Geology and Geophysics
Kline Geology Laboratory, 432.3124
M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chair
Danny Rye
Director of Graduate Studies
David Bercovici
Professors
David Bercovici, Robert Berner, Leo Buss, Michael Donoghue, Jacques Gauthier, Robert Gordon, Thomas Graedel, Leo Hickey, Shun-ichiro Karato, Jeffrey Park, Danny Rye, Adolf Seilacher (Adjunct), Brian Skinner, Ronald Smith, Karl Turekian, George Veronis, Elisabeth Vrba, John Wettlaufer
Associate Professors
Jay Ague, Mark Brandon
Assistant Professors
Ruth Blake, David Evans, Mark Pagani, Peter Reiners, Steven Sherwood
Lecturer
Catherine Skinner
Fields of Study
Fields include geochemistry and petrology, geophysics, structural geology and tectonics, paleontology and paleoecology, and oceanography, meteorology, and climatology.
Special Admissions Requirements
The department welcomes applicants oriented toward the earth sciences who have a bachelor's or master's degree in such fields as biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, meteorology, or physics, as well as those trained in geological sciences. Scores from a pertinent GRE Subject Test are desirable but not required. The TOEFL exam is required for all applicants for whom English is a second language.
Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
There is no formal language requirement and no required curriculum. Students plan their course of study in consultation with their advisers to meet individual interests and needs, to lay the foundations for dissertation research, and to prepare for the general examinations which take place in January of the second year. At the end of the first year the faculty reviews the standing of each student. A student recommended for continuation in the Ph.D. program will be so notified. Some students may be encouraged at that time to pursue only the M.S. degree. At the end of the second year the faculty reviews each student's overall performance to determine whether he or she is qualified to continue for the Ph.D. degree. In order to qualify, a student must have met the Graduate School Honors requirement, maintained a better than passing record in the area of concentration, passed the oral and written general examinations, and presented a dissertation prospectus to the faculty. Remaining degree requirements include a dissertation review in the third year; the preparation and defense of the dissertation; and the submission of the dissertation to the Graduate School. The department requires that an additional copy, for which the student will be reimbursed, be deposited with the librarian of the Kline Geology Library.
Teaching experience is regarded as an integral part of the graduate training program in Geology and Geophysics. For that reason all students are required to serve as teaching fellows (5 hours per week) for two terms during the course of their predoctoral training.
Master's Degrees
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements.
M.S. Awarded only to students who are not continuing for the Ph.D. Students are not admitted for this degree.
Program materials are available upon request to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, PO Box 208109, New Haven CT 06520-8109; e-mail, dgs@geology.yale.edu.
Courses
G&G 500bu, Mineral Deposits. Brian Skinner.
An introduction to the formation and distribution of mineral deposits.
[G&G 501bu, Climate Dynamics.]
G&G 502bu, Introduction to Geochemistry. Peter Reiners. MWF 9.30–10.20
Basic principles of geochemistry and their use in geological science. Thermodynamics of aqueous and igneous systems. Element fractionation and isotope geochemistry. Biogeochemical cycles, geochronology, cosmochemistry.
G&G 504au, Minerals in the Biosphere: The Geochemistry of Human Health. Catherine Skinner. TTh 11.20–12.45
Study of the interrelations between earth materials and processes, and personal and public health. The chemical transposition of elements essential for life from the environment.
[G&G 505au, Geochemistry of Planetary Evolution.]
[G&G 506bu, Chemical Cycles and the Global Environment.]
[G&G 510au, Active Tectonics.]
G&G 511a, Stratigraphic Principles and Applications. Leo Hickey.
Principles of classification, age, determination, and paleoenvironmental interpretation of stratified rocks with application to actual measured sections.
G&G 512bu, Structural Geology and Tectonics. Mark Brandon. TTh 11.30–12.45, Lab 2 HTBA
An introduction to the origin and structure of the lithosphere and continental and oceanic crust. Questions addressed include: what controls the solid versus fluid behavior of rocks during deformation; and what controls the character and motion of tectonic plates? Laboratory exercises and field trips.
