Geology Courses

110. Physical and Environmental Geology (Fryer, Martin)
An introduction to Earth's dynamic systems, the materials which make up the planet, and the environmental consequences of geologic processes. Topics include the nature and origin of rocks and minerals, volcanism, earthquakes, mountain building, and surficial processes which shape the human environment. Introduction to the theory of plate tectonics, the unifying theory of geology. No prerequisites.

111. Field and Laboratory Geology (Fryer, Mann, Martin)
Exercises focusing on key ideas and materials of geology with emphasis on field study. Includes 5 to 6 field trips during lab time. Optional for those students currently enrolled in GEOL 110 or GEOL 112 and also open to those who have taken GEOL 110 previously. Optional lab; concurrent or previous enrollment in GEOL 110.

112. History of the Earth (Mann)
This course covers the 4,500,000,000 year history of the Earth. It examines the physical (lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere) and biotic histories as well as the interrelationships among these two realms. The first portion of the course focuses on how we know what we know while the second portion concentrates on what we know, The course presents and uses the primary concepts (geologic time, evolutionary theory, and plate tectonic theory) that are used in understanding, interpreting, and appreciating Earth History. Prerequisite: GEOL 110 or instructor consent.

260. Scenic America (staff)
The geology of selected national parks, monuments, seashores, and battlefields, plus other areas of interest. Basic principles of geology are introduced as needed and illustrated by the geology of each area. Satisfies one unit of natural science requirement. No prerequisites; offered during summer session only.

270. Economic Geology (Martin)
An introduction to the Earth's geological resources emphasizing the geology and origin of the Earth's major metallic, non-metallic, and energy resources. Other major topics include resource exploration techniques; the development and exploitation of geologic resources; the use of geologic resources by society; the environmental consequences of resource utilization; and the political and strategic concerns surrounding resource use. Lecture and laboratory. At least one field trip to a working mine. Prerequisite: GEOL 110

275. Hydrogeology (Mann)
Hydrogeology provides a general overview of hydrogeology and investigates the occurrence, distribution, movement, chemistry, and environmental effects of groundwater in a geologic framework. The course presents the basic principles, methods, and applications of the discipline and prepares students to address simple groundwater problems. It also prepares students to ask appropriate questions when faced with groundwater management and protection problems. Although the course addresses groundwater from several perspectives (as an integral part of the hydrologic cycle, as a geologic agent, and as a managed natural resource in an environmental context), the course places primary emphasis on the exploration, development, production, degradation, and remediation of groundwater as a resource. The course presents numerous hydrogeologic methods, including quantitative tools (Math), and then requires students to apply these methods to address problems commonly encountered by professionals. The course uses numerous case studies to cultivate student understanding of groundwater in a variety of geologic settings. Prerequisite: GEOL 110 or GEOG 111.

280. Volcanology (Martin)
A systematic examination of volcanic phenomena. The course examines the types of volcanic eruptions, the generation and emplacement of magma, the products of volcanic activity, the impact of volcanism and humans and the environment, and the monitoring and forecasting of volcanic events. Case studies of individual volcanoes and volcanic systems will be used to illustrate the principles of volcanology. Prerequisite: GEOL 110.

285. Tectonics: Earthquakes and Mountain Belts (Fryer)
The geological and geophysical basis for the Plate Tectonic Theory, with critical evaluation of historic and current research through reading of primary sources. Special emphasis on earthquake research including prediction efforts and on processes of mountain belt formation. Other topics include plate kinematics, paleomagnetism, driving mechanisms, and precambrian tectonics. Prerequisite: 112 or permission of instructor. Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or instructor consent; writing option.

290. Mineralogy (Martin)
Systematic study of minerals with an emphasis on the common rock-forming minerals. The principles of basic chemistry and symmetry are used to understand mineral properties and crystal structures. Origin and uses of selected minerals. Lecture and laboratory. Four day field trip. Prerequisites: GEOL 110 and CHEM 110 or concurrent with instructor consent; Lab required.

310. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (Martin)
Knowledge about rocks, their origin, and their distribution contributes to the solution of many geological problems. Petrology focuses on the systematic study of igneous and metamorphic rocks including techniques of hand-specimen identification and classification. Basic principles of phase equilibria are used to understand the origin and behavior of magmas, the crystallization of magma, and metamorphism. The dynamic nature of metamorphism in response to changes in the geologic environment is examined, as well as the relationship of tectonic processes to magma generation and metamorphism. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 290; Laboratory required; writing option.

