GEOLOGY (GEOL) Undergraduate Courses
105-3. Physical Geology. (3-2) An introduction to the physical processes operating in and on the planet earth. Emphasis on internal structure, magmatism, earth materials, and surficial features. Introduction to plate tectonic theory and its relation to earth processes. Lab fee $10. Course fee $5 (F,Sp,Sm I)
106-4. Historical
Geology. (3-2) The history of the earth from the beginning
of geologic time to the
present. Topics include a review of the earth's geological, tectonic
and biological history and how
geologists utilize rocks, fossils, structural geology, stratigraphy,
and geochemistry to understand this history. Prerequisite: GEOL
1054 or GEOL 108 or approval of department head. Lab fee $10.
Course fee $5 (F,Sp,Sm II)
107-4. Introduction to Environmental Science. (3-2) Integration of existing knowledge of geological, hydrological, and environmental processes associated with environmental management and land-use planning issues; including discussions of surface and subsurface water quality and quantity, soil erosion, solid and liquid waste disposal and flooding. Case studies involving environmental impact analysis. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1074; CHEM 1054, or approval of department head. Lab fee $15 Course fee $10. (Sp)
108-3. Natural Disasters. (3-2) Course focuses on the causes, effects, and mitigation of natural disasters around the world. Topics covered will include: plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, landslides, meteor impacts, climate change, and major weather events such as tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes. Emphasis will be on methods used by scientists to monitor and study these natural phenomena, as well as the economic and societal impact of and response to the events. Core lab science credit will not be awarded for both GEOL 105 and GEOL 108. Course fee $15. Lab fee $10. (F)
300-4. Crystallography and Mineralogy. (3-3) A study of crystals and minerals. The course covers physical properties, crystallography, crystal growth, common occurence, and economic uses of minerals. Prerequisite: GEOL 1054. Lab fee $10. (F)
305-3. Paleontology. (2-3) An introduction to the study of fossils. A survey of the systematics, evolution and paleoecology of microfossils, plants, invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064 and BIOL 1204, 1214 or approval of department head. Lab fee $10.
306-4. Igneous
and Metamorphic Petrology. (2-3) An
introduction to the origin, characteristics, and associations
of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Introduction to igneous phase
diagrams and
metamorphic phase equilibria. Prerequisite: GEOL 2034. Lab fee
$10. Course fee $50.
310-3. Geomorphology. (2-3) Study of surface processes in geological environments with emphasis on environmental and engineering applications. Topics include weathering, soil formation and erosion, landslides, and landforms associated with rivers, groundwater, coasts, arid and semi-arid climates. Laboratory emphasizes aerial photo and topographic map interpretation. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064. Course fee $25. Lab fee: $10.
312-3. Structural Geology. (2-3) A study of the forces and processes resulting in the deformation of and structural features of units in the earth's crust. Lab work includes solution of problems by descriptive geometry, geologic and topographic maps and cross-sections. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064; MATH 1093 or approval of department head. Lab fee $10. Course fee $25.
313-4. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology. (3-3) A study of the origin, transportation, and deposition of sediments and the formation of sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on the study of strata and depositional systems and the utilization of sedimentology and stratigraphy in economic geology, environmental geology, hydrogeology and petroleum geology. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064, 2034. Lab fee, $10. Course fee $35.
314-3. Geochemistry. (2-3) A survey of the application of chemical principles to problems of geology. Topics include the origin and distribution of the elements and exploration of the behavior and distribution of various elements in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Basic concepts of thermodynamics, solution chemistry, and isotope geochemistry will be discussed. Credit for both GEOL 3143 and CHEM 3143 will not be awarded. Prerequisite: CHEM 1084. Lab fee $10.
320-3. Hydrogeology.
(2-3).
Aquifer characteristics, physical principles of groundwater flow,
well
analysis, geologic controls on local and regional groundwater
movement, water chemistry, groundwater pollution, legal issues
in groundwater. Prerequisite: GEOL 1054, CHEM 1084, MATH 1093,
or approval of department head. Lab fee $10
405-3. Introduction to Field Geology. (2-3) An introduction to the identification and interpretation of rocks and geological structures in the field. Field and laboratory activities include rock identification and interpretation, surveying with plane table and alidade, measuring and describing geologic sections and field mapping with brunton compass, air photos, and topographic maps. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064. Lab fee $10. Course fee $50.
411-3. Economic Geology. (2-3) An introduction to the origin, classification, uses, and economics of metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits. Lab will introduce reflected light microscopy, alteration petrology and simulate a complete mineral deposit exploration program. Prerequisite: GEOL 2063 or concurrent enrollment. Lab fee $10.
412-3. Subsurface Methods. (2-3) A survey of the techniques used in groundwater, petroleum, and mineral exploration. The course focuses on use of borehole and surface geophysical data, well cuttings, and cores to characterize the geology of the subsurface. Computer mapping, cross section construction, and contouring techniques will be emphasized. Prerequisites: GEOL 3134 or approval of department head. Lab fee, $10.
486-3. Problems. (Credit variable) A course open to capable Geology and Earth Science students. Topics may vary according to student need. May be repeated for credit, subject to the approval of the department head. Prerequisite: Junior classification and approval of department head.
EARTH SCIENCE (ES) Undergraduate Courses
2203. Geographic Information Systems for the Sciences. (2-3) Applications of geographic information systems in the geological, environmental, earth, and other sciences. Laboratory exercises will apply GIS programs to geological and environmental problems. Course fee $15.
3203. Astronomy. (3-0) A study of astronomical instrumentation and methodologies, a survey of the solar system, star evolution, cosmology and the origins of the universe, and a review of galactic types and histories. Theory reinforced by field experience. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054 and 1064 or approval of department head. Course fee $10
3303. Meteorology.
(3-0) A
study of the Earth's atmosphere and the basic principles of weather
analysis, climate and climatic controls, with emphasis on climatic
effects on man. Theory reinforced by practical field experience.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1054 or approval of department head. Course
fee $10.
3403. Oceanography. (3-0) A study of our oceans from the physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects. Theory reinforced by practical field experience. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1064, junior classification or approval of department head. Course fee $40.
3503. Environmental Science. (3-0) Integration of existing knowledge of geological, hydrological, and environmental processes with environmental management and land-use planning issues; including discussions of surface and subsurface water quality and quantity, soil erosion, solid and liquid waste disposal and flooding. Case studies involving environmental impact analysis. Prerequisites: GEOL 1054, 1074; CHEM 1054, or approval of department head. Course fee: $10
4133. Environmental
Techniques. (2-3)
A survey of techniques used in environmental investigations focusing
on sampling and geochemical methods important to the environmental
industry. This will develop an understanding of methods of sampling
and sample preparation, the capability to select appropriate
measurement techniques, and the ability to assess results from
environmental measurement programs. Investigations will be planned
and executed and results interpreted and presented in various
formats. Topics to be covered may include topographic surveying,
geochemical sampling in surface waters and groundwater, soil
sampling and site characterization. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, GEOL
314, MATH 109, AGRN 301 or approval of department head. Lab fee
$10
Typically conducted as a 5 hour , one afternoon a week course.
4843. Earth Science Internship. (1-6) Pre-approved and supervised work experience in an environmental or earth science position in industry or the public sector. Prerequisite: Junior classification and approval of department head. Field experience fee $50.
4863. Problems. (Credit variable) A course open to capable Earth Science and Geology students. Topics may vary according to student need. May be repeated for credit, subject to the approval of the department head. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.
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