To find courses offered in an upcoming term: go to the School of Arts and Sciences course database and select Geology from the Arts & Sciences menu.

Key
CG: core course for geology major
CEG: core course for environmental geology major
CES: core course for environmental studies major
EG: elective course for geology major
EEG: elective course for environmental geology major
EES: elective course for environmental studies major

GEOL 0030: Geography: Global Climate and Environment, 3.0 - Rosenmeier

Examination of both natural and human-induced global environmental change and the complex interactions of the geological, chemical, physical, and biological processes that together determine the nature of the Earth system.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation, 1 hour. No prerequisites. [CES]

GEOL 0040: Physical Geology, 3.0 - Staff

Fundamentals of geology, including the description and origin of Earth materials (minerals and rocks), internal processes (i.e. volcanoes, earthquakes), surface processes (i.e. erosion, deposition), structural features of the Earth, and Earth resources.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. Serves as entry into geology, environmental geology, and environmental studies majors.

GEOL 0055: Geology Laboratory, 2.0 - Anderson

Hands-on survey of the fundamentals of physical geology, including identification and interpretation of rocks and minerals, use of topographic maps, air photos, and satellite images, and other advanced tools to analyze and understand a variety of dynamic geologic systems.

Offered every fall and spring term. Combined lecture/lab, 2 hours. Required one-day weekend field trip. Prerequisite: Should be taken concurrently with or after GEOL 0040, 0800, 0820, or 0860. [CG CEG CES]

GEOL 0060: History of the Earth, 3.0 - Jones

Examination of Earth systems over long time scales. Topics include natural climate change over time scales of hundreds to hundreds of millions of years, geologic history of North America, and the earliest history of Planet Earth.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055. [CG CEG EES]

GEOL 0800: Geology, 3.0 - Jones, Stewart

A survey of the major fields of geosciences, including minerals and rocks, internal processes (e.g., volcanoes and earthquakes) and external processes (e.g., erosion and landslides), and the history of Planet Earth and its residents over the span of geologic time.
Offered every fall and spring term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation, 1 hour. No prerequisites. Serves as entry into geology, environmental geology, and environmental studies majors.

GEOL 0802: Geology of the National Parks, 3.0 - Staff

Interpretation of regional geological history by examining spectacular rock units exposed within U.S. and Canadian national park areas. The geological development of the North American continent in the framework of plate tectonic theory and of the physical geological processes.
Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

GEOL 0820: Natural Disasters, 3.0 - Ramsey

The geologic, hydrologic, and atmospheric processes that catastrophically affect the human environment. Topics include, energy cycles, and plate tectonics, as well as a focused study of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, wildfires, flooding, landslides, climate change, and mass extinctions.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation, 1 hour. No prerequisites. Serves as entry into geology, environmental geology, and environmental studies majors.

GEOL 0842: Earth System Science, 3.0 - Staff

Comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of the workings of Planet Earth, including geology from a plate tectonic perspective (the solid earth), interactions between continents and oceans and atmosphere (the fluid earth), and geological and planetary observations from space probes.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

GEOL 0860: Environmental Geology, 3.0 - Capo

Concepts of geochemical cycles and equilibrium, including the impact of population growth and technological change on the environment. Examination of environmental disruptions such as volcanism, landslides, oil spills, earthquakes, resource depletion, sea-level rise, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and radon threats.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation, 1 hour. No prerequisites. Serves as entry into geology, environmental geology, and environmental studies majors.

GEOL 0870: The Planets, 3.0 - Skilling

Examination of the historical development of knowledge of the various bodies that make up the planetary system, including planets, satellites, asteroids, and comets, how they were formed, and the factors that control the nature of their surfaces and atmospheres.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation 1 hour. No prerequisites.

GEOL 0871: Intelligent Life in the Universe, 3.0 - Jones

Scientific background for question of whether intelligent creatures are likely to exist elsewhere in the universe. Origin of the universe, formation of the solar system, history of the Earth, and origin and evolution of life and intelligent life on Earth.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 2 hours; recitation 1 hour. No prerequisites.

GEOL 0890: Physical Oceanography, 3.0 - Staff

Examination of the exploration of the world's oceans, formation of ocean basins (geology, particularly plate tectonics), origin and nature of ocean water (chemistry and physics), the weather currents and waves, coastal processes, and life in the oceans.

Usually offered through the College of General Studies. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites.

GEOL 1001: Mineralogy, 4.0 - Stewart

Physics, chemistry, and formation processes of minerals. Mineral physical properties, crystal chemistry, crystal structure and symmetry, and mineral identification through hand specimen and petrographic microscope techniques.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Prerequisites: (1) GEOL 0055; (2) CHEM 0110. [CG CEG EES]

GEOL 1003: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, 4.0 - Skilling

Examination of the physical and chemical processes that control the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Rock distribution and geological environments, properties of the Earth's crust and mantle, origin of magmas, and crystallization processes of silicate melts.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 4 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 1001. [CG EEG]

GEOL 1015: Colloquium, 1.0 - Staff

Weekly seminar series with guest speakers from industry, academia, and government. Focus on different research topics in the Earth and environmental sciences, with an emphasis on active and ongoing projects of immediate interest to students.