G&G 513au, Invertebrate Paleontology: A Treasure House of Skeletal Reconstructions. Adolf Seilacher. MW 11.30–12.45, Lab HTBA
Exploration of the basic constraints and potentials that controlled adaptive radiation in the evolution of the invertebrate skeleton. Open to juniors and seniors. General knowledge about animal phyla assumed.
[G&G 515au, Paleobotany.]
[G&G 520bu, Kinetics of Geochemical Processes.]
G&G 521bu, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. George Veronis. TTh 1–2.15
Derivation of the equations of a geophysical fluid. Analysis of the most important dynamical phenomena common to all planetary atmospheres, oceans, and interiors, with emphasis on the roles of planetary rotation, gravitation, and thermal gradients.
G&G 522au, Introduction to Meteorology and Climatology. Steven Sherwood. TTh 9–10.15
The climatic system; survey of atmospheric behavior on timescales from days (i.e., weather) to decades (i.e., climate); formulation of mathematical equations describing weather and climate with selected applications to small- and large-scale phenomena.
[G&G 523bu, Theory of Climate.]
G&G 525au, Geophysical Continuum Mechanics. David Bercovici. MWF 9.30–10.20
Physics of continuous media with applications to geophysics and geology. Tensors; analysis of stress; motion and strain; conservation of mass, momentum, and energy; rheology; applications to seismology, tectonics, environmental science, and geophysical fluid dynamics.
G&G 526au, Introduction to Geophysics. Shun-ichiro Karato. MWF 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
Composition and structure of the earth; seismological models; geochemical models; material properties in the earth (elasticity, anelasticity, viscosity); specific topics on earth structure (crust, mantle, core).
G&G 527b, Dynamics of Earth and Planets. David Bercovici. MWF 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA
Introduction to physics of earth and planets; formation of solar system and planets; planetary orbits and tides; rotation and shape of planets; gravity and isostasy; geomagnetism and core dynamo; heatflow and mantle convection; earthquakes and crustal deformation; plate tectonics.
[G&G 530au, Large-Scale Atmospheric Motions I.]
[G&G 531bu, Large-Scale Atmospheric Motions II.]
G&G 535au, Physical Oceanography. George Veronis. TTh 1–2.15
An introduction to ocean dynamics. Exploration of the physical mechanisms underlying the large-scale ocean circulation, the Gulf Stream, wind-driven waves, tides, coastal upwelling, and phenomena attributable to the earth's rotation.
G&G 536b, Mesoscale Atmospheric Dynamics. Ronald Smith.
The fluid dynamics of the atmosphere on scales of 1 km to 1000 km. Gravity waves, mountain airflow and precipitation, transport of pollutants, convection, thunderstorms, shear instability, and vortices. Requires background in fluid mechanics, meteorology, applied mathematics.
G&G 540au, Geomicrobiology: Microbial Processes in the Geologic Environment. Ruth Blake. TTh 1–2.15
Microbial processes in geologic environments; control through microbial metabolism of the geochemistry of natural waters, sediments, and soils, with emphasis on microbe-mineral interactions. Microbially mediated cycling and transport of metals.
G&G 550au, Paleontology and Evolutionary Theory. Elisabeth Vrba. TTh 11.30–12.45
Current concepts in evolutionary and systematic theory with particular reference to how they apply to the fossil record. Emphasis on use of paleontological data to study evolutionary processes.
[G&G 555au, Ocean Circulation.]
G&G 556au, Introduction to Seismology. Jeffrey Park. MWF 11.30–12.20
Earthquakes and seismic waves, P and S waves, surface waves, and free oscillations. Remote sensing of the earth's deep interior and faulting mechanisms.
[G&G 557a, Advanced Seismology.]
G&G 559b, Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences. Jeffrey Park. MWF 11.30–12.20
Statistical methods in geoscience. Time series methods. Geophysical inverse theory.
[G&G 560au, Theory of Viscous Flow.]
G&G 562bu, Observing the Earth from Space. Ronald Smith and staff.
Topics include the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation; satellite-borne radiometers; data transmission and storage; computer image analysis; and GIS analysis of satellite imagery with applications to weather and climate, oceanography, surficial geology, snow and ice, forestry, agriculture, and watershed management. Also EMD 548b, F&ES 506b.
