GEOL 2000 Research and Thesis MS Degree (Thesis Research), 1-12cr. - Faculty

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. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 2015 Colloquium, 1 cr. - Faculty

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. Variable hours. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required. .

 

GEOL 2021 Advanced Igneous Petrology, 3cr. - Stewart

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.

 

GEOL 2049 Paleoclimatology, 3cr. - Abbott

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 given to the climatic changes during the late Cenozoic - the time of the ice ages. Topics to be discussed will include: paleoclimatic reconstruction, climate and climatic variation, dating methods, ice cores, marine sediments and corals, lake sediments, spelothems, soils, pollen analysis, dendrochronology, documentary data, and paleoclimate models.

Offered alternate years during spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2054 Soils: Geobiochemical Landscapes, 4cr. - Bain

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 systems. This course will emphasize the role of soil in earth systems at the landscape scale and include practical exercises in site and soil evaluation. Lab and field components will embrace Pittsburgh as a laboratory and may include exercises such as field soil mapping, chemical analyses of soils, and/or modeling of soil formation and hydrology. Students will be expected to prepare presentations and written documents as part of course participation. Some GIS experience will be helpful. Undergraduates are welcome with permission from the instructor.

Offered alternate years during fall term. Lecture, 3 hours; field work, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2110 Plate Tectonics, 3cr. - McQuarrie

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 and convergent zones, transform faults) will be studied and compared to existing geotectonic features.

Offered every other year. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2151 Groundwater Geology, 4cr. - Bain

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 context, with the remainder devoted to geochemical aspects of groundwater quality. Whenever possible, class examples and problems will focus on regionally important facets of groundwater, ranging from fractured bedrock flow to coal mine hydrology to urban sewer-groundwater cross-connections.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 2 hours. .No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2309 Physicochemical and Geological Limnology, 3 cr. - Faculty

This course will focus on the physical, chemical, and geological aspects of inland waters (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, springs, and wetlands). Specifically, the course will examine the origin and evolution of lakes, the physicochemical properties of fresh and saline waters, watershed hydrology, and the biogeochemical cycling of major elements and nutrients. The course will also explore long-term impacts of human populations on aquatic systems, lake and reservoir management and restoration, and sediment records from lake sites.

Offered alternate years during spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2446 Adv GIS Systems & Computer Methods, 3 cr. - Harbert

The goal of this course is to continue to gain expertise in ARC/INFO GIS and computer workstations. Students will use GIS instruments to collect GIS data, import and export DEM and DLG data in a variety of format, be introduced to map projections, ModelBuilder models, and work with the TIN, grid, and network modules of ARC/INFO on computer workstations.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2449.

 

GEOL 2449 GIS, GPS, and Computer Methods, 3 cr. - Harbert

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 every fall term and in the summer if there is student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2460 Applied Remote Sensing & GPS Techniques, 3 cr. - Ramsey

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 understanding of the geologic and human processes that impact remotely-gathered data, and how those processes can be observed and measured with remote sensing and GPS. Students taking the course should have had at least 1 semester of high school or college Physics.

Offered alternate years in the spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 2502 Adv Analytical Geochemistry, 3cr. - Capo

This course will focus on techniques used in the mineralogical, elemental, and isotopic analysis of geological and environmental samples, including inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and isotopic ratio measurement by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). Topics include the basics of instrument theory and operation, sample collection and preparation, and analysis and interpretation of data. Students will carry out a group research project, and present results in oral and written form. Undergraduates may enroll with permission of the instructor.

Offered alternate years. Lecture, 3 hours; variable laboratory hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2515 Environmental Geochemistry, 3 cr. - Capo

This course explores the complex interactions of Earth's rock, water, air, and life systems that determine the chemical characteristics of our environment. We will examine the distribution, cycling, and transport of chemical compounds in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environment on local and global scales. Topics will include water chemistry, organic and inorganic pollution and related toxicology, hazardous wastes, acid rain, acid mine drainage, photochemical smog, ozone depletion, and global climate change. A class project involves chemical analysis of student-provided water samples.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2520 Isotope Geochemistry, 3cr. - Stewart

Isotope ratios are used as tracers and geochronological tools for a wide range of applications in geology, hydrology, oceanography, biology, cosmochemistry, and other fields. In this course, the student will be introduced to isotope systematics (including mass dependent fractionation, radioactive decay, generation of cosmogenic nuclides, and nucleosynthesis) and will go into depth on applications ranging from determining absolute ages of earth materials to planetary evolution to tracing nutrient fluxes in ecosystems. Specific topics covered will depend in part on the interests of the students. Advanced undergraduates may enroll with the permission of the instructor.

Offered alternate years. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2525 Stable Isotope Geochemistry, 3cr. - Faculty

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 spectrometry and stable isotope extraction techniques.

Offered alternate years in the spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2520.

