May 02, 2024

2017-2018 Catalog

2017-2018 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Lower Division Courses numbered 1–99 are designed primarily for freshmen and sophomores but are open to all students for lower division credit. (Graduate students requesting to enroll in lower-division undergraduate courses will not receive unit credit nor will the course fulfill degree requirements.) Upper Division Courses courses numbered 100–199 are open to all students who have met the necessary prerequisites as indicated in the catalog course description. Preparation should generally include completion of one lower division course in the given subject or completion of two years of college work.

GRADUATE COURSES

Courses numbered 200–299 are open to graduate students. (Undergraduate students must obtain the signature of the instructor, School Dean, and the Dean of Graduate Studies. Graduate level units will count towards the required 120 units for graduation; however students are urged to meet with their academic advisor in order to determine if graduate course units may be used to fulfill a graduation requirement.)

CROSS-LISTED/CONJOINED COURSES

Cross-listed Courses are the same course offered under different course subjects at the same level (either undergraduate or graduate) that share the same meeting time, requirements, units, etc. Conjoined Courses are the same course but one is undergraduate and one is graduate.

COREQUISITE COURSE

A corequisite course is a course that must be taken at the same time as another course.

PREREQUISITES

Prerequisites for courses should be followed carefully; the responsibility for meeting these requirements rests on the student. If you can demonstrate that your preparation is equivalent to that specified by the prerequisites, the instructor may waive these requirements for you. The instructor also may request that a student who has not completed the prerequisites be dropped from the course. If the prerequisite for a course is not satisfied, students must obtain the approval of the instructor (or school designee) of the course they wish to take.

For all undergraduate courses a “C-” or better grade is required for a course to be used as a prerequisite for another course. If a course was taken for a “P/NP” grade then a “P” grade is required.

For all graduate courses a “B” or better grade is required for a course to be used as a prerequisite for another course. If a course was taken for a “S/U” grade then a “S” grade is required.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

No credit is allowed for completing a less advanced course after successful completion (C-or better) of a more advanced course in the foreign languages. This applies only to lower division foreign language courses, not upper division courses.

GRADING OPTIONS

Unless otherwise stated in the course description, each course is letter graded with a P/NP or S/U option (unless required for your major or graduate program). The policy regarding Grading Options , can be found in an alternate section of the catalog.

More information about Course Substitutions and Course Materials and Services Fees can be found in alternate areas of the catalog.

