Graduate Courses

This course is designed to permit graduate students the opportunity to accomplish research necessary for the completion of a Master's Degree in Geology.Offered every term. Variable hours.1-12 Credits
Number of Credits: 12
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
The scientific communication course is a required course for all MS and Ph.D. students in Geology and Environmental Science.  It is designed improve your reading, writing, and speaking skills.  Specifically, the class to provide a foundation to understand the importance of narrative in science communication and effective technical writing, increase self-knowledge about areas to improve in your... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Geology and Environmental Science (Ph.D. or MS) or Geographical Information System (MS)
Geology Colloquium is a required course for MS and PhD students in Geology and Planetary Science each term. It is a formalization of the seminar series with weekly guest speakers from industry, academia, and government. Each seminar will focus on a different research topic in the earth sciences and describe active and on-going projects of immediate interest to students.Offered every term.... Read More
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
The origin and characteristics of the common igneous rocks and minerals are studied in light of natural and synthetic rock systems. Main topics covered are equilibria relations of the main silicate systems, petrogenesis of the principal igneous rock types and their relation to plate tectonic regimes, and generation and source of magmas.Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.
Number of Credits: 3
The goal of this course is to present an overview of the methods used to reconstruct the earth's climate history and the techniques used to determine the timing of environmental changes. Paleoclimate data from proxy records, such as ice cores or tree rings, provides a longer perspective on climatic variability than is possible from instrumental or historical records. Particular emphasis will be... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Geobiochemical Landscapes serves as an introductory overview to soil science, providing a foundation for subsequent advanced work in chemical weathering, interpretation of paleosols, etc. Lectures will provide a fundamental understanding of soil formation, the resulting chemical and physical properties of these soils, and the interactions of soil with coupled geological, biological, and chemical... Read More
Number of Credits: 4
Historical background of the concept of plate tectonics. Geophysical evidence for reconstructing the motions of continental and oceanic areas. Plate tectonic processes and characteristics of plate boundaries. Dynamics -- the nature of the driving forces. Geosynclines, orogenic belts and crustal evolution will be examined with regard to plate tectonic theory. Types of plate boundaries (divergent... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
The integrated study of sedimentary basins as geodynamic entities, including tectonic environment, geologic history and associated strength of the lithosphere, rock weathering and erosion, and sediment transport. The class will give students a background in driving mechanisms for basin formation and subsidence, sedimentary record preservation and alterationk, sedimentary geometry, facies and... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: GEOL 1100 AND GEOL 1020; LVL: GRADUATE
This course shall provide an Earth systems science overview of the processes that govern the hydrologic cycle including precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff and discharge, infiltration, and groundwater. The course shall emphasize the movement of water through the atmosphere, over the land surface, and within the unsaturated and saturated zones.
Number of Credits: 4
Prerequisites: (GEOL 0800 or 0820 or 0840) and (MATH 0120 or 0220)
This course serves as an introduction to physical and chemical processes controlling movement and composition of groundwater. The course will emphasize both theoretical (e.g., derivation of governing equations from first principals) and practical aspects (e.g., tools for characterizing groundwater contamination) of groundwater. Most of the class will be devoted toward physical process in geologic... Read More
Number of Credits: 4
Prerequisites: None
Using advanced geographical information systems technologies and geospatial analysis techniques students will extend their knowledge of geographical information systems to include raster, geostatistical, network, model, and 3d/4d based analysis completing complex analysis of real world data sets.Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours.
Number of Credits: 3
The goals of this course are to develop an understanding of the principles and applications of well logging,  an understanding of geological lithology, unit and stratigraphic characteristics, structure geology, fault structure and other geological concepts relevant to well log analysis. We focus on the student's ability the ability to interpret well logs and field analysis based upon well logs,... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
The goal of this course is to gain expertise in the methods of Geographic Information Systems using the GeoTRANS and ArcGIS software packages on PC based workstations. No previous computer classes are required. Students will be graded on the basis of approximately 5 computer assignments, in-class exercises, a project, and final exam. This course is a core course for the GIS Certificate.Offered... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Designed as a follow on to the introduction to remote sensing course currently offered, this advanced class emphasizes field-oriented problems, data collection, and verification. The ultimate goal is to explore the connection between remotely-gathered imagery and the real-world factors which influence those data. Students will come away with an appreciation of current remote sensing issues, an... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This course is offered in conjunction with the introduction to remote sensing (geol-1460) - this course provides a foundation in the theory and techniques of remote sensing and geospatial data visualization spanning the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultraviolet to microwave wavelength region. Topics will include light/matter interaction, optics and sensor design, image analysis using... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: PLAN: Geology and Planetary Science(PHD or MS) or Geographical Information Sys(MS)
Quantitative methods are essential for solving problems in Geologic and Environmental Sciences and are often implemented by programming in specialized software.  This course focuses on methods for quantitative data exploration and hypothesis testing with Mat lab.  The course will introduce students to programming with Mat lab, and use Mat lab to implement and explore a variety of quantitative... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Earth's topography is shaped by interactions between surface, tectonics and climatic processes. This course combines literature reviews with analytical and numerical models to examine how these processes act to modify Earth's surface over long time periods.
