Water availability and water quality in surface and subsurface water bodies; management of water as a resource.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEMÂ 102(P) or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 400G Water Quality
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Water availability and water quality in surface and subsurface water bodies; management of water as a resource.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEMÂ 102(P) or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 409 Process Geomorphology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of geological processes and their effect on the formation and evolution of land forms.
Prerequisites: junior standing, and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P), GEOGÂ 120(P), or GEOG 121(P).
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trips for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 409G Process Geomorphology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of geological processes and their effect on the formation and evolution of land forms.
Prerequisites: junior standing, and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P), GEOGÂ 120(P), or GEOG 121(P).
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trips for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 435 History of Geologic Thought
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of development of the major concepts in geology.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 435G History of Geologic Thought
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of development of the major concepts in geology.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 443 Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mechanics of glacial flow, Pleistocene stratigraphy, and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P), GEO SCI 101(P), GEOGÂ 120(P), or GEOG 121(P). GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(R) or GEOÂ SCIÂ 108(R).
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab. Field trips for which fees are assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 443G Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mechanics of glacial flow, Pleistocene stratigraphy, and laboratory techniques.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P), GEO SCI 101(P), GEOGÂ 120(P), or GEOG 121(P). GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(R) or GEOÂ SCIÂ 108(R).
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab. Field trips for which fees are assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 463 Physical Hydrogeology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of ground water occurrence, its interrelationship with surface water, aquifer properties, groundwater flow and water supply development, including well hydraulics, water quality, and groundwater law.
Study of ground water occurrence, its interrelationship with surface water, aquifer properties, groundwater flow and water supply development, including well hydraulics, water quality, and groundwater law.
Natural chemical processes that occur in groundwater systems, how they are modified by human activity and contamination, and attempts to regulate them.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEMÂ 102(P).
Course Rules: FRSHWTRÂ 464 & GEOÂ SCIÂ 464 are jointly-offered and count as repeats of one another. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 464G Chemical Hydrogeology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Natural chemical processes that occur in groundwater systems, how they are modified by human activity and contamination, and attempts to regulate them.
Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEMÂ 102(P).
Course Rules: FRSHWTRÂ 464 & GEOÂ SCIÂ 464 are jointly-offered and count as repeats of one another. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 497 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in 51ÁÔÆæ sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.
Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 497G Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in 51ÁÔÆæ sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.
Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 511 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Techniques and principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, including methods of correlation, analysis of facies, stratigraphic mapping, and tectonic controls of sedimentation.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(P) or equivalent.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab. Required field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 511G Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Techniques and principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, including methods of correlation, analysis of facies, stratigraphic mapping, and tectonic controls of sedimentation.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 102(P) or equivalent.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab. Required field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 515 Physical Sedimentology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Physical properties, processes, and environments of clastic sediments. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Prerequisites: jr st; GEOÂ SCIÂ 511(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 515G Physical Sedimentology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Physical properties, processes, and environments of clastic sediments. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Prerequisites: jr st; GEOÂ SCIÂ 511(P).
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 520 Introduction to Paleontology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
General study of fossils and theoretical principles used in the study of paleontology. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.
Prerequisites: jr st; GEOÂ SCIÂ 102 or GEOÂ SCIÂ 108.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 520G Introduction to Paleontology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
General study of fossils and theoretical principles used in the study of paleontology. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.
Prerequisites: jr st; GEOÂ SCIÂ 102 or GEOÂ SCIÂ 108.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 525 Terroir: Geology in a Glass
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The geology, soil types, and climate of famous wine regions; factors that influence the production of fine wine.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P).
Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 525G Terroir: Geology in a Glass
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The geology, soil types, and climate of famous wine regions; factors that influence the production of fine wine.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 100(P).
Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 545 X-Ray Analytical Methods
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Methods in x-ray diffractometry and spectrometry. Nature and generation of x-rays, collection and interpretation of powder diffraction patterns and elemental analysis using x-ray spectrometry.
