GEOLOGY 120      Energy Science
An introductory foundation course on energy in all its guises, the physical laws and factors which control it and the availability of energy for human use. Includes consideration of resources, reserves, conversion efficiencies, conservation, and other relevant factors. Conventional sources and nonconventional alternatives such as solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass and fusion will be addressed. Lecture and discussions. No prerequisites. Offered: On demand
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 1      Geology Elective Lecture
Transfer Credit
Credits: hours
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GEOLOGY 220      General Geology
Origin and composition of the primary earth materials; agents of erosion, transportation, sedimentation and metamorphism; modes of occurrence of common minerals and analysis of the common crustal structures. Field trips. Three hours lecture and discussion. Semester offered: Fall and Winter
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 230      Historical Geology
An interpretation of the biological and physical history of the earth. Three hours lecture, discussion and two hours laboratory a week. Field trips. Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 220 or permission of instructor Offered: On demand
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 250      Field Methods In Earth And Environmental Science
A field-based course covering basic methods used by earth scientists for environmental, geographic, and geologic investigations. Students will collect field data at off-campus sites, conduct periodic monitoring, and analyze samples using departmental and personal instrumentation. Students will work on collaborative projects and will present their results. Class will meet weekly for four hours in the field. Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 101 and GEOLOGY 101L or ENV-SCI 111 and ENV-SCI 111L or GEOLOGY 220 and GEOLOGY 220L or ENV-SCI 110R and ENV-SCI 110L. Offered: Fall
Credits: hours
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GEOLOGY 251      Field Methods in Earth and Environmental Science: Off-Campus
This course will provide students with an introductory, inquiry-based learning experience that focuses on the application of field methods for understanding surface and subsurface earth processes and environmental issues. Students will collect field data at off-campus sites, conduct periodic monitoring, and analyze samples using departmental Instrumentation. Students will work on collaborative projects and will present their results. Class will meet at an off campus location during break (added cost) plus have four on campus meetings. Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 220 and GEOLOGY 220L or ENV-SCI 110R and ENV-SCI 110L
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 302      Environmental Geology
An introduction to the role and scope of geological processes in the light of contemporary urban society. Lecture and discussion periods include topics such as air and water pollution, earth movements, waste disposal, mineral, energy and water resources, construction engineering, and effects caused by human activities. Three hours lecture, discussion per week. Semester offered: Fall and Winter
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 312      Mineralogy
Introduction to crystallography, mineral chemistry and the systematic classification and identification of minerals. Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 220 and CHEM 212R. Three hour lecture and discussion with two hours laboratory a week. Fall.
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 313      Evolution And The Geologic Record
An introduction to the history of life by studying the geologic record. Students will examine major features of the fossil record including: invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Students explore what the fossil record tells us about geologic time, evolution, past environments and distributions of organisms. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory a week. The course will include field trips to collect and interpret fossils and paleoenvironments. Prerequisites: None Offered: Winter
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 314      Principles Of Geomorphology
Explores the processes that shape the earth's surface. Focuses on the development and description of fluvial, glacial, eolian, and coastal landforms. Studies the influence of tectonic and climatic factors. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Field trip. Prerequisite(s): ENV-SCI 110R; or GEOLOGY 220; Offered: On demand.
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 325      Sedimentology/Stratigraphy
Study of sedimentary rocks with special emphasis given to hand specimen identification based on mineral composition and textural features. Characteristics of sediments, transportation and environment of sediment deposition. Principles of stratigraphy, facies analysis and interpretation. Measurement and description of stratified rocks. Three hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Field trips. Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 220 Offered: Fall
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 326      Cc:Archaeology Of Ancient Disasters
Remarkable human achievements are revealed by archaeological research, but the human past was frequently shaped as well by disasters of natural and human origin. Drawing on case studies that include data from the geosciences, archaeological excavations, and historical sources, this class examines how earth processes, the biosphere, and human cultural behavior were all sources of catastrophe. We begin with the geological context of disaster, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, climate change, and soil depletion. Next, we examine how ancient societies responded to disease, an ever present threat from the biological environment. Finally, we look at how ancient human groups were changed by stresses of cultural origin, including overpopulation, depletion of vital resources, and warfare. The study of ancient disasters not only gives us a wider understanding of human history, it may offer lessons for coping with future catastrophes. Also cross listed as CLASSICS 300CZ. Offered: Winter Semester
Credits: hours
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GEOLOGY 335      Introduction To Waste Management
Overview of issues in waste management. Nature and classification of waste. Municipal solid waste: disposal methods, design, construction and maintenance of sanitary landfills. Nature and sources of hazardous waste, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Types and sources of nuclear waste; disposal of high level and low level nuclear wastes. Sources, nature, handling and disposal of biologic waste. Pollution prevention, recycling and resource conservation. Prerequisites: ENV-SCI110R, GEOG 150, GEOLOGY 220 or instructor's permission. Offered: On demand
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 342      Igneous And Metamorphic Petrology
Introduction to the principles governing the classification, occurrence and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 312. Three hours lecture and discussion with two hours laboratory a week. Winter.
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 350      Earth Structures And Tectonics
This course is designed to teach students the basic techniques and approaches for problem solving in structural geology. The course will cover the fundamentals of crustal deformation and discuss joints, faulted and folded rocks in their plate tectonic context. Two hours of lectures and three hours of laboratory a week. Course will include local field trips and one weekend field trip. Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 220, PHYSICS 210 or PHYSICS 240. Offered: Winter
Credits: 4 hours
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GEOLOGY 370      Hydrogeology
Geology and hydrologic factors controlling the occurence, movement, quality, recovery and development of water supply and distribution. Problems relating to urbanization of flood plains. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
Credits: hours
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GEOLOGY 398      Geology Midcontinent Field Trip
A study of a selected area of the midcontinent U.S. with emphasis on locations to be visited during a three-day field trip (at the student's expense). An opportunity to observe and study physical features and collect materials. Several scheduled one-hour meetings in addition to field trip. Lectures, discussion and reading assignments provide a background to place the area covered by the field trip into the overall geologic framework of the Midcontinent U.S. Descriptive report or written examination. Limited enrollment. Prerequisite: Junior or senior level. Fall.
Credits: 1 hours
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GEOLOGY 404      Fluid Transport in Geologic Media
This course examines the processes governing the fate and transport of solutes and contaminants in the subsurface environment. This course will provide computational modeling skills, laboratory tests, and case studies of subsurface transport. Three hours lecture, discussion and laboratory a week. Prerequisites: Hydrpgeology or permission of instructor.
Credits: 3 hours
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GEOLOGY 407      Archaeological Resources Management
This class examines contemporary issues managing archaeological resources. This class is intended for students seeking work in Cultural Resources Management (CRM); those already working CRM, or student anthropology, environmental studies, geology, geography, public administration and other fields likely to deal with archaeological and historical resources in a research or employment setting. This class does not require a background in archaeology.
Credits: hours
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GEOLOGY 408      Archaeological Field Survey Methods
This class offers instruction in the basic skills required to conduct field surveys in archaeology and other geosciences disciplines. In the classroom, students learn about the development of archaeology as a scientific discipline and how to recognize some of the basic field data sought by archaeologists. Students learn about mapping and land navigation techniques, The field phase of instruction includes visits to archaeological sites in the region.
Credits: 3 hours
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