Currently Offered Courses - Spring 2020
Introduces non-science majors to physical aspects (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tsunamis, mountains, plate tectonics) and historical aspects (formation of earth and life, dinosaurs, ice age, evolution of climate) in earth science. Presents information on earth resources, natural hazards, and development of natural landscapes. Focuses on humanistic issues; provides context for understanding environmental change. Optional lab demonstrations and field trips with co-registration in GEOL 110. Credit is not given for both GEOL 100 and GEOL 101, GEOL 103 or GEOL 107.
Develops geologic background, concepts, and principles through study of selected national parks and monuments. Examines the geologic framework and history, modern geologic processes, and factors influencing the present day landscape for each park area. Same as ESE 104.
Introduces Earth phenomena and processes. Includes minerals and rocks, continental drift, plate tectonics, rock deformation, igneous and sedimentary processes, geologic time, landscape evolution, internal structure and composition of the earth, groundwater, seismology and earthquakes, and formation of natural resources. Emphasizes the chemical and physical aspects of the Earth, and the basis for geological inference. Field trip required. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for both GEOL 107 and GEOL 100, GEOL 101 or GEOL 103. Prerequisite: Intended for science and science-oriented students.
Examines important theoretical and practical questions regarding the origin and evolution of life, as well as the search for life elsewhere in the universe. Uses the pioneering work of Carl Woese, whose "Tree of Life" revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental structure and evolutionary relatedness of all living entities on Earth. Same as ESE 111. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
Introduces the nature, causes, risks, effects, and prediction of natural disasters including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, subsidence, global climate change, severe weather, coastal erosion, floods, mass extinctions, and meteorite impacts; covers scientific principles and case histories of natural disasters as well as human responses (societal impact, mitigation strategies, and public policy). Same as ESE 118 and GLBL 118.
Presents systematic analysis of formation and evolution of the Earth and its dynamic systems (lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere). Also introduces methods of reconstructing Earth's history through use of geochronology, paleontology, and the stratigraphic records. Introduces the geological history of life evolution, mountain belts and continents, geochemical systems, climate, sea level, and the Earth's interior. Field trip required. Same as ESE 208. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Prerequisite: One of GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 103, GEOL 104 or GEOL 107; or consent of instructor.
Studies the origin, identification, and environmental significance of earth materials (minerals, rocks, and soil). Environmental topics include: mineral resources; acid mine drainage; volcanic hazards; swelling soils; engineering strength, porosity/permeability, and architectural uses of earth materials; and asbestos. One day field trip is required. Same as ESE 333. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for both GEOL 333 and GEOL 432. Prerequisite: CHEM 102 and CHEM 103; GEOL 100 and GEOL 110, or one of GEOL 101, GEOL 103, GEOL 104 or GEOL 107; or consent of instructor.
Increases student understanding of environmental issues of water supply and pollution, waste disposal, energy, environmental health, global change, and land evaluation and use by emphasizing the role of geology and its relationships to human activities. Course requires a one-day field trip. Same as ENVS 380. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Credit is not given for both GEOL 380 and ESE 445. Prerequisite: CHEM 102 and CHEM 103; and GEOL 100 and GEOL 110, or one of GEOL 101, GEOL 103, GEOL 104 or GEOL 107; or consent of instructor.
Research and individual study in geology. May be repeated. A maximum of 8 hours of GEOL 390 plus GEOL 391 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or equivalent; consent of supervising faculty member; advance approval by Department of Geology.
Research and individual study in geology for honors credit. May be repeated. A maximum of 8 hours of GEOL 390 plus GEOL 391 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or equivalent; consent of supervising faculty member and of departmental honors advisor; advance approval by Department of Geology.
Introduction to principles of rock deformation, stress, and strain; description and interpretation of geologic structures; study of methods for structural analysis; outline of geotectonic processes; three hours of lecture and a three-hour lab per week. Required four-day field trip. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 107 or consent of instructor.
Group field study in a prominent geologic locality; includes in-class meetings, student-led presentation, and field trip; trips run during spring break, winter break, in mid-end May or intercession; dates depend on location. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 2 to 8 undergraduate hours. 2 to 8 graduate hours. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Study of the minerals, compositions, textures, structures, classifications, and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks; lectures emphasize rock forming processes (petrology), and laboratories emphasize use of the petrographic microscope (petrography). Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 432.
Introduces dynamics of sedimentation, geology of sedimentary basins, the distribution of geologic processes through time, definition and correlation of stratigraphic units, principles of paleogeography, stratigraphy and tectonics. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or consent of instructor.
