Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Subject Areas

Courses for GEOS (GEOS)

GEOS 810
Teaching & Learning in Post-Secondary Science Education LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
One semester of teaching a college level science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course.
This course is designed for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and others who teach at the college level. Students may seek permission from instructor to enroll in the course concurrent with their first semester of teaching.
Integrate learning theories, pedagogy, and evidence-based practices to promote student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses in post-secondary education.
GEOS 898
Special Problems in Geosciences LINK
Credit Hours: 1-6
Max credits per degree: 24
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hours geosciences
GEOS 899
Masters Thesis LINK
Credit Hours: 6-10
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
GEOS 900
Professional Development in Geosciences LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lecture 2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Professional skills. Time management, laboratory and field safety, abstract writing, proposal writing, grantsmanship, and presentations. The philosophy and ethical conduct of science.
GEOS 99
Seminar and Colloquium LINK
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Graduate standing
All GEOS graduate students in residence must register for GEOS 99 each semester. GEOS 99 is P/N only.
GEOS 996
Research Other than Thesis LINK
Credit Hours: 1-24
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Permission
GEOS 999
Doctoral Dissertation LINK
Credit Hours: 1-24
Max credits per degree: 55
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Admission to doctoral degree program and permission of supervisory committee chair

Courses for GEOL (GEOL)

