Regularly Taught Courses

EAPS 364: Science and Society: Natural Disasters (3 credits):

This course will investigate the role of science in policy and decision-making as it relates to three types of natural disasters: hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. The scientific fundamentals of each of these hazards will be introduced first followed by an exploration of how various policies, programs, and real-time decisions can impact a community’s response and recovery from disasters. This course is not designed to arrive at particular consensus solutions to the specific case studies that we will cover, rather, the goal of this course is to explore the linked complexities between the science of the threat and the political and social response.

To deepen our understanding, we invite guest speakers to give accounts of their role in specific disasters and in framing the policies and decisions made in the aftermath of the natural hazards. These guests include city managers, mayors, and faculty from the social and physical sciences. Their perspectives will help us to develop a better understanding of the connections across technological, political, and social systems, and the myriad of challenges that communities andmanagement professionals face when confronted by these events. Many of these individuals are on the "front-line" and offer us a unique opportunity to engage in a two-way discussion of the short and long term consequences of policy and technological choices these communities have made.

EAPS 109. Dynamic Earth (3 credits):

Filley has taught Dynamic Earth lecture and lab since 2003, initially co-teaching with Prof. Jim Ogg. This course covers the formation and development of the solid earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere from a system-analysis perspective. This course is a requirement for all EAPS majors and can also be taken by non-majors. Typically 30% of the students enrolled are non-majors. EAPS majors are expected to take the accompanying laboratory, which uses STELLA model simulations of natural phenomena to help illustrate fundamental Earth science principles.

EAPS 518. Soil Biogeochemistry (3 credits):

This is an interdisciplinary graduate-level or senior undergraduate level course providing an introduction to the physical, chemical, and microbial processes governing the cycling of organic matter in litter, soil, and aquatic domains. Specific organic geochemical transformations in soil and litter are highlighted along with methods of structural, mineralogical, and isotopic characterization of the organic and inorganic constituents. Biogeochemical concepts related to the mineral, environmental, and microbial controls on the stabilization and destabilization of soil and litter organic matter are reinforced through manipulation of actual data sets from past NSF-funded projects. Team data-workup projects and an NSF proposal are required deliverables. Co-taught with Prof. Cliff Johnston (Purdue AGRY).