Geology

GEOL 105 — Physical and Historical Geology. 4 hours.

The Earth's surface and interior and the processes which form them. Origin of the earth and its changing patterns of continents, oceans, and life. Laboratory uses minerals, rocks, fossils, topographic and geologic maps, and aerial photographs to interpret changes in the Earth and its life through time. Includes a field trip. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period.

GEOL 106 — Geology and Geography of North American Regions. 2-3 hours.

Selected field studies of North American regions. No prerequisites. May be repeated.

GEOL 121 — Physical Geography. 4 hours.

A study of physical processes acting on the Earth's surface, incorporating elements of geology, weather, climate, biology, soils, and oceanography, with an overview of physical regions of the United States, and an introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 130 — Astronomy. 4 hours.

An introduction to the structure and origin of the universe. Includes the study of the solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes, quasars, etc. Laboratory introduces the student to various techniques used in astronomical studies. The planetarium and observatory are utilized. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period.

GEOL 140 — Earth and Space Sciences for Elementary Teachers. 4 hours.

Introduces Elementary and Early Childhood teachers to the origin and nature of the universe, solar system and the Earth, including its physical and biological nature and history. Laboratory will emphasize observational astronomy, use of the planetarium, identification of minerals, rocks and fossils, and map reading, in forms useful for the teacher. Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory, and a field trip. Prerequisite or corequisite: EDUC 150.

GEOL 300 — Paleontology. 2 hours.

The fossil record of life on Earth. History, taxonomy, patterns of development and ancient communities. Laboratory emphasizes fossil identification, paleoenvironmental and paleoecological interpretation, and biostratigraphic correlation. Field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, 121, 140, BIOL 201 or 125. Block course—three lecture periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 302 — Earth Materials. 4 hours.

An introductory course exploring the nature of the materials that constitute the Earth. An emphasis is placed on minerals that are important due to their abundance, economic value, or scientific merit. Goal is to understand the processes that form and modify the Earth's materials, which forms a basis for understanding all Earth processes. Laboratory emphasizes hand specimen, optical, and other techniques of description and identification. Field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, 121, 140, CHEM 101, 103, or PHSC 110. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 309 — Introduction to Weather and Climate. 1 hour.

A broad introduction to meteorologic topics including composition and structure of the atmosphere, analysis of weather data, atmospheric motions, principles that govern weather and climate, and weather's impact on humans.

GEOL 310 — The Earth’s Weather. 3 hours.

A study of weather and climate of the Earth. Prerequisite: a laboratory science.

GEOL 321 — Geomorphology and Earth Hazards. 3 hours.

The study of Earth surface processes and the landforms they produce. Hazards to humans, such as earthquakes, tsumani, volcanoes, landslides, etc., are discussed. Laboratory involves analysis of landforms using maps, aerial photographs and satellite imagery; measurements of geomorphic processes, e.g. surface stream flow, etc. Field trips. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, 121, or 140. Two lecture periods and one laboratory period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 330 — Hydrogeology. 4 hours.

A study of groundwater systems and flow. Pollutant transport tracking. Water resource management. Laboratory involves analysis of subsurface flow using computer models and field data. Field trips. Prerequisites: GEOL 105, 121, CHEM 103, or permission of the instructor. Three lectures and one laboratory period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 340 — Global Natural Resources. 3 hours.

The origins of natural resources, how culture influences the use of natural resources and how their use influences cultures, recycling of natural materials, and the impacts of processed materials on the environment. Resources to be explored include oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear and alternative energy sources, water, soil and fertilizers, wood, road salts, aggregates and construction materials, and industrial and precious metals. Economic and socio-political factors governing mining, production, and recycling of materials within various cultures. The origins and environmental effects of acid rain, ozone depletion, top soil erosion, and climatic alteration associated with the use of natural resources are explored. The implications of Christian theology on these issues. Three lecture periods. Prerequisites: one laboratory science or consent of instructor.

GEOL 346 — Tools of Astronomy. 3 hours.

Application of astronomical concepts and extensive use of observational equipment. Instruction in the use of the planetarium as an educational tool. Current topics in astronomy. Prerequisite: GEOL 130 or 140.

GEOL 357 — Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. 2 hours.

