Geoscience majors at Smith take courses at Université de Paris Cité (UPC). Here are some relevant courses there for Smith students to consider:
FALL SEMESTER
Course Summary:
This module aims to study natural hazards, the associated risks and the response of the societies they affect. Several major themes: earthquakes (and/or) volcanism, cyclonic phenomena and climate change will be addressed, based in each case on one or more concrete examples. The first axis focuses on earthquakes through different examples (Lisbon, 1755; Mexico, 1985 and 2017; Tohoku, 2011). These different events will allow us to address the notions of focal mechanism and geodynamic context, the seismic cycle, site effects, potential hazards associated with earthquakes (tsunami, landslide, etc.). The different types of volcanism will be addressed based on recent eruptions (Pinatubo 1991, Mount St Helens, 1980, Reunion) or historical ones (Laki 1783). These eruptions will be placed in their geodynamic context and the associated monitoring and environmental impact will be discussed.
From these examples, we will also address the notions of attribution of cause, the way in which phenomena have been understood through the ages and how the representation of nature and hazards goes hand in hand with the way in which societies face and deal with them. We will address the social and political transformations that these events cause as well as their effects on risk prevention policies. Cyclonic events will be treated through two examples: Cyclone Irma which devastated the islands of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin in 2017, as well as storm Xynthia which hit western Europe in 2010. We will describe the functioning of tropical and extra-tropical cyclonic phenomena, the forecasts of these phenomena and the associated alerts, the effects of sites. We will also discuss the historical construction of the vulnerability of certain territories, as well as the tensions between development policies and risk prevention policies. In a final part, we will address the issue of climate change, the speed of disturbances and their amplitudes, as well as their origins. The analysis will focus in particular on the response of the cryosphere to these disturbances. We will also address the global governance of these phenomena as well as their local effects on different dimensions (displacement, transformation of the vocation of territories, etc.).
Targeted skills:
Understanding the functioning of natural or anthropogenic hazards
Understanding the impact of these events on the societies they affect and the risks associated with them.
Knowing how to analyze the causes of a natural or anthropogenic hazard and the associated societal impact
Writing a summary note
Schedule: 2 hour CM + 1 hour TD each week (34 hours per semester)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 100% Conrôle continue (2 contrôles + 2 notes sur le cas d'études)
Session 2:
Course Summary:
The aim is to provide students with an introduction to organic chemistry with organic matter and anthropogenic pollutants as the subject of study. To do this, the following topics will be covered in class:
Introduction to structure and functions.
The chemical composition of organic matter
Methods of analysis in organic chemistry
Some pollutants found in the environment.
Targeted skills:
The main objective of this option is to provide undergraduate students with the basics of organic chemistry, to acquire the vocabulary of nomenclature, the basics of stereochemistry and to understand the mechanisms of substitution and addition reactions. Particular attention is paid to laboratory practices and the writing of an operating protocol.
Prerequisites:
General Chemistry: Atomistics, Chemical Bonding, etc...
Course summary:
Rocks and soils are an essential part of our environment and the surface parts of the Earth. They are complex environments, heterogeneous mixtures of solid matter (especially minerals), liquid (water, oil) or gaseous (air, CO2, natural and volcanic gases). To describe these environments, we have tools from physics, and the purpose of this course is to give an introduction to them. We introduce the main physical properties of rocks, and porous media in general, theoretically and through experimental methods: porosity, specific surface, capillarity, permeability, thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, acoustic velocities, and electrical conductivity. Through these properties, we approach general concepts such as spatial symmetries, scale invariance, percolation, effective media and some general methods and theorems of network theory. We end with some elements of non-equilibrium thermodynamics through coupled processes (electrofiltration, electroosmosis, Peltier effects, Soret) and we introduce Onsager's reciprocity. The objective of this UE is to show how we build, from experimental data on the different parameters, a global model of a rock and how we can use this understanding to explain the behavior of natural systems and their morphologies. This teaching includes eight courses and eight sessions of practical work
Targeted skills
Show how general methods of mathematics and physics can be applied to the study of rocks and their properties to solve problems of the Earth and planets.
Practice numerical applications, manipulation of orders of magnitude, and elementary analytical calculation.
Systematically introduce the physical properties of a rock: porosity, capillarity, permeability, elasticity, fracture, conductivities and coupled parameters.
Introduce the concepts of scale invariance, fractals, percolation, effective medium, treatment of deformation, fracture and hydrofracturing through the Mohr circle.