Prerequisites: junior standing, GEOÂ SCIÂ 301(P), satisfaction of OWC-A requirement, and CHEMÂ 102(C).
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 545G X-Ray Analytical Methods
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Methods in x-ray diffractometry and spectrometry. Nature and generation of x-rays, collection and interpretation of powder diffraction patterns and elemental analysis using x-ray spectrometry.
Prerequisites: junior standing, GEOÂ SCIÂ 301(P), satisfaction of OWC-A requirement, and CHEMÂ 102(C).
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 558 Conducted Field Trip:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Field trip to a classical geologic area. Preceded by a seminar.
Prerequisites: junior standing or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max, only 3 cr of which may be applied toward geosciences major.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 558G Conducted Field Trip:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Field trip to a classical geologic area. Preceded by a seminar.
Prerequisites: junior standing or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max, only 3 cr of which may be applied toward geosciences major.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 562 Environmental Surface Hydrology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Land-atmosphere interactions, modeling of runoff generation, and water movement in the vadose zone.
Prerequisites: junior standing and MATHÂ 232(P); or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 562G Environmental Surface Hydrology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Land-atmosphere interactions, modeling of runoff generation, and water movement in the vadose zone.
Prerequisites: junior standing and MATHÂ 232(P); or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 563 Field Methods in Hydrogeology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Introduction to current equipment and methodology used in field evaluation of hydrologic systems. Well installation and monitoring, stream gauging, indirect surface observations.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 463(P).
Course Rules: Lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 563G Field Methods in Hydrogeology
4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Introduction to current equipment and methodology used in field evaluation of hydrologic systems. Well installation and monitoring, stream gauging, indirect surface observations.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 463(P).
Course Rules: Lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 614 Advanced Structural Geology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced analysis of deformation as applied to geological structures from microscopic through regional scales.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 414(P); MATHÂ 231(C).
Course Rules: Lec, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 614G Advanced Structural Geology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced analysis of deformation as applied to geological structures from microscopic through regional scales.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 414(P); MATHÂ 231(C).
Course Rules: Lec, field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Spring 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 635 Volcanology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Why and when volcanoes erupt; predicting whether eruptions will be explosive or passive.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 302(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2022.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 635G Volcanology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Why and when volcanoes erupt; predicting whether eruptions will be explosive or passive.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 302(P); or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Fall 2022.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 637 Planetary Geology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced study of planetary geology, for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
Prerequisites: junior standing, completion of OWC-A GER (ENGLISHÂ 102 or placement equivalent, and one of the following: GEOÂ SCIÂ 301(P), ASTRONÂ 211(P), or ASTRONÂ 400(P).
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 697 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 637G Planetary Geology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced study of planetary geology, for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.
Prerequisites: junior standing, completion of OWC-A GER (ENGLISHÂ 102 or placement equivalent, and one of the following: GEOÂ SCIÂ 301(P), ASTRONÂ 211(P), or ASTRONÂ 400(P).
General Education Requirements: OWCB
Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 697 with the same topic.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 638 Advanced Igneous Petrology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Recent trends and applications in the fields of igneous petrology. Quantitative modelling of important petrologic processes. Critical reading of journal articles in petrology.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 302(P).
Course Rules: Lec.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 638G Advanced Igneous Petrology
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Recent trends and applications in the fields of igneous petrology. Quantitative modelling of important petrologic processes. Critical reading of journal articles in petrology.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 302(P).
Course Rules: Lec.
Last Taught: Fall 2023.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 655 Topics in Structure and Tectonics:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Application of structural geology techniques and complimentary geosciences are used to acquire in-depth knowledge of structural processes, tectonic processes, or earth’s tectonic history.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 414(P) or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 655G Topics in Structure and Tectonics:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Application of structural geology techniques and complimentary geosciences are used to acquire in-depth knowledge of structural processes, tectonic processes, or earth’s tectonic history.
Prerequisites: junior standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 414(P) or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 695 Internship in Geoscience
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An internship consistent with the student's plan of study in geosciences. Requirements and evaluation determined by the department on an individual basis.
Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of department.
