IAP Independent Activities Period by, for, and about
	the MIT community
 
overview participate organize offerings calendar  
for-credit subjects non-credit activities by category non-credit activities by sponsor non-credit activities by date

Help | Advanced Search

IAP 2004 Subjects

Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences

12.115
Field Geology II
B. C. Burchfiel
Sun-Sat, Jan 6-18, 20-30, ??-??:00am, Field work, western U.S.

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 15-Nov-2003
No listeners
Prereq: 12.113, 12.114
Level: U 18 units Standard A - F Grading   
Fee: 200.00 for for travel, food and lodging

During January, students practice methods of modern geological field study during an intensive four-week subject. Exercises include: geological and geomorphological mapping on topographic and photographic base maps of a wide variety of bedrock and surficial rocks. Where feasible, geochemical and geophysical field measurements are corrrelated with geology. Following term includes: preparation of reports based on field studies conducted during January; report generally exceeds 30 pages in length and includes one major revision and rewrite. Instruction in writing techniques provided. Laboratory analysis of samples, interpretation of geological data, and where possible, geophysical and geochemical data. 12 units may be applied to the General Institute Laboratory Requirement.
NOTE:Days in the field: Jan. 6 to Jan 30. Students will fly from Boston to Las Vegas for field work in western U.S.
Contact: B. C. Burchfiel, 54-1010, x3-7919, bcburch@mit.edu

12.120
Environmental Earth Science Field Course
Sam Bowring, Tim Grove
Mon Jan 5 thru Wed Jan 14, ??-??:00am, in western U.S., See description

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 30-Nov-2003
No listeners
Prereq: 12.001 or 12.102
Level: U 6 units Standard A - F Grading   
Fee: 200.00 for Travel, food, lodging

Introduction to the methods of geologic mapping; practical experience in aspects of environmental geology such as selecting sites for hazardous waste disposal, hazard assessment in seismically and volcanically active areas, and in understanding the three-dimensional character of dissected alluvial deposits. Subject offered according to demand.
Mon-Sat, Jan 5-14th. Students will fly from Boston to Las Vegas on January 5th. Limited enrollment, early registration encouraged. Dates are tentative at this time. Please contact Prof. Bowring for current information.
Contact: Sam Bowring, 54-1124, x3-3775, sbowring@mit.edu

12.141
Electron Microprobe Analysis
Tim Grove, Dr.Nilanjan Chatterjee
Tue Jan 6, Thu Jan 8, Tue Jan 13, Thu Jan 15, 01-05:00pm, 54-1221

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 03-Jan-2004
Limited to 8 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: —
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F   

Introduction to the theory of x-ray microanalysis through the electron microprobe including ZAF matrix corrections. Techniques to be discussed are wavelength and energy dispersive spectrometry, scanning backscattered electron, secondary electron, cathodoluminescence, and X-ray imaging. Lab sessions involve hands-on use of the electron microprobe.
Offered for undergraduate credit, but persons interested in an in-depth discussion of quantitative x-ray analysis are invited to participate. Students will be required to complete lab exercises to obtain credit. Find required reading at URL.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/e-probe/www/iap.html
Contact: Dr. Nilanjan Chatterjee, 54-1216, x3-1995, e-probe-www@mit.edu

12.213
Alternate Energy Sources
Nafi Toksöz
Mon, Wed, Fri, Jan 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, 10am-12:00pm, E34-430

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 03-Jan-2004
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: —
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   
Fee: 300.00 for voluntary spring field trip to Calif.

Explores a number of alternative energy sources such as geothermal energy (heat from the Earth's interior), wind, natural gas, and solar energy. Includes a field trip to visit sites where alternative energy is being harvested or generated. Content and focus of subject varies from year to year.
Subject covers global and U.S. energy consumption, and compares alternate energy sources with conventional fossil fuels. This year emphasis will be on geothermal, nuclear, and wind energy. Two local day-long field trips to energy sites. Optional four-day field trip to California energy sites during the Spring break.

