Geology, BS
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Program Description
The mission of the Geology Program is to provide integrated and process-oriented curricula, based on fundamental scientific principles and processes that enable graduates to pursue challenging careers and maintain lifelong learning. The Geology Program is designed to serve students majoring in geology and environmental science as well as students in other fields who are interested in adding to their knowledge of the Earth. Members of the geoscience faculty provide majors with a broad overview of geologic processes while offering the opportunity to pursue specialized knowledge in selected areas of geoscience in preparation for graduate study and careers in government, industry, or academia.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology by following the degree plan for geology majors as described below. Students considering certification for 4-8 level science teaching should consult the Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (SMTE) section of this catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- show competence in scientific inquiry, writing, and oral presentation;
- demonstrate a broad understanding of major concepts central to the geological sciences;
- demonstrate competency and be able to apply field and laboratory methods, perform data analysis, and utilize computer applications relevant to the geological sciences;
- be able to evaluate and critically discuss issues related to geology that impact society.
Fast Track from Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree
The university allows the opportunity for high-achieving students to count a select number of graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree and thereby obtain a graduate degree at an accelerated pace. For more information, see Fast Track Geology, BS and Environmental Science, MS.
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General Requirements
The minimum requirement for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology is a total of 120 hours, divided among the following areas:
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Program | 42 |
| University Seminar (when applicable)1 | 0-2 |
| Supporting Courses | 8 |
| Geology Core | 42 |
| Geology Tracks | 28-36 |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-130 |
- 1
Full-time, first time in college students are required to take university seminar.
- USSE 1201 University Seminar (2 sch)
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time, First-year Students | ||
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| Core Curriculum Program | ||
| University Core Curriculum | 42 | |
| Students majoring in Geology use the following: | ||
| Calculus I (3 hrs Mathematics requirement, 1 hr Component Area Option) | ||
| General Chemistry I (3 hrs Life/Physical Science requirement/1 hr Component Area Option) | ||
| General Chemistry II (3 hrs Life/Physical Science requirement/1 hr Component Area Option) | ||
Select one of the following: | ||
| General Physics I (3 hrs Component Area Option/1 hr Supporting courses) | ||
| University Physics I (3 hrs Component Area Option/1 hr Supporting courses) | ||
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Supporting courses may not be taken on a pass/no pass (P/NP) basis | ||
| General Chemistry I (included in University Core) | ||
| General Chemistry II (included in University Core) | ||
| Calculus I (included in University Core) | ||
| PHYS 1401 | General Physics I (3 hours included in University Core, 1 hour included in Supporting courses) | 1 |
| or PHYS 2425 | University Physics I | |
| PHYS 1402 | General Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 2426 | University Physics II | |
| MATH 3342 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| Geology Core | ||
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 2102 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences | 1 |
| or GEOL 2103 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences | |
| GEOL 3411 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| GEOL 3326 | Introduction to Geological Field Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 3414 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| GEOL 4411 | Sedimentation and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4421 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 4422 | Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL 4650 | Field Geology | 6 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| or GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry | |
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following Tracks: | 28-36 | |
| Total Hours | 122-130 | |
- 1
Note that PHYS 2425 University Physics I (4 sch)/PHYS 2426 University Physics II (4 sch) are required for some tracks and PHYS 2426 University Physics II (4 sch) required MATH 2414 Calculus II (4 sch) as a prerequisite.
- *
Online offering
- ^
Blended offering
General Geology Track
The General Geology track is designed to serve students majoring in geology and environmental science as well as students in other fields who are interested in a broad overview of geologic processes. In addition, there are opportunities to pursue specialized knowledge in selected areas of geoscience in preparation for graduate study and careers in government, industry, or academia.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Designated Electives | ||
| Select 15 hours from the following: 1 | 15 | |
| Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | ||
| Geology of National Parks | ||
| Invertebrate Paleontology | ||
| Geomorphology | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Marine Geoscience | ||
| Introduction to Soil and Groundwater Restoration | ||
| Economic Geology | ||
| Internship in Geology | ||
| Introduction to Petroleum Geology | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Paleoclimatology | ||
| Hydrogeology (if not taken in the Geology Core) | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry (if not taken in the Geology Core) | ||
| Approved Science Electives | ||
| Select 13 hours from Environmental Science, Chemistry, Geographic Information Science, Engineering, Physics, Biology, Mathematics or other appropriate area 2 | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
- 1
In choosing electives, students must make sure they meet the University’s 45 upper-division credit hour requirement.