Nature, distribution, and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Topics include the generation of magma within the Earth's crust and mantle, magma differentiation and ascent, mineral stability, high-temperature geochemistry, grades and styles of metamorphism, pressure-temperature-time paths, and tectonic settings. Laboratory emphasizes identification of and relationships between various suites of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 302. Block course—three lecture periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 360 — Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems. 3 hours.

GIS is a multilayered geographic mapping and analysis set of computer programs designed to integrate many sources of information to address various physical and social problems (e.g., tropical deforestation, arrays of public utilities, topographic and geologic resource distribution patterns, urbanization, overpopulation, hunger, agriculture, acid rain, economic and business questions). GIS helps organize data and their spatial relationships. GPS uses hand-held receivers of satellite array data to determine location and altitude of any point on the earth. This information is downloaded to a GIS to create a map layer, which can be combined with other physical or cultural data.Students will collect GPS and other data to create maps using GIS software and various print technologies. Prerequisite: a laboratory science course. Two lecture periods and one laboratory period.

GEOL 362 — Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. 3 hours.

The composition, textures, and structures of sedimentary rocks; processes which form these features; facies relationships, basin analysis, and tectonic frameworks. Layered rock sequences and their historical interpretation. Laboratory includes sieve and pipette analysis, study of sedimentary features, correlation and classification of sections, well-logging, and subsurface methods. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, 121, or 140. Field trip. Two lectures and one laboratory period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 366 — Structural Geology and Field Methods. 4 hours.

The nature and origin of the Earth's deformed rocks considered at scales ranging from atomic to global. Plate tectonics and regional geology, especially of North America. The structure and origin of the earth's deep interior. Laboratory emphasizes solving structural problems, interpreting geologic history, geologic mapping using aerial photographs, etc., and field-mapping of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks involving instruments, computer mapping and problem solving, and writing geologic reports. Field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 105, 121, or 140. Trigonometry is recommended. Three lecture periods and one laboratory or field period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 375 — Optical and Electron Microscopy. 3 hours.

An analytical course focusing on various techniques of microscopy. Topics discussed include: basic principles of optics and light, interactions of light and matter, characteristics of electron beam-specimen interactions, image formation and interpretation, sample preparation, secondary electron imaging, back-scattered electron imaging, and semi-quantitative chemical analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Microscope techniques will include standard optical microscopy, polarizing light microscopy, reflected light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Two lecture periods and one lab period. Prerequisites: PHYS 122 or 202 and CHEM 103, or consent of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 385 — Environmental Geochemistry. 4 hours.

The distribution and significance of elements in natural systems, with an emphasis on surficial processes. Origin of the elements through nucleosynthesis, basic principles of inorganic chemistry, minerals as salt products of acid-base reactions, weathering of feldspars and production of clays, chemical processes governing elemental distribution. Major, minor, and trace elements in natural systems. Isotopic geochemistry, including radiogenic growth and decay, geochronology, mass fractionation, and isotopes as tracers of natural processes. Biogeochemical cycles of C, N, and O. Actinide geochemistry and the treatment of nuclear waste. Laboratory consists of a semester-long project on the chemistry of natural waters, and includes analyses for major and trace elements by wet chemistry, spectrophotometric methods, titration, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM 104, GEOL 302, or consent of instructor. Three lecture periods and one lab period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 390 — Seminar in Geology. 1 hour.

Professional development and special topics of current interest in the geological sciences. Prerequisite: seven hours of geological sciences. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 395 — Applied Geophysics. 2 hours.

Methods of geophysical exploration for natural resources and environmental analysis. Field trips. Prerequisites: PHYS 121 or 201 and MATH 147. One lecture and one laboratory period. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 399 — Topics in Geology. 1–3 hours.

Selected topics in the geological sciences, e.g., Oceanography, Advanced Paleontology, Isotope Geology, Advanced GIS, Regions of the United States, Advanced Hydrogeology and Contaminant Transport, Physics of the Earth, Geostatistics, etc. May be repeated.

GEOL 492 — Research. 1–3 hours.

Detailed study of an area of the student's interest, involving library, laboratory, and/or field work. Paper required. Prerequisite: senior standing and 15 hours of Geological Sciences.