Geology Courses at LCSC

GEOL 100 - Environmental Earth Science
4 Credits

Introduction to basic concepts of geology in the context of geologic hazards and geologic resources. Topics covered include: global circulation of water and air, rocks and minerals, plate tectonics, geologic time, deductive reasoning from sparse evidence. Geologic and topographic map reading skills are taught and emphasized, using examples from the local area. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee.
Fall 1998 (Linneman)
Fall 1998 (Heins cip)

GEOL 102 - Historical Geology
4 Credits

Emphasis on geologic time; no other discipline offers such a long time perspective relevant to modern decision making. Includes: review of basic Earth materials; plate-tectonic framework for interpreting Earth history; absolute dating techniques and the age of the Earth’s formation; depositional environments and interpretation of sedimentary rocks as a tool of paleogeography; lithostratigraphic principles and relative dating by Steno’s laws and cross-cutting relationships; basic principles of paleontology, including overview of taxonomy, processes of fossilization, evolutionary principles, biostratigraphic principles; systematic examination of tectonic setting, paleogeography, paleobiology, and paleoclimate for each period of Earth’s history. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100. Lab fee.
Spring 2000 (Heins)

GEOL 111/311 - Physical Geology
4 Credits

The composition and structure of the earth. All-day field trips required. Three hours of lecture and one 2-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MATH 025 or placement. Math competency may be gained concurrently with enrollment. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee.

GEOL 123 - Geology of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest
3 Credits

Overview of regional geology for students with no science background. Three hours of lecture per week, one 7-day field trip.

GEOL 124 - Geology of National Parks
3 Credits

Overview of the geology of selected National parks for students with no science background. Three hours of lecture per week, one 7-day field trip.

GEOL 150 - Oceanography
3 Credits

Study of features of the world’s oceans, their floors, and their margins. Three hours of lecture per week.

GEOL 250 - Earth Materials I
4 Credits

The study of naturally occurring, inorganic crystalline solids with definite chemical structures which give them unique physical properties (minerals). It is an important curricular component for both (1) Geology majors who intend to pursue careers in the Earth Sciences as well as (2) students preparing for teaching careers who expect to teach Earth Science classes at the junior high or secondary level. The study of minerals has ancient roots and was associated with the development of geology, chemistry, and physics. Therefore, this course integrates many of these fields of study. This course introduces mineral chemistry, symmetry and classification; provides basic geologic skills in descriptive mineralogy, including space groups and the use of stereo nets; hand-sample petrography of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks; and elementary optical methods. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100. Lab Fee.
Fall 1998 (Linneman)

GEOL 251 - Earth Materials II
4 Credits

Introduction of descriptive igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrography; plate-tectonic framework for interpreting petrogenesis; phase equilibria and basic geochemistry of magmatic systems; geochemistry of weathering and soil formation; PTt relationships of metamorphic facies; and economic geology, including ore mineralogy and resource extraction. Labs emphasize microscopic identification of minerals and textures, and the formulation of petrogenetic interpretations. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 250. Lab Fee.

GEOL 290/490 - Directed Study in Geology
Variable Credit

Additional library and/or field research by individuals based on student/faculty interests. This course can provide a mechanism for students to participate in faculty research projects for academic credit. Prerequisite, permission of instructor.

GEOL 291/491 - Workshops in Geology
Variable Credit

Credit for attendance at the UI/WSU speaker series. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of all talks given, read assigned texts prior to the talk, and participate in post-talk discussions. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite, permission of instructor. Lab Fee.

GEOL 292/492 - Special Topics in Geology
Variable Credit

Seminar classes on topics of special interest in earth sciences. Emphasizes interdisciplinary consideration of problems, including team teaching, invited speakers, and trips to relevant field sites. Topics include, but are not limited to: Paleontology, Biostratigraphy, Tectonics, Paleotectonics of the Inland Northwest, Stratigraphy of North America, Paleoclimate Analysis, Volcanology, Instrumental Methods. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite, permission of instructor.

GEOL 295/495 - Geology/Earth Science Practicum
1-2 Credits

Experience in the practical problems associated with equipping, setting up, operating, teaching and/or administering laboratory courses in geology/earth science. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits. Prerequisite: Approval of division chair.

GEOL 296/496 - Cooperative Education
Variable Credit

Academic credit for professional-level work experience in industry, government, or non-profit agencies. Prerequisite, job placement and permission of instructor.

GEOL 300 - Quantitative Methods in Earth Science (now = MATH 254)
3 Credits

Essential skills of acquiring, recording, manipulating, visualizing, describing, and testing data commonly used in the Earth Sciences. Emphasizes sources, quantification and analysis of measurement error. Types of data considered include: scalar measurements (length, mass, temperature), compositions (mineralogy, geochemistry, grain-size, etc.) and directional vectors (paleocurrent indicators, structural indicators, crystallographic faces and axes, etc.) Prerequisite: GEOL 100 and MATH 085 or MATH 137 ,. Lab Fee.

