Geology
Professors: Shelby J. Boardman, Caryl E. Buchwald, Chair, Mary E.
Savina, Clement F. Shearer
Associate Professor: David M. Bice
Assistant Professors: Clinton Cowan, Bereket Haileab
Requirements for a Major:
A minimum of 42 credits in geology selected from the following courses: one
introductory geology course (110 or 120), 210, 220, 230, 242, 250, 255,
258, 260, 265, 270, 310, 320, 330, or 395. Each student must complete 6 credits
of Geology 400, Integrative Exercise. Each student must also take the following
courses: Physics 112 or 113 or 114 and 115 (formerly 122), Chemistry 120
and 121 or Chemistry 123, and Mathematics 111 and 121. Prospective
geology majors should take most of the 200-level courses. Students should take
three or four 200-level courses before taking advanced (300-level) courses.
Participation in a recognized summer field camp is highly recommended for all
majors. The basic requirements for the major are considered to be minimal.
Students planning a career in geology or the earth sciences should take several
additional courses in mathematics and other sciences as well as geology.
Students interested in earth science education should discuss their plans with
Mr. Buchwald because a number of specific courses must be taken for teacher
certification.
Junior and senior majors in other natural sciences may enroll in geology
courses numbered 200 and above without the introductory geology prerequisite
with permission of the instructor.
- 110. Introduction to Geology
- An introduction to the study of earth systems, physical
processes operating on the earth, and the history of the earth. The
interaction of humans with earth systems and processes will be emphasized.
Field trips, including an all-day trip, and laboratories included. Not open
to students who have taken Geology 120. 6
credits, MS
- Fall and Spring -- C. E. Buchwald, C. Cowan,
B. Haileab, M. Savina
- 120. Introduction to Environmental Geology
- An introduction to the basic principles needed to understand
humankind's use and abuse of soil, water, fuels, and other resources. Field
trips and laboratories included. Not open to students who have taken Geology
110. Cross-listed with Environmental and Technology Studies 120.
6 credits, MS
- Winter -- C. E. Buchwald
- 210. Geomorphology
- Study of the geological processes and factors which influence
the origin and development of the surficial features of the earth.
Laboratories and field trips included. Prerequisite: One introductory geology
course (110 or 120), or consent of the instructor. Cross-listed with
Environmental and Technology Studies 210. 6
credits, MS
- Fall -- M. Savina
- 220. Tectonics
- Study of the plate tectonics paradigm, including the historical
developments, present status of the paradigm, and outstanding problems.
Topics include an introduction to geophysical principles, the early evolution
of the Earth, and the search for a driving mechanism of this global system.
Laboratories included. Prerequisites: one introductory geology course (110 or
120) or consent of instructor. 6 credits,
MS
- Winter -- D. Bice
- 230. Paleobiology
- Fossils: their anatomy and classification, evolution, and
ecology. Special emphasis on the paleobiology of marine invertebrates. Field
trips and laboratories included. Prerequisite: One introductory geology
course (110 or 120), or consent of the instructor.
6 credits, MS
- Spring -- C. E. Buchwald
- 240. Field Observational Skills
- This course will be offered at the very beginning of the seminar
in order to teach students the necessary skills they will need throughout the
seminar, and in particular during their independent projects. The course will
emphasize detailed mapping and how to make thorough, relevant observations in
the field. Offered only on off campus Geology study in Italy.
3 credits, ND
- Fall -- D. Bice, Staff
- 241. Geology of Italy
- A series of extended field excursions to a variety of locations
in the Apennines and the Italian Alps will be aimed at understanding the
large-scale evolution of mountain belts. Students will write a paper that
synthesizes their field observations and places them in the context of the
plate tectonic evolution of this portion of the Mediterranean. Offered only
on off campus Geology study in Italy. 3
credits, MS
- Fall -- D. Bice, Staff
- 242. Basin Analysis
- A regional study of the stratigraphic section will form the
basis for a synthesis of the history and interplay of tectonics and
sedimentation of the region surrounding the Osservatorio before and during
the creation of the mountains. This course will involve a combination of
lectures, readings, field work, lab work, and a final report. Offered only on
off campus Geology study in Italy. 6 credits,
MS
- Fall -- D. Bice, Staff
- 243. Event Stratigraphy
- This class will focus on sudden, unique, and often catastrophic
events in Earth's history and how such events are deciphered from the rock
record. Rocks exposed near the Osservatorio contain evidence of two mass
extinction events that are associated with catastrophic asteroid or comet
impacts, in addition to several episodes of global ocean stagnation. The
course will involve lectures, readings, discussions, and a final paper.
Offered only on off campus Geology study in Italy.
3 credits, MS
- Fall -- D. Bice, Staff
- 250. Mineralogy
- The study of the chemical and physical properties of minerals,
their geologic occurrence and associations. Topics include crystallography,
crystal chemistry, x-ray analysis of minerals, phase equilibria, mineral
classification, optical crystallography, and environments of mineral
formation. Laboratories are included. Prerequisite: One introductory geology
course (110 or 120), and Chemistry 120 and 121 or Chemistry 123.
