Fall 2026
September 21 – December 11, 2026
Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPS SCI)
19 courses
Introduction to Geophysics and Space Physics I: Solid Earth and Planets
Lecture, three hours. Requisites: Physics 32, 105A, 110A, 112. Geochemistry, cosmochemistry, and petrology; geotectonics; gravity field; seismology; heat transfer, thermal and mechanical evolution of mantle; core and geomagnetism; lunar and planetary interiors. S/U or letter grading.
Instructor: Stixrude, L.P.
4 units · 5 open seats · 8/13 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · MW 1:30PM–2:50PM · GEOLOGY 4677
Classical Mechanics
Lecture, three hours. Kinematics, variational principles and Lagrange equations, rotational dynamics. Hamilton equations of motion, linear and nonlinear perturbation theory, applications to solar system. S/U or letter grading.
Instructor: Newman, W.I.
4 units · 9 open seats · 1/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · TR 10:00AM–12:00PM · GEOLOGY 4677
Physical Geochemistry
Lecture, three hours. Recommended: course 51. Basic principles of physical chemistry for geologic applications. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactions among minerals, natural waters, and magmas; construction and interpretation of phase diagrams; case studies of important geochemical and environmental issues. Concurrently scheduled with course C106. Additional independent research project and oral presentation required of graduate students. S/U or letter grading.
Instructor: Schauble, E.A.
4 units · 11 open seats · 4/15 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · MWF 10:00AM–10:50AM · GEOLOGY 3645
Introduction to Planetary Dynamos
Lecture, three hours; laboratory/discussion, 90 minutes. Requisites: courses 200A, 200B, 200C. Designed for graduate students. Basic principles of planetary dynamo generation. Planetary core dynamics and core convection; mean field dynamo theory; kinematic dynamo theory; survey of modeling techniques and results. S/U or letter grading.
4 units
LEC · TR 9:00AM–9:50PM · Consult instructor
Seminar: Geochemistry
Seminar, two hours; discussion, two hours. Phase equilibria under crustal conditions, chemistry of ocean waters, recent and ancient sediments, structure and chemistry of upper mantle, geochronology, cosmochronology, and cosmochemistry. S/U or letter grading.
Instructor: Ni, P.
4 units · 15 open seats · 0/15 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · F 1:00PM–4:00PM · GEOLOGY 1707
Seminar Practicum: Space Physics
Seminar, one hour. Topics in space physics, which may include space plasma theory, simulations, data analysis, or instrumentation. Graduate students, researchers, or faculty present their current research and receive feedback on research direction, methods, and content delivery. Includes discussions on science policy, research opportunities, federal grants administration, funding opportunities, career planning and university/industry placements. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
Instructor: Angelopoulos, V.
2 units · 25 open seats · 0/25 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · WF 11:00PM–11:50PM · SLICHTR 3853
Solar System Magnetohydrodynamics
(Same as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences M250A.) Lecture, three hours. Requisite: Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences C205A. Derivation of MHD equations with two fluid aspects, generalized Ohm’s law, small amplitude waves, discontinuities, shock waves, and instabilities. Applications to statics and dynamics of solar wind and planetary magnetospheres and to solar wind/magnetosphere/ionosphere coupling. S/U (for majors with consent of instructor after successful completion of written and oral comprehensive examination and for nonmajors at discretion of major department) or letter grading.
Instructor: Angelopoulos, V.
4 units · 3 open seats · 7/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · TBA · Consult instructor
(untitled)
(Same as Ecology and Evolutionary Biology CM228.) Lecture, four hours; laboratory, three hours. Requisites: Chemistry 14A, 14B (or 20A, 20B), Life Sciences 1, 2, 3, and 4, or 7A, 7B, and 7C (or 7A and introductory course in geology). Exploration of relationship between physical processes, such as tectonics and climate, and how they affect surface and impact biology of Earth. Study of evolution of universe, Earth, and life, with integration of history of science, including Darwinian evolution and plate tectonics revolutions. Study of formation of matter offers tools to understand geologic process of climate and ecology of Earth. Past climate change to examine expected future human-influenced climate. Consideration of major events in history of life on Earth. Data and methods from geology, genetics, and geochemistry are integrated to reconstruct past events. This reveals how Earth processes shaped life and how life shaped Earth. Concurrently scheduled with course CM173. Letter grading.