 

GEOL 2640 Advanced Geohazards and Risk Management, 3 cr. - Ramsey

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 United States: earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding. Students taking this course should have taken Natural Disasters (GEOL 0820) or the permission of the instructor.

Offered alternate years in the Spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 2740 Planetary Geochemistry, 3cr. - Stewart

This course will cover the geochemical evolution of the solar system, including nucleosynthesis, planetary accretion and differentiation, formation of Earth's moon, and continuing geochemical processes on the terrestrial planets. We will approach models for planetary geochemical evolution using the meteorite record, lunar sample chemistry, and data from planetary surface probes (e.g., Venus, Mars). Open to advanced undergraduates with instructor's permission.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

2750 Volcanology, 3cr. - Faculty

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 Requirements: There will be one mid term and one final exam, each consisting of multiple choice, short answer essay and problem-solving questions. Graduate students will also have a final project focusing on an aspect of volcanology.

Offered alternate years in the fall term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 2990 Independent Study, 1-12cr. - Faculty

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. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 3000 Research and Dissertation PHD (Thesis Research), 1-12cr. - Faculty

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. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 3410 Exploration Geophysics, 3cr. -Harbert

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 hours. No prerequisites.

GEOL 3853 Watershed Hydrology and Biogeochemistry, 3cr. -Elliott

Understanding the science of watersheds is critical to improving water quality. This course will examine surface water hydrology, biogeochemistry, and management of watersheds. In addition, we will focus on how varying land uses influence the dynamics of hydrology and biogeochemistry across these systems. Student will develop an understanding of the biogeochemistry of various major elements in watersheds, including nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, and mercury, and how these elemental fluxes are exchanged through atmospheric-terrestrial-aquatic interactions. Students will be expected to demonstrate critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills through student-led lectures, journal discussions, and projects.

Offered once a year. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3902 Directed Study, 1-12cr. - Faculty

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. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

3904 Directed Study: INF SCI Systems, 1-12cr. - Faculty

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. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 3909 Recent Advances in Paleoclimatology and Paleoceanography, 3 cr. -Faculty

This graduate level course provides students with an introduction to the multi-disciplinary sciences of paleoclimatology and paleoceanography and, more importantly, with a review of recent advances in climate and ocean change research. Specifically, this course will examine the evolution of climate through the Cenozoic, Milankovitch orbital theory, past solar variability, and models of oceanic and atmospheric heat transport. In addition this course will explore mechanisms of abrupt climate change, ice core records from the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, sediment records from the deep-sea and from lacustrine basins, and tree-ring and speleothem records from continental sites. Scheduled course meetings will consist of brief lectures addressing the principles behind specific proxy indicators and discussion of assigned readings on the use of specific paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic archives.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2049.

 

3925 Topics in Geology: Paleolimnology, 3cr. - Abbott

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 of general interest in both chemical sedimentology and general sedimentology. Readings assigned from current journal articles.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 3931 Topics in Paleoenvironmental Analysis, 1cr. - Abbott

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 interest level and time needed for comprehensive treatment of techniques.

Offered every fall and spring term. Lecture/discussion, 2 hours. No prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

GEOL 3945 Topics in GIS & Remote Sensing , 3 cr. -Harbert

A collaborative seminar for the Professional M.S. (Pro-M.S.) student that concentrates on advanced topics and methodologies in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing. Topics will be selected that are immediately useful for success in the Pro-M.S. degree, the internship, and future career choices. Weekly meetings will feature guest speakers, advanced methods in software and technology, as well as thorough reviews of literature to gain an in depth understanding of the selected topics. Grading will be completed on the basis of oral and written presentations given through out the term. A final written report is required to be submitted in HTML format via the student's web site.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3946 Advanced ArcObjects Programming, 3cr. - Harbert

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 Programming using the Microsoft Developers Studio Visual Basic .NET 2003 environment through applied examples and homework. After students have gained some programming expertise they will immediately begin programming the ArcGIS Desktop using ArcObjects technology. The student will use the on-line resource for ArcObjects (http://arcobjectsonline.esri.com) beginning in the third week of the term. The final homework in our class will be coding a very significant improvement to web-based Raster image acquisition mosaic operations using the Terraserver, ArcGIS and a Visual Basic ArcObject .DLL and Form, that we have created.

Offered every other year. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2449.

 

GEOL 3948 Topics in GIS, 1-3 cr. - Harbert

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.

Offered upon student demand. Variable hours. No prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3950 Principles of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, 2cr. - Faculty

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 ratio mass spectrometers and associated peripheral instruments.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2525.

 

GEOL 3951 Topics in Geochemistry: Catchment Science, 1cr. - Bain,Elliott

An informal course for those interested in catchment science, hydrology, and biogeochemistry. The format of the course will vary each semester dependent on interests of those enrolled in the course and current research directions. The course will generally include critical reading and discussion of journal articles, presentation of laboratory and field results, group editing of manuscript preparation, etc. as interest dictates.