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Cognitive Science
	COGS 190: Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Science [4 units] Intensive treatment of a special topic or problem within cognitive science. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass option. Course may be repeated 1 time for credit in different subject area. View course scheduling information
	COGS 192: Internship in Cognitive Science [1-4 units] Provides oversight and structure for a student’s internship in a field related to cognitive science connected to the study of cognitive science. Students are required to write an original research paper or relevant product that demonstrates how the internship advanced their knowledge of cognitive science. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated 2 times for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research [1-5 units] Supervised research. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass option. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 199: Upper Division Individual Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 201: Cognitive Science Foundations I [4 units] Solidification and expansion of students’ existing knowledge of the fundamental theoretical frameworks and methodological tools of cognitive science. Connections among philosophy of mind, cognitive neuroscience, theoretical linguistics, artificial intelligence, and cognitive psychology, are emphasized. Required of all first-year Cognitive Science graduate students. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. View course scheduling information
	COGS 202: Cognitive Science Foundations II [4 units] Continuation of COGS 201 , with more emphasis placed on recent developments and applications in Cognitive Science, and tools needed to conduct cognitive science research in a variety of domains. Also includes practical career information, such as tutorials in grant-writing, effective presentation, writing techniques, and professional development. Required of all first-year Cognitive Science graduate students. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. View course scheduling information
	COGS 203: Introduction to Neural Networks in Cognitive Science [4 units] Introduction to the use of neural networks in the study of cognitive phenomena. Topics include perception, attention, language, memory and biologically realistic model neurons. This graduate level version of the course includes a sizeable final project that simulates data from cognitive research. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. View course scheduling information
	COGS 204: Complex Adaptive Systems [4 units] Introduction to the study of complex phenomena using dynamical computer simulations, which exhibit emergent properties, sensitivity to initial conditions, fractal structure, phase transitions in random graphs, and shifts from stability to meta-stability to chaos. Matlab projects include: probability games, neural networks, the Lorenz attractor, the logistic map, the Mandelbrot set. Normal Letter Grade only. Conjoined with COGS 104 . View course scheduling information
	COGS 223: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience [4 units] Design and analysis of computational simulations of human behavior and brain function. Techniques for modeling active membranes, individual neurons, the dynamics produced by recurrent excitation and lateral inhibition, synaptic plasticity, and the computational role of neurotransmitters. Formal models of perception, attention, learning, memory, language, categorization, and cognitive control. Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with EECS 273 . View course scheduling information
	COGS 250: Cognitive Science Graduate Seminar [4 units] Broad issues in cognitive science, with an emphasis on computation, and the connections among mind, technology, and society. Each semester will feature guest speakers and topics such as artificial intelligence, design, human-computer interaction, perception, language, high level cognition, reasoning, philosophy of cognitive science, neuroscience, and the role of technology in society. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	COGS 251: Speech Processing [4 units] Introduces methods for recording speech and other vocalizations, for processing and modifying such recordings, and for synthesizing artificial speech. Necessary background in speech science is provided. Each student develops, executes, and presents a hands-on term project, related to their research interests, and produces a full-length technical conference proceedings style paper. Normal Letter Grade only. Conjoined with COGS 151 . View course scheduling information
	COGS 269: Topics in Cognitive Science [4 units] Seminar on a specific topic in cognitive science. May be repeated for credit on a different topic. Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 285: Topics in Philosophy of Cognitive Science [4 units] Detailed study of special topics in the philosophy of cognitive science, including (but not limited to): Animal Cognition, Cognitive Architecture, Consciousness, Mental Representation, Modularity, Nativism vs. Empiricism, and Self. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Course may be repeated 3 times for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 290: Topics in Cognitive Science [1-3 units] Under faculty supervision, group of students meets each week for a semester in a student-led study group to pursue a specific topic of their choice that is not covered in other department courses. Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 295: Graduate Research [1-12 units] Supervised research. Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Course may be repeated for credit. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	COGS 298: Directed Group Study [1-6 units] Group project under faculty supervision. Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	COGS 299: Directed Independent Study [1-6 units] Independent project under faculty supervision. Permission of instructor required. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
Community Research and Service
	CRS 010: Introduction to Community Engaged Research [4 units] Introduction to the conditions and contexts for Community Engaged Research (CEnR) in the San Joaquin Valley-Sierra Nevada region and analogous communities nationally and internationally. Fundamental principles and approach of CEnR, and fundamental skills necessary to work with community members will be explored. Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	CRS 195: Community Research and Service Experience [1-4 units] Provides students with a community-based undergraduate research experience. Links to our local San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada regions while also considering global analogs. Addresses themes of: analytics of prosperity, sustainable development, and community engagement or community-inspired innovation. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Course may be repeated 1 time for credit. View course scheduling information
