Lower Division Courses

1504. The Dynamic Earth. An examination of earth as consisting of interrelated geologic systems which are dynamic and constantly changing. Includes study of surface, lithologic and tectonic systems. 3 s.h.

*1505/1505L. Physical Geology. A study of the various physical and chemical processes acting on and within the earth, and their products. The laboratory component includes identification of minerals and rocks, and the interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. Three hours of lecture, two hours of lab per week. 4 s.h.

1505H/1505L. Honors Physical Geology. Concepts of the earth as a dynamic planet, investigated through a variety of lectures, text and journal readings, and independent library research assignment. Prereq.: Eligibility for the Honors Program or consent of instructor. 4 s.h.

*1508. Geology of Gemstones and Allied Minerals. Formation, occurrence, and distribution of gem materials. Properties and identification of gemstones, factors affecting their value. Introduction to synthetic/artificial gem materials. Not applicable toward the geology major. 3 s.h.

*1509L. Geoscience Laboratory. Problem solving and assessment of case histories to illustrate the scientific method and geologic principles and concepts. Two hours laboratory per week. 1 s.h.

1510. Geology of National Parks. Geologic history of national parks, geologic processes observed in North American parks and Hawaii. Simulated field trips to several major parks. Not applicable toward the geology major. 3 s.h.

*1513. Physical Evolution of North America. Origin and evolution of the continent of North America with a focus on the geologic evidences and physical changes through geologic time within the context of plate tectonics theory. The laboratory component emphasizes geologic interpretation from a variety of geologic map types and rock materials. Three hours lecture, two hours of lab per week. Field trips are an integral part of the course. Prereq.: GEOL 1504 or 1505/1505L. 4 s.h.

*1514. Life of the Geologic Past. Origin, classification, and evolution of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates through geologic time as evidenced by the fossil record; contemporary understanding of the extinction of various life forms, such as the dinosaurs. Two hours lecture, two hours lab. 3 s.h.

2602. Introduction to Oceanography. Survey of geological, physical, chemical, and biological oceanography; description and distribution of properties and their relationship to circulation, shorelines, ocean features, sediments, organisms, and environments. 3 s.h.

*2611. Geology for Engineers. Study of geologic principles, processes, and materials; focus on recognition of geologic factors as they apply to engineering operations and projects. Laboratory work includes examination of minerals, rocks, maps, and case histories. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. 3 s.h.

*2614. Mesozoic Dinosaurs and Other Reptiles. A survey of major Mesozoic dinosaurs and reptiles, including discussion of their environment, organic evolution, diversity, and controversies pertaining to their classification and extinction. Prereq.: GEOL 1513.  3 s.h.

2615. Geology and the Environment 1. A study of the interrelationship of human activity and the geologic environment. An examination of geologic hazards, geologic considerations in waste disposal, resource utilization, and land use.  Prereq.: GEOL 1504 or 1505/1505L, or 2611.

2699. Individual Study. The introductory study of problems or issues in geology, or a review of literature relating to a specific geologic topic. A maximum of 3 s.h. may be taken. Prereq.: 8 semester hours Geology, consent of department chairperson and instructor. 1-3 s.h.

Upper Division Courses

*3700. Mineralogy. The occurrence, composition, and crystallography of common and economically important minerals. Identification of minerals using physical, chemical, optical and x-ray properties. The theory and use of the polarizing microscope and its application to the study of crystalline material, including asbestos materials. Two hours lecture, four hours of lab per week. Prereq.: CHEM 1515 (may be concurrent) and GEOL 1513. 4 s.h.

*3701. Geomorphology. A study of landforms and the processes which create them, using aerial photographs, geologic maps, and topographic maps. The laboratory work emphasizes recognition and interpretation of landforms. Two hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. Prereq.: GEOL 1505/1505L. 3 s.h.

3702. Glacial Geology. A study of glacier types: their origin, movement, erosional/depositional contributions, and their relationship to various non-glacial features. Emphasis is on the Pleistocene glacial succession in North America. Field trips are an integral part of the course. Prereq.: GEOL 1505/1505L. 3 s.h.

3704. Structural Geology. Description and interpretation of geologic structures, mechanical properties; stress-strain relationships, regional structure of North American, and major tectonic theories. Prereq.: GEOL 1513. Geology majors must take GEOL 3704L concurrently with 3704. 2 s.h.

