EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENC (EESC)

11-Week Session: May 26 – August 7, 2026

lpscps_user Sun, 01/11/2026 - 00:32

Session

Format

On Campus

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 3003 950

Course Code

EESC3003950

Course Key

88365

Instructor

GIERE, RETO

Primary Program

Penn Summer Abroad

Course Description

The aim of this 10-day summer program is to introduce inquisitive students to the nature, culture, history and languages of the European Alps in Switzerland and Italy. We will be exploring the geology of the Alps and how it influences the development of wildlife, flora, history, religion, culture and of entire regions, how humans have altered the environment, and how humans respond to climate change in Alpine ecosystems. We will learn how to observe nature in a spectacular landscape, visit cultural sites off the beaten track and explore some of the well-known localities, such as Zurich, Valtellina, Bellinzona, and the Engadine.

Subject Area Vocab

Water Resources for Geologists and Environmental Scientists

lpscps_user — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:30:13 +0000

Water Resources for Geologists and Environmental Scientists

Term

11-Week Session: May 26 – August 7, 2026

lpscps_user Mon, 12/15/2025 - 14:30

Session

Format

On Campus

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6715 990

Course Code

EESC6715990

Course Key

88368

Instructor

Adams, Michele

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Course Note

MSAG Elective/Environmental Hydrogeology Certificate Course

Course Description

This class will provide an overview of water topics and issues and is intended to provide geologists and environmental scientists with a working understanding of current water resource issues and challenges ranging from stormwater and flooding to stream restoration, water re-use and ecological restoration. Starting with an understanding of hydrology, streams, and related ecosystems, the class will look at the various ways we use and depend on water, the ways in which water resources are degraded, and practices to restore and protect the resource. Topics to be covered include green infrastructure, water and wastewater sources and water reuse, stream health, stream channel restoration, riparian buffers, floodplains, best practices, and the concept of "one water". We will also cover current regulations, changing water policies, sustainability, and the implications of climate change

Subject Area Vocab

Geologic Field Methods

lpscps_user — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:30:13 +0000

Geologic Field Methods

Term

Summer Session I: May 26 – August 7, 2026

lpscps_user Mon, 12/15/2025 - 14:30

Session

Format

On Campus

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 5704 991

Course Code

EESC5704991

Course Key

89051

Instructor

CRON, MITCH A

Primary Program

Course Note

MSAG Elective/Engineering Geology Certificate Course

Course Description

The Geologic Field Methods course focuses on commonly used geoscience and environmental field techniques and is conducted over the course of 8 consecutive days (one on Penns campus, and seven in the field throughout eastern Pennsylvania). The course will include training on the use of the pocket transit to perform surveying measurements and collection of strike and dip measurements of geologic beds. Other field methods will be studied, including traverse geologic mapping; sketching of geologic outcrops; and construction of geologic fold cross-sections using the Busk Method. The course will include opportunity for field study of metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks. Large- and small-scale geologic structures will be visited and studied. We will have the opportunity to use environmental monitoring equipment to measure contamination in soil, water, and air. Students should be aware that the course requires a great deal of walking and may include exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Subject Area Vocab

Oceanography

lpscps_user — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:30:13 +0000

Oceanography

Term

Summer Session II: May 26 – August 7, 2026

lpscps_user Mon, 12/15/2025 - 14:30

Session

Format

On Campus

Subject Area

LPS Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate

Course Number

EESC 1030 920

Course Code

EESC1030920

Course Key

88364

Instructor

Ashley,

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Pre-College Program

Fulfills

COL-FND-Quant Data Analysis

COL-SECTOR-Physical World

Course Description

The oceans cover over 2/3 of the Earth's surface. This course introduces basic oceanographic concepts such as plate tectonics, marine sediments, physical and chemical properties of seawater, ocean circulation, air-sea interactions, waves, tides, nutrient cycles in the ocean, biology of the oceans, and environmental issues related to the marine environment.

Subject Area Vocab

Earth Systems Science

lpscps_user — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:30:13 +0000

Earth Systems Science

Term

Summer Session I: May 26 – August 7, 2026

lpscps_user Mon, 12/15/2025 - 14:30

Session

Format

Online

Subject Area

LPS Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate

Course Number

EESC 1000 910

Course Code

EESC1000910

Course Key

88363

Instructor

ANDREWS, MARIA-ANTONIA

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Pre-College Program

Fulfills

COL-FND-Quant Data Analysis

COL-SECTOR-Physical World

Course Description

An introduction to Earth as a complex system through examination of its atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, the interactions among these spheres, and of the human impacts on the planet and its responses.