6 credits, MS
- Winter -- B. Haileab
- 255. Petrology
- An introduction to the fundamental physical, chemical and
tectonic principles that are relevant to the petrogenesis of igneous and
metamorphic rocks. Labs emphasize description and interpretation of the
origin of rocks based on hand specimen and thin section study. Field trips
and laboratories are included. Prerequisite: Geology 250.
6 credits, MS
- Spring -- B. Haileab
- 258. Geology of Soils
- The study of soil formation, physical and chemical properties of
soils especially as related to geomorphology and land use. Laboratories and
field trips will emphasize how to describe and interpret soils. Prerequisite:
One introductory geology course (110, or 120).
6 credits, MS
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 260. Sedimentary Geology
- A study of the processes and environments in which sediments are
formed, transported, deposited, and transformed into rocks. Field trips and
laboratories included. Prerequisite: One introductory geology course (110 or
120). 6 credits, MS
- Fall -- C. Cowan
- 265. Structural Geology
- The study of the processes and products of crustal deformation.
Topics include the mechanics of deformation at a range of scales--from
crystals to continents, earthquakes, mountain-building, and impacts.
Laboratories and one weekend field trip are included. Prerequisites: one
introductory geology course (110, 120); Physics 112 or 113 or 114 and 115
(formerly 122) is recommended. 6 credits,
MS
- Spring -- D. Bice
- 270. Remote Sensing and GIS
- This course will cover the use of the electromagnetic spectrum
(especially visible, infrared and radar wavelengths) to sense features of the
earth and planets. We will survey available image types and learn to process
and interpret remotely-sensed images. We will also learn theory and practice
of geographic information systems. Laboratories included. Prerequisite:
Geology 110 or 120; junior or senior standing in science major or permission
of instructor. Cross-listed with Environmental and Technology Studies 270.
6 credits, MS
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 291-17. Independent Study
- Working in groups of three or four, the students will undertake
field-oriented research projects of their own design, applying concepts and
methods they have acquired on the seminar. The results will be written up for
a bound volume and will also be presented orally to the whole group. Offered
only on off campus Geology study in Italy. 3
credits, ND
- Fall -- D. Bice
- 310. Advanced Petrology
- This course will focus on the geochemical, tectonic and
geophysical aspects of a current petrologic problem. We will use the primary
literature to discover the wide range of tools available to the modern
petrologist and their application to one of the major problems of the field.
Laboratory will give hands on practice with the collection and evaluation of
petrographic and geochemical data. Prerequisite: Geology 255.
6 credits, MS
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 320. Canyonlands Research Seminar
- A group research project incorporating field studies, theory,
model experiments, thin-section study or other types of analysis. The course
involves a week of mapping and field studies over spring break. Prerequisite:
Geology 265. 6 credits, MS
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 330. Advanced Geomorphology
- An advanced seminar course focusing on topics in geomorphology
and quaternary geology. Laboratory included. Prerequisite: Geology 210 or
consent of instructor. 6 credits, MS
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 340. Hydrology
- A seminar on major principles of ground and surface water
hydrology and their application to contemporary hydrologic problems. The
course will draw considerably on student-directed investigation of critical
areas of study in hydrology. Prerequisites: Geology 210 or junior/senior
standing in one of the physical sciences. Cross-listed with Environmental and
Technology Studies 340. 6 credits, ND
- Spring -- C. Shearer
- 365. Chaos Theory in Geology
- Applications of Nonlinear Dynamics (Chaos Theory) and Fractals
to Geological Systems. The course will combine introductory lectures on chaos
theory and student seminars based on the scientific literature. Prerequisite:
Four geology courses and junior or senior standing.
6 credits, MS
- Winter -- C. Cowan
- 370. Geochemistry
- This course explores: principles of geochemistry, applications
of chemical thermodynamics to geologic problems, minerals solubilities, phase
diagrams, chemical aspects of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks,
geochemical tracers, radiogenic isotopes and principles of stable isotope
fractionation. Laboratories included. Prerequisite: Chemistry 120 and 121 or
123, Geology 250 (Mineralogy), or instructor's consent.
6 credits, ND
- Not offered in 1997-1998.
- 372. Geology of East African Rift System Seminar
- This course will explore the Geodynamic Evolution of East
African Rift System. Main
topics that will be covered include: geochronology,
petrology, and volcanotectonic history of the rift. The class will be reading
several articles, lectures, and discussion. Prerequisite: one or two geology
classes or instructor's consent. 6 credits,
MS
- Fall -- B. Haileab
- 391. Independent Study
- Credit by Arrangement -- Staff
- 400. Integrative Exercise
- Each senior geology major must take a total of six credits of
Geology 400. One of the credits will be awarded in the spring term for the
preparation and delivery of a formal talk and attendance at the talks of
other seniors. The other five credits must be taken in the fall and/or winter
terms. Credits can be divided between those two terms or all five credits may
be taken in the same term. Geology 400 is a continuing course, and the grade
will not be awarded until the end of spring term.
6 credits, S/NC, ND
- Fall, Winter and Spring -- Staff