Geology (GLG)

GLG120. Weather and Environment. 4 Credits.

A non-mathematical introduction to the basic principles of weather and weather forecasting and their effect on man. Laboratory studies of weather maps and related charts.

GLG193. Geological Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

GLG199. Modular Course. 0 Credits.

GLG201. Physical Geology. 3 Credits.

Basic concepts of geology. Minerals, rocks, and rock-forming processes. Geologic time and age dating. Erosion, streams, groundwater, and glacers. Geologic structures, earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, and other geologic processes. COURSE FEE.

GLG202. Historical Geology. 4 Credits.

Geological and geographic developments of the continents throughout the earth's history, with emphasis on North America. Methods used in calculating the age of our planet, and interpreting the history of its rocks. Evolution of plants and animals through geologic time. In the laboratory, geologic maps and a few common fossils are studied. Local and regional field trips. COURSE FEE.

GLG205. Environmental Geology. 4 Credits.

The geological system as a framework for understanding environmental problems; man and his interactions with geological systems. Conservation, utilization, and management of natural resources. Field trips. COURSE FEE.

GLG211. Physical Geology Laboratory. 1 Credit.

Laboratory study of minerals, rocks, topographic maps, and geologic maps. Field trips.

GLG293. Geological Selected Topic. 2-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

GLG295. Indep Study Geology. 1-12 Credits.

GLG299. Phys Glg-Fld Excur. 1 Credit.

GLG303. Geomorphology. 4 Credits.

Overview of surficial geological processes and how they control landscapes evolution. A geological investigation of hillslopes, rivers, deserts, glaciers, coasts, and oceans with an emphasis on local and regional landscapes and environmental implications. COURSE FEE.

GLG305. Paleontology. 4 Credits.

Principles and methods in the study of fossils; morphology, classification and evolution, ecologic relationships between organisms and sedimentary systems, geographic distribution, and stratigraphic range. Field trips.

GLG311. Mineralogy and Crystallography. 4 Credits.

Basic elements of solid internal and external crystallography and principles of crystal chemistry and geochemistry. Properties, occurrence, geochemistry, and hand specimen identification of the more common economic and rock-forming minerals. Field trips. COURSE FEE.

GLG313. Optical Mineralogy. 3 Credits.

Theory of the transmission of polarized light through crystalline solids. Use of the polarizing microscope in mineral identification. Optical properties of the common rock-forming minerals.

GLG314. Petrology. 4 Credits.

Study of the igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks that form the solid earth. Rock composition, classification, distribution and origin. Volcanic, tectonic and other environments of rock formation. Phase diagrams, age dating, and rock chemistry. Laboratory microscope study of thin sections. Field trips. COURSE FEE.

GLG331. Stratigraphy-Sedimentation. 4 Credits.

Stratified rocks, their formation today as clues to the formation of similar rocks in the past, their local descriptions, their correlation in a regional and world-wide framework, and the principles and methods used in interpreting the geologic history they record. Laboratory and field methods in the study of sedimentation, sedimentary rocks and stratigraphic successions found in outcrops. COURSE FEE.

GLG334. Principles of Oceanography. 4 Credits.

The physical, chemical, geological, biological, and economic aspects of the science of oceanography; properties of seawater, ocean dynamics, coastal processes, marine sediments, sea-floor spreading, and continental drift, sea life fisheries, petroleum and the sea, marine technology, etc. Field trips. Laboratory.

GLG339. Natural Resources and Energy. 3 Credits.

Relation of the production of energy and its environmental impact on the finite nature of our natural resources. Review and critical evaluation of past, present, and future energy technologies.

GLG346. Environmental Impact Assessment. 3 Credits.

Study of the ways by which man's impact on nature and the environment is assessed and evaluated. Aspects of Environmental Impact Statements that are of significance to environmental geology, including air quality, meteorology, water quality, hydrogeology, land use, waste management, energy use and conservation.

GLG393. Geological Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

GLG399. Modular Course. 0 Credits.

GLG405. Structure and Tectonics. 4 Credits.

Study of the structure and deformation of the Earth's crust. Includes rock mechanics, faulting, fabric, geometric analysis, diapirism, and tectonics. Laboratories cover geologic map interpretation, use of spherical projections, and field work. Field trips. COURSE FEE.

GLG407. Hydrogeology. 4 Credits.

Physical properties of groundwater flow, well hydraulics, water quality, the occurrences and distribution of groundwater, and to refine general quantitative and computer skills. COURSE FEE.

GLG435. Field Geology. 4 Credits.

Problems and methods of geologic field study. Use Brunton and Silva compasses, GPS units, field data collection and analysis, solving of geologic field problems, construction of a geologic map, and report writing. Primarily taught in the field.

GLG446. Paleoclimatology. 3 Credits.

Earth’s climate change history from the records of ocean sediments, glacial ice, and other sources. Investigation will include geochronology techniques, mechanisms for gradual and abrupt climate changes, and implications for future climate variability.

GLG475. Geology Research Project 1. 3 Credits.

Students will undertake a two semester research project, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, focusing on a detailed examination of a real world environmental problem. The project will culminate in a written document and an oral presentation in the Senior Seminar.

GLG476. Geology Research Project 2. 3 Credits.

Continuation of GLG475.

GLG481. Field Excursion (1-3). 1-12 Credits.

Geology of a selected area of North America. Readings and discussions of the detailed tectonic and petrological evolution of selected classical geologic areas. Field excursions to type areas. May be repeated for credit provided listed topic changes. COURSE FEE APPLIES TO SOME SECTIONS.

GLG490. Seminar in Geology (2-4). 0 Credits.

Current problems and projects in geology. Developing ability to evaluate evidence critically and to understand current geological literature.

GLG491. Honor's Research. 4 Credits.

Individual advanced research in geology. Students are expected to complete a research thesis in consultation with instructor and chair.

GLG492. Research in Geology (1-4). 1-12 Credits.

Laboratory or field research project to be completed in consultation with a geology faculty member in accord with the department guidelines for research.

GLG493. Geological Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Selected topics courses are regularly scheduled courses that focus on a particular topic of interest. Descriptions are printed in the Schedule of Classes each semester. Selected topics courses may be used as elective credit and may be repeated for credit, provided that the topic of the course changes.

GLG494. Fieldwork In Geology. 1-12 Credits.

GLG495. Indep Study Geology. 1-12 Credits.

GLG499. Modular Course. 0 Credits.