*3704L. Structural Geology Laboratory. Structural geology techniques and analyses, including orthographic solutions, stereographic projections, and interpretation of maps. Two hours lab per week. Prereq. Or concurrent GEOL 3704 and MATH 1504, or consent of the instructor. 1 s.h.

3706. Geology of Economic Mineral Deposits. A study of the occurrence, origin, and distribution of mineral deposits, with special attention to their economic use. Field trips are mandatory. Prereq.: GEOL 1505/1505L and 1513. 3 s.h.

3709. Subsurface Investigations. An introduction to subsurface investigative methods that integrate principles of geophysics, geochemistry, interpretation of well logs and other bore hole data, outcrops and published information in the solution of actual geological problems. Two hours lecture, two hours lab per week. Students are expected to perform field work in addition to regularly scheduled class time. Prereq.: GEOL 1513; MATH 1571 recommended. 3 s.h.

*3714. Principles of Paleontology. A detailed study of fossil invertebrates, including their origin, classification, pale ecology and stratigraphic utilization. Two hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Prereq.: GEOL 1504. 3 s.h.

*3716. Environmental Impact of Abandoned Mines. Mining methods, types of mines, information retrieval, mine stabilization, and the effects of abandoned mines on environmental and human activities, especially of deep coal mines in the Mahoning Valley and adjacent areas. Two hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Prereq.: GEOL 1505/1505L and 1513 or equivalent. 3 s.h.

*3718. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. An in-depth study of the petrogenesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks based on their chemical and petrographic characteristics. Three hours lecture, three hours lab per week. Prereq.: GEOL 3700. 4 s.h.

3720. Field Investigations in Geology. A field-based approach to the study of geologic concepts and problems. Class and travel supervised by Geology faculty; location, duration of stay, hours, credit, and grading criteria dependent on the site and nature of the geologic concepts and problems investigated. The course may be repeated. A maximum of 4 s.h. may be applied toward Geology major requirements. Prereq.: By permit only. 1-4 s.h.

*4804. Ground Water. A study of the geologic and hydrologic factors controlling the occurrence and behavior of water beneath the earth’s surface. Two hours lecture, two hours lab per week. Prereq.: GEOL 1505/1505L and 1513; MATH 1571 recommended. 3 s.h.

4824. Tectonics. Geodynamics and the workings of plate tectonics. Kinetics and dynamics of plate motion, plate driving forces, thermal structure of the earth, and thermal convection in the earth. Tectonic and structural features on the earth. Geophysical, stratigraphic and structural signatures of extensional rifting, strike-slip faulting, subduction zones, plate collisions and mountain belts. Prereq.: GEOL 3704, 3718 and 5802. 3 s.h.

4899. Special Topics. Selected aspects of geology not covered in existing courses. Topics to be announced each time course is offered. May be repeated for different topics. Prereq.: appropriate 3700-or 4800-geology course and permission of the chairperson. 1-3 s.h.

*5802. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. The study and interpretation of sedimentary rocks, including physical characteristics, petrography and petrology, depositional environments, principles of basin analysis. Two hours lecture, two hours lab per week. Prereq.: GEOL 1513 and 3700. 3 s.h.

5805. Special Problems in Geology. An in-depth study of a specific problem in one of the branches of geology. The problem depends on the student’s interest and qualifications and the equipment availability. A maximum of 8 s.h. may be taken. Prereq.: 8 s.h. in Geology, consent of the department chairperson and instructor. 1-4 s.h.

5815. Geology and the Environment 1. In-depth examination of earth processes, earth resources and properties of earth materials as they relate to human activities, and their geologic consequences. Prereq.: GEOL 2615 or ENST 2600. 3 s.h.

*5817. Environmental Geochemistry. An application of low-temperature aqueous geochemistry and geochemical computer modeling to environmental problems such as acid mine drainage, geochemical cycling of trace elements and nutrients, hazardous waste remediation, nuclear waste disposal, and surface and ground-water contamination. Prereq.: GEOL 3700 and CHEM 1516. 3 s.h.

An asterisk (*) before the course title indicates that an additional fee will be charged for that course.