Offered every fall and spring term. Lecture, 1 hour. No Prerequisites. [CG CEG]

GEOL 1020: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, 4.0 - Abbott

Principles of sediment erosion, transport, and deposition on the erosive forces behind important sedimentary systems (e.g., rivers, deltas, beaches). Examination of how these systems create distinctive deposits in the geologic record, stratigraphic principles, and the development of sedimentary basins.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Fulfills one-third of the "W" requirement for geology/environmental geology majors. Prerequisites: (1) GEOL 0040, 0800, 0820, or 0860; (2) GEOL 0055 strongly recommended. Cross-listed with ANTH 1520. [CG CEG EES]

GEOL 1051: Groundwater Geology, 4.0 - Bain

Basic physical and chemical properties of groundwater with an emphasis on geologic processes. Focus on runoff and streamflow, aquifer characteristics, local and regional groundwater flow (including subsurface flow modeling techniques), groundwater chemistry and water quality standards, and water resources management.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Prerequisites: (1) GEOL 0055; (2) CHEM 0110; (3) MATH 0220 or consent of instructor. [CEG EG EES]

GEOL 1052: Paleoclimates, 3.0 - Abbott

Overview of the methods used to reconstruct the Earth's climate history and the timing of environmental changes. Focus on paleoclimatic reconstruction, climatic variation, dating methods, ice cores, marine records, lake sediments, speleothems, soils, pollen analysis, dendrochronology, and paleoclimate models.

Offered alternate years during spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0800, 0820, or 0860. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1055: Environmental Science, Ethics, and Public Policy, 3.0 - McCord, Jones

Examination of the interrelationships among environmental science, ethics, and policy. Discussion of origin and development of the environmental movement, environmental values and attitudes, enactment and mechanics of environmental regulations, environmental economics and politics, and future environmental scenarios.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055 or consent of instructors. [CES]

GEOL 1056: Environmental Science, Ethics and Public Policy (H), 3.0 - McCord, Jones

See description for GEOL 1055.
Honors section of GEOL 1055. Offered every spring term. Lecture, 4 hours. Prerequisites: (1) GEOL 0055 or consent of instructors; (2) permission from the University Honors College (3500 CL).

GEOL 1060: Geomorphology, 3.0 - Abbott

Examination of terrestrial landforms and the surficial processes which shape them. Focus on fluvial, coastal, aeolian, glacial, and volcanic settings, with emphasis on landforms that developed in the last 10,000 years of Earth history.

Offered alternate years. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 1 hour. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1100: Structural Geology, 4.0 - Anderson

Introduction to basic geologic structures, including folds, faults, joints, and foliation. The use and interpretation of these structures in geologic mapping. The concepts of stress and strain, and integration of basic structural concepts to understand the evolution of mountain belts.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Fulfills 1/3 of the "W" requirement for geology/environmental geology majors. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055. [CG CEG]

GEOL 1200: Paleontology: History of Life on Land, 3.0 - Lyon

Investigation of the history of life on land through topics such as fossilization, taphonomy, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, evolution, and extinction. Use of this framework to examine changes in biotas through time through time.

GEOL 1201: Evolution and Extinction, 3.0 - Jones

Causes and consequences of extinctions past, present, and future. Geologic record of extinctions of important plant and animal groups and the underlying causes; the extinction of the dinosaurs; and human activity and recent acceleration of extinction rates.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1309: Physiochemical and Geological Limnology, 3.0 - Rosenmeier

Examination of the physical, chemical, and geological aspects of inland waters (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, springs, and wetlands). Origin and evolution of lakes, properties of fresh and saline waters, watershed hydrology, and biogeochemical cycling. Impacts of human populations on aquatic systems.

Offered alternate years during fall term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: (1) CHEM 0110 (with lab); (2) GEOL 0055 or instructor's consent. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1313: Communication for Environmental Professionals, 3.0 - Collins

Development of writing and oral tools and methods (typical "professional" tasks such as writing memos and letters, building into comprehensive assignments such as case studies), while concentrating on how audience and purpose affect communication.

Offered every fall and spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. Fulfills the "W" requirement for environmental studies majors. No prerequisites. [CES]

GEOL 1410: Exploration Geophysics, 3.0 - Harbert

Examination of the basic principles of geophysical techniques seismic, gravimetric, magnetic, and electromagnetic and the interpretation of geophysical data in the exploration of the Earth's crust for mineral or petroleum deposits of economic value and geological applications.

Offered once a year. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055. [EG EEG]

GEOL 1445: GIS, GPS and Computer Methods, 3.0 - Harbert

Development of expertise in the methods of Geographic Information Systems using the GeoTRANS and ArcGIS software packages on PC-based workstations.

Offered every spring term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1446: Advanced Geographical Information Systems, 3.0 - Harbert

Development of expertise in ArcGIS, GeoTrans, and software for GPS process. Use of GIS instruments to collect GIS data, import and export DEM and DLG data, utilize map projections, ModelBuilder models, and the TIN, grid, and network modules of ArcGIS.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 1445. [EG EEG]

GEOL 1460: Introduction to Remote Sensing, 3.0 - Ramsey

Development of sufficient background to understand and use the techniques of remote sensing as applied to the geosciences and environmental studies.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. [EG EEG EES]

GEOL 1515: Environmental Geochemistry, 3.0 - Capo

Examination of the cycling, transport, and removal of chemicals from the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and terrestrial environments. Focus on mass balance, chemical distribution, chemical transformation, physical transport, and chemical cycling on local and global scales.

Offered every fall term. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisites: (1) GEOL 0055; (2) CHEM 0110; (3) BIOSC 0150 or permission of instructor. [CES EG EEG]

GEOL 1640: Geohazards, 3.0 - Ramsey

Examination of geological processes that affect the human environment in catastrophic ways in terms of science, prediction, mitigation, avoidance, and policy/safety issues. In-depth discussion of volcanoes, earthquakes, subsidence, mass wasting, forest fires, erosion, desertification, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, tsunamis, and meteorite impacts.

Offered occasionally. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0800, 0820 or 0860. [EG EEG]

GEOL 1701: Geology of the Planets, 3.0 - Skilling

Introduction to comparative planetology. Examination of the morphology and nature of the features found on the surfaces of the planets of our solar system, and the processes by which they were formed.

Offered alternate years. Lecture, 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL 0055 or consent of instructor. [EG EEG]

GEOL 1900: Internship, 1.0-3.0 - Staff

Exploration of specific topics in the geological sciences and environmental studies through off-site internships.

Offered fall and spring terms. Off-site work and regular meetings with instructor. No prerequisites. [CES]

GEOL 1901: Independent Study, 1.0-3.0 - Staff

Exploration of specific topics in the geological sciences and environmental studies through independent-study projects under the guidance of a faculty member.

Offered fall and spring terms. Regular meetings with instructor. No prerequisites.

GEOL 1902: Directed Reading: Management of Nonprofit Environmental Organizations, 3.0 - Allebach

Introduction to nonprofit environmental organizations and issues. Focus on the "inner workings" of environmental organizations and campaigns, what it takes to succeed, and why effectively communicating environmental issues at the grassroots level is so important and so difficult.

Offered frequently. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. [EES]

GEOL 1903: Undergraduate Research, 1.0-4.0 - Staff

Hands-on laboratory, field, and/or library research under the guidance of a faculty member, culminating in a written or oral report.

Offered every term. Variable research hours and regular meetings with instructor. No prerequisites. [EG EEG]

GEOL 1904: Directed Readings in Environmental Ethics and Public Policy, 3.0 - DeMarco

Focus on environmental ethics and its application in real-world context, including the regulatory and policy interface in the energy arena. Environmental ethics issues surrounding national and global energy policy, consumer choices, and the ongoing public debate.

Offered once a year. No prerequisites. [EES]

GEOL 1904: Directed Readings: Grassroots Environmental Campaigns, 3.0 - Allebach

Focus on grassroots campaigns by nonprofit organizations, government agencies, corporations, and everyday citizens for causes ranging from political activism to consumer education. Strategies for finding, educating, and persuading voters and funders, while building movements for political and community support.

Offered once a year. No prerequisites. [EES]

GEOL 1960: Field Camp, 1.0-4.0 - Staff

Extensive exposure to the fundamental field methods used by Earth scientists. Attendance at any accredited field camp offering at least 4 semester units of credit is acceptable.

Offered through outside institutions, usually in the summer. Prerequisites variable, depending on program. [CG CEG CES]

GEOL 3963: Topics in Environmental Geology: Environmental Policy, 3.0 - Hopey

Focus on environmental journalism. Emphasis placed on a balanced, in-depth presentation of issues that must be addressed to realistically solve modern environmental problems. Guest lectures and panel discussions from local professionals and community leaders.

Offered most fall and spring terms. Lecture, 3 hours. No prerequisites. Rotates four topics, one per term: (1) Parks & Forests; (2) Mining; (3) Air Quality; and (4) Water Quality. Check with ES advisor for specific topic.

Certain graduate-level courses (numbered 2000 and above) are open to undergraduates, with the permission of the instructor.