Course Descriptions

---

100 Level | 200 Level | 300 Level | 400 Level

Find a course:

101 Prehistoric Life 115 Landscapes and Geology of North America 112 Earth System Science 131 Geology, the Environment, and Society 132 Volcanoes and Eruptions 161 Phyisical Geology 162 Historical Geology 214 Meteorology 215 Climatology 221 Economic Geography 234 The Oceans: Past, Present, and Future 261 Advanced Physical Geology 301 Mineralogy 302 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 315 Paleontology 316 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 330 World Geography 341 Hydrology 345 Structural Geology 351 Field Geology 390 Geological Field Excursion 402 Volcanology 407 Geomorphology 411 Geology of Soils 414 Petroleum Geology 415 Coal Geology and Exploration 421 Introduction to Geophysics 441 Hydrolgeology 445 Plate Tectonics and Crustal Evolutions 455 Global Quaternary Environmental and Geologic Change 465 Introduction to GIS 475 Remote Sensing and Image Analysis 481 Advanced Environmental Geology 490 Seminar in Geology 499 Independent Research

GEOL 301 - Mineralogy (4) Systematic lecture and laboratory study of minerals,
including their chemical composition, atomic structure, physical
properties, and conditions of formation. Laboratory emphasizes crystallography,
optical properties, and hand specimen identification of common
rock-forming and economic minerals. Prereq: GEOL 161, CHEM
261, or consent of instructor. (3-1) F

GEOL 302 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4) Classification, composition,
texture, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Hand specimen
and thin section studies. Prereq: GEOL 301. (3-1) Sp

GEOL 315 - Paleontology (4) Study of geologically important fossil groups,
including macroscopic invertebrates, micro fossils, and trace fossils,
emphasizing classification paleoecology and biostratigraphy. Laboratory
stresses identification of fossils in hand specimen and under the microscope.
Prereq: GEOL 161. (2-2) F

GEOL 316 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4) Lecture and laboratory study
of composition, texture, description lithologic classification, correlation,
and paleoenvironmental interpretation of sediments and sedimentary
rocks. Use of subsurface data including cores and geophysical well
logs. Laboratory includes thin section and field studies. Prereq: GEOL
162, GEOL 261. (3-1) Sp

GEOG 330 - World Geography (3) An interpretation of human activities in
selected world regions. Designed to assist students in acquiring certain
basic ideas and supporting facts about contemporary world geography.
The course surveys the importance, geographical characteristics, and
basic problems of the major regions of the world. (3-0) UCC, F

GEOL 341 - Hydrology (3) Study of the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on
precipitation analysis; determination of evaporation and infiltration
quantities; and calculation of surface runoff. Includes unit hydrograph
and flood analysis, streamflow routing, and statistical analysis of hydrologic
events. Prereq: ENGR 375 Fluid Mechanics or consent of instructor. (2-1) Sp

GEOL 345 - Structural Geology (4) Descriptive, kinematic, and dynamic
analysis of geologic structures. Structural interpretation of geologic maps.
Tectonic processes responsible for deformation of rocks. Structural
provinces. Prereq: GEOL 162, GEOL 261, MATH 115 or higher. (3-1) Sp

GEOL 351 - Field Geology (4) Practice of important field techniques in geology
field analysis of geologic materials and structures, and construction
of geologic maps. Emphasis is on problem recognition, data gathering,
and interpretive analysis. Prereq: GEOL 162. (3-1) F

GEOL 390 - Geological Field Excursion (1-3) The integrated application of
geological knowledge to a specific field example. Approximately five
weeks of literature investigation of a geological terrain will be followed
by a field trip to the selected area. Excursions will vary in length from
one weekend to week-long. The course is intended for geology majors,
and students will need to cover expenses. Prereq: GEOL 162, GEOL
261, or concurrent registration and consent of instructor. A maximum
of four credit hours of GEOL 390 may be counted toward completion of
the geology major. (X-0) F, Sp, S