AGRO 475/875
Water Quality Strategy LINKCrosslisted as POLS 475/875, SOCI 475/875, GEOL 475/875, CIVE 475/875, SOIL 475, NRES 475/875, WATS 475, MSYM 475/875, CRPL 475/875
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
ACE Outcomes: 10
Prereqs:
Senior standing or permission.
Capstone course.
Holistic approach to the selection and analysis of planning strategies for protecting water quality from nonpoint sources of contamination. Introduction to the use of methods of analyzing the impact of strategies on whole systems and subsystems; for selecting strategies; and for evaluating present strategies.
BIOS 444/844
Geomicrobiology LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 444/844
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
3 hours biological sciences and 3 hours chemistry.
Lectures and discussions of primary literature regarding microorganisms and their role transforming Earth through geologic time.
BIOS 457/857
Ecosystem Ecology LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 457/857
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lecture 3, Recitation 1
Course Delivery: Classroom
ACE Outcomes: 10
Prereqs:
BIOS 207 and CHEM 110.
Processes controlling the cycling of energy and elements in ecosystems and how both plant and animal species influence them. Human-influenced global and local changes that alter these cycles and ecosystem functioning.
GEOG 419/819
Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 419/819, AGRO 419/819, NRES 420/820
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lecture 3, Lab 2
Course Delivery: Classroom
Groups: Techniques
Prereqs:
GEOG/NRES 418.
Introduction to the practical uses of remote electromagnetic sensing in dealing with agricultural and water-resources issues.
GEOL 414/814
Clay Mineralogy LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 210; CHEM 113 or equivalent.
Structures and properties of common clay minerals; their formation and geologic/pedologic distribution. Generation and use of x-rays for diffraction analysis. Analysis of clays and related minerals by x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.
GEOL 417/817
Organic Geochemistry LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Origin, preservation and transport of organic compounds found in the rock record. Applications of organic geochemistry to paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental interpretations as well as discerning the origins of coal, oil and natural gas.
GEOL 418/818
Chemistry of Natural Waters LINKCrosslisted as NRES 419/819, WATS 418
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
2 semesters of college chemistry, or CHEM 109 and 110, 113 and 114, or CHEM 111; or permission.
Principles of water chemistry and their use in precipitation, surface water, and groundwater studies. Groundwater applications used to determine the time and source of groundwater recharge, estimate groundwater residence time, identify aquifer mineralogy, examine the degree of mixing between waters of various sources and evaluate what types of biological and chemical processes have occurred during the water's journey through the aquifer system.
GEOL 418L/818L
Chemistry of Natural Waters Laboratory LINKCrosslisted as NRES 419L/819L, WATS 418L
Credit Hours: 1
Course Format: Lab 1
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Two semesters college chemistry or permission.
Parallel: GEOL 418/818, NRES 419/819, WATS 418. Offered even numbered calendar years or as needed.
Basic laboratory techniques used to perform water analysis including various wet chemical techniques, instrument use (AA, IC, UV-Visible) and computer modeling. Techniques for sample collection and preservation, parameter estimation and chemical analysis.
GEOL 420/820
Siliciclastic Sedimentology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Depositional processes, environments of deposition, and facies models. Description, classification, and analysis of modern and ancient siliciclastic sediment and sedimentary rocks.
GEOL 421/821
Carbonate Petrology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Lab focuses on field, petrographic and geochemical methods.
Depositional settings and processes, petrography, geochemistry, diagenesis and geological significance of modern and ancient carbonate rocks and sediments.
GEOL 423/823
Quaternary Paleoclimatology and Paleoecology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 436/836
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hrs GEOL or BIOS.
Analysis and interpretation of the Quaternary period's paleoecological data. Patterns of long-term climate variation. Distribution patterns and responses of organisms and ecosystems to Quaternary environmental change.
GEOL 424/824
Biogeochemical Cycles LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 438/838
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
CHEM 109 or 113; 12 hrs geology or biological sciences.
Chemical cycling at or near the earth's surface, emphasizing interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Modern processes, the geological record, and human impacts on elemental cycles.
GEOL 430/830
Quantitative Methods in Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Numerical and statistical analysis of paleontological data including biometry, syn-ecology, and quantitative biostratigraphy.
GEOL 431/831
Micro-paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 431 is open to BIOS majors by permission only.
Morphology, classification, ecology and geological application of common fossil and extant marine, brackish, and freshwater microfossils.
GEOL 435/835
Vertebrate Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Permission or graduate standing.
Survey of the evolution of the vertebrates, including the geological and biological factors that influence the pattern of evolution, and laboratory study of fossil materials of the major vertebrate groups.
GEOL 436/836
Evolution of Cenozoic Mammals LINKCrosslisted as NRES 436/836
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Survey of mammalian evolution with emphasis on the origin, radiation, and phylogenetic relationships of Cenozioc fossil mammals. Overview of climatic and ecological changes affecting mammalian adaptations and hands on experience with specimens.
GEOL 439/839
Marine Ecology and Paleoecology LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 461/861
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lecture 2
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
BIOS/NRES 220.
Geology majors should register for GEOL 439L/BIOS 461L.
Introduction to the fundamentals of marine ecology and their application to paleoecology.
GEOL 439L/839L
Marine Ecology and Paleoecology Lab LINKCrosslisted as BIOS 461L/861L
Credit Hours: 1
Max credits per degree: 1
Course Format: Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Parallel GEOL 439/839.
Lab includes several field trips.
GEOL 440/840
Tectonics LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 340 or permission.
Theory of plate tectonics; tectonic controls on rock assemblages; interpretation of regional structure and tectonic history; origin and tectonic evolution of terrestrial planets.
GEOL 442/842
Environmental Geophysics I LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lecture 3, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
MATH 107; PHYS 211; GEOL 101 or 106; or equivalent or permission.
Introduction to the principles of seismic, ground-penetrating radar, and bore-hole geophysical methods and their application to groundwater, engineering, environmental, and archaeological investigations.
GEOL 443/843
Environmental Geophysics II LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lecture 3, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
MATH 107; PHYS 211; GEOL 101 or 106; or equivalent or permission.
Introduction to principles of magnetic, electromagnetic, resistivity, and gravity methods and their application to ground water, engineering, environmental, and archaeological investigations.
GEOL 450/850
Surficial Processes and Landscape Evolution LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 310 or permission.
Two or three half-day field trips to local sites of interest and a five-day field trip to Colorado and Wyoming are required.
Fluvial, glacial, eolian, and coastal processes and landforms. Roles of tectonics, climate, and climate change in landscape evolution. Lab stresses description and interpretation of landforms from remotely-sensed, cartographic, and field data.
GEOL 465/865
Soil Geomorphology and Paleopedology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 465/865
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 450/850 and NRES 477/877; or permission.
Two field trips required.
Soils and paleosols as evidence in reconstruction landscape evolution and paleoenvironments. Role of paleosols in stratigraphy.
GEOL 470/870
Field Techniques in Hydrogeology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 470/870 requires full day field trips.
Basic techniques, field procedures, instruments, and software for data interpretation, and characterization of groundwater flow and contaminant transport.
GEOL 472/872
Water in Geosciences LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
MATH 106 and 107; PHYS 141; and one of the following: GEOL 101 or 106 or METR 200.
Quantitative approach to water in geological media, earth surface and atmosphere. Understanding and analysis of physical processes involved in groundwater-surface-atmosphere interactions.
GEOL 480/880
Economic Geology of the Metals LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 2
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hrs geology including GEOL 210, 340; CHEM 114, 116.
Occurrence and utilization of the metallic ores. Elementary theory of ore genesis.
GEOL 485/885
