear processes and includes simple mathematical models used in isotope geochemistry.
Isotopic Geochemistry: Read More [+]

EPS 125 Stable Isotope Geochemistry 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018
This course provides an introduction to the principles of stable isotope geochemistry and the application of these principles to problems in Earth and planetary science. This course provides a foundation for the physical, chemical, and biological processes that cause isotopes to fractionate in nature including the kinetic theory of gases, equilibrium thermodynamics, and the kinetics of chemical reactions. These principles will be applied to the study of problems related to the water cycle, paleoclimate, igneous petrology, biogeochemical cycles in the past and present, and planetary science.
Stable Isotope Geochemistry: Read More [+]

EPS C129 Biometeorology 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2016, Fall 2014
This course describes how the physical environment (light, wind, temperature, humidity) of plants and soil affects the physiological status of plants and how plants affect their physical environment. Using experimental data and theory, it examines physical, biological, and chemical processes affecting transfer of momentum, energy, and material (water, CO2, atmospheric trace gases) between vegetation and the atmosphere. Plant biometeorology instrumentation and measurements are also discussed.
Biometeorology: Read More [+]

EPS 130 Strong Motion Seismology 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Generation of seismic waves. Synthetic accelerograms. Instrumentation to measure strong ground motion. Estimation of seismic motion at a site. Ground motion spectra. Influence of soils and geologic structures. Seismic risk mapping.
Strong Motion Seismology: Read More [+]

EPS 131 Geochemistry 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2015
Chemical reactions in geological processes. Thermodynamic methods for predicting chemical equilibria in nature. Isotopic and chemical tracers of transport processes in the earth. Chemistry of the solid earth, oceans, and atmosphere.
Geochemistry: Read More [+]

EPS C146 Geological Oceanography 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2011, Spring 2010, Spring 2008
The tectonics and morphology of the sea floor, the geologic processes in the deep and shelf seas, and the climatic record contained in deep-sea sediments. The course will cover sources and composition of marine sediments, sea-level change, ocean circulation, paleoenvironmental reconstruction using fossils, imprint of climatic zonation on marine sediments, marine stratigraphy, and ocean floor resources.
Geological Oceanography: Read More [+]

EPS 150 Case Studies in Earth Systems 2 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017
Analysis and discussion of three research problems on the interactions of solid earth, hydrologic, chemical, and atmospheric processes. Emphasis is on the synthesis and application of the student's disciplinary knowledge to a new integrative problem in the earth sciences.
Case Studies in Earth Systems: Read More [+]

EPS C162 Planetary Astrophysics 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
Physics of planetary systems, both solar and extra-solar. Star and planet formation, radioactive dating, small-body dynamics and interaction of radiation with matter, tides, planetary interiors, atmospheres, and magnetospheres. High-quality oral presentations may be required in addition to problem sets and a final exam.
Planetary Astrophysics: Read More [+]

EPS C178 Applied Geophysics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
The theory and practice of geophysical methods for determining the subsurface distribution of physical rock and soil properties. Measurements of gravity and magnetic fields, electrical and electromagnetic fields, and seismic velocity are interpreted to map the subsurface distribution of density, magnetic susceptibility, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties.
Applied Geophysics: Read More [+]

EPS C180 Air Pollution 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
This course is an introduction to air pollution and the chemistry of earth's atmosphere. We will focus on the fundamental natural processes controlling trace gas and aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere, and how anthropogenic activity has affected those processes at the local, regional, and global scales. Specific topics include stratospheric ozone depletion, increasing concentrations of green house gasses, smog, and changes in the oxidation capacity of the troposphere.
Air Pollution: Read More [+]

EPS C181 Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics 3 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2018, Fall 2017, Fall 2016
This course examines the processes that determine the structure and circulation of the Earth's atmosphere. The approach is deductive rather than descriptive: to figure out the properties and behavior of the Earth's atmosphere based on the laws of physics and fluid dynamics. Topics will include interaction between radiation and atmospheric composition; the role of water in the energy and radiation balance; governing equations for atmospheric motion, mass conservation, and thermodynamic energy balance; geostrophic flow, quasigeostrophic motion, baroclinic instability and dynamics of extratropical cyclones.
Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics: Read More [+]