- 2
See also the designated electives listed on the Geochemistry, Environmental Geology and Energy Resources Tracks.
Geochemistry Track
The Geochemistry track focuses on the relationships between aqueous solutions, equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base equilibria, redox reactions, carbon chemistry, organic compounds, biogeochemical cycles, microbial influences and geological processes. These relationships are applied to understand the complex interactions among the atmospheric, continental and marine environments.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 3418 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| Designated Electives | ||
| Select 24 hours from the following: 2,3 | 24 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Chemical Oceanography | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Professional Skills | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Physical Chemistry I | ||
| Special Topics 4 | ||
| Internship in Geology | ||
| Selected Topics 5 | ||
| Directed Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours | 32 | |
- 1
4 credit hours for the GEOL 4416 Introduction to Geochemistry (4 sch) are included in the Geology core and are not included in the total for this selection.
- 2
In choosing electives, students must make sure they meet the University’s 45 upper-division credit hour requirement.
- 3
Additional hours not listed may be approved by Faculty mentor.
- 4
CHEM 4490 Special Topics (4 sch) includes topics such as Organic Geochemistry, Aquatic Chemistry, Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry.
- 5
GEOL 4490 Selected Topics (4 sch) includes Groundwater Geochemistry.
Environmental Geology Track
The Environmental Geology track is designed to provide students with a broad training for carriers in different aspects of the environmental geosciences including: water resources, water quality, and the hydrogeochemistry of natural waters.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| University Physics I (included in University Core) 1 | ||
| University Physics II (included in University Core) 1 | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| GEOL 3443 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology 2 | 4 |
| Designated Electives | ||
| Select 24 hours from the following: 3,4 | 24 | |
| Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | ||
| Paleoclimatology | ||
| Introduction to Soil and Groundwater Restoration | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry | ||
| Internship in Geology | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Directed Independent Study | ||
| Remote Sensing 5 | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Environmental Regulations | ||
| Oil Spill Prevention and Response Theory | ||
| Oil Spill Prevention and Response Lab | ||
| Climate and Climate Variability | ||
| Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Theory | ||
| Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Lab | ||
| Professional Skills | ||
| Geospatial Systems I | ||
| Web Map Development 6 | ||
| Geospatial Mathematical Techniques 7 | ||
| Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry 8 | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Note that PHYS 2425 University Physics I (4 sch)/PHYS 2426 University Physics II (4 sch) and MATH 2414 Calculus II (4 sch) are required for some courses part of this track.
- 2
4 credit hours for the GEOL 4444 Hydrogeology (4 sch) are included in the Geology core and are not included in the total for this section.
- 3
In choosing electives, students must make sure they meet the University’s 45 upper-division credit hour requirement.
- 4
Additional hours not listed may be approved by Faculty Mentor.
- 5
ATSC 4305 Remote Sensing (3 sch) has PHYS 2426 University Physics II (4 sch) as pre-requisite.
- 6
GISC 2338 Web Map Development (3 sch) has GISC 1470 Geospatial Systems I (4 sch) & COSC 1435 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers I (4 sch) as pre-requisites.
- 7
GISC 3300 Geospatial Mathematical Techniques (3 sch) has MATH 2413 Calculus I (4 sch) and MATH 2414 Calculus II (4 sch) as pre-requisites.
- 8
GISC 4331 Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry (3 sch) has GISC 3300 Geospatial Mathematical Techniques (3 sch) as pre-requisite.
Energy Resources Track
The Energy Resources track offers the engineering and geology background for exploration and production of hydrocarbons, gas hydrates and renewable resources such as geothermal energy.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| GEOL 4436 | Introduction to Petroleum Geology | 4 |
| or ESCI 4490 | Selected Topics | |
| University Physics I (included in Supporting courses) 1 | ||
| University Physics II (included in Supporting courses) 1 | ||
| MATH 2414 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Designated Electives | ||
| Select 20-21 hours from the following: 2,3 | 20-21 | |
| Statics | ||
| Dynamics 4 | ||
| Thermodynamics | ||
| Internship in Geology | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Directed Independent Study | ||
| Total Hours | 28-29 | |
- 1
Must take PHYS 2425 University Physics I (4 sch) and PHYS 2426 University Physics II (4 sch) in Supporting courses.
- 2
In choosing electives, students must make sure they meet the University’s 45 upper-division credit hour requirement.
- 3
Engineering pre-requisite courses and/or additional hours not listed may be aprroved by Faculty Mentor.
- 4
ENGR 2326 Dynamics (3 sch) has ENGR 2325 Statics (3 sch) as pre-requisite.
Optional Minor in Another Subject
Geology majors may choose to complete a minor in an approved subject. Course requirements for the minor involve at least 18 semester hours, and the content is specified by faculty in the minor field. Minors in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geographic information science, and mathematics are generally appropriate for geology majors. Minors in other disciplines or combination minors may be arranged in consultation with the academic advisor.
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Course Sequencing
General Geology
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 | Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| COMM 1311 | Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 1401 | General Physics I | 4 |
| GEOL 2102 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 3411 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS 1402 | General Physics II | 4 |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 2222 | Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | 2 |
| MATH 3342 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| GEOL 2103 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences | 1 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 4 |
| GEOL Elective | 4 | |
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3414 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| ARTS 1301 | Art and Society | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4411 | Sedimentation and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4421 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3326 | Introduction to Geological Field Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GEOL 4422 | Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEOL 4650 | Field Geology | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Geochemistry Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 | Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| COMM 1311 | Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 1401 | General Physics I | 4 |
| GEOL 2102 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 3411 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS 1402 | General Physics II | 4 |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 2222 | Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | 2 |
| MATH 3342 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| GEOL 2103 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences | 1 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 3418 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3414 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| ARTS 1301 | Art and Society | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4411 | Sedimentation and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4421 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3326 | Introduction to Geological Field Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GEOL 4422 | Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEOL 4650 | Field Geology | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Environmental Geology Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 | Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| COMM 1311 | Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 1401 | General Physics I | 4 |
| GEOL 2102 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 3411 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS 1402 | General Physics II | 4 |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 2222 | Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | 2 |
| MATH 3342 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| GEOL 2103 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences | 1 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 4 |
| GEOL 3443 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3414 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| ARTS 1301 | Art and Society | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4411 | Sedimentation and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4421 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3326 | Introduction to Geological Field Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GEOL 4422 | Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEOL 4650 | Field Geology | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Energy Resources Track
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| GEOL 1403 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| MATH 2413 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 | Writing and Rhetoric I or Writing and Rhetoric II | 3 |
| USSE 1201 | University Seminar | 2 |
| COMM 1311 | Foundation of Communication | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 1404 | Historical Geology | 4 |
| CHEM 1411 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| PHYS 1401 | General Physics I | 4 |
| GEOL 2102 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 3411 | Mineralogy | 4 |
| CHEM 1412 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| PHYS 1402 | General Physics II | 4 |
| POLS 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 2222 | Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology | 2 |
| MATH 3342 | Applied Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| GEOL 2103 | Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences | 1 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4416 | Introduction to Geochemistry | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| POLS 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| American History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3414 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| ARTS 1301 | Art and Society | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy & Culture Core Requirement | 3 | |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| GEOL 4411 | Sedimentation and Stratigraphy | 4 |
| GEOL 4421 | Structural Geology | 4 |
| GEOL 4436 | Introduction to Petroleum Geology | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| GEOL 3326 | Introduction to Geological Field Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 4444 | Hydrogeology | 4 |
| GEOL 4422 | Geophysics | 4 |
| GEOL/Science Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| GEOL 4650 | Field Geology | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 121 | |
Courses
GEOL 1303 Essentials of Geology
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
One-semester introductory Earth science course for students majoring in a non-science subject area. Covers basic geologic material and concepts, such as minerals, rocks, the rock cycle, and plate tectonics theory. Origin, composition, and evolution of our planet, as well as the importance of geology in everyday life, including geologic resources, global change, earthquakes, and volcanism are examined. This course is not recommended for students majoring in Geology or Environmental Sciences. Course counts toward the natural science component of the Core Curriculum Program.
