MIT OpenCourseWare: New Courses in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences

12.491 Non-conventional Light Stable Isotope Geochemistry (MIT)

Ono, Shuhei — 2012-12-19T10:44:14+05:00

This course is designed for graduate students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current research around non-conventional light stable isotope geochemistry.

12.086 Modeling Environmental Complexity (MIT)

Rothman, Daniel — 2012-09-13T10:55:55+05:00

This course provides an introduction to the study of environmental phenomena that exhibit both organized structure and wide variability — i.e., complexity. Through focused study of a variety of physical, biological, and chemical problems in conjunction with theoretical models, we learn a series of lessons with wide applicability to understanding the structure and organization of the natural world. Students will also learn how to construct minimal mathematical, physical, and computational models that provide informative answers to precise questions.

12.540 Principles of the Global Positioning System (MIT)

Herring, Thomas — 2012-06-14T10:26:47+05:00

The aim of this course is to introduce the principles of the Global Positioning System and to demonstrate its application to various aspects of Earth Sciences. The specific content of the course depends each year on the interests of the students in the class. In some cases, the class interests are towards the geophysical applications of GPS and we concentrate on high precision (millimeter level) positioning on regional and global scales. In other cases, the interests have been more toward engineering applications of kinematic positioning with GPS in which case the concentration is on positioning with slightly less accuracy but being able to do so for a moving object. In all cases, we concentrate on the fundamental issues so that students should gain an understanding of the basic limitations of the system and how to extend its application to areas not yet fully explored.

12.158 Molecular Biogeochemistry (MIT)

Summons, Roger — 2012-05-30T14:07:58+05:00

This course covers all aspects of molecular biosignatures, such as their pathways of lipid biosynthesis, the distribution patterns of lipid biosynthetic pathways with regard to phylogeny and physiology, isotopic contents, occurrence in modern organisms and environments, diagenetic pathways, analytical techniques and the occurrence of molecular fossils through the geological record. Students analyze in depth the recent literature on chemical fossils. Lectures provide background on the subject matter. Basic knowledge of organic chemistry required. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

12.811 Tropical Meteorology (MIT)

Emanuel, Kerry — 2012-05-29T14:38:27+05:00

This course describes the large-scale circulation systems of the tropical atmosphere and analyses the dynamics of such systems. Topics include: Radiative-convective equilibrium; the Hadley and walker circulation; monsoons; tropical boundary layers; theory of the response of the tropical atmosphere to localized sea-surface temperature anomalies; intraseasonal oscillations; equatorial waves; El Niño/Southern Oscillation; easterly waves; and tropical cyclones.

12.010 Computational Methods of Scientific Programming (MIT)

Herring, Thomas — 2012-05-17T12:15:05+05:00

This course introduces programming languages and techniques used by physical scientists: FORTRAN, C, C++, MATLAB®, and Mathematica. Emphasis is placed on program design, algorithm development and verification, and comparative advantages and disadvantages of different languages.

12.141 Electron Microprobe Analysis (MIT)

Chatterjee, Nilanjan — 2012-03-21T11:11:38+05:00

The electron microprobe provides a complete micrometer-scale quantitative chemical analysis of inorganic solids. The method is nondestructive and utilizes characteristic X-rays excited by an electron beam incident on a flat surface of the sample. This course provides an introduction to the theory of X-ray microanalysis through wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometry (WDS and EDS), ZAF matrix correction procedures and scanning electron imaging with back-scattered electron (BSE), secondary electron (SE), X-ray using WDS or EDS (elemental mapping), and cathodoluminescence (CL). Lab sessions involve hands-on use of the JEOL JXA-8200 Superprobe.

12.001 Introduction to Geology (MIT)

Perron, Taylor — 2011-12-28T15:55:43+05:00

This course introduces students to the basics of geology. Through a combination of lectures, labs, and field observations, we will address topics ranging from formation of the elements, mineral and rock identification, and geological mapping to plate tectonics, erosion and climate engineering.

12.445 Oral Communication in the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (MIT)

Malcolm, Alison — 2011-12-16T18:04:00+05:00

This course focuses on developing oral presentation skills through practice, self-evaluation, and in-class feedback. Topics include slide preparation, answering difficult questions, explaining technical details and presenting to a general audience.

12.119 Analytical Techniques for Studying Environmental and Geologic Samples (MIT)

Bowring, Samuel — 2011-11-16T15:19:14+05:00

This is a laboratory course supplemented by lectures that focus on selected analytical facilities that are commonly used to determine the mineralogy, elemental abundance and isotopic ratios of Sr and Pb in rocks, soils, sediments and water.

12.009 Theoretical Environmental Analysis (MIT)

Rothman, Daniel — 2011-10-20T15:16:38+05:00

This course analyzes cooperative processes that shape the natural environment, now and in the geologic past. It emphasizes the development of theoretical models that relate the physical and biological worlds, the comparison of theory to observational data, and associated mathematical methods. Topics include carbon cycle dynamics; ecosystem structure, stability and complexity; mass extinctions; biosphere-geosphere coevolution; and climate change. Employs techniques such as stability analysis; scaling; null model construction; time series and network analysis.

