Graduate Earth Science Courses

Graduate Courses

ESC 512 Hydrology with Lab (A)

$30 Course fee required: Prerequisites: ESC222 or ESC211 or GEL201 and ESC350, ESC391, MTH201. Covers the water cycle, including precipitation, runoff, streams and lakes, ground water, and other hydrologic topics. Discusses the collection and analysis of hydrologic data, including gauging streams, well monitoring, and surveying. Weekly laboratory session. 4 Cr. Odd Fall.

ESC 515 Physical Meteorology (A)

Covers atmospheric thermodynamics; physical processes of condensation; electrical phenomena in the atmosphere; radiative transfer. 3 Cr. Odd Fall.

ESC 516 Thermodynamics and the Boundary Layer (A)

Focuses on atmospheric energy processes. Examines basic thermodynamic concepts including the importance of moisture and latent heat on atmospheric stability. Analysis of thermodynamic diagrams and indices, and their role in weather forecasting are discussed. Also explores the transfer processes of mass, energy, and momentum in the Planetary Boundary Layer, as well as other micrometeorology topics, such as atmospheric turbulence and fluxes. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

ESC 517 Dynamic Meteorology (A)

A theoretical perspective of atmospheric motion. Covers mathematical tools and numerical methods as applied to the atmosphere, the development to the governing equations of motion and simplifications, introduction to wind relationships and the concepts of divergence, circulation, and vorticity. The theory of mid-latitude synoptic-scale motions is introduced. 3 Cr. Odd Spring.

ESC 518 Watershed Sciences (A)

Cover the art and science of evaluating water, air and land resources in a watershed to provide scientific information for management policy decisions. Utilizes maps and other physical resource information, sampling, data processing and analysis. 3 Cr. Odd Spring.

ESC 520 Radar and Satellite Meteorology (A)

Examines remote sensing devices and other meteorological instruments. Students lean the World Meteorological Organization’s standards for weather observation and the physical operating principles of radars, satellites, and in situ instruments. Multispectral and RGB composite satellite imagery are also studies. Laboratory component to practice data collection and the interpretation of Doppler and polarimetric radar imagery. 4 Cr. Even Spring.

ESC 521 Air Pollution Meteorology (A)

For students, engineers and professional people training to measure air pollution levels or measure and evaluate meteorological parameters which affect the diffusion and concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. Provides knowledge of the effects of meteorology in air pollution. Covers factors related to site selection, control programs and interpretation of surveys. Also studies diffusion using mathematical models. 3 Cr. Spring.

ESC 531 GIS Applications in Earth and Environmental Science (A)

Introduces students to spatial analysis theories, techniques, and issues associated with hydrological, geological, meteorological and environmental applications. Provides hands-on training in the use of spatial tools while addressing a real problem. Students will link GIS analysis to field assessments and monitoring activities. 3 Cr. Spring.

ESC 532 Tropical Meteorology (A)

Provides a comprehensive description of the characteristics of the atmosphere in the Tropics, as well as in-depth discussions on the weather systems and climatic patterns that affect and develop in tropical regions, such as hurricanes, monsoonal circulations, El Nino Southern Oscillation, convergence zones, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation. Students also conduct weather briefings on select tropical locations or active cyclones and analyze tropical data. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

ESC 552 Mesoscale Meteorology (A)

A introduction to mesoscale processes and precipitation systems, with an emphasis on deep convection and severe weather. Covers severe storm type, structure, and organization, radar and satellite signatures of mesoscale and convection features, and the roles of atmospheric instabilities in the growth of mesoscale phenomena. Diagnosis and short-term prediction of severe storms via lecture and exercises. 3 Cr. Even Spring.

ESC 555 Soils Science (A)

The formation, properties and characterization of soils, especially those found in New York State; measurement of physical and chemical properties in field and classroom; management, conservation, and applications of Soil Survey. 3 Cr.

ESC 557 Marine Geology-Bahamas (A)

Involves preparation in the fall semester for a 2-week January intersession field experience in coral reef biology and geology on San Salvador island in the Bahamas. Covers identification, behavior and ecology of marine organisms in five habitats associated with coral reefs. Teaches students to prepare a scientific field notebook and to design, conduct and write a paper on a personal research project. 3 Cr. Fall.

ESC 562 Hydro Meteorology (A)

The interface between meteorological and hydrological processes governs the impact that weather has on the human and natural environments. This course examines extreme weather events such as flooding, climate change, and urban heat island effects. Students will learn about the processes that govern them as well as the extent of their effects, their causes, and the models used to predict them. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

ESC 564 Environmental Internship (A)

Application of skills acquired in course work to selected earth science problems in the environmental field. Directed by professionals in the field; project work must meet their standards. 1-3 Cr.

ESC 575 Web GIS (B)

An introduction to Web GIS. Participants will learn about the usefulness and application of Web GIS tools such as GoogleEarth, GoogleMaps, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Earth. Also covered are VGI (Volunteered Geographic Information) tools such as OpenStreet Map. There is some instruction in programming tools that can be used to customize standard tools and programs. 2 Cr. Spring.

ESC 577 Storm Chasing (A)

Students are taken on a two- week field experience course devised to study severe thunderstorms in the Great Plains of North America. It fosters the acquisition of practical, hands-on experience in the observation of thunderstorm formation, growth, decay, and structure as well as forecasting and nowcasting of severe weather. 3 Cr. Summer.

ESC 578 Using Google Earth Engine (B)

Covers the practical skills needed to develop projects using Google Earth Engine (GEE). GEE is a cloud-based platform that enables large-scale processing of satellite imagery and other large spatial data sets to solve many problems in the Earth and Environmental Sciences. Swing course ESC478. 1 Cr. Fall.

ESC 593 Seminar in Earth Science Problems (A)

In depth consideration of an earth sciences topic beyond formal course offerings; synthesis of material from background of courses taken to be applied in a technical report. The report will also be presented in a critical, professional setting to faculty and students. 2 Cr.

ESC 599 Independent Study in Earth Science (A)

Defined in consultation with the instructor sponsor prior to registration. 1-3 Cr. By Arrangement.

ESC 636 Water Resources Topics (A)

A distance-learning course covering the study of selected topics in water dealing with its sensing, analysis, causes, impacts and prediction. Administered by American Meteorological Society (www.ametsoc.org/dstreme). 3 Cr. Every Semester.

ESC 676 Real-time Ocean Studies (A)

Develops principles of oceanography from analysis of electronically delivered current environmental data and learning activities. Relies on computer receipt, analysis, and display of geoscience data with classroom applications. A distance-learning course. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

ESC 677 Real-time Climate Studies (A)

A distance-learning course covering selected topics in the study of climate and social interactions utilizing current environmental data. Administered by the American Meteorological Society (www.ametsoc.org/amsedu) 3 Cr. 3 Cr. Every Semester.