Introduce the elementary practice of network theory.
Provide theoretical and practical tools on rocks and soils to be able to approach theoretical and operational geophysics in master's degree
Prerequisites
Basic notions of mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, mineralogy
Schedule: 1 hour and 20 minute CM + 1 hour and 20 minute TD (32 hours per semester)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 50% work throughout the first session, 50% final exam
Session 2 : 100% final exam
Course Summary
The course will present:
The main types of magmatic rocks in relation to their geodynamic framework: oceanic magmatism and continental magmatism.
The main types of metamorphic rocks (metabasites, metasediments) and their significance in the geodynamic framework. A selection of samples will be studied under optical microscopy during the practical sessions.
Targeted skills
The objective is to provide the basic knowledge to:
Recognize minerals and rocks, particularly in thin sections
Understand and be able to discuss a simple geodynamic model to explain their genesis.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge in general geology
Schedule: 1 hour CM + 1.5 hour TP lab each week (30 hours per semester)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 25% work throughout the first session, 75% final exam
Session 2 : 25% work graded throughout the first session, 25% lab work from the first session, 50% final exam
Course Summary
This UE will allow students to understand the measurement and observation of atmospheric trace species, whether in gaseous or particulate phase. This measurement can be carried out in situ or in the laboratory, following sampling-conditioning in the field. The main principles and constraints related to the sampling and analysis of atmospheric species will be presented. In particular, most of the organic and elementary analytical techniques for measuring atmospheric trace species (gases and particles) will be covered in this UE. Students will apply these principles during dedicated practical work on the analysis of air quality and the search for atmospheric species.
Targeted skills
Understanding methods for measuring atmospheric pollution
Understanding standards and units of measurement for atmospheric pollution
Sampling of gaseous and particulate trace species
Metrology of atmospheric particles
Chemical and spectroscopic analytical techniques (UV, IR)
Gas/Liquid Chromatography
Mass spectrometry
Elemental analysis (fluorescence, ICP).
Schedule: 1 hour and 20 minute CM + 40 minute TD + 1 hour and 20 minute TP lab each week (40 hours per semester)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 50% work throughout the first session, 50% final exam
Session 2 : 20% work graded throughout the first session, 40% lab work from the first session, 40% final exam
SPRING SEMESTER
Course Summary:
This course details the quantitative treatment of chemical processes in aquatic systems such as lakes, oceans, rivers, estuaries, groundwater, and wastewater but also in soils and at the interface with the atmosphere. Emphasis is placed on equilibrium calculations as a tool for understanding the variables that govern the chemical composition at geo-interfaces and the fate of inorganic pollutants. To do this, the following themes will be covered in class in the form of 1-hour sessions:
Acid-base reactions (1 hour)
Complexation (1 hour)
Dissolution and precipitation reactions (1 hour)
Redox processes (1 hour)
Chemical kinetics (1 hour)
The course will be completed by 6 2-hour tutorial sessions (12 hours) consisting of studying specific systems allowing students to understand the complexity of a natural system but also its practical application. An introduction to the use of geochemistry calculation code on a computer will be provided.
During practical work (8 hours) in the field and in the laboratory, students will understand all the problems encountered during measurements of various physicochemical and chemical parameters in the natural environment.
Targeted skills:
Environment
Complexation
Solubility
Interfaces
Geochemistry
Schedule: (23 total hours per semester split across 5 hours of CM, 10 hours of TD, 8 hours of TP lab)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 50% work throughout the first session, 50% final exam
Session 2 : 50% lab grade from the first sesssion 50% final grade
Program summary:
Introduction to the main knowledge and concepts of plate tectonics in the oceanic domain. The class can be taught in English if non-French speaking students register. The class will address the main processes and current concepts concerning plate tectonics in the oceanic domain. The class will also provide basic knowledge on the main techniques of marine geosciences (mapping, seismic, magnetic and gravimetric methods). Students will have two homework assignments based on the topics addressed in class.
Targeted skills
A general understanding of the main processes and of current concepts concerning plate tectonics in the oceanic domains
Prerequisites
A background in geology and geophysics is useful. Guidance will be provided to students who would lack this background but are ready to do some home learning to catch up.
Schedule: 2 hour and 20 minute CM per week (28 hours per semester)
Assessment Style:
Session 1 : 50% work throughout the first session, 50% final exam
Session 2 : 100% final exam