GEOL - 1010 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
[3 hours] Introduction to classification and origins of rocks and minerals, surficial processes and
landscape development, groundwater and other natural resources, geologic structures, earthquakes and the earth's interior, plate tectonics, and
geologic time.
GEOL - 1020 INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY LABORATORY
[1 hour] Identification of rocks and minerals. Study of surface features of the earth
through the use of topographic maps. Corequisite: GEOL 1010 or 2010
GEOL - 1030 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
[3 hours] Study of rock and fossil records to discover their tabulation of physical and biological earth
history. Three hours lecture, laboratory (Geol. 1040) is optional. May be offered as writing intensive. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010
GEOL - 1040 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY
[1 hour] Geologic maps and fossil assemblages are studied to interpret earth history and
environments of deposition of sedimentary rocks. Two hours lab weekly. Corequisite: GEOL 1030
GEOL - 2010 GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
[3 hours] Introduction to risk mitigation involving hazardous geological processes
and materials : volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, ground subsidence and collapse, radon, asbestos and others.
GEOL - 2020 WATER AND MINERAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
[3 hours] Introduction to mineral resources (origin, global distribution,
uses, critical shortage) and water resources (distribution and occurrence, use and consumption, water quality, pollution sewage and drinking
water treatment).
GEOL - 2030 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY AND RESOURCES LABORATORY
[1 hour] Earth materials, mapping and positioning methods applied to
environmental studies and resource characterization: introduction to stream flow and water quality measurements. 2 hours weekly laboratory plus
field trips. Corequisite: GEOL 2020
GEOL - 2210 MINERALOGY
[3 hours] Systematic classification of minerals; properties and occurrences; use and identification of silicate
and non-silicate minerals. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010 or 2010; CHEM 1230
GEOL - 2220 MEGASCOPIC PETROLOGY
[3 hours] Megascopic rock identification and classification; the geologic compass; introduction to
stratigraphic section measuring and construction of geological maps and cross-sections. One hour lecture, two hours laboratory. Prerequisite:
GEOL 2210
GEOL - 2500 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN GEOLOGY
[1 hour] Desktop computers used by geologists: word processing, spreadsheets, databases,
e-mail and world-Wide Web, table digitizer, processing GPS and data logger files, contour and mapping software. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010 or 2010;
knowledge of algebra, plane geometry and basic trigonometry
GEOL - 2900 SEMINAR
[1 hour] Individual presentation and discussion of topics in the geological sciences appropriate for students
interested in geology but with little or no formal background in the discipline. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 2980 SPECIAL TOPICS
[1 - 4 hours] A lower division undergraduate course covering some aspect of geology not covered in the
formal course offerings of the department. Students may repeat the course for different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 2990 INDEPENDENT STUDY
[1 - 4 hours] Student selects an appropriate approved subject for individualized study and prepares a
report or gives equivalent evidence of mastery of the selected subject. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 3000 GEOLOGY OF NATIONAL PARKS
[3 hours] Study of regional geology of the U.S., focusing on national parks and monuments with
the aim of furthering the student's geological knowledge and encouraging visitation as a tourist. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010
GEOL - 3100 SURFICIAL PROCESSES
[3 hours] Description and study of the earth's surface features from the point of view of their origin
including landforms created by volcanism, tectonics, and erosional/depositional processes. Field trip required. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010
GEOL - 3150 GEOLOGY OF LATIN AMERICA
[1 hour] Survey of geology of Latin America: mineral deposits, tectonics, major rock units,
environmental and engineering geology. Lectures, readings and tests in Spanish. (Not for major credit in Geology) Prerequisite: GEOL 1010 or 2010
and GEOL 1020; Spanish 2150
GEOL - 3200 STRATIGRAPHY
[3 hours] Relations of stratified rocks and the history they record: origin, transportation, deposition,
diagenesis, rock lithification of rock forming materials. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220
GEOL - 3220 GEOCHEMISTRY
[3hours] Formation and stability of minerals in various geological environments. Phase relations of minerals during high temperature crystallization; solid solution, exsolution, pure solids. Minerals and solution. Minerals in the weathering environment. Recommended: GEOL 2210. Prerequisite: CHEM 1230
GEOL - 3250 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
[3 hours] Application of geologic principles to engineering practices (dams, tunnels, drainage,
foundations and water supply). Labs stress rock and mineral identification, quality control tests in engineering design and construction using
rock. Prerequisite: MATH 1850 or 1750
GEOL - 3320 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
[3 hours] Descriptive analysis of rock structures, with emphasis on relationship to regional tectonics;
term paper or field trip required. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010; Basic trigonometry.
