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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