Fossil Fuel Geology and Exploration LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hrs geology.
Geology of coal, oil and gas, and methods of exploration.
GEOL 495/895
Economic and Exploration Geology LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Max credits per semester: 6
Course Format: Lecture 2, Field
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 310 and GEOL 320; or equivalent. Recommended parallel: A GEOL course as indicated by the instructor and will vary according to the course content of GEOL 495.
Field trips are required and supported by alumni endowment. Course content will vary on a 3-year rotational basis. Combined lectures, seminars, weekend short courses, and field trips. Field trips are required and supported by alumni endowment. Field trips may be scheduled during semester breaks.
E.F. Schramm Course in Economic Geology. Aspects of fossil fuel geology and exploration.
GEOL 812
Advanced Mineralogy LINK
Credit Hours: 3-6
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hrs geology including GEOL 210; CHEM 113
GEOL 816
Isotope Geochemistry LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Behavior of stable and radiogenic isotopes in geological and cosmochemical systems. Application of isotope geochemistry to determining the age of rocks, as well as the sources of the chemical components in the rocks.
GEOL 825
Geostatistics LINKCrosslisted as NRES 825
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Practical methods for solving spatial interpolation and related estimation problems with emphasis on geostatistical methods. Introduction to applied statistical simulation and prediction in geology, hydrogeology and environmental studies.
GEOL 828
Stratigraphic Architecture and Sequence Stratigraphy LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Analysis of stratigraphic stacking patterns in sedimentary basins and sequence stratigraphic methods.
GEOL 846
Palynology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lab, Lecture
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hours GEOS
GEOL 846 lab focuses on techniques for pollen recovery from modern and ancient materials.
Pollen and spore morphology, taxonomy, and pollination ecology as a basic tool for geologists, biologists, and archaeologists interested in environmental reconstruction. Techniques of environmental reconstruction through pollen analysis. Aspects of medical and forensic palynology.
GEOL 869
Regional Field Geology LINK
Credit Hours: 1
Course Format: Field
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
12 hrs GEOL including GEOL 103
Weekend field trips. Field investigation of classic areas of Midcontinent Geology, emphasizing principles of stratigraphy, geomorphology, sedimentology, and paleontology.
GEOL 889
Hydrogeology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 887
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Principles of flow through porous media with emphasis on basic classical solutions, flow-net analysis, and elementary modern numerical solutions that aid in the analysis and development of groundwater supplies.
GEOL 917
Environmental Isotope Hydrology LINKCrosslisted as NRES 917
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
NRES 819 or equivalent or permission
Theory and use of stable, radiogenic and radioactive isotopes in hydrologic studies. Abundance and variation of the stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, sulphur, chlorine, nitrogen, and strontium. Application of the isotopes to determine water origin, movement, geochemical history, recharge age and residence time, and to delineate contaminant sources and solute migration.
GEOL 918
Seminar in Geochemistry LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 919
Seminar in Mineralogy LINK
Credit Hours: 1-6
Max credits per degree: 6
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 920
Seminar in Stratigraphy LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
See also GEOL 953.
GEOL 922
Seminar in Sedimentary Environments LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 925
Seminar in Sedimentology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 926
Marine Geology and Paleoceanography LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Geology of the oceanic realm, formation of oceanic crust, circulation, geochemistry, pelagic sediments and their diagensis, correlation, and oceanic history.
GEOL 929
Mesozoic and Cenozoic Stratigraphy LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Application of stratigraphic principles and methods to the solution of Mesozoic and Cenozoic problems.
GEOL 931
Taphonomy LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 1
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Processes in fossil preservation and how they affect information in the fossil record of vertebrates.
GEOL 934