TCCNS: GEOL 1303
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introduction to the origin, classification, and composition of Earth materials. Study of internal and surface processes which shape and modify Earth. Laboratory studies of minerals and rocks, as well as topographic maps, geologic maps and geologic cross-sections.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
TCCNS: GEOL 1403
GEOL 1404 Historical Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introduction to the origin and evolution of Earth and other planets. Changes in the form and distribution of Earth's continents and oceans, and succession of plants and animals through geologic time. Laboratory studies of fossils, geological maps, and the interpretation of ancient environments of rock formation.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
TCCNS: GEOL 1404
GEOL 2102 Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Careers in the Geosciences
1 Semester Credit Hour (1 Lecture Hour)
Introductory level seminar featuring diverse topics and speakers. Focus on careers in the geosciences as well as on how to successfully plan a college career. In-house as well as external speakers. May not be repeated for credit but attendance in subsequent semesters is encouraged.
GEOL 2103 Undergraduate Seminar in Geology-Research in the Geosciences
1 Semester Credit Hour (1 Lecture Hour)
Introductory level seminar featuring diverse topics and speakers. Focus on current geologic research. In-house as well as external speakers. May not be repeated for credit but attendance in subsequent semesters is highly encouraged. Credit/no credit
GEOL 2222 Karst Geology and Paleoclimatology
2 Semester Credit Hours (1 Lecture Hour)
This course describes the different types of caves and karst rocks, the water rock interactions in carbonate rock systems, and it explains cave formation via hydrological and geochemical processes. It also deals with how speleothem proxies such as oxygen and carbon stable isotope, trace elements, carbonate petrography are used to decipher past changes in climate.
GEOL 2490 Selected Topics
1-4 Semester Credit Hours (1-4 Lecture Hours, 6 Lab Hours)
May be repeated for credit if topics are significantly different. Subject material variable. Faculty approval required.
GEOL 3326 Introduction to Geological Field Methods
3 Semester Credit Hours (2 Lecture Hours, 3 Lab Hours)
Introduction to the basic techniques of geological fieldwork. Note taking in the field, proper use of geological field equipment, measurement and description of rock sections by several methods and degrees of detail, plus small area mapping of several types of terrain with topographic maps. Reports, sections, and maps will be produced from the field notes. Field trips required.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3329 Geology of National Parks
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Introduction to the regional geology of the United States using selected U.S. National Parks representing a wide variety of geologic settings as examples. Application of major geologic principles and basic geologic concepts such as plate tectonics, rock cycle, stratigraphy, and geologic time.
GEOL 3411 Mineralogy
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Study of the physical and chemical properties of minerals. Introduction to the crystallography of minerals, optical mineralogy, and the use of the polarized light microscope. Laboratory study of mineral identification in hand specimens and thin sections.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3414 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Genesis and occurrence of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Mineralogical composition and thermodynamics of geologic systems. Determination of rock types in hand specimens and thin sections.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3441 Invertebrate Paleontology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Morphology, classification, and paleoecology of fossil invertebrates. Applications to marine geology including paleoceanography, stratigraphy, economic geology. Field trip to Texas invertebrate fossil beds.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1404.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3442 Geomorphology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Study of landscapes and landforms at the surface of the Earth, and the processes and mechanisms by which they are developed.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1403.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3443 Environmental Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Study of the relationships of humans to Earth's physical environment. Geologic aspects of waste disposal, resources, conservation, land reclamation, geologic hazards, and land-use planning.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1403.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 3490 Selected Topics
1-4 Semester Credit Hours (1-4 Lecture Hours)
May be repeated for credit if topics are significantly different. Subject materials variable.
GEOL 4311 Paleoclimatology
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Reconstruction of Earth's climate system through time using natural archives and proxy evidence. Focus is mostly towards the Quaternary, though longer time spans will be considered, too. Mixed format with lectures, hand-on activities involving paleoclimate data sets, and seminar-style readings and discussions.
GEOL 4316 Marine Geoscience
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Introduction to the geology of the marine environment. Review of plate tectonic processes relevant to the evolution of continental margins and plate boundaries; geophysics and ocean morphology; geology of ocean crust; controls on the types, origin, and distribution of marine sediments; marine geochemistry; nearshore geological processes and the continental shelf; introduction to paleoceanography; global paleoceanographic evolution; critical events in ocean history. Special focus on the Gulf of Mexico.
GEOL 4321 Introduction to Soil and Groundwater Restoration
3 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours)
Introduction to methods for restoring contaminated soil and groundwater by examining the factors and processes influencing the efficacy of remediation systems. An emphasis will be placed on the scientific principles upon which soil and groundwater remediation is based.
