Courses

Geology

Note:Unless otherwise noted, all prerequisite courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.

0402. X-ray Mineralogy   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 201-202 or equivalent.

Principles of symmetry and powder X-ray diffraction techniques used in the study of mineral systems.

0410. Advanced Hydrogeology   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Prerequisites: Geology 211-212 and Geology 301-302 or permission of instructor.

An introduction to water resources and management. The hydraulic characteristics of rocks and aquifers, transmissibility, storage, and the effect of the environment.

0421. Groundwater Modeling   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

An introduction to the analytical and numerical modeling of groundwater flow and contaminant transfer processes, including governing equations and computer applications.

0454. Geophysics   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Prerequisites: one year each of physics and calculus.

An introduction to gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, and seismic exploration methods. Applications include environmental characterization, oil and mineral exploration, geotechnical engineering, and archeology.

0461. Low-Temperature Geochemistry   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: inorganic chemistry, mineralogy or permission of instructor.

Principles of aqueous geochemistry discussed within the framework of geologic processes. One or two field trips.

0462. Geochemical Systems   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Study and discussion of topics in aqueous and sedimentary geochemistry.

0600. Stratigraphic Dynamics   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 211-212 or equivalent.

Theories of stratigraphic accumulation: emphasis on causes of cyclic sedimentation; field application to rock sections.

0602. Stratigraphy Seminar   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Applications of principles of sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleoecology to problems in reconstruction of paleogeography.

0700. High Temperature Reactions   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 301 or equivalent.

Thermodynamic laws and theory are used to discuss igneous and metamorphic processes. Exact field relationships are combined with thermodynamics to solve applied petrologic problems.

0701. Igneous Petrology   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Classic reasons for the diversity of igneous rocks, such as liquid immiscibility, pressure divides, fractional crystallization, redox equilibria, and liquid polymerization are examined in the light of 50 years of development in the field of petrology. Lab/recitation and field trips.

0706. Regional Geology   (3 s.h.)

0725. Geologic Instrumentation   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

A survey of instrumental methods of analysis and computer methods of statistical data reduction and presentation.

0800. Advanced Structure   (4 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 302 or equivalent.

Principles of deformation, including stress and strain, fracture theory, and plastic deformation processes, and the natural rock fabrics and structures that result.

0802. Tectonics   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 301-302 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.

Plate tectonic theory, with emphasis on the fundamental physical processes involved in formation and deformation of ocean basins, continents, and orogenic belts.

0803. Metamorphic Geology   (3 s.h.)

Prerequisite: Geology 301-302 or equivalent.

A study of metamorphic rocks and the interpretation of metamorphic terranes, with emphasis on the processes of metamorphism and high-temperature deformation.

0901. Independent Study Program   (1-3 s.h.)

Limited to Geology graduate students with permission from the department.

0902. Independent Study Program   (1-3 s.h.)

Limited to Geology graduate students with permission from the department.

0910. Teaching of Geology   (0-1 s.h.)

Required of all teaching assistants in their first semester of teaching. Instruction and evaluation of teaching laboratory, or discussion sections.

0925. Geology Seminar   (1 s.h.)

Required of M.A. students. Visiting specialists in a wide variety of geologic fields will lecture and discuss their research.

0951. Master's Research and Thesis   (1-6 s.h.)

The research topic and plan must be approved by the graduate adviser and the instructor who is to supervise the thesis, at least two months before the research is to begin.