Currently Offered Courses - Fall 2021
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.
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.
Integrated introduction to oceanography and marine geology and geophysics. Topics include ocean-basin formation and evolution (in the context of plate tectonics), ocean ecology, the hydrologic cycle, water chemistry, currents and waves, the interaction of oceans with climate, coastal hazards, resources, pollution, and the Law of the Sea. Course is oriented toward students not majoring in science. Same as ESE 117.
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.
Evolution of life from its beginning, illustrating changing faunas and floras through time; the invasion of land and of the skies; the effects of a changing atmosphere, changing climates, and continental drift. Emphasis on dinosaur evolution, ecology, and extinction; also other vertebrates, including mammal-like reptiles, mammals, and the emergence of humans, as well as plants and invertebrates. Same as ESE 143.
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.
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.
History, origin, and characteristics of land forms produced by weathering, fluvial, glacial, wind, and wave processes or by a combination of these acting upon the major kinds of geologic materials and structures. Lectures, laboratory, and field trips. Same as ESE 411. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 or consent of instructor.
Same as GEOG 407. See GEOG 407.
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.
Introduction to: crystallography; crystal optics; structure, composition, properties, stability and geological occurrences of minerals; and mineral identification. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both GEOL 333 and GEOL 432. Prerequisite: GEOL 208 and CHEM 104 and CHEM 105.
Provides a broad overview of basic concepts and fundamental knowledge of the physics of the Earth. Topics include seismology, gravity, geomagnetism, Earth's thermal state, and geodynamics. Intended for undergraduates in the geophysics concentration and other students who want a more quantitative treatment of the subject than GEOL 450. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both GEOL 452 and GEOL 450. Prerequisite: MATH 241 and PHYS 211; or consent of instructor.
Fundamental chemical and physical concepts applied to geological processes; topics include: origin, distribution, and geochemical behavior of elements; chemical evolution of the Earth; geochemistry of natural waters and sedimentary rocks; isotope geochemistry, crystal chemistry, trace element geochemistry and organic geochemistry. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 101 or GEOL 107; CHEM 104; CHEM 105; MATH 220 or MATH 221; or consent of instructor.
Introduction to the occurrence and movement of groundwater through the earth's crust; topics include aquifers and porous media, fluid flow and solute transport, well installation, groundwater contamination, recharge/discharge, irrigation and hydrocarbon resources. Same as ESE 470. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: MATH 220 or MATH 221; senior standing is recommended; or consent of instructor.
Survey of the fundamental science and US policy underpinning the practices of environmental consultancy. Environmental consulting is an interdisciplinary field drawing together engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, biologists, chemists, lawyers, social workers, social scientists, lobbyists and analysts. This course describes the myriad of pathways into environmental consulting and prepares students with the fundamental policy and science concepts. Subjects covered are the framework of environmental policy, chemicals of concern and their properties, environmental site assessment, site remediation, land use and ecosystem restoration as well as indoor environmental concerns. Same as ESE 486. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours.
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.
Seminar or lectures in subjects not covered by regular course offerings; for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
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.
Introduction to geochemical processes occurring in natural waters, with emphasis on the thermodynamic and kinetic controls governing chemical speciation, surface complexation, redox cycling and mineral formation and stability. Applications to a variety of soil and groundwater systems will be presented. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: CHEM 104; CHEM 105; MATH 220 or 221; GEOL 460; or equivalents; or consent of instructor.
Introduces principles and applications of chemical and isotopic analysis of geological materials, including x-ray spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and atomic spectroscopy. Lectures cover theory of analysis while practical laboratory based exercises focus on how instruments work and instrument operation. Individually tailored analysis project constitutes a major part of assessment. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Introduces surface water and groundwater remediation in the context of chemistry and microbiology using real-world problems and geochemical modeling software. Provides a foundational understanding of microbial metabolism as it relates to bioremediation including specific chemical reactions that are critical to contaminated water clean-up. Emphasis is placed on the integral roles of both abiotic and biotic chemical reactions that are critical to remediation of inorganic and organic contaminants. Uses geochemical modeling to apply chemical and biological principles to the analysis of remediation case-studies. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: One year of college-level chemistry 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.