The SSGP two-course core sequence is a required sequence for all students who accept an SSGP fellowship. The sequence is also open to other qualified students depending on availability of space. For further information, please contact the core course coordinator.
Fall Semester, 2006 - Terrestrial Subsurface Processes I
Course Description: This 4-credit course is the first of a two-course graduate introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the uppermost part of the Earth’s crust (nominally the first few hundred meters) in terrestrial environments. Topics in course I include subsurface architecture, deformational processes, surficial processes, and chemical processes. The pedagogical goal is a unified treatment that provides as much technical breadth and depth as possible with emphasis on a common vocabulary. Prerequisites: 1 year each of physics, chemistry, biology, and calculus, plus consent of instructor.| Block | Topic | Instructor |
| 1 | Subsurface Architecture |
 McCurry |
| 2 | Vadose Zone Processes | Tuller |
| 3 | Subsurface Chemical Processes |
 Strawn |
Spring Semester, 2007 - Terrestrial Subsurface Processes II
Course Description: This 4-credit course is the second of a two-course graduate introduction to the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the uppermost part of the Earth’s crust (nominally the first few hundred meters) in terrestrial environments. Topics in course II include subsurface microbiological processes, kinetically driven biogeochemical processes, and flow and transport processes. The pedagogical goal is a unified treatment that provides as much technical breadth and depth as possible with emphasis on a common vocabulary. Prerequisites: Terrestrial Subsurface Processes I (no exceptions) plus consent of instructor.
| Block | Topic | Instructor |
| 4 | Subsurface Microbiological Processes | Feris |
| 5 | Kinetically Driven Biogeochemical Processes | Hossain |
| 6 | Flow and Transport Processes |
 Kaluarachchi |
Download the core course calendar 2006-2007 (all instructional blocks).