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. Additional fees may apply. See Class Schedule.
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.
Explores the dynamic intersection of science and cinema by evaluating depictions of the Earth sciences in Hollywood movies. Examines the scientific accuracy behind the on-screen depictions of natural hazards and evaluates the underlying processes that control their formation and dangers they represent. Provides practical insights on hazard preparedness and safety. Topics include Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions, Severe Weather, Asteroid Impacts, Space Travel, and Climate Change.
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.
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.
Same as GGIS 407. See GGIS 407.
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.
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.
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.
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. Prerequisite: GEOL 401 and MATH 285.
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.
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. Prerequisite: Familiarity with differential equations, introductory-level geochemistry.
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). 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.