Number of Credits: 4
This is mainly a lecture course that will examine the carbon cycle and the life cycle of the organisms that are responsible for the eventual accumulation of organic materials in sediments. The processes involved in the simultaneous preservation and transformation of organic materials into coal, petroleum, natural gas, kerogen and other dispersed organics will be reviewed in light of modern... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
THIS COURSE WIILL EXAMINE THE CHEMISTRY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF MODERN AND ANCIENT AQUATIC AND SEDIMENTARY SYSTEMS, INCLUDING OCEANS AND FRESH WATERS.  STUDENTS WILL GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIOGEOCHEMICAL PROCESSES OCCURING IN AQUATIC SYSTEMS, AND THE GEOCHEMICAL SIGNATURES THEY LEAVE IN THE SEDIMENTARY RECORD.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: (CHEM 0110 and GEOL 0055) or GEOL 0800 or 0860
Introduction to isotope systematics (including mass dependent fractionation, radioactive decay, generation of cosmogenic nuclides, and nucleosynthesis), and application of isotope systems to problems in geochronology, geology, hydrology, oceanography, biology, and Cosmo chemistry.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
This course will provide students with a thorough introduction to the stable isotope systematics of light elements (hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur). The course examines the fundamental concepts of isotope equilibrium and kinetics, physiochemical and biogenic mechanisms of isotope exchange, and the principles of mass spectrome try and stable isotope extraction techniques.
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: CHEM 0110 and GEOL 2520
The geological and natural processes that affect the human environment in catastrophic ways are examined in this class in terms of science, prediction, mitigation, avoidance and the policy/safety issues involved. These problems commonly result from human activity modifying and impinging the natural geologic processes. Detailed topics covered include the four primary hazards that are common in the... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This is an introductory course in physical volcanology offered at the graduate level (although advanced undergraduates may enroll with instructor permission). Main topics covered are the geomorphology of volcanic landforms, physical properties and appearance of lava flows; the mechanisms of explosive eruptions, their associated transport and depositional processes and the nature of the products... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Number of Credits: 1-12 This course permits graduate students to explore specific topics in the geological sciences. The course is designed in a more flexible format than a directed study, stressing a higher degree of independent library research. Offered every term. Variable hours.  
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This course is designed to permit graduate students the opportunity to accomplish research necessary for the completion of a PHD Degree in geology.Offered every term. Variable hours.1-12 Credits
Number of Credits: 12
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
Various geophysical techniques‑‑seismic, gravimetric, magnetic, and electro‑magnetic‑‑are frequently utilized in the exploration of the Earth's crust for mineral or petroleum deposits of economic value. The basic principles of these techniques, the interpretation of geophysical data, and their application to geology will be discussed in quantitative detail.Offered every other year. Lecture, 3... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Orbital remote sensing of the earth has been a reality since the first imaging satellites were launched in the early 1960's.  Hundreds of satellites and thousands of sensors are now currently in orbit measuring diverse data sets important for geological, weather, environmental, and climate processes.  This graduate-level, seminar style course will explore many of these missions and sensors by the... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
This is a course designed to permit graduate students an opportunity to explore facets of research possibly leading to project/thesis/dissertation topic.Offered every term. Variable hours. Number of Credits: 1-12
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This is a course designed to permit graduate students an opportunity to explore facets of research possibly in the area of information science systems related to their project/thesis/dissertation topic.Offered every term. Variable hours. Credits: 1-12
Number of Credits: 12
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This course allows the flexibility of exploring, in depth, a new topic in geology each time it is taught.  The instructor teaching the course in any given term will select the specific topic for that term.
Prerequisites: None
This graduate class will focus on the study lake sediments as archives of climatic change. Lake deposits form a significant part of the geologic record and contain high resolution records of past climatic and environmental changes in continental environments. Because lake deposits are the product of diverse geochemical experiments they provide a framework to discuss numerous problems, which are... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
This course will provide students with a review of recent advances in the field of paleoenvironmental analysis. Scheduled course meetings will consist of brief lectures and/or student presentations addressing specific paleoenvironmental indicators and discussion of significant developments in the use of the environmental archive. The pace and depth of material covered will be determined by... Read More
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisites: None. Department Consent Required.
The goal of this course is to gain expertise in programming methods using environmental systems research incorporated arcobjects and the visual studio .net programming environment of microsoft.  Arcobjects is a software technology based on the com protocol and can be used within any com-compliant programming language.  Our goal in this class is to gain fundamental skills in visual basic... Read More
Number of Credits: 3
Prerequisites: GEOL 2449
This is a course designed to permit the teaching of new and significant development in the field of GIS.  It permits maximum flexibility enabling presentation of subject matter not normally treated in formal geology courses. Credits  1 - 3
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisites: GEOL 2449
This specialized course provides students with a basic introduction to isotope ratio mass spectrometry and sample preparation techniques for light stable isotopes. Scheduled course meetings consist of brief lectures addressing the fundamental operation of gas source mass spectrometers (vacuum and ion source systematics, cryogenics, etc.) and hands-on, technical training in the use of isotope... Read More
Number of Credits: 2
Prerequisites: GEOL 2525

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