EPS C182 Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Laboratory 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2018, Spring 2017, Spring 2016
Fluid dynamics, radiative transfer, and the kinetics, spectroscopy, and measurement of atmospherically relevant species are explored through laboratory experiments, numerical simulations, and field observations.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Laboratory: Read More [+]

EPS C183 Carbon Cycle Dynamics 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2013
The focus is the (unsolved) puzzle of the contemporary carbon cycle. Why is the concentration of atmospheric CO2 changing at the rate observed? What are the terrestrial and oceanic processes that add and remove carbon from the atmosphere? What are the carbon management strategies under discussion? How can emission protocols be verified? Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience with the available data, and learn modeling skills to evaluate hypotheses of carbon sources and sinks.
Carbon Cycle Dynamics: Read More [+]

EPS H195 Senior Honors Course 3 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Original research and preparation of an acceptable thesis. May be taken during two consecutive semesters of senior year and may be substituted for six units of the upper division requirement with consent of major adviser.
Senior Honors Course: Read More [+]

EPS 197 Field Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2010
Written proposal signed by faculty sponsor and approved by major faculty advisor. Supervised experience relevant to specific aspects of students' EPS specialization in off-campus organization. Regular meetings with faculty sponsor and written report required.
Field Study: Read More [+]

EPS 198 Directed Group Study 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Spring 2015, Spring 2014, Spring 2010
Group studies of selected topics which vary from semester to semester.
Directed Group Study: Read More [+]

EPS 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

Terms offered: Fall 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2014
Enrollment is restricted by regulations.
Supervised Independent Study and Research: Read More [+]

Faculty and Instructors

+ Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Richard Allen, Professor. Seismology earthquakes earthquake hazard mitigation earth structure tomography natural hazards.
Research Profile

Jillian Banfield, Professor. Nanoscience, Bioremediation, genomics, biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, geomicrobiology, MARS, minerology.
Research Profile

Jim Bishop, Professor. Ocean carbon cycle dynamics, remote sensing, aquatic chemistry, marine biogeochemistry, land - ocean biogeochemistry, chemical oceanography, ocean sensors and autonomous observing systems, Carbon Explorer, Carbon Flux Explorer.
Research Profile

Kristie A. Boering, Professor. Physical chemistry, climate change, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, ozone, earth and planetary science, isotopic compositions of atmospheric trace gases, stratospheric ozone, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, molecular hydrogen, methane.
Research Profile

William Boos, Associate Professor.

Bruce Buffett, Professor. Dynamics and evolution of planetary interiors, including mantle convection, plate tectonics, and planetary dynamos.

Roland Burgmann, Professor. Geophysics, geology, earth and planetary science, geomechanics, tectonics, structural geology, active tectonics, fault zone processes, crustal deformation, space geodesy.
Research Profile

+ Eugene Chiang, Professor. Planetary science, theoretical astrophysics, dynamics, planet formation, circumstellar disks.
Research Profile

Ronald C. Cohen, Professor. Physical chemistry, water, climate, air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, ozone, nitrogen oxides, CO2, clouds.
Research Profile

William D. Collins, Professor in Residence. Interactions of clouds and aerosols with solar and terrestrial radiation.

Kurt Cuffey, Professor. Continuum mechanics, climate, geomorphology, glaciers, glaciology, climate history, stable isotopes, geographical thought.
Research Profile

Imke De Pater, Professor. Radio, planetary science, infrared, observations.
Research Profile

William E. Dietrich, Professor. Morphology, earth and planetary sciences, geomorphology, evolution of landscapes, geomorphic transport laws, landscape evolution modeling, high resolution laser altimetry, cosmogenic nuclide analysis.
Research Profile

Douglas S. Dreger, Professor. Wave propagation, geophysics, earth and planetary sciences, waveform data, geophysical inverse problems, seismic radiation, regional distance methodology, crustal structure affects on ground motions in the greater San Francisco Bay area.
Research Profile

Inez Fung, Professor. Global change, environmental policy, ecosystem scienes.
Research Profile

Lynn Ingram, Professor. Geophysics, geology, earth and planetary science, geography, stratigraphy with strontium isotopes, paleontological, paleoclimate, California climate change, paleosalinity, shellmounds, geochemical data, paleoclimatic and paleo-environmental reconstruction in aquatic environments using sedimentological.
Research Profile

Raymond Jeanloz, Professor. Planetary geophysics, high-pressure physics, national and international security, science-based policy.
Research Profile

+ Michael Manga, Professor. Hydrogeology, fluid mechanics, geomorphology, earth & planetary science, geological processes involving fluids, including problems in physical volcanology, geodynamics, dynamics of suspensions, flow & transport in porous materials, percolation theory.
Research Profile

Burkhard Militzer, Associate Professor. Saturn, structure and evolution of Jupiter, and extrasolar giant planets.
Research Profile

Steven R. Pride, Adjunct Professor. Crusted seismology, poroelasticity, electrical properties of rocks, physics of brittle fracture.

