GEOS112: Physical Geology

Materials of the earth; landforms and structures; the processes and agents responsible for their formation and modification. Modern tectonic concepts. Topographic and geologic maps. Required field trips. Not open to students who have had Principles Of Geology. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Not open to students who have had Principles of Geology.

GEOS114: Historical Geology

Geological history of the earth; the evolution of North America in terms of the changing geography, climate, and plant and animal life as interpreted from the rock and fossil record. Required field trips. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

GEOS250: Map Reading and Cartography

This course is designed to acquaint students with the characteristics of map computation, design and construction. Historical development of mapping and map reading will be important areas of emphasis. Remote sensing, computer mapping will provide up-to-date procedures. Each student will work toward a map suitable for commercial publication. 4 sh.

GEOS251: Aerial Photograph Interpretation

Principles of photogrammetry and the use of aerial photographs as a significant research method to recognize and evaluate earth environments and resources. 3 sh.

GEOS310: Economic Geology

Geology and geography of non-metallic and metallic mineral resources and fuels. Problems associated with their occurrence and exploitation. Required field trips. (Not given every year.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and 114.

GEOS431: Invertebrate Paleobiology

Invertebrate fossils-their classification, morphology, evolution, stratigraphic distribution and paleoecology. Required field trips. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 114.

GEOS434: Stratigraphy

Stratigraphic principles and their application. Case studies of selected regions. Local stratigraphy interpreted through field studies. Meets the University Writing Requirement for GEES, GEOS, and GOED majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 431.

GEOS437: Sedimentology

Geological processes and agents which form, transport, deposit, consolidate and alter sediments. Interpretation of the resultant sedimentary rocks. Laboratory work on the texture, mineralogy and mass properties of sedimentary particles. Required field trips. (Not offered every year.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112.

GEOS443: Mineralogy

Crystallography, internal structure, origin, occurrence, and properties of minerals, laboratory study of common minerals. Required field trips. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and CHEM 120.

GEOS444: Petrology

Description, identification, classification, origin and occurrence of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory study of the common rocks. Required field trips. Meets the University Writing Requirement for GEES, GEOS and GOED majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 443.

GEOS450: Principles of Soil Science

Origin, composition, properties and classification of soils. Additional topics include water in soils and human impact on soil resources. Laboratory covers the measurement of soil properties and principles of soil mapping and soil resource assessment. Field trips are required. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and CHEM 120.

GEOS452: Geohydrology

The study of ground-water with particular emphasis given to its mode of migration, chemistry and relation to the geographic environment. Particular attention is given to Darcy's law, soil porosity, soil permeability and the ability to withdraw water for human consumption. Water pollutants and salt water incursions are investigated. Spatial distributions are analyzed and the processes examined. Cross listed with Earth and Environmental Studies, ENVR 452. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 or 252 or ENVR 252.

GEOS454: Environmental Geochemistry

Chemical principles and methods applied to the study of interactions among lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Topics such as water pollution, waste disposal and human impact on global geochemical cycles will be discussed. Laboratory will stress the measurement of chemical properties related to water and soil quality as well as computer modeling of chemical transport in porous media. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and CHEM 121.

GEOS457: Meteorology

The characteristics of the earth's atmosphere. Meteorological instruments, principles of atmospheric physics, weather patterns and measurements of changes within the atmosphere. Meets the University Writing Requirement for GEEN, GEOG and GEOS majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 107, or 112, or 125, or EUGS 100.

GEOS480: Field Geology

Application of geologic principles to field mapping and interpretation in the North Central Applachians, Rocky Mountains, and/or regional geology of another designated area. Map production and writing field reports will be emphasized. This is an intensive summer field course. 6 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 472.

GEOS491: Literature Research in Geoscience

Each participating student conducts an in-depth library research of a specific problem of his/her interest in geoscience under the guidance of a sponsoring faculty member. The results of the study will be presented in a written research-style report. 2 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

GEOS492: Laboratory Research in Geoscience

Each student conducts individual research on a specific problem in geoscience under the guidance of a sponsoring faculty member. The research may be based on earlier field or literary investigations. The results of the study will be presented in a written research-style report. 1 - 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

GEOS495: Independent Study in Geoscience

An opportunity for the qualified student to do library and/or laboratory investigation in a field of science of his/her choice under the guidance of a faculty member. The course is conducted exclusively by scheduled individual conferences and reports. (Offered on demand.) May be repeated three times for a maximum of 10.0 credits. 1 - 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Majors only; departmental approval.

PHYS280: Astronomy

Application of physical laws to the earth as a planet; nature of the other planets; orbital motion and space flight; origin of the solar system; the birth, life and death of a star galactic structure; and cosmology. Meets the University Writing Requirement for PHAS and PHYS majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PHYS 191, 192 or PHYS 193, 194.