12.571 Near-Surface Geophysical Imaging (MIT)

Zhang, Jie — 2010-12-08T13:56:14+05:00

This graduate level course presents theories, methodologies, and applications of seismic imaging for solving the shallow near-surface (0 - 500 m) effects on the seismic data processing for oil and gas exploration on land. It introduces both conventional and advanced imaging technologies that have been developed in academia and the seismic industry.

12.103 Science and Policy of Natural Hazards (MIT)

Emanuel, Kerry — 2010-12-08T13:44:26+05:00

This course examines the science of natural catastrophes such as earthquakes and hurricanes and explores the relationships between the science of and policy toward such hazards. It presents the causes and effects of these phenomena, discusses their predictability, and examines how this knowledge influences policy making. This course includes intensive practice in the writing and presentation of scientific research and summaries for policy makers.

12.804 Large-scale Flow Dynamics Lab (MIT)

Flierl, Glenn — 2010-12-08T09:47:00+05:00

This course is a laboratory accompaniment to 12.803, Quasi-balanced Circulations in Oceans and Atmospheres. The subject includes analysis of observations of oceanic and atmospheric quasi-balanced flows, computational models, and rotating tank experiments. Student projects illustrate the basic principles of potential vorticity conservation and inversion, Rossby wave propagation, baroclinic instability, and the behavior of isolated vortices.

12.000 Solving Complex Problems (MIT)

Bowring, Samuel — 2010-11-30T13:05:40+05:00

12.000 Solving Complex Problems is designed to provide students the opportunity to work as part of a team to propose solutions to a complex problem that requires an interdisciplinary approach. For the students of the class of 2013, 12.000 will revolve around the issues associated with what we can and must do about the steadily increasing amounts CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere.Each year's class explores a different problem in detail through the study of complementary case histories and the development of creative solution strategies. It includes training in Web site development, effective written and oral communication, and team building. Initially developed with major financial support from the d'Arbeloff Fund for Excellence in Education, 12.000 is designed to enhance the freshman experience by helping students develop contexts for other subjects in the sciences and humanities, and by helping them to establish learning communities that include upperclassmen, faculty, MIT alumni, and professionals in science and engineering fields.

12.091 Basics of Analysis with Antineutrinos from Heat Producing Elements - K, U, Th in the Earth (MIT)

Pillalamarri, Ila — 2010-06-28T14:44:30+05:00

This course covers the following questions. What are the predominant heat producing elements of the Earth? Where and how much are they? Are they present in the core of the Earth? Detection of antineutrinos generated in the Earth provides: 1) information on the sources of the terrestrial heat, 2) direct test of the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) model and 3) testing of non-conventional models of Earth's core. Use of antineutrinos to probe the deep interior of our planet is becoming practical due to recent fundamental advances in the antineutrino detectors.

12.950 Parallel Programming for Multicore Machines Using OpenMP and MPI (MIT)

Evangelinos, Constantinos — 2010-06-25T09:03:25+05:00

This course introduces fundamentals of shared and distributed memory programming, teaches you how to code using openMP and MPI respectively, and provides hands-on experience of parallel computing geared towards numerical applications.

12.141 Electron Microprobe Analysis by Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (MIT)

Chatterjee, Nilanjan — 2010-05-07T15:13:57+05:00

This lab-oriented course introduces the student to the subject of X-ray spectrometry and micro-scale chemical quantitative analysis of solid samples through an intensive series of hands-on laboratory exercises that use the electron microprobe.

12.803 Quasi-Balanced Circulations in Oceans and Atmospheres (MIT)

Emanuel, Kerry — 2010-02-12T16:29:15+05:00

This course introduces the students to dynamics of large-scale circulations in oceans and atmospheres. Basic concepts include mass and momentum conservation, hydrostatic and geostrophic balance, and pressure and other vertical coordinates. It covers the topics of fundamental conservation and balance principles for large-scale flow, generation and dissipation of quasi-balanced eddies, as well as equilibrated quasi-balanced systems. Examples of oceanic and atmospheric quasi-balanced flows, computational models, and rotating tank experiments can be found in the accompaniment laboratory course 12.804, Large-scale Flow Dynamics Lab.

12.002 Physics and Chemistry of the Terrestrial Planets (MIT)

Weiss, Benjamin — 2009-12-14T13:58:59+05:00

This course introduces the structure, composition, and physical processes governing the terrestrial planets, including their formation and basic orbital properties. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, seismic waves, rheology, impact cratering, gravity and magnetic fields, heat flux, thermal structure, mantle convection, deep interiors, planetary magnetism, and core dynamics. Suitable for majors and non-majors seeking general background in geophysics and planetary structure.