GEOL 301 - Geologic Field Methods (Summer)
6 Credits

Six-week course in the field. Principles of geologic mapping in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic terranes using examples from Hells Canyon. Lab Fee. Prerequisite GEOL 102, GEOL 251, GEOL 335 and GEOL 421.

GEOL 309 - Hydrogeology
4 Credits

Fundamentals of surface and groundwater movement in a geologic context. Includes hydrologic, geologic, and other factors controlling groundwater flow, occurrence, development, chemistry, and contamination. Groundwater flow theory and aquifer test methods are introduced. Interactions between surface and subsurface hydrologic systems are covered. Some field trips are possible. Introduction to aquifer pumping tests, aquifer analysis, watershed analysis, and water budgets. Field methods are emphasized through consideration of local examples. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100. Lab Fee.

GEOL 335 - Earth Surface Processes
4 Credits

This course examines the evolution of natural landscapes by water, wind, ice and tectonic processes. Topics include: weathering and mass wasting, neotectonics, fluvial geomorphology, glacial geomorphology, and Quaternary geology field techniques. Approximately one third of instructional time is spent in the field. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 100. Lab fee.

GEOL 371 - Geographic Information Systems
4 Credits

Serves not only geology students, but also all others who benefit from the ability to record and manipulate spatially registered data, including field biologists, marketers, political scientists, criminal justice students, sociologists, historians, archeologists, anthropologists and others. Emphasis is on understanding spatial data, manipulating data in computer databases, implementation of GIS systems and applications. Lecture and laboratory. Lab fee.

GEOL 409 - Groundwater Hydrogeology and Contaminant Transport
4 Credits

Covers the principles of groundwater flow, aquifer characterization, hydrologic field methods (using a densely monitored local landfill) and groundwater modeling. Also treated are the behavior of organic and inorganic compounds in the near-surface environment under both saturated and unsaturated transport. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL309, CHEM 112 , and MATH 143;. Lab fee.

GEOL 421 - Structural Geology
4 Credits

Emphasizes 3-dimensional thinking; no other scientific discipline requires the same spatial thinking skills that geology does. This class covers classical and modern concepts of structural geology including: the recognition and description of folds, faults, joints, and metamorphic fabrics in rocks; description and interpretation of stress and strain from these structures; preparation and interpretation of geologic maps and cross-sections. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 102 and GEOL 250. Lab fee.

GEOL 435 - Surficial Geology and Geologic Hazards
4 Credits

Emphasizes the relationship among the physical and chemical processes of sediment production, transportation and deposition, and the geotechnical characteristics of surficial deposits. Focuses on the physics of sediment transport in fluvial systems and classic concepts of sedimentology and stratigraphy as they relate to assessing, mitigating and remediating environmental hazards. The course is field-oriented and will require students to conduct topical research. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 102 and GEOL 335. Lab fee.

GEOL 440 - Earth, Atmosphere and Oceans
3 Credits

A survey of the physical properties of the earth, meteorology, climatology, and physical oceanography. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 111/311.

GEOL 471 - Computer Cartography, Risk Assessment & Planning
4 Credits

Advanced course required of geology majors who specialize in geologic decision making. Designed for any student that intends to use GIS as a professional tool. Approaches GIS from the cartography side, focusing primarily on map projections, coordinate systems, and topologic analysis of vectors. Students will become familiar with relational databases, Boolean operators and nested queries. Emphasizes vector-based data processing, overlay analysis of vector and raster data, buffer analysis, and multilevel queries. Instruction consists of equal portions of lecture and lab exercises, which will center on multidisciplinary approaches to real problems. Students who complete this course will be capable of integrating the full range of GIS techniques into their senior research, and of seeking employment as entry-level GIS professionals. Students will use GIS to integrate disparate data sets to assess risks posed by natural systems to human infrastructure, and to make recommendations about how to mitigate, or prepare for, those risks. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 371. Lab fee.
Fall 1998 Syllabus

GEOL 481 - Remote Sensing of the Environment
4 Credits

Application of remotely sensed imagery (TM and SPOT satellite imagery, Shuttle Imaging Radar, aerial photography, etc.) to the analysis of environmental quality and management of natural resources. Prerequisite: GEOL 371. Lab fee.

GEOL 499 - Senior Project and Seminar
4 Credits

A two semester, 4 credit course that teaches research through experience with a research project. Patterned on, or run in conjunction with, the biology class. Presentation of research results, via submission of a paper for review, or presentation at a professional meeting, or presentation at an LCSC-based forum is required. Prerequisite: NS 398.

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