Site Analysis in Vertebrate Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lecture 2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Integrated approach to the excavation and collection of fossil vertebrate sites in a global framework, with consideration of tectonic, depositional, and taphonomic factors in interpretation of fossil vertebrate concentrations.
GEOL 935
Cenozoic Vertebrate Paleoecology LINK
Credit Hours: 2
Course Format: Lab 1, Lecture 1
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Terrestrial vertebrate history during the Cenozoic Era with emphasis on the fossil record of Great Plains mammalian communities within the last fifteen million years.
GEOL 936
Siliceous Phytoplankton Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and paleobiogeography of fossil diatoms, silicoflagellates and ebridians.
GEOL 937
Mesozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and paleobiogeography of Mesozoic calcareous nannofossils.
GEOL 938
Cenozoic Calcareous Microfossil Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 3, Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and paleobiogeography of Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils.
GEOL 939
Seminar in Paleontology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 940
Advanced Structural Geology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-24
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 941
Advanced Tectonics LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 840 or permission
Tectonics and regional structure of selected mountain belts; Precambrian Tectonics; tectonics and resources.
GEOL 945
Seminar in Structural Geology and Tectonics LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 953
Glacial Geology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 850 or permission
Deposits made by the continental ice sheets of the Pleistocene and of the environments that existed around them. Lab includes interpretation of topographic maps, air photos, soil maps, and field studies.
GEOL 955
Seminar in Geomorphology LINK
Credit Hours: 2-3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 956
Seminar in Quaternary Geology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
See also GEOL 881, 827.
GEOL 985
Solute Movement in Soils LINKCrosslisted as CIVE 955, AGRO 955, AGEN 955
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Knowledge of a programming language. MATH 821 recommended. Offered even-numbered calendar years.
Examination of the theory and experimental evidence available to characterize the movement of chemicals in soil. Both saturated and unsaturated flow conditions examined. Initial presentation of basic theoretical concepts. Remainder of class a discussion of the literature.
GEOL 986
Contaminant Hydrogeology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 888, MATH 208 or equivalent, or permission
Occurrence, behavior and remediation of contamination in geological media. Fundamentals of physical, mathematical, chemical, and engineering processes affecting movement of contaminants in the hydrogeological environment and their applications. Teamwork, projects, seminar presentations, field trips and invited lectures.
GEOL 987
Seminar in Hydrogeology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
GEOL 988
Introduction to Groundwater Modeling LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL *889, MATH 208 or equivalent, programming language, or permission
Application of fundamentals of modeling techniques (analytical, semi-analytical, finite-difference and finite elements) to the solution of hydrogeological problems. Emphasis on development of model concepts for specific groundwater flow and transport conditions, selection of solution methods, including computer software and hardware, performance of computer modeling, and interpretation of results.
GEOL 996
Research Other Than Thesis LINK
Credit Hours: 1-24
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Permission
NRES 461/861
Soil Physics LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 461/861, AGRO 461/861, SOIL 461, WATS 461
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
AGRO/SOIL 153; PHYS 141 or equivalent, one semester of calculus.
Recommended: Parallel AGRO/NRES/SOIL 458.
Principles of soil physics. Movement of water, air, heat, and solutes in soils. Water retention and movement, including infiltration and field water regime. Movement of chemicals in soils.
NRES 484/884
Water Resources Seminar LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 484/884, GEOL 484/884, AGRO 484/884, WATS 484
Credit Hours: 1
Course Format: Lecture 1
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Junior or above standing, or permission.
Seminar on current water resources research and issues in Nebraska and the region.
NRES 488/888
Groundwater Geology LINKCrosslisted as GEOL 488/888
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
GEOL 100-level course; MATH 106 or equivalent.
Occurence, movement, and development of water in the geologic environment.