G&G 567bu, Geochemical Approaches to Archaeology. Karl Turekian. TTh 9–10.15
The use of geochemical techniques to address archaeological problems including radioactive dating, source identification, and production of artifacts, all in the context of environmental constraints in human development.
G&G 601b, Topics in Earth Science. Steven Sherwood.
For entering graduate students. Examines a major current topic within the earth sciences.
G&G 611a, Advanced Stratigraphy. Leo Hickey
Application of stratigraphic principles to a series of historically, conceptually, or paleoenvironmentally significant measured stratigraphic sections.
[G&G 615a, Advanced Petrology.]
[G&G 618b, Petrology of Light Stable Isotopes.]
[G&G 621b, Geochemistry of Heavy and Radioactive Isotopes in Rock Systems.]
G&G 631a, Vertebrate Paleontology: Phylogeny of Vertebrates. Jacques Gauthier.
This seminar course offers a detailed look at current issues in the phylogeny, anatomy, and evolution of fossil and Recent reptiles. Introductory lectures provide a broad outline of reptile phylogeny. Participants should have a working knowledge of vertebrate anatomy as they are expected to read, analyze, and discuss relevant primary literature, lead discussions on selected papers in the field, and write a term paper.
G&G 650bu, Time-Dependent Deformation of Earth Materials. Shun-ichiro Karato. MWF 10.30–11.20
Basic physics and chemistry of earth materials, with emphasis on kinetic and transport properties. Geochemical and geophysical processes in earth's crust and mantle and their influence on the dynamics and evolution of this planet. Topics include plastic flow, diffusion, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and chemical reaction.
[G&G 655a, Extraordinary Glimpses of Past Life.]
G&G 657a, Marine and Surficial Geochemistry. Karl Turekian.
Geochemical processes at the earth's surface, including the atmosphere, oceans, ice caps, and the upper layers of the crust, are investigated using radioactive, radiogenic, and light stable isotopes.
G&G 660a, Diagenesis, Weathering, and Geochemical Cycles. Robert Berner.
A theoretical approach to earth surface chemical processes; modeling of geochemical cycles.
G&G 675a, Advanced Structural Geology. Mark Brandon.
A review of advanced methods in structural geology, including analysis of deformation in three dimensions, and microscale processes associated with deformation and fabric formation in rocks. Course includes practical exercises for measuring and interpreting strain and lattice preferred orientation in real geologic settings.
G&G 690a and b, Directed Research in Geology and Geophysics.
By arrangement with faculty.
In addition to the seminars noted below, others on special topics like evolution, invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, statistical mechanics and spectroscopy, structural geology and tectonics, petrology, volcanology, and physics of oceans and atmospheres are offered according to student interest, by arrangement with departmental faculty. Seminars are often organized around the research interests of visiting faculty as well.
G&G 703a, Seminar in Systematics. Jacques Gauthier.
G&G 705b, Advanced Seminar in Evolutionary Paleontology. Elisabeth Vrba.
The contents of this seminar are designed at the start of each spring term in consultation with graduate students who wish to take it.
G&G 740a or b, Sediment Seminar. Robert Berner.
G&G 742a or b, Seminar in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics. Ronald Smith.
G&G 744a or b, Seminar in Mantle and Core Processes. David Bercovici, Shun-ichiro Karato, Jeffrey Park.
The seminar covers advanced topics concerning physical and chemical processes in the mantle and core of the earth and planets. Specific topic and hour will be arranged in consultation with enrolled graduate students.
G&G 746a or b, Seminar in Global Change. Karl Turekian.
G&G 753a, Seminar in Petrology. Jay Ague.
Tutorial courses, offered by arrangement with individual faculty, are offered as follows:
G&G 800a or b, Tutorial in Paleobiology.
G&G 810a or b, Tutorial in Structural Geology and Tectonics or Solid Earth Geophysics.
G&G 820a or b, Tutorial in Meteorology, Oceanography, or Fluid Dynamics.
G&G 830a or b, Tutorial in Geochemistry, Petrology, or Mineralogy.
G&G 840a or b, Tutorial in Sedimentology.
G&G 860a or b, Tutorial in Remote Sensing.
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