Earth and Environmental Sciences - Junior

Course # EAES 3029

Course Description

There has been a rapid growth in the use of digital spatial data in many areas of resource management and the environmental sciences. The aim of this course is to provide both a solid theoretical understanding and a comprehensive practical introduction to the use of geographic information systems and remote sensing in the analysis of digital spatial data, simple modelling using digital spatial data, and in decision support using commercially available software. Topics covered in the course provide an overview of the use of digital geographic information and earth-resource imagery for a wide range of environmental applications including geology, vegetation and forestry, agriculture, oceanographic and regional and urban analysis. Students will also examine current satellite image acquisition systems, image display and enhancement, image geocoding and image classification and remote sensing applications in GIS. Digital image processing and analysis techniques are studied in theory and in practice using digital image processing software.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to:

• Interpret remotely sensed images by using image analysis software for visual display and image enhancement.
• Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and understand the various ways electromagnetic radiation interactions with matter.
• Communicate the difference between spatial, spectral, temporal and radiometric resolution and determine optimal resolutions for particular applications and/or problems to be addressed.
• Classify images using supervised and unsupervised classification.
• Understand the concepts of atmospheric windows with respect to scatter and absorption and perform an atmospheric correction.
• Discuss optical, thermal, and radar remote sensing and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each for particular applications.
• Perform basic image pre-processing and processing techniques.
• Explain the basics of geographic information systems (GIS) and related areas such as geodesy and remote sensing.
• Select and acquire both primary and secondary spatial data for use in GIS. 

Course Assignments and Grading

Course # EAES 2013

TBA

Course # EAES 4049E

Course Description

This course introduces mineral associations, economic resources, and the environmental implications of resource extraction. Different processes leading to ore formation and ore classification are considered. The tectonic settings for major mineral deposit types and their global distribution are investigated. Major deposit types and the geological models for deposit formation including magmatic, igneous and sedimentary ore deposits are discussed, with an emphasis on mineral resources in Central Asia. Basic concepts of ore genesis and temporal and spatial distribution, along with exploration techniques, environmental impacts and recovery cycles for key mineral resources are explored.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course the students will be able to:

• Describe the main ore forming processes in different geological environments
• Describe the main classification of ore deposits based on formation processes and tectonic setting.
• Analyse hand specimens of common ore and gangue minerals, and associated mineral assemblages.
• Predict where certain mineral deposits might be found based on the current and past plate tectonic setting of an area.
• Evaluate the ways different exploration methods may be used when looking for different deposit types.
• Discuss the social and environmental impact of mining
• Describe the basic resource cycle of exploration, development, mining and reclamation from a Central Asian and a global perspective.
• Describe ore deposits and economic geology of Central Asia.

Course Assessment and Grading

Course # EAES 4042E

Course Description

Welcome to Structural Geology, the study of the physical evidence and mechanisms of rock deformation, such as jointing, faulting, folding, and flow. These structures provide information on the Earth's crust's history, geologic hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides), and the distribution of natural resources and contaminants. This course provides an introduction to the theoretical principles, observational methodologies, and analytical methods utilized in contemporary structural geology. Geologic formations are investigated in the field and via the analysis of published data sets in order to comprehend basic processes. Structural geology requires understanding of geological maps and basic knowledge of geological mapping. Therefore, in this course you will be introduced with the basic techniques of geological mapping and field observations to collect structural data for geological mapping. The goal of this course is to help you better appreciate the relevance of structural geology to a wide range of problems in the Earth and environmental sciences and to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire to whatever field of study you choose by putting your own observations within the context of addressing these problems.

Course learning Outcomes

When this course is completed, you should be able to:

• Observe geological structures in an unfamiliar outcrop and collect data for structural analyses
• Synthesize your observations from hand samples, outcrops, and geological maps of unfamiliar geological structures
• Analyze collected structural data and interpret the results of your structural analysis in the context of the geological evolution of a study area
• Formulate hypotheses to explain the genesis of the observed structures, and test these hypotheses using physical or numerical models
• Assess the relevance of an unknown geological structure to a problem be it in volcanology, hydrology, energy resources, earthquake risks, or planetary science

Course Assignments and Grading