Computer Science and Engineering
	CSE 005: Introduction to Computer Applications [4 units] This project-based experience presents the use of computers to control information flow: data collection, management, analysis, and presentation. Basic programming skills, selection of appropriate computer-based tools and languages, and data security are covered. Emphasis is placed on computer knowledge necessary for non-CSE majors to successfully use and manage data and information. Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall and spring. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 015: Discrete Mathematics [4 units] Basic concepts of discrete mathematics used in computer science and other disciplines that involve formal reasoning. Topics include logic, proof, counting, discrete probability, relations, graphs, trees, and Boolean algebra. Prerequisite: MATH 022 or equivalent exam. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 020: Introduction to Computing I [2 units] Presents the basics of programming to a student with no prior experience. Basic concepts of Input/Output, Data Types, Variables and Arrays will be introduced in the context of solving problems. Elementary programming skills such as conditional and loops execution will be emphasized. Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall and spring. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 021: Introduction to Computing II [2 units] CSE 021 is continuation of CSE 020 for a beginning student and relies heavily on prior knowledge of CSE 020 material. Modern programming concepts such as Object-oriented Programming, methods, recursion and data manipulation will be introduced. Students are expected to solve problems using different programming paradigms. Prerequisite: CSE 020 or equivalent exam. Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall and spring. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 030: Data Structures [4 units] Focuses on the design, analysis, and implementation of fundamental data structures, design patterns, and algorithms used throughout computer science, including linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, graphs, recursion, and methods for searching and sorting. Prerequisite: CSE 021 or equivalent exam. Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall and spring. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 031: Computer Organization and Assembly Language [4 units] Exposes students to the underlying structure of machines. Starting from C programming, pointers, data representation, MIPS instruction-set, Compilation process and down to Hardware implementation. Prerequisite: CSE 030 . Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall and spring. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 095: Lower Division Undergraduate Research [1-5 units] Supervised research. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass option. Course may be repeated for credit. Offered fall and spring. View course scheduling information
	CSE 098: Lower Division Directed Group Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	CSE 099: Lower Division Individual Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	CSE 100: Algorithm Design and Analysis [4 units] Introduction to the design and analysis of computer algorithms. Topics will include concepts of algorithm complexity, and various algorithmic design patterns like divide and conquer, dynamic programming and greedy algorithms. Also covers major algorithms and data structures for searching and sorting, graphs and some optimization techniques. Prerequisite: CSE 031 and CSE 015 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 106: Exploratory Computing [4 units] Our ability to manipulate data depends on and is limited by our familiarity with computing technologies. We study tools for exploratory computing, emphasizing programming and scripting languages over point-and-click interfaces. We cover the Unix basics and common utilities, regular expressions, Perl and R languages. Development of a problem solving ability to learn languages independently and cull online documentation. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 107: Introduction to Digital Image Processing [4 units] Overview of digital image processing including visual perception, image formation, spatial transformations, image enhancement, color image representations and processing, edge detection, image segmentation, and morphological image processing. Prerequisite: MATH 024 and MATH 032 and CSE 031 . Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 111: Database Systems [4 units] Principles of database design and operation. Relational data model. High-level data modeling representations. SQL database language. Active databases with constraints and triggers. Query optimization with views and indexes. Exploiting database servers within programming languages for web application development. Other topics include transaction processing and recovery, user-defined functions, and data warehousing. Prerequisite: CSE 031 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 120: Software Engineering [4 units] Multidisciplinary teams work on approved design projects or on software teams. Through these projects, students will practice design methodology and learn modern software engineering techniques to create reliable, efficient, reusable, and maintainable software systems using various design process models. Good standard project practices topics will be covered. Prerequisite: ENGR 065 and CSE 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 126: Information Systems and Service Design [4 units] Presents an end-to-end view of the design life cycle for information systems and services. Explains how design problems are conceived, researched, analyzed and resolved in different types of organizations and contexts, including start-ups, enterprises with legacy-systems, non-profit and government entities. Open only to major(s): Management and Business Economics, Management, Computer Science and Engineering. Open only to standing(s): Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with MGMT 126 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 135: Introduction to Theory of Computation [4 units] Understanding the inherent capabilities and limitations of computers is a fundamental question in computer science. To answer this question, we will define formal mathematical models of computation, and study their relationships with formal languages. Topics will consist of three central areas of the theory of computation: automata, computability, and complexity. Prerequisite: CSE 015 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 140: Computer Architecture [4 units] Fundamental concepts of digital computer design, including instruction sets, memory systems and registers, logic and mathematics units, modern CPUs and their architectural features are discussed along with the motivation for each design choice. Prerequisite: CSE 031 . Normal Letter Grade only. Offered fall only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 150: Operating Systems [4 units] Concepts of computer operating systems including concurrency, memory management, file systems, multitasking, performance analysis, and security. Prerequisite: CSE 031 . Normal Letter Grade only. Offered spring only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 160: Computer Networks [4 units] Design concepts and implementation features of computer networks. Concepts of network robustness, scalability, addressing, routing, and security. Several contemporary networking protocols are analyzed. Prerequisite: CSE 031 . Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 165: Introduction to Object Orientated Programming [4 units] Topics include object-oriented programming concepts, such as classes, objects, methods, interfaces, packages, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism. Prerequisite: (CSE 020 or equivalent exam) and (CSE 021 or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with ENGR 140 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 170: Computer Graphics [4 units] Basic algorithms in computer graphics enabling students to understand and experience the process of implementing modern computer graphics applications. Topics covered: programmable shaders, rasterization, hidden surface removal, transformations, rendering pipeline, scene graphs, curves and surfaces, boundary representation, spatial partition methods, keyframe animation, texture mapping, illumination and shading. Prerequisite: CSE 031 and (MATH 023 or MATH 023H ). Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 171: Game Programming [4 units] Covers the main algorithms and techniques used in the implementation of interactive 3D Graphics, such as in Computer Games, Robotics Simulators and Virtual Reality. Topics covered are: keyframe animation, articulated figures, direct and inverse kinematics, physically-based simulation, path planning, behavior-based animation, scripting behaviors, and other advanced topics. Prerequisite: CSE 170 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Conjoined with EECS 287 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 173: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience [4 units] Design and analysis of computational simulations of human behavior and brain function. Techniques for modeling active membranes, individual neurons, the dynamics produced by recurrent excitation and lateral inhibition, synaptic plasticity, and the computational role of neurotransmitters. Formal models of perception, attention, learning, memory, language, categorization, and cognitive control. Prerequisite: COGS 001 and any upper-division COGS course. Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with COGS 123 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 175: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence [4 units] Overview of the main concepts and methods underlying the construction and analysis of intelligent systems, including agent architectures, problem solving, heuristic search, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning, communication, perception, robotics, and machine learning. Includes a laboratory component in which intelligent systems are constructed and examined. Prerequisite: CSE 021 or equivalent exam. COGS 001 recommended. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with COGS 125 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 176: Introduction to Machine Learning [4 units] Survey of techniques for development and analysis of software that learns from experience. Specific topics: supervised learning (classification, regression); unsupervised learning (density estimation, clustering, dimensionality reduction); reinforcement learning; and others. Specific techniques: linear classifiers, mixture models, nonparametric methods, decision trees, neural networks, kernel machines, ensembles, graphical models, Bayesian methods, etc. Prerequisite: MATH 032 and MATH 141 and CSE 031 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 177: Database Systems Implementation [4 units] Studies the internals of a database management system, with emphasis on query execution. The final goal of the class is to build a fully-functional database execution engine consisting of all the standard components: storage manager, buffer manager, query execution engine, query optimizer, and query compiler. Prerequisite: CSE 031 and CSE 111 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Conjoined with EECS 277 . View course scheduling information
	CSE 178: Computers and Networks Security [4 units] Introduces fundamental concepts in the design and development of secure computer networks. Covers security threats, secret-key and public-key cryptography and algorithms, digital signatures, authentication, Electronic mail, Public-key infrastructure, viruses and worms. Prerequisite: CSE 150 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 179: Introduction to Parallel Computing [4 units] Parallel computing is pervasive. From embedded devices, laptops, to high-end supercomputer, and large-scale data centers, parallel computing is widely employed to achieve performance and efficiency targets. This course introduces the foundations of parallel computing, including parallel architectures, parallel programming methods and techniques, and parallel algorithm designs. Prerequisite: CSE 140 and CSE 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 180: Introduction to Robotics [4 units] Covers the basic of robotics focusing on the algorithmic side, rather than technology. Introduces basic computational techniques concerning spatial modeling, planning, and sensor processing. The course has a strong hands-on component. Implementation of different techniques in simulation will complement the theoretical lectures. Prerequisite: CSE 031 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 185: Introduction to Computer Vision [4 units] Overview of fundamental image processing and pattern recognition techniques including image formation, edge detection, image segmentation, optical flow, recovery of three-dimensional structure from shading or stereo information, shape representations, and issues in object recognition. Prerequisite: CSE 031 or equivalent programming skills. Requires mathematical background commensurate with upper-division engineering students. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	CSE 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research [1-5 units] Supervised research. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass option. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	CSE 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	CSE 199: Upper Division Individual Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