James W. Rector, Professor. Geophysics, Oil and Gas, Unconventional Shale Gas Reservoirs, Horizontal Drilling, Fracking, Near Surface Seismology, Tunnel Detection, Treasure Hunting, and Geophysical Archaeology, Borehole Seismology.
Research Profile

Paul Renne, Professor in Residence. Geochemistry, geochronology, paleomagnetism.
Research Profile

Mark A. Richards, Professor. Crustal deformation, earth & planetary sciences, mantle convection, large-scale mantle structure, rotational dynamics & gravity fields of terrestrial planets, history & dynamics of global plate motions, igneous processes in the mantle and deep crust.
Research Profile

Barbara A. Romanowicz, Professor. Earth & planetary science, deep earth structure & dynamics, earthquake processes & scaling laws, real time estimation of earthquake parameters, development of modern broadband seismic and geophysical observatories, planetary seismology.
Research Profile

David Romps, Assistant Professor. Climate, atmosphere, atmospheric science, weather, clouds, fluid dynamics.
Research Profile

Stephen Self, Adjunct Professor. Physical volcanology; field studies of products of large eruptions; environmental impact of volcanism.

David Shuster, Associate Professor. Noble gas geochemistry, thermochronometry, and cosmogenic nuclide observations.

Daniel Stolper, Assistant Professor. Biogeochemistry; Earth History; Geobiology; Global Climate Studies; Organic Geochemistry; Stable Isotope Geochemistry.

Nicholas Swanson-Hysell, Assistant Professor. Geology, stratigraphy, paleomagnetism, paleogeography.
Research Profile

Lecturers

Horst Rademacher, Lecturer.

Visiting Faculty

Paul C. Henshaw, Visiting Professor.

Paul Henshaw, Visiting Professor. Petroleum systems include the evolution of basins with their stratigraphic, structural and biogeochemical processes through time.

Emeritus Faculty

Walter Alvarez, Professor Emeritus.

George H. Brimhall, Professor Emeritus. Earth and planetary sciences, geology, ore-forming processes, mineral exploration science, non-renewable resource issues, photo-voltaic semi-conductor resources.
Research Profile

Mark S. T. Bukowinski, Professor Emeritus. Geophysics, earth and planetary sciences, planetary interiors, theoretical mineral physics, deep earth minerals, geochemical processes, thermal and chemical evolution.
Research Profile

Richard L. Hay, Professor Emeritus.

Lane Johnson, Professor Emeritus. Earth & planetary science, geophysical methods of studying structure & processes within the earth, seismic sources, monitoring of nuclear test ban treaties, theoretical & computational methods of treating wave propagation in realistic earth models.
Research Profile

James Kirchner, Professor Emeritus. Evolutionary ecology, biogeochemistry, earth and planetary sciences, geomorphology, watershed hydrology & geochemistry.
Research Profile

Chi-Yuen Wang, Professor Emeritus. Earth & planetary science.
Research Profile

Lionel E. Weiss, Professor Emeritus.

Hans-Rudolf Wenk, Professor Emeritus. Crystallography, earth & planetary science, structural geology & rock deformation, seismic anisotropy, investigating development of preferred orientation under expreme conditions using neutron diffraction, synchrotron x-rays, & electron microscopy.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Department of Earth and Planetary Science

307 McCone Hall

Phone: 510-642-3993

Fax: 510-643-9980

Visit Department Website

Department Chair & Director of Berkeley Seismological Laboratory

Richard Allen, PhD

279 McCone Hall

rallen@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Student Services Manager

Nadine Spingola-Hutton

305 McCone Hall

Phone: 510-643-4068

http://tinyurl.com/epsadvisor

nspingola@berkeley.edu

Faculty Adviser

David Romps, PhD

romps@berkeley.edu

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