Courses in Geology
GEOLOGY 100 (4)—General Geology with Field Emphasis
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Same as Geology 101 with special emphasis on field study in the region
near
Fall
GEOLOGY
101 (4)—General Geology
The study of our physical environment and the processes shaping it.
The materials and structure of the Earth’s crust, the origin of the landforms,
the concept of geologic time, and the nature of the Earth’s interior are considered.
No credit for students who have completed Geology 100. Laboratory course. (GE5) Staff.
Fall
GEOLOGY
102 (3)—History and
Evolution of the Earth
An introductory examination of the origin and physical evolution of
the Earth as inferred from the rock record. Areas of particular emphasis include:
(1) the origin of the solar system and differentiation of the planets; (2)
the evolution of the terrestrial atmosphere and hydrosphere; (3) explanations
for the development of life; (4) organic evolution and interpretations of
“mass extinctions”; (5) the changing configuration of continental blocks and
ocean basins by continental drift, sea-floor spreading, and plate tectonics;
and (6) the growth of continental blocks and their mountain systems. (GE5)
Greer.
Winter
GEOLOGY
104 (3)—Planetary Geology
Large scale geological features of the Earth are examined and compared
with surface features visible on images of other planets and planetary satellites
of the solar system. Features examined include those resulting from volcanism,
impact cratering, and structure; eolian,
fluvial, glacial and periglacial processes; and
mass movement. The composition of terrestrial and lunar rocks and extraterrestrial
objects is examined. Models of the origin and evolution of planets and their
satellites are discussed. (GE5) Connors.
Winter
GEOLOGY
108 (3)—Origin and Evolution of Life
A general survey of the science of paleontology summarizing the changing
character of the biosphere over the past four billion years as documented
by the fossil record. Major topics include the chemical origin of early
organisms; the Cambrian explosion of skeletonization
and the Paleozoic conquest of land; mass extinctions; the interplay between
the biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere; and the use of the fossil record
for tracking the origin, development and physical distribution of ancient
continental blocks and ocean basins. Students desiring experience in recognition
and practical identification from the fossil record should register concurrently
for Geology 209. (GE5) Greer.
Winter 2003
GEOLOGY
135 (1)—Meteorology
A brief survey of weather and climate including the physical properties
of air, planetary circulation, storms, and weather forecasting. (GE5)
Connors, Spencer.
Winter
GEOLOGY
141 (3)—Global Climate Change
A study of Earth’s complex climate system and the impact of human
activities on future climates. Through readings, discussions, data
analyses and modeling exercises, the past and future changes in temperature,
ocean circulation, rainfall, storminess, biogeochemistry, glacial ice extent
and sea level are explored. The course includes the relationship of the science
of global change to the politics of mitigation. (GE5) Harbor.
Winter 2003 and alternate years
GEOLOGY
146 (3)—Geology of Natural Resources
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. Geology and geography of mineral, fuel, soil, and water resources.
Exploitation techniques, patterns of distribution and use, and environmental
aspects are considered. (GE5) Staff.
Winter 2003 and alternate years
GEOLOGY
150 (3)—Water Resources
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. A seminar examining the quality and quantity of water resources as a limiting factor for future generations. Issues include resource depletion, pollution, historical use and abuse, remediation, and habitat maintenance. Resource constraints are analyzed from a scientific perspective in order to understand or predict water resource problems and solutions. (GE5) Harbor.
Winter 2004and alternate years
GEOLOGY
160 (3)—Field Geology
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. An introduction to the study of geology in the field with special attention to the methods used by geologists to make, record, and interpret field observations. The course includes study of and field trips in the central Appalachian region. (GE5) Connors, Staff.
Spring
GEOLOGY 185 (1)—Computer Applications in Geology
Pass/Fail only; may be used toward major requirements.
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101 and either freshman or sophomore standing.
A brief introduction to the computer tools most useful to geology students
for courses and research. Covers spreadsheets, graphing,
modeling, graphics, digitizing, web pages and modeling software. Staff.
Fall, Winter
GEOLOGY
195 (1)—Selected Topics
Selected topical coverage of various subject areas in geology of particular
interest for reasons of timeliness, general interest, etc. The topic
selected will vary from year to year and be announced in advance of the registration
period. Impact and extinction of the dinosaurs, geology of natural resources,
computer applications in geology, climatology, and geologic consideration
in land use planning are among topics previously studied. May be repeated for a maximum of four degree credits with permission
and in different topics. (GE5) Staff.
Winter
GEOLOGY
201 (3)—Oceanography
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101; Biology
111 or 112; Chemistry 110 or 111; or Physics 110 or 111. Introduction to physical oceanography and marine geology; tides, waves,
currents, and the interaction of oceans and atmosphere, submarine landscapes;
and sedimentary, volcanic, and tectonic activity in the ocean basins.
(GE5) Greer.
Winter
GEOLOGY 209 (1)—Laboratory
Study
of the Fossil Record
Prerequisite or Corequisite: Geology 108. Examination of the fossilized remains of representative species of major groups of organisms. Emphasis is given to those organisms which, due to uneven distribution in the record, are particularly useful in interpreting the age and setting of ancient rocks. Staff.