Offered every fall and spring term. No Prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3953 Topics in Geochemistry: Naturally Occurring Isotopic Tracers, 3cr. - Capo/Stewart

This course will focus on the application of novel techniques, including isotopic tracers, to characterize water-rock interactions and identify and quantify natural and anthropogenic inputs to soil, surface waters and groundwater. Examples of topics that may be covered include interactions of subsurface sedimentary rocks with brine, AMD and CO₂-enriched groundwater, and in situ weathering vs. eolian inputs to soil. The course will involve readings from the literature and student-led discussions.

Offered Occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No Prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3954 Topics in Hydrology, 3cr. - Bain/Elliott

This is a course designed to permit the teaching of new and significant developments in the field of hydrology. It permits Maximum flexibility enabling presentation of subject matter not formally treated in formal geology courses.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. No Prerequisites.

 

GEOL 3955 Stable Isotopes in Paleoclimatological, Paleoecological, and Archaeological Studies, 3cr. - Faculty

This course will provide students with a basic introduction to light stable isotope systems and, more importantly, their application to paleoclimatological, paleoecological, and archaeological problems. Specifically, the course will examine stable isotope variations within the hydrosphere, stable isotope fractionation within carbonates, and oxygen isotope paleothermometry. In addition, the course will explore carbon isotope fractionation during photosynthesis, oxygen and hydrogen isotope fractionation by plants, trophic relationship, diet, and migration studies using stable isotopes, and forensic applications of light stable isotopes. Scheduled course meetings will consist of brief lectures addressing the fundamental concepts of stable isotope geochemistry and discussion of assigned readings on the use of specific analytical techniques. The pace and depth of material covered will be determined by interest level and time needed for comprehensive treatment of techniques.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2525.

 

GEOL 3970 Topics in Planetary Science: Geology of Venus, 2-3cr. - Faculty

This course is a graduate level course which explores the geology and geologic history of the planet Venus, including the history of its exploration and comparisons of geologic processes on the Earth and Venus. For all students, there will be 2 regularly scheduled meetings each week, including one formal lecture and one seminar addressing a specific aspect of the course. Students who enroll for 3 credits must also complete an independent research project and meet with the instructor on a regular basis throughout the term for assistance in designing and accomplishing this project.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. No Prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

3970 Topics in Planetary Science: Remote Exploration of the Moon & Mars, 3cr. -Ramsey

This course focuses on the theory, technology and science of the recent and upcoming remote sensing data sets of Mars. NASA's current Mars Exploration Program has the overarching goal of collecting surface and atmospheric data in order to better understand where water was and may still be on the planet as well as looking for evidence of life. This has led to numerous missions from rovers to orbiters that contain remote sensing data sets that span the electromagnetic spectrum. These data have already led to important discoveries of the geologic and atmospheric processes on the planet, and will be the focus of this graduate-level, seminar-style class. Students taking this course should have had a Remote Sensing Course and will work as a group to complete a scientific study utilizing Mars remote sensing data.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. No Prerequisites. Department Consent Required.

 

3975 Topics in Volcanology, 2-3cr. - Faculty

This course will provide a firm grounding in the critical study of pyroclastic rocks, deposits (unconsolidated) and pyroclasts erupted in various subaerial, subaqueous and subvolcanic settings on Earth. The course content assumes that the student is familiar with the basics of pyroclast eruption and emplacement. The course will focus on interpreting eruption mechanisms, transport processes and depositional processes of all types of pyroclastic material, using field and laboratory data. We will be particularly concerned with these questions: a) What information on eruption mechanisms can we get from studying pyroclastic material?, b) How do we distinguish explosively-generated rocks/deposits from other very similar volcaniclastic rocks?, c) How do we recognize juvenile clasts?, and d) How do we distinguish subaqueous from subaerial emplacement? The course will include discussion in the classroom, especially of recent volcanological literature, and microscope study of thin-sections.

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2750. Department Consent Required.

 

3975 Topics in Volcanology: Glaciovolcanism, 2-3cr. - Faculty

This course will focus on the most important volcanological aspects of the interaction of volcanoes with surrounding ice, including lava flows, pyroclastic rocks, and associated resedimented clastic rocks. We will discuss how such rocks record evidence of the former ice and how they differ from similar shallow submarine rocks. The class will include lectures, study of samples and discussion time

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2750. Department Consent Required.

 

3975 Topics in Volcanology: Exploring Explosions, 2-3cr. - Faculty

This course will focus on the physics of natural and man-made explosions, and in particular on how they relate to our understanding of volcanic explosions and jets. There will be some math in the course, but much of the material is conceptual. The class will include lectures, study of samples and discussion time

Offered upon student demand. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: GEOL 2750. Department Consent Required.

 

PhD Graduate students can receive up to 8 credits toward their degree from undergraduate courses numbered 1000 and above. Click here for a list of undergraduate courses.