6 units
LEC · TR 4:00PM–5:50PM · Consult instructor
Space Physics Journal Club
(Formerly numbered 293A.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to space physics students in Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy Departments. Review of current space physics literature. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
Instructor: Cao, H.
1 unit · 8 open seats · 12/20 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · W 12:00PM–1:00PM · GEOLOGY 3814
Current Research in Geology
(Formerly numbered 245A.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to graduate Earth, planetary, and space sciences students. Seminars presented by staff, outside speakers, and graduate students on current research in tectonics. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
Instructor: He, J.
1 unit · 0 open seats · 11/11 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · W 12:00PM–1:00PM · Consult instructor
Current Research in Planetary Sciences
(Formerly numbered 286A.) Seminar, two hours. Problems of current interest concerning moon, planets, and meteorites. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
Instructor: Benneke, B.
2 units · 8 open seats · 12/20 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · R 12:00PM–1:00PM · SLICHTR 3853
Current Research in Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
(Formerly numbered 295A.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Department students. Study of current topics in Earth, planetary, and space sciences, including participation in weekly department colloquium. May be repeated for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C193A. S/U grading.
Instructor: Beghein, C.
1 unit
SEM · T 3:30PM–4:30PM · Consult instructor
Current Research in Space Physics
(Formerly numbered M288A.) (Same as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences M275A.) Seminar, two hours. Problems of current interest concerning particles and fields in space. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
Instructor: Cao, H.
2 units · 10 open seats · 10/20 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · F 3:30PM–4:30PM · SLICHTR 3853
Advanced Topics in Earth and Space Sciences
Lecture, two to four hours. S/U or letter grading.
Instructor: Larochelle, S.
2 units · 6 open seats · 4/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · TBA · Consult instructor
Teaching Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
Seminar, one hour; discussion, two hours. Classroom practice in teaching, with individual and group instruction on related educational methods, materials, and evaluation. Special emphasis on integration of technology in classroom. S/U grading.
2 units
Directed Individual Study and/or Research
Tutorial, to be arranged. May be repeated. S/U or letter grading.
2 units · 287 open seats · 13/300 enrolled · waitlist 0
TUT · UNSCHED · Consult instructor
Preparation for MS Comprehensive Examination or PhD Qualifying Examinations
Tutorial, to be arranged. S/U grading.
2 units · 279 open seats · 1/280 enrolled · waitlist 0
TUT · UNSCHED · Consult instructor
MS Research and Thesis Preparation
Tutorial, to be arranged. May be repeated. S/U grading.
2 units · 259 open seats · 1/260 enrolled · waitlist 0
TUT · UNSCHED · Consult instructor
PhD Research and Dissertation Preparation
Tutorial, to be arranged. S/U grading.
2 units · 278 open seats · 2/280 enrolled · waitlist 0
TUT · UNSCHED · Consult instructor
Winter 2027
January 4 – March 19, 2027
Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPS SCI)
9 courses
Introduction to Geophysics and Space Physics III: Plasmas –Aeronomy and Interplanetary Medium
Lecture, three hours. Requisites: Physics 105A, 110B, 112, 131. Solar surface features, heating and expansion of corona, solar wind, plasma and magnetic fields, interaction of solar wind with Earth, magnetospheric phenomena. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Planetary Surfaces
Lecture, three hours. Introduction to basic physical processes (both exogenic and endogenic) shaping solid surfaces in solar system and description of their optical and thermophysical properties, with emphasis on simple physics-based approach. Discussion of current literature. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Geochemical Cycles
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Designed for junior/senior and graduate physical sciences students. Origin and abundance of elements and their isotopes; distribution and chemistry of elements in Earth and its environment. Concurrently scheduled with course C107. Additional homework and class presentation required of graduate students. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · MWF 9:00AM–9:50AM · GEOLOGY 4677
(untitled)
(Same as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences CM237B.) Lecture, three hours. Recommended requisite: course CM214A. Broad overview of aquatic geomicrobiological processes in diverse environmental settings (e.g., sediments, microbial mats, water column, wetlands, cold seeps, hydrothermal vents, deep biosphere), and how these processes drive element cycling on Earth. Concurrently scheduled with course CM114B. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Space Physics Journal Club
(Formerly numbered 293B.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to space physics students in Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy Departments. Review of current space physics literature. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
1 unit
SEM · Consult instructor
Current Research in Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
(Formerly numbered 295B.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences Department students. Study of current topics in Earth, planetary, and space sciences, including participation in weekly department colloquium. May be repeated for credit. Concurrently scheduled with course C193B. S/U grading.