Core
	CORE 001: The World at Home [4 units] Provides foundation for UC Merced’s general education program with a strong emphasis on writing, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and understanding events in their historical and cultural contexts. CORE 001 is designed to introduce students to UC Merced’s faculty, our research, and the academic fields in which we work. Prerequisite: WRI 001 or equivalent exam. Open only to standing(s): Freshman, Sophomore. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	CORE 090X: Freshman Seminar [1 unit] Examination of a topic. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	CORE 100: The World at Home: Planning for the Future in a Complex World II [4 units] Second half of the Core course sequence, building on the foundation of UC Merced’s general education program and has a strong emphasis on writing, quantitative literacy, critical thinking, and understanding events in their historical and cultural contexts. The inaugural theme is a study of how individuals and societies can make the best choices in preparing for an uncertain future. The unifying theme in these modules is contemporary California which acts as a common reference point highlighting the regional implications of global events or the global consequences of seemingly local choices. A wide range of interdisciplinary perspectives from the arts, humanities, social sciences, life and physical sciences, and engineering are brought to bear on the course topics. Upper-division-level quantitative literacy skills and writing ability is expected. Prerequisite: CORE 001 . Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
	CRES 001: Introduction to Critical Race and Ethnic Studies [4 units] Examines the historical and contemporary contexts of race and indigeneity. Uses an intersectional lens (including gender, sexuality, class, religion, etc.) to explore settler colonialism and labor; im/migration and segregation; and politics of representation and resistance. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
Earth Systems Science
	Syllabus ESS 001: Introduction to Earth Systems Science [4 units] Introduction to basic principles of earth systems for non-science majors and prospective majors. A multidisciplinary approach that draws from geology, chemistry, physics, and biology to understand how the Earth functions as a complex system, and the role and impact of human beings on Earth systems. Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	Syllabus ESS 002: Sustainability Science [4 units] Explores the scientific basis for a rigorous definition of the concept of sustainability and its implementation in society. Using “back-of-the-envelope” style calculations it explains major magnitudes and trends of environmental impacts and sustainable activities. It will also employ assignments and discussions that encourage communication across disciplinary barriers. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 005: Introduction to Biological Earth Systems [4 units] Introduction to basic principles of coupled biological and earth systems for non-science majors and prospective majors. An interdisciplinary approach that combines concepts from biology and earth science to understand how the Earth functions as a biological incubator, the origin and evolution of molecular life, the rise of complex biological and ecological earth systems, human impacts, and the sustainable Earth. Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 010: Earth Resources and Society [4 units] We are users and changers of our planet. This course discusses the materials and resources our planet supplies to societies, and the environmental consequences that result from consumption. We will examine the origin and use of food, water, energy, and mineral resources, and consider challenges to management and sustainability. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 012: Geology of California [4 units] Introduction to the geology of California for non-science majors. A tour of the major geologic features of our state, its geologic hazards, and its natural earth resources in the context of basic plate tectonics and earth science principles. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 020: Fundamentals of Geology [4 units] Introduction to geology with emphasis on physical and chemical processes that have shaped the Earth through time. Topics include Earth history, plate tectonics, mineral and rock formation, mountain building and landscape evolution, and interior and surface geologic processes. Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 025: Introduction to Ecosystem Science [4 units] Fundamentals of ecosystem science; organization, function and development of ecological systems; energy and mass flow; biogeochemical cycling; biodiversity, population dynamics, and sustainability. Prerequisite: (ESS 001 or ESS 005 or BIO 001 or equivalent exam) and (MATH 011 or MATH 021 or equivalent exam) and (PHYS 008 or PHYS 008H or PHYS 018 or equivalent exam). Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 034: Introduction to Marine Science [4 units] Introduction to biological, chemical, and physical oceanography, marine geomorphology, and their synthesis in the study of marine life; also including relationships with atmospheric, freshwater, and terrestrial systems. Areas of emphasis include ecosystems (from the deep sea to saltwater ponds), the integrated coastal zone, resource management, and global change. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 034 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 040: Air Quality, Air Resources and Environmental Health [4 units] A survey of principles and issues related to air quality and resources from global to regional scales, including evolution of the earth’s atmosphere, urban smog formation, visibility, acid rain, stratospheric and tropospheric ozone, effects of meteorology on air pollution, air pollution transport across political boundaries, and health effects of exposure to air pollution. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	Syllabus ESS 047: Astrobiology [4 units] Astrobiology refers to the study of the origin and evolution of life in the cosmos: What is life, how did it form, and where is it? It is an integrative, multidisciplinary field that includes areas of astronomy, biology, (bio)chemistry, geology, and physics. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 047 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 050: Ecosystems of California [4 units] An introduction to ecological principles and processes through the examination of California’s varied ecosystems; discussion of native and invasive species, land use, human impacts, and biodiversity; two Saturday field trips to a variety of California habitats. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 060: Global Environmental Change [4 units] History, causes, and consequences of anthropogenic and natural changes in the atmosphere, oceans, and terrestrial ecosystems; geologic evidence for glacial cycles and climate changes, modern marine and atmosphere circulation, greenhouse gases, deforestation and species extinctions, and human population growth and impacts on climate and resources. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 065: Natural History of Dinosaurs [4 units] Provides an introduction to the history of life, emphasizing the radiation of dinosaur species throughout the Mesozoic Era, and ecological roles filled by different dinosaur groups. Connections will be made between the ecological, and environmental events shaping the Mesozoic and those experienced throughout the Anthropocene. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 065 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 070: Soil Foundations of Terrestrial Ecosystems [4 units] Examines the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils that influence terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Topics include processes that control soil formation, evolution, development, and chemical properties. Particular emphasis is placed on the quantitative descriptions of energy nutrient and contaminant fluxes into, out of and through soils. Prerequisite: (ESS 001 or BIO 001 or equivalent exam) and (CHEM 002 or CHEM 002H or equivalent exam). Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 090X: Freshman Seminar [1 unit] Examination of a topic in earth systems science. Pass/No Pass only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 095: Lower Division Undergraduate Research [1-5 units] Supervised research. Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass option. Course may be repeated 4 times for credit. View course scheduling information
	ESS 098: Lower Division Directed Group Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	ESS 099: Lower Division Individual Study [1-5 units] Permission of instructor required. Pass/No Pass only. Course may be repeated for credit. View course scheduling information
	Syllabus ESS 100: Environmental Chemistry in Natural Sciences [4 units] Chemical principles of Earth systems focusing on environmental processes in water, soil, and air. Applications of equilibrium and kinetic concepts to natural and human-impacted environmental systems. Topics include composition of natural waters, acid-base chemistry, mineral and gas solubility, oxidation and reduction, natural organic matter, and biogeochemical cycles. Prerequisite: (CHEM 010 or CHEM 010H or equivalent exam) and (MATH 011 or MATH 021 or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 102: Chemical Processes in the Soil Environment [3 units] Thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical process in soil systems. Topics include the formation and identification of common minerals, adsorption/desorption, precipitation/dissolution, and electrochemical reactions in soils. Prerequisite: ENVE 100 or ESS 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 103: Geochemistry of Earth Systems [3 units] Quantitative analysis of earth systems using principles of thermodynamics, kinetics, and isotope geochemistry; solution-mineral equilibrium and phase relations; equilibrium and reactive transport approaches to modeling geochemical processes at ambient and elevated temperatures. Prerequisite: ENVE 100 or ESS 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 104: Organic Geochemistry [3 units] Focus on organic chemical reactions in soils and sedimentary environments. Topics include the formation and weathering of natural organic matter and reactions of natural organic matter with pollutants. Prerequisite: ENVE 100 or ESS 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 105: Biogeochemistry [4 units] Biogeochemistry of the common elements such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, and other important elements. Prerequisite: ESS 148 or BIO 148 . Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Conjoined with ES 205 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 108: Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Earth Materials [3 units] Surface, colloid, and interfacial chemistry related to soil, environmental, and microbial applications; properties, energetics, and reactivity of surfaces and interfaces of Earth materials; the role of mineral surfaces in promoting and catalyzing chemical phenomena at phase boundaries. Prerequisite: ENVE 100 or ESS 100 . Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 109: Inorganic Chemistry of Earth’s Materials [3 units] Chemical principles, structure, and bonding of minerals and Earth materials, including crystallography (symmetry, space groups, group theory), coordination chemistry, bonding models (valence bond, crystal field, and MO theories), and electronic and magnetic properties. Prerequisite: ESS 100 or ENVE 100 or CHEM 010 or CHEM 010H or equivalent exam. Pass/No Pass option. Conjoined with ES 209 . View course scheduling information
	Syllabus ESS 110: Hydrology and Climate [4 units] Introduction to climate science and hydrology. Students will develop an understanding of the conceptual basis of the sciences of climate and hydrology as well as gain quantitative and communication skills. Prerequisite: (ENVE 020 or MATH 015 ) and (MATH 012 or MATH 022 or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. View course scheduling information
	ESS 112: Subsurface Hydrology [4 units] Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling the occurrence and use of groundwater on regional and local scales. Physical, mathematical, geologic and engineering concepts fundamental to subsurface hydrologic processes. Introduction to ground-water flow and transport modeling, with emphasis on model construction and simulation. Prerequisite: ENVE 110 or ESS 110 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Conjoined with ES 212 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 120: Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Microbiology [4 units] Fundamentals of microbiology in ecological and environmental systems, including the distribution of microbial diversity throughout terrestrial, extreme, and marine environments; microbial control of global biogeochemical cycles; and environmental services provided by microorganisms. Both classical and contemporary biochemical, molecular, and genomic approaches to microbial physiology, metabolism, and ecology will be discussed. Prerequisite: (CHEM 010 or CHEM 010H or equivalent exam) and (ESS 001 or BIO 001 or ENVE 020 or equivalent exam). Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 121 . View course scheduling information