Winter 2003 and alternate years
GEOLOGY 211 (4)—Earth
Materials I:
Rocks and Minerals
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. A laboratory course introducing earth materials, including minerals
and rocks, with an emphasis on a hands-on approach to identifying and interpreting
minerals and their associations in igneous and metamorphic rocks. Students
learn the techniques and principles of hand sample identification, optical
mineralogy and petrography, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
Knapp
Winter
GEOLOGY
247 (4)—Geomorphology
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. Investigation of landforms from maps, aerial photographs, digital
data, and the analysis of the surficial processes by which they are formed.
Laboratory activities include identification and interpretation of topography,
field measurements of landscape form and process, and a required weekend field
trip. Laboratory course. (GE5) Harbor.
Fall
GEOLOGY 260 (4)—GIS and Remote Sensing
Prerequisites: Geology 185 and either Geology
100, 101; or permission of the instructor. A laboratory
course introducing the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote
sensing in geological/environmental analyses and decision-making. Students
use state-of-the-art software with a wide variety of spatial geologic, environmental,
economic and topographic data derived from satellites, remote databases and
published maps to evaluate geologic conditions, local landscape processes,
environmental conditions and hypothetical land-use cases. Harbor.
Winter
GEOLOGY 275 (3)—Introductory Geophysics
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101 or Physics
111 or 112. A review of the geophysical methods used to study the interior
of the Earth, the magnetic field, isostasy, and
earthquake seismology. Attention is given to the methods used in geophysics
to collect and analyze data. A gravimeter, a magnetometer, seismic refraction
and electrical resistivity equipment are used to
collect field data. The data, corrections, and interpretations are incorporated
into a technical report for each of the four surveys. Connors.
Fall 2003 and alternate years
GEOLOGY 311 (4)—Earth
Materials II:
Geochemistry
Prerequisite: Geology 211 or permission of
the instructor. A laboratory course emphasizing the
principles and tools of the chemical composition of earth materials to interpret
petrogenesis. The course focuses on processes
occurring below and at the Earth’s surface. Topics include thermodynamics
and phase diagrams, crystal chemistry, ion packing and symmetry, magmatic
and metamorphic processes, and trace element and isotope geochemistry. The
laboratory includes both a local field and laboratory component and focuses
on using analytical techniques to evaluate chemical composition including
electron microscopy, ion chromatography, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Knapp.
Fall
GEOLOGY 330 (4)—Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Properties, origins, and dynamics of sediments and sedimentary rocks.
Correlation, organization, and historical interpretation
of the sedimentary rock record. Field and laboratory
analyses of sedimentary rocks. Laboratory course.
Greer.
Fall
GEOLOGY 340 (4)—Hydrology
Prerequisite: Geology 100 or 101. Systems and processes of water movement on and below the Earth’s surface.
Encompasses the theoretical and applied aspects of soil
moisture, run-off, flooding, groundwater movement, and water-well use.
Numerical evaluation of flow properties from field and lab
data describing water movement in soils, aquifers, and streams. Laboratory
course. Harbor.
Spring 2004 and alternate years
GEOLOGY 350 (4)—Structural Geology and Tectonics
Prerequisites: Geology 160 and Mathematics
101. Description and methods of analysis of large- and small- scale structural
features of the Earth’s crust. Rock and soil mechanics, application of structural
geology in environmental engineering and resource exploration, structural
analysis of satellite imagery, plate tectonics, geometric techniques used
in structural analysis, interpretation of geologic maps, and the structural
development of mountain systems. Laboratory course.
Connors.
Winter 2004
GEOLOGY 373 (3), 376 (6)—Advanced Field Study
Prerequisite or Corequisite:
Geology 160 and/or permission of the instructor. The emphasis and location
of the study area will differ from year to year. Most course activity involves
outside field work with a series of multi-day field trips. Information about
the course is made available prior to the end of the fall term. May be repeated
for degree credit with permission and if a different location is studied.
Staff.
Spring
GEOLOGY 395 (1), 396 (2), 397 (3)—Seminar
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
The title, term of meeting, and credits for seminars will be announced
to all geology majors. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and
if the topics are different. In Winter 2003, the
Geology 397 topic is devoted to environmental studies. Staff.
Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.
GEOLOGY 401 (1), 402 (2), 403 (3)—Directed Individual Study
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Advanced work and reading in topics selected by the
instructor and meeting the special needs of advanced students. This
course may be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics
are different. Staff.
Offered when interest is expressed and departmental resources permit.
GEOLOGY 472 (2-2)—Senior Research Thesis
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in geology are urged to undertake research on a field or laboratory problem which can lead to the presentation of a senior thesis. Work on this project should be started in the spring term of the junior year. Interested students should consult members of the faculty who will help define the problem and provide guidance during research.
Fall-Winter
GEOLOGY 493 (3-3)—Honors Thesis
Prerequisite: Honors candidacy.
Fall-Winter