Last Taught: Summer 2024, Summer 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 695G Internship in Geoscience
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An internship consistent with the student's plan of study in geosciences. Requirements and evaluation determined by the department on an individual basis.
Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of department.
Last Taught: Summer 2024, Summer 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 Topics in the Geological Sciences:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course offered.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 696G Topics in the Geological Sciences:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course offered.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 697 Seminar in the Geological Sciences:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Specific credits and additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 697G Seminar in the Geological Sciences:
1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Specific credits and additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered.
Prerequisites: junior standing.
Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 720 Methods in Paleomagnetism and Environmental Magnetism
3 cr. Graduate.
This course is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical foundation in paleomagnetism and environmental magnetism, including hands-on work with samples and real data.
Prerequisites: grad st; MATHÂ 231(R); PHYSICSÂ 210(R) or PHYSICSÂ 122(R)
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 with the same topic. Not open to students w/ credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 420.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2022.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 721 Conservation Paleontology
3 cr. Graduate.
Application of theories and analytical tools of paleontology to biodiversity conservation.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 with topic 'Conservation Paleontology'.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 722 Plant-Insect Interactions in Deep Time
3 cr. Graduate.
Fossil record of interactions between plants and insects, focusing primarily on herbivory and pollination; basic overview of the fossil record and evolutionary history of plants and insects.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEOÂ SCIÂ 696 with topic 'Plant and Insect Relationships in Deep Time'.
Last Taught: Fall 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 723 Applied Geophysics
3 cr. Graduate.
Theory and practical experience of geophysical techniques commonly used to examine shallow sub-surface features, often with a practical or economic aim.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEOÂ SCIÂ 696G with similar topic.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 730 Modelling Techniques for Hydrogeology
3 cr. Graduate.
Study and application of modelling techniques in hydrogeology. Includes finite difference and finite element techniques for groundwater flow, contaminent transport, and geochemistry.
Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 463; knowledge of fortran or equiv; cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 740 Carbonate Sedimentology
3 cr. Graduate.
Depositional processes, environments and stratigraphic analysis of carbonate rocks. Lec, lab, field trip, for which fee is assessed.
Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 511 or equiv.
Course Rules: Field trip for which fee is assessed.
Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 749 Biogeochemistry of Soils
3 cr. Graduate.
Biogeochemical processes in soils and their impact on water quality.
Prerequisites: graduate standing and GEOÂ SCIÂ 464(P) or consent of instructor.
Course Rules: 3 hrs lec.
Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Spring 2009.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 750 Contaminant Hydrogeology
3 cr. Graduate.
Transport and fate of contaminants in aquifers, aquitards, and unsaturated geologic materials.
Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 464(C).
Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 780 Applications of GIS for Earth Scientists
3 cr. Graduate.
Introduction to principles and application of geographic information systems (GIS), with emphasis on GIS analysis techniques utilizing (mostly) geologic data sets, culmination in a final GIS project.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEOÂ SCIÂ 696G with the same topic. Not open to students with credit in GEOÂ SCIÂ 480.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 790 Graduate Seminar in the Geological Sciences:
1-3 cr. Graduate.
Add'l prereqs announced in schedule of classes each time course offered.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2006, Spring 2002.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 888 Candidate for Degree
0 cr. Graduate.
Available for grad students who must meet minimum cr load requirement.
Prerequisites: graduate standing.
Course Rules: Fee for 1 cr assessed; unit does not count towards credit load for Fin Aid. Repeatable. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.
Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Summer 2016, Summer 2015.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 990 Master's Thesis
1-8 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: grad st; cons instr & completed thesis proposal.
Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 997 Doctoral Externship
1-12 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: grad st; admis to candidacy for Ph.D.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2018.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 998 Doctoral Dissertation
1-12 cr. Graduate.
Prerequisites: grad st.
Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024.
GEOÂ SCIÂ 999 Advanced Independent Reading
1-4 cr. Graduate.
Independent geologic study.
Prerequisites: grad st & cons instr.
Course Rules: Retakable to 4 cr max.
Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.