315. Petrography (Fryer)
Principles of identification and interpretation of minerals and rocks in thin section. Topics include introductory optics, use of the petrographic microscope, interpretation of the major rock types, and deformational microfabrics. Lecture and laboratory. Five day field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 290; lab required; may be taken concurrently with GEOL 310.

318. Electron Microscopy: Theory and Practice (Tuhela-Reuning)
Students will gain an understanding of the physical nature of electron microscopy with emphasis on the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Students will investigate the influence of beam parameters on imaging and how to correct imaging problems to optimize analysis. Sample selection, sputter coating, cryo preparation, and elemental analysis by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) will be covered. Each student will gain extensive, hands-on experience using the SEM. This course is designed to have a discussion/laboratory format so that theory can be put into practice. Prerequisites: any two science courses that count towards a science major, or consent of instructor; laboratory required; also listed as BOMI 318.

320. Paleontology (Mann)
Paleontology studies life's history and elucidates our understanding of the role of life through time. It offers a unique historical perspective of humankind in nature, provides tools for the discovery and development of resources on which industry and agriculture depend, presents a framework for understanding the sensitivity of the global system to past perturbations, and helps us identify possible consequences of recent ecosystem change. Although Paleontology (320) covers the systematics and taxonomy of the major fossil producing invertebrate phyla, the course focuses on the paleobiology of fossils. Such topics as preservation (taphonomy), growth (ontogeny, heterochrony, and functional morphology), evolution (phylogeny, evolutionary theory, evolutionary patterns, and extinction), and fossil distribution (paleoecology and paleobiogeography) are the primary concepts addressed. The class also contains seminars in which students read and discuss the primary literature. The laboratory portion of the course is dedicated to examining fossils and addressing paleontologic questions. The laboratory includes several field trips so students have the opportunity collect and work on the excellent fossilized material preserved in the sediments of central and southern Ohio. Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or advanced standing in Botany or Zoology.

330. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (Mann)
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy are branches of geology that deal with the identification, description, interpretation, and the temporal and spatial relationships of strata. The course begins by considering classic sedimentology (the formation of sedimentary rocks) and then progresses to consider sedimentation in the context of depositional environments. This is followed by examining sedimentation at a larger scale: sedimentation in basins (tectonics, eustasy, isostasy, and sequence stratigraphy). The course also covers classic stratigraphy as well as the many new exciting developments (quantitative biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, and chemostratigraphy) in the field. The laboratory is field oriented with at least half of the laboratories spent in the field addressing field problems. In addition to working on the local geology, the class visits Central Pennsylvania during a four-day trip to examine the Paleozioic history of the Appalachian Basin. Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or consent of instructor.

340. Structural Geology (Fryer)
Geometry and mechanisms of deformation of the Earth's crust. Classification and interpretation of fault and fold structures, theories of stress and strain, deformational fabrics, and methods of structural analysis; fundamentals of plate tectonics and structural regions of the world. Lecture and laboratory. Three or four day field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or consent of instructor.

345. Geological Techniques (Fryer)
Techniques for the investigation and solution of geologic problems. Emphasized are the techniques and equipment of field geology and technical writing. Topics include interpretation of geologic, topographic, and tectonic maps and aerial photographs; methods of field mapping and field data interpretation; drafting and presentation of geologic data; writing of technical reports. Lecture, laboratory, and four day field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or consent of instructor.

360. Geological Data Analysis (staff)
Survey of analytical methods for numerical data used in the geological sciences. Special emphasis will be on handling large data sets. Topics will includes sampling techniques, data manipulation, media storage and manipulation, graphics, and selected techniques such as statistical modeling, computer simulation, and trend surface analysis. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 110, GEOL 112, and MATH 105; open to Geology majors only, or consent of instructor.

370. Introduction to Geophysics (staff)
Geophysical methods used in the exploration for mineral resources and the analysis of plate tectonics; introduction to wave propagation, earthquakes, and the internal structure of the Earth, seismic refraction and reflection methods , gravity prospecting, the Earth's gravity and the concept of isostasy, magnetic prospecting and the magnetics of the Earth, radioactivity, prospecting, electrical prospecting. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 110 and PHYS 110 or PHYS 115 or consent of instructor.

490. Independent Study (staff)
Investigation of original research problems, including laboratory work, literature searches, written reports, and possible field work. Prerequisite: consent of instructor prior to preregistration.

491. Directed Readings (staff)
Individually supervised investigations into selected geological subjects. Prerequisite: consent of instructor prior to preregistration.

495. Apprenticeship
Description. Prerequisite:

499. Seminar (staff)
Special topics in geology; an integrative course for geology majors. Prerequisite: consent of Geology Department.


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