GEOL - 4000 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
[3 hours] Biologic and stratigraphic significant taxa of invertebrate fossils, principles of
taxonomy, morphology, and paleoecology. Paleoenvironmental use of fossils. Field trip required. Prerequisite: GEOL 1030; Consent of instructor.
GEOL - 4010 MICROSCOPIC PETROLOGY
[3 hours] Principles of optical crystallography, training and use of the petrographic microscope;
classification, occurrence, petrogenesis and petrography of igneous rocks. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220; MATH
1340 or Math 1320 or 1330 or 1750
GEOL - 4330 PHOTOGEOLOGY
[3 hours] Stereoscopic study of aerial photographs for geological, hydrological land form, soil and subsurface
interpretation. Introduction to analysis of earth surface features through study of different types of satellite imagery. Prerequisite: GEOL 1010
GEOL - 4410 HYDROGEOLOGY
[3 hours] Introduction to groundwater flow, chemistry, chemical transport, modeling and the relationship to
geologic principles and processes with emphasis on water resource evaluation and characterization of contaminant transport. Prerequisite: MATH
1850 or 1750; CHEM 1230
GEOL - 4450 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
[3 hours] Environmental regulations concerning hazardous waste, characteristics of hazardous
waste and disposal technologies, toxicology, characteristics of organic chemicals and heavy metals, biodegradation, soil science, groundwater
contamination, risk assessment, site investigation. Prerequisite: CHEM 1230
GEOL - 4610 INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICS
[3 hours] Survey of theory, field applications, interpretation principles of solid earth and
exploration geophysics. Two hours lecture, three hours methods laboratory. Prerequisite: MATH 1760 or 1860; PHYS 2020 or 2120; GEOL 3320
GEOL - 4620 NON-INVASIVE ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND MEASUREMENTS
[4 hours] Electrical currents, electromagnetic fields, seismic waves
and potential field measurements are used to characterize materials concealed below the earth's surface. Term papers or term project.
Prerequisite: GEOL 4610 or permission of instructor.
GEOL - 4630 NUMERICAL METHODS IN GEOPHYSICS
[3 hours] Numerical filters and matrix operations used to process potential field data and
wave forms, isolating anomalies and signals of interest; derivative maps, upward and downward continuation; current interpretation software. Term
project. Prerequisite: GEOL 4610
GEOL - 4650 GEOLOGY FIELD COURSE
[6 hours] Intensive field studies in the Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming; stratigraphic section
measuring, geologic mapping and interpretation, and other field methods in geology. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220, 3320; Math 1340 or higher
GEOL - 4900 SEMINAR: ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE
[1 hour] Individual presentation and discussion of topics in the geological sciences
appropriate for juniors and seniors. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220; Consent of instructor
GEOL - 4910 DIRECTED RESEARCH
[1 - 5 hours] Research under guidance of faculty member. An acceptable thesis is required for credit
toward major. Students are encouraged, although not required, to publish results. Taken as P/NC. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220; Consent of instructor
GEOL - 4940 INTERNSHIP
[1 - 4 hours] Student gains up to 4 credits for relevant professional experience with an adviser-approved
organization. Student must enroll during the term service is performed. Prerequisite: Consent of undergraduate adviser
GEOL - 4980 SPECIAL TOPICS: ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE
[1 - 4 hours] An advanced undergraduate course covering some aspect of geology not
covered in the formal upper- division undergraduate curriculum. Student may repeat the course for different topics. Prerequisite: GEOL 2220;
Consent of instructor
GEOL - 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY: ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE
[1 - 4 hours] Student selects an appropriate approved subject for individualized
study and prepares a report or gives equivalent evidence of mastery of the selected subject. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 5000 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
[3 hours] Invertebrate fossil taxa of biologic and stratigraphic importance; morphology,
paleoecology, biostratigraphy of each taxon reviewed. Field project required.
GEOL - 5330 ADVANCED PHOTOGEOLOGY
[3 hours] Stereoscopic study of aerial photographs for geological, hydrological land form, soil and
subsurface interpretation. Introduction to analysis of earth surface features through study of different types of satellite imagery.
GEOL - 5450 HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
[3 hours] Environmental regulations concerning hazardous waste, characteristics of hazardous
waste and disposal technologies, toxicology, characteristics of organic chemicals and heavy metals, biodegradation, soil science, groundwater
contamination, risk assessment, site investigation.
