WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2021-2022 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Earth and Planetary Sciences

EPS 220 Seminar in Earth and Planetary Sciences I  2 SH
A one-semester seminar course in an area of earth and planetary sciences to be announced; different semesters will consider different areas. Students will read assigned articles from scientific publications about recent research findings; this will be followed by active discussions of the topics as well as student presentations and short research papers. The course may be taken twice, in different semesters, for elective course credit in the major requirements for the B.A. degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Prerequisite: PHY 103 or equivalent. Offered every other spring, alternating with AST 231 Introduction to Planetary Sciences. (2 hrs lecture).

EPS 221 Seminar in Earth and Planetary Sciences II  2 SH
A one-semester seminar course in an area of earth and planetary sciences to be announced; different semesters will consider different areas. Students will read assigned articles from scientific publications about recent research findings; this will be followed by active discussions of the topics as well as student presentations and short research papers. The course may be taken twice, in different semesters, for elective course credit in the major requirements for the B.A. degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences (2 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: PHY 103 or equivalent. Offered every other spring, alternating with AST 231 Introduction to Planetary Sciences.

EPS 331 Practicum in Earth and Planetary Sciences  4 SH
Students are guided through the planning, execution and completion of a research project in an area of earth and planetary sciences, including preparation of a presentation for a scientific conference and a manuscript to submit for publication in a refereed scientific journal. A major component of this course will be hands-on work by the students using instrumentation in the PAM Department. Prerequisite: PHY 110, PHY 111 and MAT 181 or equivalent. Offered every third semester. (3 hrs lecture — 2 hrs laboratory)

EPS 450 Senior Research in Earth and Planetary Sciences  4 SH
Open to senior earth and planetary sciences majors only. Using their experience in earth and planetary sciences from previous courses and in consultation with PAM Department faculty, students will develop and carry out original research projects which will make use of the instruments and data reduction capabilities available at Western and other facilities, as well as scientific journals and the internet. The work will culminate in a senior thesis and a departmental colloquium presentation (3 hrs lecture — 2 hrs laboratory) . Prerequisite: One 200-level or higher course and one 300-level course from the following list: ES 210, AST 231, EPS 220/221, EPS 331, AST 405 and MTR 440.  Offered every other academic year, alternating with EPS 490. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

EPS 490 Advanced Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences  3 SH
The content of this course may vary depending upon the interests of students and department faculty. Aspects of the earth and planetary sciences will be considered in much greater detail than in 200-or 300-level courses (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisites: One 200-level or higher course and one 300-level course from the following list: ES 210, AST 231, EPS 220/221, EPS 331, AST 405 or MTR 440. Offered every other academic year, alternating with EPS 450 Senior Research in EPS.