	Syllabus ESS 124: Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology [4 units] Ecosystem ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their physical environment within an Earth-system context. Focuses on energy, water, and nutrient flows through the living (plants, animals, microorganisms) and nonliving (soils, atmosphere) components of both natural and human-modified terrestrial ecosystems. Prerequisite: BIO 148 or ESS 148 . Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 157 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 125: Microbial Ecology [4 units] Advanced study of microbiological systems and techniques. Prerequisite: ESS 120 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 126: Environmental Genomics [4 units] Introduction to the principles and methods of genomics as applied to the understanding of ecosystems. Topics include population genetics, adaptation to environmental change, and genomic analysis of environmental microbial communities; experimental and computational methods relevant to environmental genomics. Prerequisite: BIO 141 or ESS 120 . Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 128: Theoretical Ecology [4 units] Advanced study of the application of theoretical and quantitative methods for the analysis and interpretation of populations, communities and ecosystems. Prerequisite: BIO 145 and (MATH 012 or MATH 022 or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 129: Paleoecology [3 units] Introduction to the relationships of fossil organisms to one another and to their physical environment, focusing on terrestrial paleoecology of the past 2.5 million years. This class will introduce past environments, discuss common proxies for studying paleoecology, and examine ecological principles as applied to the past. Prerequisite: (BIO 148 or ESS 148 ) and (one lower-division BIO or ESS course, or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. Cross-Listed with BIO 129 . Conjoined with ES 229 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 130: Plant Biology [4 units] Introduces students to the basics of plant biology. Topics covered include plant biochemistry and metabolism, anatomy, reproduction, evolution, and ecological interactions, as well as the interactions between plants and humans in the context of agriculture, medicine, and global change. Prerequisite: (BIO 001 or equivalent exam) and (CHEM 002 or CHEM 002H or equivalent exam). Not open to standing(s): Freshman. Normal Letter Grade only. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with BIO 130 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 131: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics [4 units] Chemistry and physics of the troposphere and stratosphere, including atmospheric aerosols. Prerequisite: (ESS 020 or ENVE 020 ) and (CHEM 008 or CHEM 008H ) and (PHYS 009 or PHYS 009H ). Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 132: Applied Climatology [3 units] Spatial and temporal patterns in climate and their association with land surface characteristics and processes. Methods for exploiting these for hypothesis testing, modeling, and forecasting. Applications include seasonal forecasting, ecological modeling, and analysis of processes such as flooding and wildfire. Prerequisite: ENVE 110 or ESS 110 . Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with ENVE 116 . Conjoined with ES 232 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 133: Flora of California [5 units] An introduction to the plant diversity of California. It consists of lectures, discussions, and field trips. The field trips focus on plant identification in the foothills of the Central Sierra Nevada and help illustrate concepts presented in lecture such as endemism, plant/soil interactions, and vegetation types. Prerequisite: BIO 001 or ESS 001 or BIO 148 or ESS 050 or equivalent exam. Open only to standing(s): Junior, Senior. Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. Cross-Listed with BIO 133 . Conjoined with ES 227 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 134: Air Pollution and Resources [3 units] Chemistry and physics of atmospheric pollutants, urban air pollution, visibility, mitigation, and resource economics. Prerequisite: ESS 100 or ENVE 100 . Pass/No Pass option. Conjoined with ES 234 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 141: Environmental Science and Policy [4 units] In depth-analysis of environmental case studies. Focus on science critical to policy development and implementation, the policy-making process, and policy outcomes. Special emphasis on interaction between scientific information and policy-making. Example topics include Western water resources, biodiversity conservation, and global warming. Emphasis on written and oral communication and critical analysis. Prerequisite: (WRI 010 or equivalent exam) and any lower-division ESS, ENVE, BIO, ECON, POLI, or PUBP course or equivalent exam. Pass/No Pass option. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with ENGR 141 , GEOG 141 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 148: Fundamentals of Ecology [4 units] Introduction to the principles of ecology at population, community, ecosystem, landscape, and global scales. Prerequisite: BIO 001 or BIO 005 or ESS 001 or ESS 005 or equivalent exam. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 148 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 149: Conservation Biology [4 units] Detailed examination of the evolutionary, ecological, management, and policy issues related to the conservation of ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. Theory and practical aspects of biological conservation are presented, with special reference to case studies from California. Prerequisite: (BIO 001 or equivalent exam) and (MATH 018 or MATH 032 or equivalent exam). BIO 148 recommended. Normal Letter Grade only. Discussion included. Cross-Listed with BIO 149 . View course scheduling information
	ESS 150: Geomorphology and Surface Processes [4 units] Observation and analysis of earth surface processes and the development of landforms and landscape. The interaction between surficial processes and tectonic, biologic, hydrologic, climatic, and atmospheric processes. Evaluation of environmental hazards and engineering solutions. Prerequisite: ESS 020 or ENVE 020 . Pass/No Pass option. Laboratory included. View course scheduling information
	ESS 156: Ecological Dynamics [3 units] Introduction to theoretical ecology, involving a tour through population dynamics, stochastic processes, and ecological networks. Students will become familiar and comfortable with basic theoretical models in ecology and understand how these models are used to gain information about biological systems. Prerequisite: (BIO 001 or equivalent exam) and (MATH 021 or equivalent exam). Normal Letter Grade only. Cross-Listed with BIO 156 . View course scheduling information