Enrollment for the extended field trip is limited so pre-register immediately with person listed below.
Contact: Nafi Toksöz, E34-440, x3-7852, toksoz@mit.edu

12.221
Field Geophysics
Tom Herring, Brad Hager
Sun-Sat, Jan 5-16, 20-23, ??-??:00am, Field area: western US

Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 09-Dec-2003
Limited to 10 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: —
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F   
Fee: 200.00 for Travel

Practical methods of modern geophysics including the Global Positioning System (GPS), gravity, and magnetics. Field work is conducted in western US and includes intensive 10-day field exercise. Focus is on measurement techniques and their interpretation. Introduction to the science of gravity, magnetics, and the GPS. Measure of crustal structure, fault motions, tectonic deformations, and the local gravity and magnetic fields. Students perform high-precision measurements and participate in data analysis. Emphasis on the principles of geophysical data collection and the relevance of these data for tectonic faulting, crustal structure, and the dynamics of the earthquake cycle.
Field work Jan 8-15. Mandatory mtg Dec 5, 3pm, 54-611.(if unable to attend, contact me.)
Contact: Thomas A. Herring, 54-618, x3-5941, tah@mit.edu

12.265/1.717/12.565
Techniques in Remote Sensing
Maria T. Zuber
Schedule: TBD
Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 30-Nov-2003
Limited to 12 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: U 6 units Standard A - F Grading   
Fee: 100.00 for travel

Meets with graduate subject 12.565 but assignments differ.
A practical introduction to the science and methodology of observing the Earth from airborne and spaceborne platforms. The course consists of three case studies in ocean, atmosphere and land studies in which students observe the "end-to-end" process of making remote observations ranging from problem definition, sensor design, and spacecraft accommodation, to data collection, analysis, and observation. Offered under the auspices of the Joint Center for Geoscience of MIT and the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. Meets with undergraduate subject 12.265J. Graduate students are expected to explore the subject in greater depth.
Contact: Maria T. Zuber, 54-518, x3-6397, zuber@mit.edu

12.310
An Introduction to Weather Forecasting
Lodovica Illari
Mon, Wed, Fri, Jan 14, 16, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30, 01:30-03:00pm, 54-915

Pre-register on WebSIS and attend first class.
Limited to 50 participants.
Listeners allowed, space permitting
Prereq: 8.01, 18.01
Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F   

Basic principles of synoptic meteorology and weather forecasting. Analysis of hourly weather data and numerical weather prediction models. Regular preparation of weather forecasts.
Guest lecture by local TV meteorologist.
Contact: Lodovica Illari, 54-1612, x3-2286, illari@squall.mit.edu

12.411
Astronomy Field Camp
James Elliot
Schedule: TBD
Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 15-Oct-2003
Limited to 6 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: 12.410J or 8.287J
Level: U 9 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   
Fee: 150.00 for partial cost of transportation, food, and lodging

Individual research projects in observational astronomy involving supervised work at Lowell Observatory (located in Flagstaff, AZ). Written and oral reports required. Enrollment limited to 6.
Applications (due 10/15) may be obtained from contacts listed below. Because of the early deadline each year, please plan ahead.
Contact: Allison Cocuzzo or Jim Elliot, 54-422, x3-6308, jle@mit.edu

12.611
Advanced Planetary Observations
Jim Elliot
Schedule: TBD
Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS.
Enter lottery by: 15-Oct-2003
Limited to 6 participants.
No listeners
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Level: H 9 units Graded P/D/F Can be repeated for credit   
Fee: 150.00 for travel, food, lodging

Astronomical observations involving several techniques are carried out at a major observatory, with focus on a particular set of objectives that change from year to year. Work includes: critical planning of the observations; acquiring the data; calibrating the data; and on-site data reduction.
Applications may be obtained from Alli Cocuzzo, 54-410, or person below.
Contact: Jim Elliot, 54-422, x3-6308, jle@mit.edu


MIT  
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Home | Overview | Participate | Organize | Calendar | Search
Offerings : For-credit subjects | Non-credit activities by category | Non-credit activities by sponsor | Non-credit activities by date
IAP Office, Room 7-104, 617-253-1668 | Comments and questions to: iap-www@mit.edu | Last update: 21 August 2003