GEOL 100 Physical Geology (3)
A general survey of
the rocks and minerals composing the earth, its surface
features and the agents that form them, and the dynamic forces of plate tectonics.
GEOL 102 Historical Geology (4)
Three hours of lecture and
three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: GEOL100 or
GEOL120, and GEOL110 or permission of department.
Earth’s
history as revealed through the principles of stratigraphy and
the processes of physical geology. Emphasis on formations
and geologic development of the North American continent.
GEOL 104 Dinosaurs: A Natural History (3)
Dinosaurs, their
evolution and extinction in the context of changing
environments. Students will examine the geologic record and
the tools used by geologists to determine geologic ages and
sequences, dinosaur biology and classification, dinosaur social
structure, and their role in the ecosystem. Mechanisms of
global change ranging from plate tectonics to asteroid impact
will be discussed.
GEOL 110 Physical Geology Laboratory (1)
Three hours of
laboratory per week.
Pre- or corequisite: GEOL100 or GEOL120.
The basic materials and tools of physical geology stressing
familiarization with rocks and minerals and the use of maps in
geologic interpretations.
GEOL 120 Environmental Geology (3)
A review of
geologic factors underlying many environmental problems and
the interactions between population and physical environment:
geologic hazards, land-use planning, conservation, mineral
resources, waste disposal, land reclamation, and the geologic
aspects of health and disease. The course is aimed at lower
division students in education and liberal arts, and should be
useful to any student concerned with geologic perspectives of
environmental problems.
GEOL 123 Causes and Implications of Global Change (3)
Also
offered as AOSC123, and GEOG123. Credit will be granted for
only one of the following: AOSC123, GEOG123, GEOL123, or
METO123.
This course offers a unique experience in integrating
physical, chemical, geologic, and biological sciences with
geographical, economic, sociological and political knowledge
skills toward a better understanding of global change. Review
of environmental science relating to weather and climate
change, acid precipitation, ozone holes, global warming, and
impacts on biology, agriculture, and human behavior. Study of
the natural, long-term variability of the global environment, and
what influence mankind may have in perturbing it from its
natural evolution. Concepts of how physical, biological, and
human behavioral systems interact, and the repercussions
which may follow from human endeavors. The manner in which
to approach decision and policy making related to issues of
global change.
GEOL 210 Gems and Gemstones (3)
A survey of the origin,
occurrences, properties, fashioning, and treatments of natural
and synthetic materials, with emphasis on diamonds and
colored stones.
GEOL 212 Planetary Geology (3)
An examination of the
geologic and geochemical processes at work in the solar
system from the perspectives supplied by space age
exploration of the planets and other solar system bodies.
GEOL 214 Global Energy Systems and Resources
(3)
Prerequisite: A course in the natural sciences, environmental
policy, geography, or permission of the instructor. Possible
courses include: CPSP123, ENSP101, ENSP102, GEOG100,
GEOG201, GEOL100, GEOL120, MATH140, or PHYS117,
CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135 and CHEM136, or
CHEM103.
Focuses on energy systems and resources on a
global scale. It addresses energy transfer in natural systems,
distribution of energy resources in the natural world, and
problems of efficiency and limited energy resources. It is
appropriate for those interested in science and technical
energy issues as well as policy, education and the media.
GEOL 288 Field Studies I (1)
Repeatable to 3 credits if content
differs.
Examination and investigation of Earth Science
phenomena in the field, particularly geology. Involves fieldwork
of one week or longer duration, which work normally includes
both observation and data collection. Particular programs may
require certain prerequisites. Permission of Instructor is
required. Special fees may be necessary.
GEOL 322 Mineralogy (4)
Three hours of lecture and three
hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL100 or
GEOL120, GEOL110; and one of the following: CHEM131 and
CHEM132, CHEM135 and CHEM136; or CHEM103.
Basic
mineralogy for geology majors. The principles of morphologic
crystallography, crystal chemistry, and determinative
mineralogy.
GEOL 331 Invertebrate Paleontology (4)
Three hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites:
GEOL100 or GEOL120, GEOL110, and GEOL102; or permission
of department.
A review of the theory, principles, and
applications of Paleontology. A systematic overview of the
morphology, evolution, and relationships of the major fossilproducing
taxa.
GEOL 340 Geomorphology (4)
Three hours of lecture and three
hours of laboratory per week. Two Saturday field trips.
Prerequisite: GEOL100 or GEOL120.
