Geology Courses

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Geol 100.

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY The significance of the rocks and minerals that form the earth; the plate tectonic processes that have built the continents and ocean basins and the forces that shape them into their characteristic landscapes in the process of their creation and destruction.
3 credits.

Geol 102.

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LAB Special emphasis on laboratory and field studies.
Co-requisite: Geo 100.
1 credit.

Geol 110.

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY The study of the origin and history of life, continents, mountains, and ocean basins since the Earth's origin.
3 credits.

Geol 111.

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY LAB Special emphasis will be placed on laboratory and field studies.
Co-requisite: Geo 110.
1 credit.

Geol 130/Anth 130.

GEOARCHAEOLOGY Geoarchaeology (archaeogeology) examines in detail the interface which exists between the fields of geology and the anthropological subdiscipline of archaeology. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student not only with the history of the interrelationship between these academic specialties but also to document and illustrate the range of geological techniques which are useful to the contemporary archaeologist. More specifically, via lectures and laboratory work, this course will detail how geological methods may be employed in the location, excavation, and interpretation of archaeological sites and materials.
3 credits.

Geol 150.

FIELD STUDIES OF NORTH AMERICA Field studies of classic locations of geologic significance including their structure, lithology, paleontology, and history. Regions may be selected from the Appalachian Mountains, Northern Rockies, Southern Rockies, the Southwest, and the Canadian Shield. Students will spend one week on campus and three weeks in the field.
4 credits.

Geol 198.

CORAL REEF GEOLOGY OF CARIBBEAN Field, laboratory, and lecture study of the modern and ancient carbonate depositional environments of a selected location in the Caribbean (Jamaica or St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands). Access to reef and lagoon environments is by boat and snorkeling from the base laboratory; to carbonate rocks and fossil reef localities by van transport and hiking. Science majors complete an approved independent study of their choice. Scuba diving is available for certified divers. The course is offered concurrently with Tropical Marine Biology.
3 credits.

Geol 199.

CORAL REEF GEOLOGY OF CARIBBEAN LAB Laboratory and field work, in the Caribbean, Jamaica, or Belize.
Corequisite: Geol 198.
1 credit.

Geol 211.

MINERALOGY Description, classification, and genetic interpretations of minerals.
Prerequisite: Geol 100 or permission.
3 credits.

Geol 212.

MINERALOGY LAB A study of elementary crystallography and an examination of common minerals.
Co-requisite: Geology 211.
1 credit.

Geol 213.

PETROLOGY Description, classification, and genetic interpretation of rocks. Special emphasis will be upon igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Prerequisite: Geol 100 or permission.
3 credits.

Geol 214.

PETROLOGY LAB A study of the texture and composition of rocks, both hand specimens and thin sections. Laboratory work will include the preparation of thin sections.
Co-requisite: Geol 213.
1 credit.

Geol 215.

GEOMORPHOLOGY A study of the earth's landforms; their classification, origin, and the forces of wind, waves, streams, glaciers, and gravity that have caused our present landscapes and are causing them to change.
Prerequisite: Geol 100.
3 credits.

Geol 216.

GEOMORPHOLOGY LAB Emphasis will be placed on field studies and map interpretation.
Co-requisite: Geol 215.
1 credit.

Geol 245.

SEDIMENTATION An introduction to processes and environments of sedimentation and the principles employed in the examination of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Hand specimens and sequences will be studied for characteristics and origins.
Prerequisite: Geol 100.
3 credits.

Geol 246.

SEDIMENTATION LAB A laboratory approach taken as a co-requisite to Sedimentation.
Corequisite: Geol 245.
1 credit.

Geol 247.

STRATIGRAPHY This study of sedimentary rock strata includes consideration of large scale patterns of sedimentary deposits including extraterrestrial forcing functions. The principles of the study of layered rock strata also include both basin analysis and sequence-stratigraphic analysis. Consideration of various rock types characteristic of certain environments of deposition (facies) are used to facilitate exercises in local and worldwide correlation of rock sequences.
3 credits.