Courses for METR (METR)

AGRO 907
Agricultural Climatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 907, HORT 907, NRES 907
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lab 2, Lecture 2
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
NRES 808; STAT 801 or equivalent
Offered spring semester of odd-numbered calendar years. Analysis and use of climatological data as applied to agricultural activities and the use of climatological information to assist in decision making.
AGRO 908
Solar Radiation Interactions at the Earth’s Surface LINKCrosslisted as METR 908, HORT 908, NRES 908
Credit Hours: 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
MATH 208; NRES 808 or equivalent or permission
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years. Quantitative study of radiative transfer to the earth’s surface and subsequent interactions of radiation with vegetative components and underlying surfaces. Applications of canopy radiative modeling and remote sensing techniques, particularly in understanding land-surface processes, are discussed.
METR 415/815
General Circulation of the Atmosphere LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Junior standing; MATH 106 or 108H; METR 205 and 475/875; PHYS 211 or 211H; PHYS 221.
Development of the atmospheric circulation regimes, from planetary scale (e.g., the planetary waves) to synoptic scale (e.g., the cyclones and anticyclones) and mesoscale, their seasonal variations, and their roles in horizontal and vertical energy and water transports and budgets in the Earth system.
METR 428/828
Air Pollution LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
6 hrs. METR and CHEM 109.
Basic processes (e.g., emission, transport, first-order chemical reaction, and deposition) associated with air pollution and their combination with meteorology for air quality forecasting. Environmental topics: acid rain; smog; air pollution; ozone hole; greenhouse gases; aerosols; long-range transport; civic regulations and international treaties on air pollution; and climate change.
METR 433/833
Boundary-layer Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Basic concepts of atmospheric turbulence and fundamental dynamics, thermodynamics, and structure of the atmospheric boundary layer are discussed.  Atmospheric boundary layer parameterizations used in modern weather and climate models are presented.
METR 442/842
Advanced Synoptic Meteorology-Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 1, Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
ACE Outcomes: 10
Prereqs:
Analysis and forecasting of subsynoptic-scale weather systems. Convection, thunderstorm models, severe local storm forecasting techniques, mesoscale convective complexes, vertical cross-sections, isentropic analysis, and weather radar.
METR 443/843
Severe Storms Meteorology-Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Dynamics of various types of severe weather (blizzards, flash floods, lightning, thunderstorms and winter and summer tornado outbreaks). Interpretation of the numerical and statistical models utilized to forecast these phenomena. Synoptic case studies of severe weather occurrences. Recent research on severe weather.
METR 454/854
Statistical Analysis of Atmospheric Data LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
6 hrs METR and MATH 107/107H.
Application of univariate statistics, hypothesis testing, statistical forecasting, forecast verification, time-series analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster/multivariate analysis to atmospheric data for different applications in the atmospheric sciences (from short-term weather forecast to long-term climate prediction).
METR 463/863
Radar Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
The fundamental principles of weather radars and the basic application of these principles.
METR 464/864
Satellite Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Concepts and principles related to meteorological observations from satellites. Applications for weather analysis and forecasting.
METR 465/865
Satellite Remote Sensing of Atmosphere LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Principles of atmospheric radiation and techniques for satellite image processing. Application of data calibration, image registration and enhancement, noise filtering and multi-spectral classification of satellite imageries. Survey of various satellite sensors used for monitoring different atmospheric processes and constituents.
METR 470/870
The Climate System: Analysis and Prediction LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
ACE Outcomes: 10
Maintenance of the climate system and climate change over time. Global budgets of energy, water, and momentum and their balance. Development of simple, physically-based models of climate and of climate change.
METR 471/871
Tropical Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Atmospheric phenomena unique to the tropics, and their connection to the global circulation.
METR 475/875
Physical Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Global energy and water balance regimes of the earth and its atmosphere. Utilization of physical laws to reveal causes and effects of interrelationships in the climatic system.
METR 483/883
Global Climate Change LINKCrosslisted as NRES 467/867
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Junior standing; MATH 106/106B/106H; 5 hrs PHYS; METR 475/875.
METR 483/883/NRES 467/867 is offered fall semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Elements of climate systems, El Nino/LaNina cycle and monsoons, natural variability of climate on interannual and interdecadal scales. Paleoclimate, and future climate, developed climate change scenarios and climate change impacts on natural resources and the environment.
METR 487/887
Earth's Climate: Past, Present, Future LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
6 hrs METR or 6 hrs GEOL.
How the Earth's climate has varied and the forcing mechanisms related to those changes. Themes that reappear through Earth's climate history and into the future; causes of climate change; the natural response times of the multiple components; and the role of greenhouse gases within the climate system at differing time scales.
METR 495/895
Internship in Meteorology-Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-6
Max credits per degree: 6
Course Format: Field
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Permission.
Pass/No Pass only. Only 3 cr hrs of METR 495 may be applied to the major and/or minor in METR.
Application of meteorology-climatology learning with on-the-job training.
METR 811
Dynamic Meteorology I LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Equations of thermodynamics, momentum, and continuity are derived and applied to atmospheric motion. Energy conservation, flows, and conversions.
METR 812
Dynamic Meteorology II LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Applications of the principles of dynamic meteorology to the problems of forecasting and meteorological problems.
METR 823