GEOL 4411 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Composition and origin of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Description and classification of rocks in hand specimen. Principles of stratigraphy, including stratigraphic units and correlation. Facies models for major depositional systems. Field trips.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4415 Economic Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Study of geologic and tectonic parameters of mineral and metals formation. Ore geology and geochemistry. Mining, processing, fabrication, and marketing of natural resources. Field trip to mining operations.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4416 Introduction to Geochemistry
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introductory study of the Earth processes using principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, isotope geochemistry and organic geochemistry. Applications of low-temperature geochemistry to geologic problems.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4421 Structural Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
PHYS 1401 Geometric and quantitative description of deformation of the Earth's crust, mechanics of brittle and crystal-plastic deformation processes of Earth materials, introduction to continuum mechanics of geologic systems, crustal deformation from micro-scale to global tectonics. Laboratory introduces principles of three-dimensional data representation and analysis, geologic map interpretation, cross-section techniques, and problems in stress and strain analysis.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4422 Geophysics
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introduction to quantitative techniques to assess physical properties and processes of the Earth. Topics include earthquake seismology, refraction and reflection seismology, gravimetry, magnetism, electrical methods, and radioactivity of Earth materials. Application of geophysical methods to the study of the Earth, in oil and gas exploration, and in economic and environmental geology.
GEOL 4423 Seismic Methods
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introduction to the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic data. Lectures and field exercises are covered. Topics include conceptual and historical foundations of modern reflection seismology; an overview of seismic wave phenomena in acoustic, elastic, and porous media; acquisition principles for land and marine seismic surveys; methods used to create 2D and 3D seismic images from field data; concepts of dip moveout, prestack migration, and depth migration; concepts and limitations of 3D seismic interpretation for structure, stratigraphy, and rock property estimation; and the interpretation role of attributes, impedance estimation, and AVO.
Prerequisite: GEOL 4422.
GEOL 4424 Environmental and Engineering Geophysics
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Geophysical techniques for exploring the shallow subsurface for environmental and engineering purposes. Topics include seismic, resistivity, ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic, gravity, and magnetic methods. This course includes both lectures and labs (field exercises) components.
GEOL 4430 Internship in Geology
1-4 Semester Credit Hours
One to four semester hours of credit may be earned by working in an internship position in industry, with local government, a private firm, or an independent geologist.
GEOL 4436 Introduction to Petroleum Geology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Basic concepts of petroleum geology and techniques used in the exploration and production of hydrocarbon systems. Lectures and lab exercises will cover principles of stratigraphy, sedimentology, hydrocarbon generation, hydrocarbon-trapping mechanisms, reservoir characterization, seismic interpretation, well-log interpretation, and geologic risk analysis.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4444 Hydrogeology
4 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 2 Lab Hours)
Introduction to the fundamentals of groundwater and surface water flow; well hydraulics and evaluation of groundwater as a resource; chemical properties of groundwater and groundwater contamination; groundwater and the environment; and groundwater modeling. This course also examines some of the techniques associated with field hydrogeology and laboratory methods in hydrogeology.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.
GEOL 4490 Selected Topics
4 Semester Credit Hours (1-4 Lecture Hours, 1-4 Lab Hours)
May be repeated for credit if topics are significantly different. Subject materials variable.
GEOL 4496 Directed Independent Study
1-4 Semester Credit Hours
DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY Requires a formal proposal of study to be completed in advance of registration and to be approved by the supervising faculty, the chairperson, and the Dean of the College.
GEOL 4649 Karst of the Yucatan Peninsula
6 Semester Credit Hours (3 Lecture Hours, 6 Lab Hours)
This course describes the different types of caves and karst rocks, the water rock interactions in carbonate rock systems, and it explains cave formation via hydrogeological and geochemical processes. It offers field work experience such as sample collection, determining field parameters, karst and cave surveys, measuring spring discharges in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and laboratory experience on the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus.
GEOL 4650 Field Geology
6 Semester Credit Hours (12 Lab Hours)
Field course involving practical application of geologic principles to field problems. Locations visited and material covered depends on hosting institution. Generally should include: mapping and data collection; measurement of stratigraphic sections; mapping and preparation of geologic cross-sections; preparation of geologic reports.
Co-requisite: SMTE 0094.