1 unit
SEM · Consult instructor
Current Research in Space Physics
(Formerly numbered M288A.) (Same as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences M275A.) Seminar, two hours. Problems of current interest concerning particles and fields in space. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
2 units
SEM · Consult instructor
Current Research in Geophysics
(Formerly numbered 287A.) Seminar, one hour. Limited to graduate Earth, planetary, and space sciences students. Study of current topics in Geophysics. Seminars presented by outside speakers, staff, and/or graduate students describing current research. May be repeated for credit. S/U grading.
1 unit
SEM · Consult instructor
Advanced Topics in Earth and Space Sciences
Lecture, two to four hours. S/U or letter grading.
2 units · 14 open seats · 0/14 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Spring 2027
March 24 – June 11, 2027
Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences (EPS SCI)
8 courses
Introduction to Geophysics and Space Physics III: Plasmas –Aeronomy and Interplanetary Medium
Lecture, three hours. Requisites: Physics 105A, 110B, 112, 131. Solar surface features, heating and expansion of corona, solar wind, plasma and magnetic fields, interaction of solar wind with Earth, magnetospheric phenomena. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Numerical Methods for Geosciences
Lecture, four hours. Preparation: knowledge of programming language. Requisite: Mathematics 33B. Computational precision and algorithms, linear algebra, nonlinear equations, functional approximation, integration, ordinary and partial differential equations, spectral and finite element methods, parallel computing. Sample programming exercises from Earth and space sciences. Letter grading.
6 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Isotope Geochemistry
Lecture, three hours; discussion, one hour. Designed for junior/senior and graduate physical and biological sciences students. Theoretical aspects of isotope behavior: stable and radiogenic isotopes. Principles of geochronology. Use of isotopes as tracers in crust and mantle processes. Stable isotopes as indicators of environment and paleoclimate. Concurrently scheduled with course C109. Additional literature survey, that may result in class presentation, expected of graduate students. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · MWF 9:00AM–9:50AM · Consult instructor
Planetary and Orbital Dynamics
Lecture, four hours. Planetary rotations, satellite orbits, and tidal dissipation; planetary orbital system; resonance effects and chaos; spin-orbit and orbit-orbit coupling; planetary rings. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 18 open seats · 0/18 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
How to Write and Publish Scientific Papers
(Same as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences M238.) Lecture, three hours. Recommended preparation: planning to prepare or in the process of preparing manuscripts. Introduction to process of scientific manuscript writing and publishing. Offers insights into fun and frustration of manuscript writing, important rules for manuscript structuring and scientific language, and advice on how to deal with review process. Students gain familiarity with general principles of successful publishing process. Addresses different stages of manuscript writing and publishing by answering when are data ready for publishing, where to publish, how to structure manuscript, best way to present data, how to properly get out message, which writing ethics to consider, how to effectively use citation program, how to communicate with reviewers and editors, and efficient ways to manage coauthors. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 6 open seats · 0/6 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor
Seminar: Structural Geology and Tectonics
Seminar, three hours. Flow and fracture in Earth’s crust from microscopic to continental scale and in experiments. Examples may include metamorphic terranes, glaciers, plutons, volcanoes, and consolidated or unconsolidated sediments. Modern concepts of oceanic basins; processes leading to segregation of continental-type rocks. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
SEM · Consult instructor
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours. Recommended: course 71 or Computer Science 31 or Program in Computing 10A, Mathematics 31B, Physics 1C or 5C. Project-based study with focus on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), with material from astronomy, computer science, mathematics, signal processing, and statistics. Design of observational program, acquisition of telescopic data, development of algorithms to analyze data, and presentation of results. Introduction to the abundance and characteristics of extrasolar planetary systems; radio astronomy, including wave propagation and Doppler shift; signal processing, including sampling theory and Fourier transforms; random processes, including Gaussian and binomial statistics; and algorithm development. Concurrently scheduled with course C179. S/U or letter grading.
4 units · 20 open seats · 0/20 enrolled · waitlist 0/10
LEC · Consult instructor
Advanced Topics in Earth and Space Sciences
Lecture, two to four hours. S/U or letter grading.
2 units · 10 open seats · 0/10 enrolled · waitlist 0
LEC · Consult instructor