Mechanics for Earth Sciences (2-3 cr.) P: elementary college
physics, Calculus (a course in ordinary differential equations is
helpful but not required).  The course introduces the fundamentals
of mechanical modeling of physical processes in the Earth. The
course is intended primarily for beginning graduate students in
Tectonics, Structural Geology, Geophysics, and Hydrogeology.
Students will learn how to solve mechanical problems in Earth
Sciences, using continuum mechanics, deriving governing differential
equations and applying boundary conditions by using the theories to
solve suites of problems that are motivated by field observations
and measurements.  The aim of the course is to introduce fundamental
concepts of elasticity theory, fluid mechanics and flow of fluids in
permeable media that are basic to more advanced courses in
geodynamics, hydrogeology, crustal deformation, and seismology.