Course Description

GEOL 100. Introduction to Geology (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. The earth; physical and historical geology; including economic, social and environmental aspects. Not open to geology majors and minors. Credit allowed for no more than one: GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 104. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement.

GEOL 101. Earth Systems Science (3). Survey of the connections, evolution and interactions between atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, solid earth, and the universe. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Appropriate for science education majors. Credit allowed for no more than one: GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 104. Not applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement.

GEOL 104. Earth Environments (4). Fall, Spring, Summer. Introduction to the science of geology. Relationship of man to physical environment of the earth and its natural resources. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Credit allowed for no more than one: GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 104. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement. Extra fee.

GEOL 105. Life Through Time (4). Introduction to the origin, evolution, and extinction of major fossil groups in relation to a changing Earth through time. Three lectures and one two-hour lab. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement. Extra fee.

GEOL 199. Independent Study (1-3). On demand. Supervised study in Geology to meet student's need for special exploration in areas not covered by regular courses; projects chosen in consultation with advisor, may include library, field, and/or laboratory work. For lower division students only. May be repeated for a total of three hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 205. Geologic History of Man (3). Fall. Evolution, distribution, way of life and geologic history of prehistoric hominids. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement.

GEOL 215. Geologic History of Dinosaurs (3). Spring. Evolution, ways of life and extinction of the Dinosauria; geologic history of vertebrates and dinosaurs in relation to a changing earth. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement. Extra fee.

GEOL 250. Field-based Physical Geology (5). Fall. Introduction to geologic materials, structures, and landforms. Geology of selected national parks and regional geologic hazards. Emphasis on scientific methods. Experience reporting the findings of experiments orally and in writing. Interdisciplinary approach combining social and geological sciences. Taught as a 9-week field/camping trip across the U.S.A. Corequisites: GEOL 251, ACS 252, and ENVS 253. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. With GEOL 251, satisfies the natural sciences lab sequence and general education requirements. Honors credit optional. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement. Extra fee.

GEOL 251. Field-based Historical Geology (5). Fall. Methods, concepts, and principles for interpreting Earth history in the field; interactions of tectonic, biological, and climatic processes through time; emphasis on examples found in North America. Experience with conducting and reporting the results of a geological mapping project orally and in writing. Taught as a 9-week field/camping trip across the U.S.A. Corequisites: GEOL 250, ACS 252, and ENVS 253. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. With GEOL 250, satisfies the natural sciences lab sequence and general education requirements. Honors credit optional. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement. Extra fee.

GEOL 302. Earth Materials I (4). Fall. Classification, identification, chemistry, association, economics and genesis of crystals, minerals and rocks. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites or corequisites: GEOL 104, GEOL 315, and CHEM 125 or CHEM 135.

GEOL 303. Earth Materials II (4). Spring. A continuation of GEOL 302; identification, classification, chemistry, association and genesis of rocks. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. One field trip required. Prerequisite: GEOL 302.

GEOL 304. Geology of the National Parks (4). U.S. regional geology as illustrated in the national park system. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 1O4, or GEOL 250.

GEOL 306. Rocks and Minerals (4). Study of minerals and rocks including their physical and chemical properties, modes of formation, and the information they provide about earth processes and earth history. Appropriate for pre-service teachers. Two lectures and two two-hour laboratories. Not open to geology majors. Credit not given for GEOL 302 and GEOL 306. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101 or GEOL 104.

GEOL 309. Earth Structures and Tectonics (4). Fall. Identification and interpretation of geologic structures; mechanics of rock deformation, fracturing and folding, plate tectonics and orogeny. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 302, PHYS 201 or PHYS 211, and MATH 129 or equivalent; or consent of instructor.

GEOL 315. Quantitative Methods in Geology (3). Uses of quantitative methods including summary statistics, regression analysis, and data visualization as applied to Geology. Presentation of research results required. Prerequisites: GEOL 104 or GEOL 105, MATH 128, or consent of instructor. Corequisite: GEOL 302.

GEOL 316. Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4). Spring. Classification and origins of sedimentary rocks; depositional environments; stratigraphic principles and procedures. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 105 and GEOL 302.

GEOL 322. Environmental Geology (3). Environmental aspects of geology, including natural hazards, resource exploitation, waste disposal, pollution and biochemical cycles. One half-day field trip required. Credit not given for both GEOL 322 and GEOL 420. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 104. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) natural sciences requirement.

GEOL 401. Economic Geology (4). Classification and genesis of metallic ore deposits illustrated by study of classic areas. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 302 and GEOL 309.

GEOL 402. Computer Applications in Geology (3). Methods for the retrieval, extraction and manipulation of geological information and numerical data using computers. Prerequisites: minimum of nine credit hours in GEOL and knowledge of a computer language; or consent of instructor.

GEOL 403. Geographic Information Systems (4). Collection, manipulation, integration and automated display of spatial data from various disciplines with particular emphases on environmental geology, resource management and geographic analysis. Credit allowed for no more than one: GEOL 403, ENVS 403, GEOG 424.