Geol 248.

STRATIGRAPHY LAB A laboratory approach taken as a co-requisite to Stratigraphy.
Corequisite: Geol 247.
1 credit.

Geol 250.

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY Identification and interpretation of structural geologic features including the construction and use of structural maps and cross sections.
Prerequisite: Geol 100.
3 credits.

Geol 251.

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY LAB A laboratory approach taken as a co-requisite to Geol 250.
Corequisite: Geol 250.
1 credit.

Geol 255.

FIELD METHODS IN GEOLOGY Introduction to the use of field equipment including Brunton compasses, surveying and mapping instruments, geophysical instruments, including the field seismometer.
Prerequisite: Geol 100.
3 credits.

Geol 256.

FIELD METHODS IN GEOLOGY LAB Laboratory and field work taken as a co-requisite to Geol 255.
Corequisite: Geol 255.
1 credit.

Geol 260.

HYDROGEOLOGY An introduction to the origin, occurrence, regimen, and utilization of the ground water sector of the hydrological cycle; the geological influences and chemical aspects of ground water, location, evaluation, and influence of man.
3 credits.

Geol 261.

HYDROGEOLOGY LAB Laboratory and field work taken as a co-requisite to Geol 260.
Corequisite: Geol 260.
1 credit.

Geol 300.

GEOCHEMISTRY OF GROUNDWATER AND PETROLEUM Introduction to aqueous geochemistry including consideration of the fate of organic and inorganic chemicals in groundwater.
3 credits.

Geol 301.

GEOCHEMISTRY OF GROUNDWATER LAB Laboratory investigations in Petroleum Chemistry/Groundwater Chemistry.
Corequisite: Geol 300.
1 credit.

Geol 305.

INTERPRETATION OF WELL-LOGS The use of various well-logging techniques and seismic data interpretation to facilitate the correlation of strata and producing horizons, identification of the lithology of producing zones, and estimation of hydrocarbon reserves. Techniques using seismic data to interpret stratigraphy are explored. Required for majors.
Prerequisite: Geol 260-261.
3 credits.

Geol 306.

SOILS The study of the processes and environmental conditions that result in the formation of soils; the relationships among climate, rock type, and time duration that cause soils to possess different chemical and physical properties; and the various schemes and the nomenclature by which soils are classified.
3 credits.

Geol 307.

SOILS LAB The analysis and interpretation of soils maps; the field descriptions of general soil features; the recording of site and profile data; and soil sampling methods.
Corequisite: Geol 306.
1 credit.

Geol 308.

PLIO-PLEISTOCENE GEOLOGY This course examines the geological and environmental background of the past 5.5 million years, a time period during which humans evolved in Africa and subsequently radiated throughout the world. Special emphasis is placed on the cyclicity of Pliopleistocene climates and its consequences, the dynamics of glaciation and the diversity of glacial landforms; and the relationship of human physical and cultural evolution to its environmental matrix.
3 credits.

Geol 309.

PLIO-PLEISTOCENE GEOLOGY LAB In the laboratory portion of this course students are trained in the interpretation and understanding of Plio-Pleistocene landforms from topographic maps and aerial photos; instructed in methods of sedimentiological descriptions and analysis appropriate to Plio-Pleistocene sites; exposed to the methods of Paleoenvironmental reconstruction used on Plio-Pleistocene archaeological sites.
Corequisite: Geol 308.
1 credit.

Geol 410.

SEMINAR AND RESEARCH Special topics in geology may be pursued on an advanced level, often involving an extensive literature search with accompanying oral and written reports. Students have the opportunity to choose, develop, and complete an original research problem followed by preparation of a report suitable for publication.
Prerequisite: Consent of professor.
1-4 credits.

Sci 307.

METHODS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION An in-depth concentration on the various philosophies of science education in the secondary schools and the techniques for preparing teaching and student objectives. Practice in planning and presenting lectures, lecture demonstrations, and laboratory and field investigations. Special emphasis on the inquiry approach to learning.
3 credits.