Physical Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lecture 4
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Physical principles that provide the foundation for meteorology. Absorption, scattering, and transmission of radiation in the atmosphere, cloud physics, precipitation process, atmospheric optics, atmospheric electricity, and lightning.
METR 841
Synoptic Meteorology LINK
Credit Hours: 4
Course Format: Lab 2, Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Dynamic and thermodynamic concepts and principles applied to synoptic-scale weather forecasting. Dynamics, energetics, structure, evolution, and motion of extra-tropical cyclones. Meteorological communications, interpretation and analysis of weather maps, and thermodynamic diagrams.
METR 880
Theory of Climate LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
MATH 221/821 or MATH 221H; PHYS 142 or equivalent
Foundation and maintenance of earth’s climate system and its variation over time. Climate modeling.
METR 898
Special Topics in Meteorology-Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 1-24
Max credits per degree: 24
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Permission
METR 903
Seminar in Meteorology and Climatology LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Topic varies.
METR 924
Atmospheric Radiative Transfer LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
METR 423/823; MATH 221/221H/821; and permission
Theory of scattering by atmospheric particles (e.g., clouds, aerosols, and molecules), atmospheric radiative transfer equations, and techniques for solving these equations. Atmospheric transfer of both solar and terrestrial radiation. Numerical experiments with radiative transfer models and comparison with observations.
METR 933
Land-atmosphere Interactions LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
METR 433/833, or equivalent
Investigate the physical processes involved in land-atmosphere interactions, focusing on the coupling between land surfaces (especially the soil and vegetation cover) and the atmospheric boundary layer.
METR 943
Dynamics of Severe Convective Storms LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
METR 411/811 and 412/812, or equivalent
Advanced concepts related to severe convective storms. Tornado-genesis, super-cell formation, rotation, movement, morphology, quasi-linear convective systems, deep convective initiation, hail, mesoscale convective systems, and RKW (Rotunno-Klemp-Weisman) theory.
METR 987
Seminar in Climatic Change LINK
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Campus:
Course Delivery: Classroom
Climates of the past emphasizing the Quaternary period. Paleogeographic changes in response to climatic fluctuations. Techniques for recording and reconstructing past climatic variations. Modeling the changing climate. Climatic changes and human affairs.
NRES 408/808
Microclimate: The Biological Environment LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 408/808, METR 408/808, HORT 408/808, AGRO 408/808, WATS 408
Credit Hours: 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Junior standing, MATH 106 or equivalent, 5 hrs physics, major in any of the physical or biological sciences or engineering; or permission.
Physical factors that create the biological environment. Radiation and energy balances of earth's surfaces, terrestrial and marine. Temperature, humidity, and wind regimes near the surface. Control of the physical environment through irrigation, windbreaks, frost protection, manipulation of light, and radiation. Applications to air pollution research. Instruments for measuring environmental conditions and remote sensing of the environment.
NRES 452/852
Climate and Society LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 450/850, METR 450/850, AGRO 450/850
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
METR 200 or NRES 370 or equivalent.
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Impact of climate and extreme climatic events on society and societal responses to those events. Global in scope and interdisciplinary.
NRES 469/869
Bio-Atmospheric Instrumentation LINKCrosslisted as GEOG 469/869, METR 469/869, HORT 407/807, AGRO 469/869, MSYM 469/869
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 2, Lab 1
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Junior standing; MATH 106; 4 hrs physics; physical or biological science major.
Offered fall semester of odd-numbered calendar years.
Discussion and practical application of principles and practices of measuring meteorological and related variables near the earth's surface including temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, radiation and wind. Performance characteristics of sensors and modern data collection methods are discussed and evaluated.
NRES 478/878
Regional Climatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 478/878
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
NRES/METR 370.
Regional differentiation of the climates of the earth on both a descriptive and dynamic basis. The chief systems of climatic classification.
NRES 479/879
Hydroclimatology LINKCrosslisted as METR 479/879, WATS 479
Credit Hours: 3
Course Format: Lecture 3
Course Delivery: Classroom
Prereqs:
Offered fall semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Interaction between earth’s climate and the hydrologic cycle. Energy and water fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface. Atmospheric moisture transport, precipitation, evaporation, snowmelt, and runoff. Impacts of climate variability and change on the hydrologic cycle.

Description

For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.

Department Chairperson: David K. Watkins, Ph.D.

Graduate Committee: Professor Oglesby (chair); Professors Goble, R. M. Joeckel; Assistant Professor Houston

The department offers both the master of science and doctor or philosophy degrees in geosciences. Students may develop programs of study which emphasize specific areas within the atmospheric and geological sciences.

The department has established program requirements in addition to those stipulated by the Office of Graduate Studies. These requirements are outlined in the department’s Graduate Student Handbook. Other requirements (including language and research tools) are at the discretion of the supervisory committee and should be consistent with the educational objectives of the student.

Students are encouraged to complete the masters degree before beginning doctoral work. Those lacking certain required undergraduate courses may be admitted with the provision that the deficiencies be removed after enrollment.

Specializations available at the masters level:

Environmental Studies; Geology; Great Plains Studies; Hydrogeology; Meteorology-Climatology; Water Resources Planning and Management

Specializations available at the doctoral level:

Environmental Studies; Geology; Great Plains Studies; Hydrogeology; Meteorology-Climatology

Retrieved from "http://bulletin.unl.edu/graduate/Earth_and_Atmospheric_Sciences"
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