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University of California, Merced

Course Descriptions

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

GRADUATE COURSES

CROSS-LISTED/CONJOINED COURSES

COREQUISITE COURSE

PREREQUISITES

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

GRADING OPTIONS

COGS 190: Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Science

COGS 192: Internship in Cognitive Science

COGS 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research

COGS 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study

COGS 199: Upper Division Individual Study

COGS 201: Cognitive Science Foundations I

COGS 202: Cognitive Science Foundations II

COGS 203: Introduction to Neural Networks in Cognitive Science

COGS 204: Complex Adaptive Systems

COGS 223: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience

COGS 250: Cognitive Science Graduate Seminar

COGS 251: Speech Processing

COGS 269: Topics in Cognitive Science

COGS 285: Topics in Philosophy of Cognitive Science

COGS 290: Topics in Cognitive Science

COGS 295: Graduate Research

COGS 298: Directed Group Study

COGS 299: Directed Independent Study

CRS 010: Introduction to Community Engaged Research

CRS 195: Community Research and Service Experience

CSE 005: Introduction to Computer Applications

CSE 015: Discrete Mathematics

CSE 020: Introduction to Computing I

CSE 021: Introduction to Computing II

CSE 030: Data Structures

CSE 031: Computer Organization and Assembly Language

CSE 095: Lower Division Undergraduate Research

CSE 098: Lower Division Directed Group Study

CSE 099: Lower Division Individual Study

CSE 100: Algorithm Design and Analysis

CSE 106: Exploratory Computing

CSE 107: Introduction to Digital Image Processing

CSE 111: Database Systems

CSE 120: Software Engineering

CSE 126: Information Systems and Service Design

CSE 135: Introduction to Theory of Computation

CSE 140: Computer Architecture

CSE 150: Operating Systems

CSE 160: Computer Networks

CSE 165: Introduction to Object Orientated Programming

CSE 170: Computer Graphics

CSE 171: Game Programming

CSE 173: Computational Cognitive Neuroscience

CSE 175: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

CSE 176: Introduction to Machine Learning

CSE 177: Database Systems Implementation

CSE 178: Computers and Networks Security

CSE 179: Introduction to Parallel Computing

CSE 180: Introduction to Robotics

CSE 185: Introduction to Computer Vision

CSE 195: Upper Division Undergraduate Research

CSE 198: Upper Division Directed Group Study

CSE 199: Upper Division Individual Study

CORE 001: The World at Home

CORE 090X: Freshman Seminar

CORE 100: The World at Home: Planning for the Future in a Complex World II

CRES 001: Introduction to Critical Race and Ethnic Studies

ESS 001: Introduction to Earth Systems Science

ESS 002: Sustainability Science

ESS 005: Introduction to Biological Earth Systems

ESS 010: Earth Resources and Society

ESS 012: Geology of California

ESS 020: Fundamentals of Geology

ESS 025: Introduction to Ecosystem Science

ESS 034: Introduction to Marine Science

ESS 040: Air Quality, Air Resources and Environmental Health

ESS 047: Astrobiology

ESS 050: Ecosystems of California