Overview of how seismology, magnetics, gravity, geodesy, and surface geology can help us understand the Earth from its surface to its core as well as its temporal evolution. Topics include the internal composition and dynamics of Earth, generation of Earth's gravitational and geomagnetic fields, driving mechanisms for tectonic plate motion, continental deformation, and surface topography. Students wanting a more quantitative treatment of geophysics should enroll in GEOL 452. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both GEOL 450 and GEOL 452. Prerequisite: PHYS 102 or 212, GEOL 107 or 101, or consent of instructor.
Students will conduct research under the direct supervision of a geology faculty member. Research topics will vary, and either a summary paper or a poster presentation at a regional or national science conference is required. 1 to 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated up to six hours. A maximum of 6 credit hours of GEOL 490 and GEOL 491 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or equivalent; Consent of supervising faculty member; advance approval by Department of Geology. Intended primarily for sophomores and juniors; not available to freshman students.
Students will conduct research for honors credit under the direct supervision of a geology faculty member. Research topics will vary, and either a summary paper or a poster presentation at a regional or national science conference is required. 1 to 3 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated up to 6 hours. A maximum of 6 credit hours of GEOL 490 and GEOL 491 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or equivalent; Consent of supervising faculty member and of departmental honors advisor; advance approval by Dept. of Geology. Intended primarily for sophomores and juniors who are James Scholars or Chancellor's Scholars; not available to freshman students.
Research in geology, with thesis; a thesis must be submitted for credit to be received. 2 to 8 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated. A maximum of 10 hours of GEOL 492 plus GEOL 493 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: Consent of supervising faculty member.
Research in geology with honors thesis; a thesis must be submitted for credit to be received. 2 to 8 undergraduate hours. No graduate credit. May be repeated. A maximum of 10 hours of GEOL 492 plus GEOL 493 may be counted toward graduation. Prerequisite: Consent of supervising faculty member and of departmental honors advisor.
Study of broad range of disciplines in geology including geochemistry, geophysics, and geobiology relating to the deep Earth, the crust/lithosphere and hydrosphere through readings of classic papers and presentations by current department faculty. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.
Group field study in a prominent geologic locality; includes in-class meetings, student-led presentation, and field trip; trips run during spring break, winter break, mid-end May or intercession; dates depend on location. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Explores dynamic characteristics of the solid earth. Covers physical and mathematical theories of deformation occurring on the surface and within the lithosphere and mantle. Discusses observations that can help us understand past and ongoing earth dynamics; these observation include topography, gravity, heat flow, geology, mineral physics, and seismic and magnetotelluric images, as well as plate tectonics theory. Includes regular lectures and tutorials on geodynamic modeling. Prerequisite: MATH 285, PHYS 211, GEOL 452, or consent of instructor.
Covers geomicrobiology as it relates to geochemistry with a primary focus on groundwater environments. Topics include energetics of microbial metabolism, influence of microorganisms on geochemistry, geochemical influences on microbial ecology, biogeochemical cycles and molecular biology tools in groundwater. Prerequisite: One year of college-level chemistry or consent of instructor required; one semester of college level biology recommended.
Hydrogeologic concepts and real-world datasets are explored using the coding language Python and associated packages (SciPy, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, FloPy). Data will be imported from a variety of sources, then analyzed to develop scientific models, and finally visualized. There will be hands-on experience with: 1) evaluating well tests to determine aquifer properties, 2) developing geologic and potentiometric surfaces from observed data, and 3) understanding implications of boundary conditions (surface waters, faults) on regional groundwater flow. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: GEOL 470, CEE 457, or consent of instructor.
Brings students up-to-date with current research over a broad spectrum of geoscience; improves students' oral presentation skills by practice and example. Required for all graduate students in Geology. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Department of Geology or consent of instructor.
Work may be taken in the following fields: (a) general geology; Field trip fee may be required for this section. (b) engineering geology; (c) geomorphology and glacial geology; (d) clay mineralogy; (e) ground-water geology; (f) geomicrobiology; (g) geological fluid dynamics; (h) mineralogy and crystallography; (i) paleontology; (j) geochemistry: (k) geophysics; (l) petrography and petrology; (m) sedimentology; (n) stratigraphy; (o) oceanography; (p) submarine geology; (q) structural geology and geotectonics; (r) mathematical geology; (s) sedimentary petrography; (t) petroleum geology; (u) coal geology; (v) isotope geology and geochronology; (w) electron beam analysis; (x) vulcanology; (y) environmental geology; and (z) planetology. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Approved for both letter and S/U grading. May be repeated.
Individual research under supervision of members of the faculty in their respective fields. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated.