Courses:

Course Info

• Course Number / Code:
• 12.09 (Spring 2007) 
• Course Title:
• Special Topics in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences: The Environment of the Earth's Surface 
• Course Level:
• Undergraduate 
• Offered by :
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  Massachusetts, United States  
• Department:
• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences 
• Course Instructor(s):
• Prof. John Southard 
• Course Introduction:
•  
• 
  
  12.090 Special Topics in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences: The Environment of the Earth's Surface
  
  
  
  

  Spring 2007

  
  
  

  
  
  

  Course Highlights

  
  
  

  
  
  12.090 Special Topics in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences: The Environment of the Earth's Surface
  
  
  
  

  Spring 2007

  
  
  

  

  The elements of a meandering river system. (Image by MIT OCW.)

  
  
  

  Course Description

  
  
  

  A great variety of processes affect the surface of the Earth. Topics to be covered are production and movement of surficial materials; soils and soil erosion; precipitation; streams and lakes; groundwater flow; glaciers and their deposits. The course combines aspects of geology, climatology, hydrology, and soil science to present a coherent introduction to the surface of the Earth, with emphasis on both fundamental concepts and practical applications, as a basis for understanding and intelligent management of the Earth's physical and chemical environment.