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.
Introduces practical techniques for identification of rocks, minerals, and fossils; interpretation of geologic maps and cross-sections; appreciation of Midwestern geologic history and geologic features and landforms in the field. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
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.
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.
Traces the development of key ideas in the science, beginning with musings of the ancient Greek and Roman philosophers and early observations of the Earth by European and Arab scholars. Considers advances in mapmaking that span thousands of years and examines the origins of the Geologic Time Scale, including determination of the ages of rocks. Looks at early geologists from around the world, in the US, in Illinois, and at the U of I. Reads some classic papers establishing the grand unifying theory of geology: plate tectonics. Prerequisite: A 100-level geology course (excluding GEOL 110 and GEOL 143). Intended for both non-science students and geology majors.
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.
Explores volcanoes from a hazards standpoint by investigating case studies of volcanic disaster, evaluating important controls of volcanism such as magma viscosity and behavior of bubbles, and introducing the monitoring of active volcanoes with cutting edge methods such as seismicity, gravity, and remote sensing. Understanding the interactions among these complex parameters plays a critical role in assessing the evolution of shallow magma systems and investigating their potential for remaining stable or developing into hazardous eruptive systems, which can threaten nearby populations. Prerequisite: Any 100-level Geology course (excluding GEOL 106, GEOL 111, and GEOL 143).
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.
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 GGIS 407. See GGIS 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.
Applied digital field methods. Students develop research strategies, collect remote field observations, compile unit descriptions, measure stratigraphic sections, evaluate and interpret uncertainty in data, construct geologic maps and cross sections, and interpret natural hazard maps. Uses digital topographic overlays in Google Earth and remote data imported into GIS. Designed to prepare students for successful careers in the geosciences. 3 undergraduate hours. 3 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 6 hours, in separate terms if topics vary. Prerequisite: GEOL 411, GEOL 208 or GEOL 440, and one additional 400-level geology course, or permission of the instructor.
Field course based in the mountains of the western United States. Provides intensive practical experience in geologic mapping, as well as instruction in field structural, stratigraphic, geomorphologic, and petrologic analysis. Offered during summer session only. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. 6 undergraduate hours. 6 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Eight hours of 400-level credit in geology, or consent of instructor; GEOL 411, GEOL 432, and GEOL 440 are recommended.
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.
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.
Discusses geophysical methods to reveal subsurface structures. Topics include seismic methods, gravity, magnetics, electrical methods, ground penetrating radar, borehole geophysics, and their applications to hydrocarbon and mineral exploration as well as engineering and environmental investigations. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Several required local trips for field experiments. Prerequisite: MATH 241 and PHYS 212; or consent of instructor.
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.
Introducing the basic theory of seismic wave generation and propagation and its application to Earth structure and earthquakes, including body waves, surface waves, inference of Earth structure, seismic prospecting, earthquake mechanisms, and strong ground motions. 3 or 4 undergraduate hours. 3 or 4 graduate hours. Students participating in optional class projects receive an additional hour of credit. Prerequisite: MATH 285 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.
Same as ATMS 421, ESE 421, GGIS 421 and NRES 422. See ATMS 421.
Survey of Earth's past climate variability, ranging from million-year to interannual time scales. Introduction to paleoclimate proxies including tree rings, marine and lake sediment cores, ice cores, corals, and speleothems. Focus on the drivers of climate change, major modes of climate variability, and how paleoclimate data can inform projections of future climate change. Same as IB 484. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing required.
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.
History and significance of conceptual, analog and numerical models of landscape evolution with discussion of philosophical and practical considerations for numerical modeling of coupled geomorphic, geodynamic, ecological and climatic processes. Students will develop and test numerical models of geomorphic settings of their choosing and critique recent publications presenting landscape evolution models. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: GEOL 401 and MATH 285.
Common applications of geographic information science in geology including examples involving environmental geology, geomorphology, water quality, natural hazards, and structural geology. Develops practical skills using industry-standard GIS software. Case studies requiring GIS analyses will be completed to produce written reports, maps and oral presentations for a range of audiences. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: GEOL 401, GEOL 411, and GEOL 470, or consent of the instructor. Restricted to undergraduate majors with permission of instructor and M.S. and Ph.D. students in SESE (Geology, GGIS, and Atmospheric Science) only.
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.
Study of selected topics concerning rock deformation processes and products. Introduces current research literature and methods, and the techniques of structural analysis. May include an optional field trip. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Prerequisite: GEOL 411 or equivalent; consent of instructor.
Discussion of plate tectonics theory, and nature and distribution of regional-scale earth structures, such as mountain belts; includes study of geological and geophysical evidence that led to modern interpretations of evolution of earth's lithosphere. Field trip required. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. Prerequisite: GEOL 411 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, mid-end May or intercession; dates depend on location. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule. May be repeated. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Application of geoscience to understanding the nature and occurrence of hydrocarbon resources. Emphasizes: source-rock geology and geochemistry, process of petroleum migration, nature of reservoirs and traps, exploration and drilling procedures, interpretation of seismic-reflection profiles, cross-section and sub-surface map construction, classification and tectonics of petroleum-bearing sedimentary basins, application of sequence stratigraphy to exploration, and petroleum-related environmental issues. Prerequisite: GEOL 411 and GEOL 440, or equivalent.
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.
The state of Earth's interior, emphasizing its chemical composition and mineralogy. Focuses on the interpretation of geochemical, petrologic, and laboratory geophysical data related to deep Earth composition, thermal state, structure, and evolution. Prerequisite: GEOL 450, GEOL 452, or 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.
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.
Introduction to the theoretical basis for isotopic fractionation in nature; survey of isotopic variations in natural materials; and application of isotopic variations to problems of geological and environmental significance. Prerequisite: 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.
Geochronology encompasses study of the dates and rates of geologic processes, and development of geochemical clocks used to time these events. Covers important geochronologic methods and discusses prominent geochronology-related questions. Focus on three areas: geochronology of the crust, mantle, and core; thermochronology; Quaternary geochronology, or study of dates and rates of geologic processes affecting Earth's surface and atmosphere in recent geologic past. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. Prerequisite: Familiarity with differential equations, introductory-level geochemistry.
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.
Quantitative study of the chemical, physical, and microbiological processes controlling the mobility, reaction, and transformation of pollutants in flowing groundwater. Prerequisite: GEOL 460 or GEOL 560 or CEE 443 or CEE 534; and GEOL 470 or GEOL 570 or CEE 457 or CEE 557; or consent of instructor.
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.
Application of isotope measurements in hydrogeology. Groundwater age dating, stable isotope ratios and anthropogenic radionuclides will be considered in the context of studying a broad range of hydrologic problems, from siting of nuclear waste disposal to understanding the migration of groundwater in sedimentary basins. Prerequisite: GEOL 470 or GEOL 562; 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.
Supervised individual research project in applied geology as a final requirement for non-thesis master’s degree in Geology. Applies theory and knowledge from program course work in applied Geology to a project in their profession through planning, research, and the collection, analysis, modeling, assimilation, and presentation of data. Student work closely with faculty capstone advisor to determine project focus and expected outcome(s). 4 to 8 graduate hours. No professional credit. May be repeated in separate terms to a maximum of 8 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Consent of academic advisor and research advisor and acceptance of the GEOL 598 Application, prior to enrollment. Restricted to students in the non-thesis M.S. in Geology program.
Individual research under supervision of members of the faculty in their respective fields. Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated.