GEOLOGY (GEO) COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
NOTE: All Geology (GEO) courses used as prerequisites for other Geology courses and/or counted toward major or minor requirements in geology must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
1013 The Third Planet [TCCN: GEOL 1301.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
Evolution of ideas concerning the earth’s origin, structure, and age; social impact of recognizing the antiquity of the planet and humankind’s brief presence; examination of how the distribution of planetary resources influenced the rise and clash of civilizations. May not be applied to a major in geology. May apply toward the Level I Core Curriculum requirement in science.
1103 Introduction to Earth Systems [TCCN: GEOL 1303.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the following Core Curriculum requirement: MAT 1023 or above.
The earth as a dynamic planet; relation of the earth’s present processes to its resources, structure, and internal composition. Nature of minerals and rocks, the hydrosphere, tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, and surface features of the earth. Concurrent enrollment in GEO 1111 recommended. May apply toward the Level II Core Curriculum requirement in science.
1111 Introduction to Earth Systems Laboratory [TCCN: GEOL 1103.]
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in GEO 1103.
Relation of the earth’s present processes to its resources, structure, and internal composition. Field trips and laboratory study of minerals, rocks, maps, and aerial and satellite photos.
1123 Earth History [TCCN: GEOL 1304.]
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the following Core Curriculum requirement: MAT 1023 or above.
Formation and evolution of the earth, its life forms, and the major features of its surface. Concurrent enrollment in GEO 1131 recommended. May apply toward the Level II Core Curriculum requirement in science.
1131 Earth History Laboratory [TCCN: GEOL 1104.]
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in GEO 1123.
Laboratory study of fossils and rock sequences; interpretation of earth history.
2003 Mineralogy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: CHE 1103, GEO 1103, GEO 1111, MAT 1093, or consent of instructor; concurrent enrollment in GEO 2012.
Crystallography, crystal chemistry, and the physical and optical properties of minerals. Principles of optical mineralogy and the microscopic determination of nonopaque minerals. Field trips required.
2012 Mineralogy Laboratory
(0-6) 2 hours credit. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in GEO 2003.
Laboratory study of crystal models, crystals, and minerals. Use of the petrographic microscope for mineral identification. Field trips required. (Formerly GEO 2011. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 2012 and GEO 2011.)
2113 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: CS 1073 or equivalent.
This course will serve as a basic introduction to the concepts and techniques of utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to study and model environmental issues. In lecture and laboratory, students will study methods of querying, analyzing, creating and displaying GIS data utilizing industry standard software. Students will also be introduced to using the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a means for creating GIS data. (Formerly ES 2113 and
ES 4043. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: GEO 2113, ES 2113, or ES 4043.)
2123 Extending Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: GEO 2113 or equivalent.
This course teaches advanced applications and concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics include, but are not limited to, spatial databases, spatial analysis, 3-D analysis and geostatistical analysis. Students will utilize standard GIS software to examine and analyze spatial data. (Formerly ES 2123 and ES 4053. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: GEO 2123, ES 2123 or ES 4053.)
3013 Global Positioning System (GPS) Mapping for GIS
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: GEO 2113 or equivalent.
Students will learn to use the Global Positioning System (GPS) as a mapping tool for the collection of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. Topics include land navigation, rover operations, data dictionaries, differential correction methods, techniques for improving data accuracy and base station operation. Students in this course will spend significant time outdoors traveling over rough terrain. (Formerly ES 3013 and ES 4063. Credit cannot be earned for more than one of the following: GEO 3013, ES 3013, or ES 4063.)
3033 Programming for Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 2113 and GEO 2123.
This course teaches the fundamentals of customizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) using object-oriented programming. Students will design graphical user interfaces (GUIs), customized tools, and extend the functionality of the standard GIS to analyze and present spatial data. (Formerly ES 2133. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 3033 and ES 2133.)
3043 Petrology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 2003, GEO 2012, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3052.
Description, classification, occurrence, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Field trips required.
3052 Petrology Laboratory
(0-6) 2 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 2003, GEO 2012, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3043.
Laboratory study of rocks in hand specimen and thin section. Field trips required.
3103 Structural Geology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3043, GEO 3052, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3111.
Response of earth materials to natural stresses. Description and origin of geologic structures. Field trips required.
3111 Structural Geology Laboratory
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in GEO 3103.
Laboratory study of geologic structures using maps, cross-sections, photographs, and descriptive geometric and stereographic methods. Field trips required.
3113 Geologic Field Investigations
(2-3) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Field studies of areas of geologic interest; e.g., structural geologic mapping, sedimentary facies analysis, hydrologic studies, etc. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours may be applied to a B.A. or B.S. degree in Geology. Concurrent enrollment in GEO 4933 or GEO 4943 is not permitted. Field trips required.
3123 Sedimentary Geology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3043, GEO 3052, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3131.
Processes of erosion, transportation, and deposition that form bodies of sedimentary rock. Depositional systems and modeling are a significant area of study. Field trips required.
3131 Sedimentary Geology Laboratory
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3043, GEO 3052, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3123.
Laboratory studies of sedimentary processes and their products. Hand specimens, thin sections, sedimentary structures, and interpretation of depositional environments. Field trips required.
3143 Economic Geology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 2003, GEO 2012, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3151.
Origin of metallic ore deposits and industrial minerals, including the geology of major metallic deposits and the uses and economics of metals. Field trips required.
3151 Economic Geology Laboratory
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisites: GEO 2003, GEO 2012, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3143.
Study of rock and mineral suites from important ore localities. Identification of ore minerals, textures, structures, and alteration zones associated with ore deposits. Field trips required.
3153 Paleontology and Stratigraphy
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3123, GEO 3131, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3162.
Systematics, paleoecology, evolution and biostratigraphy of fossil organisms. Stratigraphic principles, modeling, and temporal and spatial facies relationships at various scales. This is a combined paleontology and stratigraphy course. Field trips required.
3162 Paleontology and Stratigraphy Laboratory
(1-6) 2 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3123, GEO 3131, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 3153.
Specimen-based laboratory study of fossil organisms, and the interface of paleontology and stratigraphy. Stratigraphic case studies, including surface, subsurface, and sequence stratigraphic analysis. Field trips required.
3163 Oceanography
(3-0) 3 hours credit.
General oceanography, with emphasis on marine geology and especially the continental margins. Field trips required.
3374 Geochemistry
(2-4) 4 hours credit. Prerequisite: CHE 1113 or consent of instructor.
A survey of geochemical processes and the distribution of elements in the earth. Application of chemical methods and data to the solution of geologic problems.
3383 General Geophysics
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3043 and GEO 3052.
Physics of the earth’s interior, plate tectonics, geomagnetism, gravity, and heat flow.
3393 Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: GEO 3374.
The course will cover a brief review of theories of nuclear structure, stability of nucleus, nucleosynthesis and origin of elements, and introduce both radiogenic and stable isotope geochemistry; radioactive decay schemes for U-Pb, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, K-Ar, U-Th-Pb-He decay systems and geochronology; use of both radiogenic and stable isotopes in petrology and their application to study of the evolution of the crust and mantle; theory of stable isotopic fractionation and their application in geothermometry, archaeology, and paleoclimate interpretation.
4013 Volcanology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: GEO 3043 or consent of instructor.
A survey of volcanoes and volcanic processes, including historically important volcanic eruptions and the prediction and mitigation of volcanic hazards. Field trips required.
4023 Engineering Geology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: PHY 1923 (engineering majors only) or PHY 1603 or PHY 1943, and MAT 1214; or consent of instructor.
Geologic factors in construction. Geotechnical properties of minerals, rocks, and soils. Case studies. Field trips required. (Formerly GEO 3023. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 4023 and GEO 3023.)
4063 Principles of Environmental Geology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 1103 and GEO 1111.
An analysis of human interaction with geologic systems; the risks and effects of natural geologic hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods. Topics will include the effects of human activity on natural systems such as groundwater quality and recharge, river systems, and coasts. The meaning of “geologic repository” for human waste disposal and how the concept is applied will also be addressed.
4093 Principles of Remote Sensing
(2-2) 3 hours credit.
This course will provide a thorough introduction to remote sensing theory, technology, and application. The emphasis in this course is on understanding the underlying principles of acquiring, interpreting, and applying data from imaging systems covering the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultraviolet through the microwave. (Formerly ES 4093. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 4093 and ES 4093.)
4113 Geomorphology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 1103 and GEO 1111, or consent of instructor, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 4121.
Examination of landforms on the Earth’s surface and landscape-forming processes. Field trips required.
4121 Geomorphology Laboratory
(1-3) 1 hour credit. Prerequisites: GEO 1103, GEO 1111, and concurrent enrollment in GEO 4113.
Interpretation of landforms from maps and aerial photographs. Field trips required.
4193 Field-Based Inquiry
(2-2) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Completion of mathematics and Level II science Core Curriculum requirements.
This course should enable future teachers to integrate fieldwork and inquiry into their curriculum. Observational and descriptive skills from a field-based research perspective will be emphasized. Mapping techniques will include pace-and-compass mapping, plane table mapping, and an introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. An interdisciplinary approach that explores Earth system interactions will be highlighted. Students will develop and carry out a research project based upon fieldwork. Students in this course will spend significant time outdoors traveling over rough terrain. (Same as ES 4193. Credit cannot be earned for both
GEO 4193 and ES 4193.)
4623 Ground-Water Hydrology
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 1103, GEO 1111, and PHY 1943; or PHY 1603 and MAT 1214.
Hydrologic cycle and the theory of underground water. Recharge and discharge of aquifers; water quality; exploration and development of ground-water supplies. Field trips required.
4803 X-Ray Crystallography
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
The principles and applications of x-ray diffraction to crystalline materials.
4911-3 Independent Study
1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Permission in writing (form available) of the instructor, the student’s advisor, the Department Chair, and Dean of the College in which the course is offered.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree in geology.
4933 Field Geology Part I
(1-6) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 3103, GEO 3111, and consent of instructor.
Part I: Field mapping and measurements. Field trips are required. (Formerly GEO 4946. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 4933 and GEO 4946.)
4943 Field Geology Part II
(1-6) 3 hours credit. Prerequisites: GEO 4933 and consent of instructor.
Part II: Field mapping and measurements. Field trips are required. (Formerly GEO 4946. Credit cannot be earned for both GEO 4943 and GEO 4946.)
4951-3 Special Studies in Geology
(1-0, 2-0, 3-0)1 to 3 hours credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Studies may be repeated for credit when the topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree.
4993 Honors Research
3 hours credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to candidates for College Honors during their last two semesters; approval by the College Honors Committee.
Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated only once with approval.