Subject Area Vocab

Advanced Engineering Geology

lpscps_user — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:36:16 +0000

Advanced Engineering Geology

Term

lpscps_user Fri, 09/26/2025 - 00:36

Format

Online

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6850 690

Course Code

EESC6850690

Course Key

88244

Instructor

Cohen-Waeber, Julien F
Kribbs, Gary

Primary Program

Course Description

Advanced Engineering Geology involves working through the difficult stages of the interfacing of engineering design and geologic conditions to assure the safety and efficiency of engineering projects and geohazards. This course is a follow-on to the Engineering Geology and Applied Structural Geology course and is closely associated with Geotechnical Engineering, including techniques and practices. Throughout this course, geologic data, techniques, and principles will be applied to analyze naturally occurring rock and soil conditions, as well as surface and sub-surface water conditions. The primary focus will be on identifying, interpreting, and addressing the geologic factors affecting the planning, design, construction, and operation of engineered structures, as well as the development of groundwater resources. The course will outline the skills necessary for functional design systems within these frameworks. There will be a strong emphasis on the utilization of engineering classification, testing, and application of earth materials. Furthermore, geohazards in structural geology and geotechnical engineering parameters in rocks and soil, along with other natural geological hazards such as floods and earthquakes, will be examined within the context of geological history. The course will explore their implications for the planning and utilization of the geological environment.

Subject Area Vocab

Geomechanics

lpscps_user — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:36:16 +0000

Geomechanics

Term

lpscps_user Fri, 09/26/2025 - 00:36

Format

Online

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6820 690

Course Code

EESC6820690

Course Key

87861

Instructor

SHEVADE, LEENA
PEZAK, CRAIG

Primary Program

Course Description

This course focuses on the mechanical properties of earth materials and teaching analytical methods through the analysis of equilibrium force systems within the context of environmental and engineering geology. The course will explore how rocks deform in response to tensor stress, fluid pressure, and temperature, and how these deformations and fluid flows can alter the state of stress, leading to significant feedback effects. The understanding of these processes will assist in predicting the behavior of geological materials under various forces and environmental conditions, which is crucial for stable infrastructure and mitigating hazards such as landslides and sinkholes. Throughout the course, the fundamental principles of mechanics and their practical applications will be explored through problem definition and solving strategies working on real-life projects.

Subject Area Vocab

Contaminated Site Investigation, Remediation, and Long-term Stewardship

lpscps_user — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:36:16 +0000

Contaminated Site Investigation, Remediation, and Long-term Stewardship

Term

lpscps_user Fri, 09/26/2025 - 00:36

Format

Online

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6711 690

Course Code

EESC6711690

Course Key

87859

Instructor

CRON, MITCH A

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Course Description

The superfund law authorizes the president to respond to releases of hazardous substances into the environment in order to protect public health and the environment. This course will focus on topics related to such responses, including environmental investigation and risk assessment, environmental remediation techniques, and related topics.

Subject Area Vocab

Environmental Groundwater Hydrology

lpscps_user — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:36:16 +0000

Environmental Groundwater Hydrology

Term

lpscps_user Fri, 09/26/2025 - 00:36

Format

Online

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6620 690

Course Code

EESC6620690

Course Key

87858

Instructor

MASTROPAOLO, CARL

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the major definitions and concepts regarding groundwater flow and contaminant transport. The theory and underlying concepts, including mathematical derivations of governing equations used to model groundwater flow and contaminant transport, will be discussed and applications to environmental problems addressed. Upon completion of this course, students should expect to have attained a broad understanding of and familiarity with groundwater flow and contaminant transport concepts, and to have acquired the skills necessary to pursue work in flow and transport modeling.

Subject Area Vocab

Sustainable Development of Water Resource Systems

lpscps_user — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:36:16 +0000

Sustainable Development of Water Resource Systems

Term

lpscps_user Fri, 09/26/2025 - 00:36

Format

On Campus

Subject Area

Course Number

EESC 6610 660

Course Code

EESC6610660

Course Key

87857

Schedule

Wednesday 5:15pm-8:15pm

Day(s)

Wednesday

Time

5:15pm-8:15pm

Instructor

SAUDER, J. ANTHONY

Primary Program

Secondary Program

Course Description

The evaluation of technical, social, and economic constraints on the implementation of water supply and sanitation projects. The development of sustainable technical solutions that fit within the appropriate social context. Discussion draws insight from successful small rural community system approaches to inform practical larger regional and watershed approaches in the US and internationally. Case studies are used to demonstrate these principles across a range of examples from developed and developing countries including detailed studies from rural communities with limited financial resources.

Subject Area Vocab