GEOL - GEOLOGY

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
[3 hours]  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 - 4240 SOIL SCIENCE
[3 hours]  Basic principles of soil formation, physics, chemistry and biology with emphasis on their influence on fluid and chemical migration and preservation of soil quality from geological, agricultural, and environmental perspectives.  Prerequisite:  CHEM 1240

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 - 4670  SOIL ECOLOGY
[3 hours]  Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological functions of soil.  (Spring, alternate years, odd)  Prerequisites: BIOL 3050, GEOL 4240/5240.

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 - 5240 SOIL SCIENCE
[3 hours] Basic principles of soil formation of physics, chemistry and biology with emphasis on their influence on fluid and chemical migration and preservation of soil quality from geological, agricultural, and environmental perspectives.

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 - 5670  SOIL ECOLOGY
[3 hours]  Underlying concepts and theory of modern soil ecology will be reviewed including spatial and temporal distributions, sampling methods, biogeochemical cycles, and ecological functions of soil.  (Spring, alternate years, odd)  Prerequisites: BIOL 3050, GEOL 4240/5240.

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 - 6150  ADVANCED GEOCOMPUTING
[3 hours] Course topics include advanced geological applications and modeling, object-oriented programming, and the use of database techniques.  Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory.

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.  Prerequisite: CHEM 1240, GEOL 3220

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

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Last Updated: 6/27/22