GEOL - 5610 SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICS
[4 hours] Survey of theory, field applications, interpretation principles of solid earth and
exploration geophysics. Two hours lecture, three hours methods laboratory. Prerequisite: 1 year calculus; 1 year college physics; Structural
Geology
GEOL - 5620 GEOPHYSICAL FIELD METHODS
[4 hours] Application of geophysical field measurements, data processing and interpretation, to
resolving problems in resource assessment, geotechnical engineering and environmental geology. Term project. Prerequisite: GEOL 5610 or
permission of instructor
GEOL - 5630 NUMERICAL METHODS IN GEOPHYSICS
[3 hours] Numerical filters and matrix operations used to process potential field data and
waveforms, isolating anomalies and signals of interest; derivative maps, upward and downward continuation; current interpretation software. Term
project. Prerequisite: GEOL 5610
GEOL - 5650 GEOLOGY FIELD COURSE
[6 hours] Intensive field studies in the Black Hills, South Dakota and Wyoming; stratigraphic section
measuring, geologic mapping and interpretation, and other field methods in geology.
GEOL - 6120 CHARACTERIZATION OF GEOLOGIC MATERIALS
[2 hours] Characterization and description of earth materials using transmitted
light microscopy, reflected light microscopy and x-ray diffraction techniques.
GEOL - 6130 ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
[2 hours] Fundamentals of atomic absorption, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
theory and instrumentation are applied to chemical analysis of environmental soil and water samples. One hour lecture, 2 hours lab.
GEOL - 6140 GEOCOMPUTING
[3 hours] Geological applications and modeling using the personal computer; programming language used in
Visual Basic for Windows; Semester project required.
GEOL - 6220 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
[3 hours] Chemical reactions of environmental concern. Ozone depletion, photochemical smog,
toxic organic chemicals, water chemistry, water contamination, heavy metals, and soil chemistry are studied in depth. Computer software used.
GEOL - 6260 ADVANCED STRATIGRAPHY
[3 hours] Lithologies, thicknesses, fossils, and correlation of stratified rocks of North America.
Representative sections of each system studied in several structural provinces. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 6430 GEOHYDROLOGY OF DRAINAGE BASINS
[3 hours] Hydrology and hydraulics of surface water such as rainfall/runoff, infiltration,
precipitation, evaporation, and stream flow.
GEOL - 6440 CONTAMINANT HYDROGEOLOGY
[3 hours] Groundwater contaminant sources, impacts, transport, geochemistry, and remediation in
relation to geological environments with attention to sampling, detection, characterization, modeling and aquifer protection. Prerequisite: GEOL
4410 Corequisite: GEOL 6220
GEOL - 6450 ADVANCED APPLIED HYDROGEOLOGY
[3 hours] Applications of hydrogeological monitoring, analyses, and modeling using
mathematics, statistics, and computers. Subjects include: well field and pump test design, sampling strategies, data presentation and analysis,
and modeling fundamentals. Prerequisite: GEOL 4410
GEOL - 6500 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSTATISTICS
[4 hours] Application of statistical methods to environmental data in geology. Emphasis is on
US EPA-recommended parametric and nonparametric methods for the analysis of soil and groundwater samples. Four hours lecture.
GEOL - 6540 STRUCTURE, DEFECTS AND DIFFUSION
[4 hours] A generic materials science approach to the study of crystalline structure,
defects (point, line and planar) in crystalline materials, and the mechanisms and kinetics of diffusion in the condensed state.
GEOL - 6550 THERMODYNAMICS AND PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS CONDENSED SYSTEMS
[4 hours] A materials science approach to the thermodynamics of
condensed state equilibria and phase transformation kinetics.
GEOL - 6930 SEMINAR
[1 hour] Individual presentation and discussion of papers in the geological sciences. Prerequisite: Consent of
instructor
GEOL - 6960 THESIS RESEARCH
[1 - 12 hours] Research on a particular geologic problem leading to a written thesis which must be
presented and defended before a faculty committee. Prerequisite: Consent of adviser
GEOL - 6980 SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGY
[1 - 4 hours] A graduate course covering some aspect of geology not covered in the formal
graduate curriculum. Students may repeat the course for different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
GEOL - 6990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN GEOLOGY
[1 - 4 hours] Student selects an approved subject for individual study and prepares a detailed
report, or gives equivalent evidence of mastering of the selected subject. Taken only as S/U. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor