Geology Courses
Semester
specific course descriptions
103. The Dynamic Earth.
What is the Earth made of? How does the earth change? What effect
does a changing Earth have on humankind? The course is an introduction
to the study of the Earth intended for students with little or no previous
exposure to geology or other science. The course examines the materials
from which the Earth is made and the forces that govern their distribution;
it discusses the ways that geologists study the Earth and the historical
development of their important ideas. It explores the formation, abundance
and distribution of economically useful earth materials (oil, natural
gas, coal, strategic metals, precious minerals, water resources). It
examines natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, radiation exposure,
subsidence, floods, shoreline erosion. Laboratory work gives students
hands-on experience with rocks, minerals and many kinds of maps. Field
trips may be required.
104. The Evolving Earth.
The course introduces students to the methods by which we can
reconstruct past geological events that have shaped the modern Earth.
It addresses three fundamental questions: Where have modern ideas about
the Earth come from? How do geologists unravel the history of the Earth?
What has happened in the Earth’s history? To answer these questions,
the course examines some of the fundamental controversies that have faced
geology throughout its history as a science, reviews in detail the methods
that geologists use to determine past events and examines evidence recorded
in rocks and fossils during the past 4.6 billion years of the Earth’s
history. Prerequisite: Geology 103 or 110, or permission of instructor.
110. Environmental Geology.
This course relates geology, the science of the Earth, to human
activities and emphasizes the importance of geology in environmental
affairs. The introduction of important geological concepts and fundamental
principles necessary to unite the cultural and physical environments
are discussed. Topics covered may include natural geologic hazards and
interaction between people and the environment, including human modification
of nature, geologic resources and energy. Also offered as Environmental
Studies 110.
112. Global Climate.
Climate is perhaps the single most important and pervasive factor
controlling global ecosystems and human well-being. This interdisciplinary
course examines global climate from a historical perspective, beginning
with the formation of the solar system and continuing through geologic
time to the present. Topics covered include the development of the atmosphere;
the workings of the global “heat engine” of atmosphere,
oceans and continents; evidence for past climate change; causes of global
climate change; the effects of climate change on human evolution and
the effects of human evolution on the global climate system. This is
a team-taught studio lab course satisfying the natural science distribution
requirement. Also offered as Environmental Studies 112 and Physics
112 and through Global Studies.
203. Mineralogy.
An introduction to the nature of the crystalline state as displayed
by the common rock-forming minerals through their physical and chemical
properties. Topics include symmetry and its graphical representation;
the relationship between crystal morphology and internal structure; hand-specimen
description and recognition; mineral phase equilibria and mineral origins;
economic uses; and an introduction to petrology and such analytical tools
as the petrographic microscope and x-ray diffractometer.
206. Invertebrate Paleontology.
This course focuses on principles of invertebrate paleobiology,
morphology and taxonomy as they are applied to the study of fossils.
All macro-invertebrate groups having a significant fossil record are
examined. Laboratory work centers on techniques employed in fossil preparation,
on recognition of taxa from fossil material, and on the stratigraphic
and evolutionary significance of invertebrate fossils. Oral and written
presentations on paleontological issues are expected of each student
as an introduction to the literature of the discipline. Participation
in a field trip is expected.
207. Paleoecology.
The challenge of understanding the organizing principles, the
evolution of and the functioning of ecosystems of the Earth is the essence
of this course. Currently, Earth is entering a time of massive extinction,
which happens first to species and then to communicites and ecosystems.
In paleoecology one aim is to understand how, why and when ecosystems
collapse by studying the geologic record of such collapse events in the
past. Such understanding may reveal our future. This is accomplished
by paleoautecologic and synecologic interpretation of fossils and fossil
assemblages and their comparisons with modern level-bottom and reefal
communities. Techniques employed in these studies blend theory with application.
Lucid thought, synthesis of ideas and entry to the paleontologic literature
are stressed. The course is appropriate for students who have some paleontologic
or biologic experience.
210. Optical Mineralogy.
This course involves a study of the nature of light in its interaction
with crystalline material. Specifically, it studies the optical characteristics
and properties of minerals and how minerals may be identified using the
petrographic microscope. Participants will gain experience in microscopic
mineral identification and in the preparation of rock thin sections.
211. Geomorphology.
Geomorphology, literally “earth-shape-study,” is
the study of the landscape, its evolution and the processes that sculpt
it. The purpose of this course is to enhance the student’s ability
to read geologic information from the record preserved in the landscape.
This is achieved through understanding the relationship between the form
of the Earth’s surface and the processes that shape that form.
Students combine quantitative description of the landscape with study
of landscape-shaping processes into a comprehensive investigation of
the dynamic landscape system. This investigation requires geological
insight, application of basic physical and chemical principles and plain
common sense in the study of glaciation, hills, rivers, mountains and
plains. Library, laboratory and field research methods are emphasized;
a field trip is required. Also offered as Environmental Studies 211.
216. Sedimentology.
Sedimentology is the study of the formation and interpretation
of sedimentary rocks. Primary emphasis is placed on processes of physical
and chemical sedimentation in the context of observable environments.
The course covers weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition
of a variety of sediments leading to production of sandstone, limestone,
shale, evaporite, chert and volcaniclastic rocks. Laboratory work is
centered on careful observation and accurate documentation of sediments
and sedimentary rocks, followed by interpretation of their environments
of deposition. Techniques of sieving, staining, making acetate peels
and making petrographic thin sections are covered. Field trips required.
217. Dinosaurs.
There are few groups of animals more recognized by
the citizenry than are the Dinosauria; likewise, there are few groups
about which more misinformation (pseudoscience) has been circulated
than there is about this same group. (Was Jurassic Park actually Jurassic?)
In the setting of vertebrate evolution, this course presents the science
of Dinosauria, explains the history of their study, and investigates
the origins of the group, its paleoecology, collection techniques,
morphology and taxonomy. During the semester, we will consider cutting-edge
issues of dinosaur research (are birds simply dinosaurs with feathers?),
and we will confront all manner of misinformation, anachronism and
illusion based on dinosaure myths. This course can serve as an introduction
to Vertebrate Paleontology through the medium of this well-known, geologically
successful animal group.
241. Field Methods for Environmental Scientists.
This interdisciplinary course is intended for students interested in
environmental science (e.g., environmental studies, biology, geology
or chemistry majors or minors). We will familiarize students with experimental
design and statistics and train students in a variety of field techniques
including map and compass work, basic surveying techniques, and water,
soil, vegetation and faunal sampling. The course will also introduce
students to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for research
in environmental science. By the end of the semester, students will
have a working knowledge of ArcView GIS software and will have experience
creating and managing GIS projects. Students will increase their familiarity
with local natural habitats and gain a big-picture understanding of
environmental science as an interdisciplinary endeavor. Students interested
in developing highly marketable GIS and field skills in the context
of environmental research should consider taking this course. Also
offered as Biology 241.
280,281. Directed Studies in Geology.
Semester-long studies in appropriate areas of the earth sciences may
be designed in consultation with an individual instructor in the geology
department. May use seminar format when appropriate. Permission of instructor
and sophomore standing are required.
302. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.
Petrology is the study of the origin of rocks, based on detailed observation
of rock characteristics (petrography) together with theoretical/experimental
approaches. This course provides a review of the occurrence, characteristics
and origins of the common igneous and metamorphic rocks. Specific areas
of study include the origin and differentiation of primary magmas,
specific magmatic evolution trends, common rock associations, metamorphic
zones and facies, migmatites, the nature of the deep crust and use
of experimentally derived phase diagrams in the understanding of igneous
and metamorphic petrogenesis. The relationship of plate tectonics to
the formation of these generally holocrystalline rocks is emphasized.
Laboratory work includes an introduction to thin section petrography,
in addition to hand specimen description and classification. Prerequisite:
Geology 203 or permission of instructor.
308. Earth History
The course introduces students to the methods by which we can reconstruct
past geological events that have shaped the modern Earth. It addresses
three fundamental questions: Where have modern ideas about the Earth
come from? How do geologists unravel the history of the Earth? What
has happened in the Earth’s history? To answer these questions,
the course examines some of the fundamental controversies that have
faced geology throughout its history as a science, reviews in detail
the methods that geologists use to determine past events and examines
evidence recorded in rocks and fossils during the past 4.6 billion
years of the Earth’s history. Prerequisite: Geology 103 or 110,
or permission of instructor.
314. Glacial and Quaternary Geology.
This seminar examines the history of at least two million years.
During this period, extreme fluctuation in the climate caused great ice
sheets to form and melt many times, working profound changes on the environment.
The course examines the causes, mechanics and effects of glaciation in
the context of long-term climatic and environmental change. Prerequisite:
Geology 211 or permission of instructor.
315. Sedimentary Petrology.
This course entails the study of the composition and texture
of sedimentary rocks, with particular emphasis on thin section petrography.
The primary focus of the course is analysis of the mineral composition,
texture and porosity of sedimentary rocks. In addition, chemical and
physical weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, lithification and
diagenesis are discussed in detail. Laboratory work stresses thin section
observation of sandstone and carbonate rocks, as well as making thin
sections from hand specimens. Field trip(s) may be required.
317. Micropaleontology.
Micropaleontology is the branch of the earth sciences that deals
with fossil organisms too small to resolve in detail with the unaided
eye. This course introduces students to the broad range of micropaleontological
techniques and to the numerous groups of fossils on which these are practiced.
Microfossils range in origin throughout the kingdoms of biology but primarily
record plant, animal and protist life forms. The course examines such
diverse groups as diatoms, radiolarians, charaphytes, formaminiferids,
oribatid mites, fossil spores and pollen. Microfossils are the basis
for most synthesis of global climate change, biostratigraphy of ocean
basins and regional and global rock correlation. The modern time scale
is built on them. Both light and scanning electron microscopy are employed
by students in the course. Taxonomy, morphology and biostratigraphy of
each group are stressed.
318. Geotechnical Writing.
A major responsibility of all scientists, regardless of their employment,
is to convey the technical results of their work to any of several
audiences in a factual, informative and accurate manner. Most of this
process requires particular writing skills. In geology these are combined
with a wide range of graphics techniques around which text is often
formed, with unique methods of reference citation and the need for
careful attention to the ethics of ideas and their attribution. This
seminar-style course is an introduction to geotechnical writing. It
begins with a grammar refresher and moves to processes of manuscript
preparation, revision and publication. Properties of the abstract are
investigated. Class members develop writing assignments that become
the means to practice proofing, critiquing, refereeing and revising
manuscripts. Finally, a “publishable” piece of technical
writing is produced in one of the genres addressed, e.g., research
paper, lab report, site report, geological guidebook, grant proposal,
personal vita, brochure or Web site. Students should be conversant
with science. Those who are anticipating preparation of a senior thesis,
abstract submission to a conference or publication of a research paper
will find this a valuable endeavor.
319. Hydrology and Hydrogeology.
This course provides an introduction to the movement and storage of
water on the Earth’s surface (hydrology) and in the subsurface
(hydrogeology). We will begin with a discussion of the fundamentals
of the water cycle and hydrologic processes at the surface. The transfer
of this water in and out of the subsurface and the processes of groundwater
flow will form the second half of the course. Human impacts upon water
will also be examined, including water resources, contamination, changing
land-use and climate change. The laboratory component of the course
will rely heavily on field research in a nearby drainage basin, as
well as computer modeling of groundwater flow. Also offered as
Environmental Studies 319.
320. Regional Field Studies.
Field-based studies form the core of geological inquiry. The purpose
of this course is to enrich students’ understanding of the process
of conducting geological research in the field. The course will be
composed of on-campus trip preparation, a field trip lasting approximately
two weeks, and data analysis and trip reporting upon return to campus.
Through individual and group projects, students are instructed, as
time allows, in observing, collecting and processing geologic data
and samples, basic geological mapping and the fundamentals of geologic
report writing. Field trip locations and topics will vary. Students
may be responsible for some of the course costs. Prerequisite: Geology
103 or permission of instructor.
350. Structural Geology
The deformation of rocks through brittle and ductile processes is
the focus of structural geology. This course examines how forces such
as those associated with plate tectonics and mountain-building are
recorded in rocks on the regional, outcrop and microscopic scale. The
genesis, recognition and classification of structures such as folds,
faults, joints and microstructures as well as the mechanical behavior
of rocks, and stress and strain are studied as important components
in deciphering the tectonic and deformational history of an area. Stereographic
projection and three-dimensional visualization are among the skills
taught. The laboratory emphasizes application of theory to field problems.
Geological mapping techniques, such as use of the Brunton compass,
traversing, methods of data collection, observation and interpretation
are developed. The laboratory portion of the course culminates in production
of a geological map and report on a local complexly deformed terrain.
Prerequisite or co-requisite: Geology 203 or permission of instructor. Also
offered through Outdoor Studies.
380,381. Directed Studies in Geology.
Semester-long studies in appropriate areas of the earth sciences
may be designed in consultation with an individual instructor in the
geology department. May use seminar format when appropriate. Permission
of instructor and junior standing are required.
391. Research Methods in Scanning Electron Microscopy. (.5 unit)
This course will offer students detailed instruction in the
use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Support techniques such
as critical point drying, specimen coating (standard vacuum and sputter
coating), specimen fixation, black and white photographic techniques
and computer image acquisition and analysis. The theory and practice
of energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX) for determining atomic element
makeup and element mapping will also be learned. As a half-unit offering,
the course will meet for about half the semester. Prerequisites are any
200- or 300-level science course or permission of the instructor. Also
offered as Biology 391.
408. Stratigraphy.
This course places dual emphasis on stratigraphic principles
and practices. Major accent is given to stratigraphic nomenclature, interpretation
of sedimentary facies and sequences, evaluation of geologic contacts
and the use of stratigraphic indices. These con-cepts are applied
through laboratory work to field descriptions of stratigraphic sections,
correlation techniques in practice, production of derivative maps from
surficial and subsurface data and the use of stratigraphy as a tool by
the economic geologist. The labora-tory attempts to employ modern computer
graphics and plotting methods whenever possible. Prerequisite: senior
standing.
415. Tectonics.
A comprehensive overview of the theory of plate tectonics. The historical
development of the theory is reviewed, considering in detail the contributions
of continental drift, geosynclines, apparent polar wandering, sea-floor
spreading and geomagnetic reversals. Current interpretations of the
plate tectonic theory are discussed in relation to rock assemblages,
geophysics and paleogeographic reconstructions. There is a significant
emphasis on the nature and origin of orogenic belts. Prerequisite:
permission of instructor.
STPT 470. Senior Seminar and Comprehensive Geology–Physics
Exams.
All senior geology and environmental studies–geology majors will
take the Senior Seminar and Comprehensive Exams. The seminar will augment
and synthesize the students’ depth and breadth of knowledge through
student researching and presentation of major topics in the earth sciences.
Preparation for the comprehensive exams will review and further synthesize
the body of geological knowledge to which students have been exposed
through course work.
480,481.
SYE: Directed Studies in Geology.
Semester-long studies in appropriate areas of the earth sciences
may be designed in consultation with an individual instructor in the
geology department. May use seminar format when appropriate. Permission
of instructor and senior standing are required. Counts for SYE credit.
Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
489,490.
SYE: Senior Thesis.
The senior thesis is an extended application of a student’s
geological background toward research of an original nature. It involves
posing questions, developing hypotheses, conducting field and/or laboratory
work, applying scholarship and library research, interpreting results
and compiling those results into a finished thesis for submission to
the department. Completion of Senior Thesis may lead to graduation with
honors (see Honors in the Curriculum section of this Catalog).
Guidelines and deadlines for thesis preparation should be obtained from
the department chair. Counts for SYE credit. Prerequisite: permission
of instructor.