Analysis of landforms,
organized on the basis of the geologic processes that have
operated during the late Cenozoic. Constructional and erosional
landforms related to physical systems operating on geologic
structures through time.
GEOL 341 Structural Geology (4)
Three hours of lecture and
three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: GEOL100 or
GEOL120, GEOL110, and GEOL102; or permission of
department.
Study of the deformation of Earth’s lithosphere,
especially stress, rheology, strain, and the origin and
significance of structural features. Development of 3-
dimensional thinking through drafting and drawing of structures,
construction of geologic maps and cross-sections, and
stereographic and orthographic representation of structures.
Improvement of scientific writing. Two weekend field trips.
GEOL 342 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4)
Three hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite:
GEOL100 or GEOL120, GEOL110, and GEOL322; and one of
the following: CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135 and
CHEM136, or CHEM103.
Description, origin, and distribution of
sediments and sedimentary rocks. Mandatory field trip.
GEOL 375 Introduction to the Blue Ocean (3)
Prerequisite:
MATH140.
Recommended: MATH141, PHYS161, or PHYS171.
Also offered as AOSC375. Credit will be granted for only one of
the following: AOSC375, GEOL375, or METO375.
Introduction
to physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ocean.
Role of the ocean in climate as a component of the Earth
system. El Nino and the ocean, impact of global warming on
the ocean and marine habitats including fisheries.
GEOL 386 Experiential Learning (3-6)
Prerequisite: permission
of department. Junior standing.
GEOL 388 Field Studies II (3)
Repeatable to 6 credits if content
differs.
Examination and investigation of Earth Science
phenomena in the field, particularly geology. Involves field work
of one week or a longer duration, which would normally involve
both observations and data collection, with associated
classroom lectures and/or laboratory study, normally including
additional analysis of collected observations and data. Particular
programs may require certain prerequisites. Permission of
instructor required. Special fees may be necessary.
GEOL 393 Technical Writing for Geoscientists (3)
Prerequisites: For GEOL majors only; minimum of Junior
standing and at least 2 Upper Level GEOL courses with at least
a third GEOL course concurrent.
Planning, writing and
presenting a plan for research in the geosciences.
GEOL 394 Research Problems in Geology (3)
Prerequisite: For
GEOL majors only; minimum of Junior standing, GEOL393 and
at least 3 Upper Level GEOL courses. Investigation of a specific
laboratory, library or field problem.
Written and oral
presentation of the study.
GEOL 410 Industrial Rocks and Minerals (3)
Prerequisite:
GEOL322.
The origin; occurrence; mineralogy; extraction and
treatment technology; production and deposit-evaluation of
rocks and minerals used in the construction, ceramic, chemical
and allied industries. Restricted to non-fuels, non-metallic, nongem
materials. Field trips to industrial locations are required.
GEOL 423 Optical Mineralogy (3)
One hour of lecture and four
hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL100 or
GEOL120, GEOL110, GEOL322, and one of the following:
CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135 and CHEM136, or
CHEM103.
The optical behavior of crystals with emphasis on
the theory and application of the petrographic microscope.
GEOL 436 Principles of Biogeochemistry (3)
Three hours of
lecture per week.
Prerequisite: MATH140 or 220, GEOL100 or
GEOL120, GEOL322, and one of the following: CHEM131 and
CHEM132, CHEM135 and CHEM136, or CHEM103.
An
introduction to the basic principles of biogeochemistry including
aspects of organic geochemistry, biochemistry, microbiology,
global geochemical cycles, the origin of life and
paleoenvironmental evolution.
GEOL 437 Global Climate Change: Past and Present (3)
Prerequisite: MATH115 or MATH140; GEOL100 or GEOL120,
and one of the following: CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135
and CHEM136, or CHEM103.
The goal of the course is to
highlight the fact that global climate change is part of the Earth’s
past as well as of its present and future. Changes in climate that
have occurred in the geologic past can be viewed as the Earth’s
natural climate variability. These changes are different from,
though could be linked with, historical and present
anthropogenically-induced climate change. We will discuss the
modern climate system, the factors capable of forcing climate
change on various time scales, the geologic proxies of past
climate change and what these proxies tell us. Finally, we will
compare and contrast past climate change with what is
understood (and not understood) about modern climate change.
GEOL 443 Petrology (4)
Two lectures and one laboratory per
week.
Prerequisites: GEOL100 or GEOL120, GEOL110, and
GEOL322, and one of the following: CHEM131 and CHEM132,
CHEM135 and CHEM136, or CHEM103.
Corequisite:
GEOL423.
Study of igneous and metamorphic rocks:
petrogenesis, distributions, chemical and mineralogical
relations, macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, geologic
significance.
GEOL 444 Low Temperature Geochemistry (4)
Three hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite:
CHEM103, or CHEM135 and CHEM136; MATH115, GEOL100,
and GEOL322.
Basic chemical principles, thermodynamics, and
kinetics of low-temperature inorganic and organic geochemical
reactions in a wide range of surface environments. These
geochemical tools will be used to provide a context for
understanding elemental cycling and climate change.
Laboratories will include problem sets as well as wet chemical
and mass spectrometric techniques used in low temperature
geochemistry.
GEOL 445 High Temperature Geochemistry (4)
Three hours of
lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisite:
CHEM103, or CHEM135 and CHEM136; MATH115, GEOL100,
and GEOL322.
Review of chemical principles and their use in
understanding processes of Earth, and solar system formation
and differentiation. Topics include nucleosynthesis and cosmochemical abundances of elements, bonding and element
partitioning, equilibrium thermodynamics and phase stabilities,
radiogenic isotopes and geochronology, kinetics, and diffusion.
GEOL 446 Geophysics (3)
Two lectures and one laboratory per
week.
Prerequisite: PHYS142.
An introduction to the basic
theories and principles of geophysics stressing such important
applications as rock magnetism, gravity anomalies, crustal
strain and earthquakes, and surveying.
GEOL 451 Groundwater (3)
Prerequisites: MATH140,
GEOL100 or GEOL120, GEOL110 and one of the following:
CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135 and CHEM136, or
CHEM103; or permission of department. Junior standing.
An
introduction to the basic geologic parameters associated with
the hydrologic cycle. Problems in the accumulation,
distribution, and movement of groundwater will be analyzed.
GEOL 452 Watershed and Wetland Hydrology (3)
Prerequisite:
permission of department. Junior standing.
Physical processes
by which water moves in watershed and wetland systems. Topics
include: precipitation, infiltration, flow in the unsaturated zone,
streamflow generation processes, and groundwater flow.
GEOL 462 Geological Remote Sensing (3)
One lecture and two
laboratories per week.
Prerequisite: One of the following:
GEOL100/110; GEOL120/110; or GEOL103.
An introduction to
geologic remote sensing including applications of aerial
photographic interpretation to problems in regional geology,
engineering geology, structural geology, and stratigraphy. Films,
filters, and criteria used in selecting imagery are also
discussed. Laboratory exercises include measurements of
geologic parameters and compilation and transference of data
to base maps.
GEOL 471 Geochemical Methods of Analysis (3)
Prerequisite:
One of the following: CHEM131 and CHEM132, CHEM135 and
CHEM136, or CHEM103; and CHEM113.
Principles and
application of geochemical analysis as applied to a variety of
geological problems. X-ray and optical spectroscopy, X-ray
diffraction, atomic absorption, electron microprobe, and
electron microscopy.
GEOL 472 Tectonics (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL100 or GEOL120,
GEOL110, GEOL102, and GEOL341; or permission of
department.
Selected tectonic elements of orogenic belts
through out the world viewed in the framework of plate
tectonics and sea floor spreading.
GEOL 489 Special Topics (3-6)
Prerequisites: For GEOL majors
only; minimum of Junior standing and at least 2 Upper Level
GEOL courses with at least a third GEOL course and GEOL393
concurrent.
Recent advances in geology.
GEOL 490 Geology Field Camp (6)
Prerequisite: GEOL341 and
GEOL443.
Intense field geology course taught off campus
during the summer. Students describe and compile maps of
formations and structures from outcrops, subsurface, and
remotely sensed data. Special fees required.
GEOL 491 Environmental Geology Field Camp (3-6)
Prerequisites: GEOL341 and GEOL342 and GEOL451 or
permission of department.
Credit will be granted for only one of
the following: GEOL490 or GEOL491.
Intensive field course
designed for students of environmental geology. Students will
learn to make maps, to describe soil profiles and site
characteristics, to monitor hydrologic and groundwater conditions,
and to measure geologic structures and stratigraphic sections.
GEOL 499 Special Problems in Geology (1-3)
Prerequisites:
GEOL100 or GEO120, GEOL110, GEOL102; or equivalent; and
permission of department.
Intensive study of a special geologic
subject or technique selected after consultation with instructor.
Intended to provide training or instruction not available in other
courses which will aid the student’s development in his or her
field of major interest.