GEOL 405. Volcanology (3). On demand. Study of volcanic phenomena; understanding eruptions and their products; impact on humans. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: GEOL 302 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 410. Geomorphology (4). Systematic study of surface processes and landforms; applications to environmental and historical geology. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Two field trips required. Prerequisite: GEOL 101, GEOL 104, or GEOL 250.

GEOL 415. Paleontology (4). Fall. Principles of paleontology; major groups of fossil animals. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Field trips outside of class time required. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 419. Vertebrate Paleontology (3). Fossil vertebrates and their morphology, classification and evolution. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100, GEOL 101, GEOL 105 or BIOL 104.

GEOL 425. Micropaleontology (3). Classification, morphology, phylogeny and paleoecology of selected groups of microfossils. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 415 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 431. Aqueous Geochemistry (4). Geochemistry of natural waters, including fluid/rock reactions, solution chemistry, solubility, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 302, MATH 131 or MATH 134 (may be taken concurrently) or consent of instructor.

GEOL 432. Solid Earth Geophysics (4). Gravity, magnetic and seismic properties of the earth; plate tectonics. Three lectures and one two-hour problem-solving laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 309, PHYS 201 or PHYS 211, or consent of instructor.

GEOL 440. Geologic Remote Sensing (4). Use of remotely sensed multispectral data for geological applications. Data acquisition, image processing and interpretation. Recent advances in geologic remote-sensing research. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 309.

GEOL 445. Surface Water Hydrogeology (4). Geological aspects of flowing water at the earth's surface, emphasizing open-channel hydraulics, flood analysis, sediment transport and water quality. Three lectures and one recitation section. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 446. Groundwater Hydrogeology (4). Hydraulics of groundwater flow, hydrologic properties of geologic materials, evaluation of groundwater resources and contamination. Three lectures and one recitation section. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 470. Readings in Geology (1-3). On demand. Supervised independent readings in an area of Geology. Does not satisfy the 400-level elective requirement for Geology BS majors. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 480. Seminar in Geology (1-3). Study of selected topic. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 485. Current Topics in Geology (1). On demand. Current topics or issues in Geology. Does not satisfy the 400-level elective requirement for Geology BS majors. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Graded S/U.

GEOL 490. Independent Research in Geology (1-3). On demand. Individual work for student who has shown proficiency and marked degree of independence in work. Does not satisfy the 400-level elective requirement for Geology BS majors. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 493. Field Experience (1-6). Summer only. Recognition and study of geologic materials, structures and landforms in the field. Written report required. Not open to B.S. geology majors. Prerequisites: GEOL 104 and GEOL 105, or GEOL 304, or consent of instructor. Extra fee.

GEOL 494. Field Geology (6). Summer only. Principles and practices of field geology and geologic mapping. Final map and report required. Prerequisites: grade of C or better in both GEOL 309 and GEOL 316 or consent of instructor. Extra fee.

GEOL 498. Senior Thesis Proposal (1). Fall, Spring. Intensive independent study of a topic of interest in the geological sciences. Students first define then propose an original research project. Proposals will be presented orally. Prerequisites: GEOL 302, GEOL 309, GEOL 315, GEOL 316.

GEOL 499. Senior Thesis Research (2). Fall, Spring. Experience with conducting and reporting the results of an original research project on a topic of interest in the geological sciences. Reporting the results will be done as a written report and oral presentation. Prerequisite: GEOL 498.

GEOL 501. Economic Geology (4). Fall (alternate years). Classification and genesis of metallic ore deposits illustrated by study of classic areas. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 309 and GEOL 302.

GEOL 503. Geographic Information Systems (4). Fall. Collection, manipulation, integration, and automated display of spatial data from various disciplines with particular emphases on environmental geology, resource management, and geographic analysis.

GEOL 505. Volcanology (3). On demand. Study of volcanic phenomena; understanding eruptions and their products; impact on humans. Prerequisite: GEOL 302 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 510. Geomorphology (4). Systematic study of surface processes and landforms; applications to environmental and historical geology. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 104 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 515. Paleontology (4). Fall, Spring. Principles of paleontology; major groups of fossil animals. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Field trips outside of class time required. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 531. Aqueous Geochemistry (4). Fall (alternate years). Geochemistry of natural waters including fluid/rock reactions, solution chemistry, solubility, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 303, MATH 131 or MATH 134, or consent of instructor.

GEOL 540. Geologic Remote Sensing (4). Fall (alternate years). Use of remotely sensed multispectral data for geological applications. Data acquisition, image processing, and interpretation. Recent advances in geologic remote sensing research. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 309.

GEOL 545. Surface Water Hydrogeology (4). Spring (alternate years). Geological aspects of flowing water at the earth's surface, emphasizing open channel hydraulics, flood analysis, sediment transport, and water quality. Three lectures and one recitation section. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 546. Groundwater Hydrogeology (4). Spring (alternate years). Hydraulics of groundwater flow, hydrologic properties of geologic materials, evaluation of groundwater resources, and contamination. Three lectures and one recitation section. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 580. Seminar in Geology (1-3). Systematic exploration of a particular aspect of the discipline. May be repeated with approval of the graduate coordinator.

GEOL 601. Teaching in the Geological Sciences (1). Fall. Pedagogical methods for teaching introductory geology labs. Classroom experience, observation and preparation of teaching materials, including preparation of lectures and classroom demonstrations, preparation of quizzes and exams, and use of technology in the classroom. Required of all graduate teaching assistants. Graded S/U.

GEOL 605. Isotope Geochemistry (3). On demand. Principles and applications of radiogenic and stable isotope systems to geologic and environmental problems. Topics include isotope formation and stability, radioactive decay, geochronology, and common isotope tracer systems. Three one-hour lectures. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 609. Structural Geology (3). Spring. Study of the deformation of the earth's crust. Analysis of stress and strain. Origin and significance of geologic structures. Two lectures and one two-hour lab. Prerequisites: GEOL 309.

GEOL 615. Engineering Geology (3). Characterization of geologic materials for engineering purposes; engineering properties of soils; slope stability; evaluation of natural hazards; foundation design. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory.

GEOL 616. Applied Surface and Groundwater Modeling (4). Applied modeling of the hydrogeologic cycle. The course focuses on three areas of the hydrogeologic modeling: surface water modeling, aquifer property testing, and ground water modeling. The course integrates lectures, discussions, and project-based lab exercises. Software used includes: Arcview, Hec-RAS, Mod-Flow, and Starpoint softwares Aquifer Pump Test Programs.

GEOL 620. Environmental Geophysics (4). Application of geophysical techniques to the exploration of the shallow subsurface with an emphasis on environmental problems. Seismic reflection and refraction, resistivity, magnetics, and gravity. Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 309, PHYS 201 or PHYS 211, or consent of instructor.

GEOL 623. Sedimentary Environments (3). Fall. Study of principles and concepts involved in reconstructing ancient sedimentary depositional environments by way of lithologic, structural, and biologic aspects of sedimentary rocks and use of facies models. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory/demonstration/lecture. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 631. Quantitative Paleontology (3). Spring (alternate years). Quantitative approaches to paleontological problems, including phylogenetic reconstruction, morphometrics, paleoecology, biostratigraphy, and random models. Discussion of theory and mathematical concepts, hands-on practice, and analysis of case studies. Prerequisites: GEOL 415/GEOL 515 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 633. Advanced Paleobiology (3). Spring (alternate years). Paleobiological aspects of paleontology: paleoecology, paleobiogeography, evolution, phylogeny, and biochronology. Selected case histories. Prerequisites: GEOL 415 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 639. Glacial Geology (3). Fall (alternate years). Glacial processes and influence on landscape. Three one-hour lectures. Three one-day field trips required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 640. Environmental Remote Sensing (3). Fall (alternate years). Use of multispectral remote sensing data for environmental applications. Examples of localized environmental studies and engineering geology. Results of global monitoring of Earth's atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, geological hazards, and manmade hazards by remote sensing satellites, as well as future needs. Two lectures and one two-hour lab, including Internet applications. Prerequisite: GEOL 440 or GEOL 540, or consent of instructor.

GEOL 645. Sedimentary Basin Analysis (3). Fall (alternate years). Study of sedimentary basins in their tectonic and paleogeographic setting, with emphasis on collection and analysis of field data, geophysical logs, basin mapping techniques, seismic stratigraphy, and thermal maturity studies. Prerequisite: GEOL 316.

GEOL 670. Geology Colloquium (1). Fall, Spring. Current topics in geology. Presentation and discussion of topics of interest to the geological community as a whole. May be repeated. Graded S/U.

GEOL 680. Seminar in Geology (1-3). Fall, Spring. Advanced seminars in specialized fields of geology covering particular subjects in detail by survey of literature and discussion. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

GEOL 684. Directed Readings in Geology (1-3). Supervised readings to meet students' special needs. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of the graduate coordinator and instructor. Graded A/F.

GEOL 685. Directed Readings in Geology (1-3). Supervised readings to meet students' special needs. May be repeated. Prerequisite: consent of the graduate coordinator and instructor. Graded S/U.

GEOL 690. Directed Research in Geology (1-3). Individual work on a topic in which a student has special interest. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Graded A/F.

GEOL 691. Directed Research in Geology (1-3). Individual work on a topic in which a student has special interest. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Graded S/U.

GEOL 693. Advanced Field Geology (1-6). Summer only. Utilization of field techniques to construct geologic maps, structure sections, and stratigraphic sections of specific regions. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Extra fee.

GEOL 694. Workshop in Current Topics of Geology (1-4). Study of a particular topic in an intensive format. Graded A/F.

GEOL 695. Workshop in Current Topics of Geology (1-4). Study of a particular topic in an intensive format. Graded S/U.

GEOL 699. Thesis Research (1-12). Enrollment in excess of six hours is acceptable for Plan I master's degree, but no more than six hours creditable toward degree. Minimum acceptable total for degree is four hours. Graded S/U.