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Geology Courses

Geol 101 Physical Geology (3 cr)

Geol 101L Physical Geology Lab (1 cr)

Geol 102 Historical Geology (3 cr)

Geol 102L Historical Geology Lab (1 cr)

Geol 111 Physical Geology for Science Majors (3 cr)

Geol 111L Physical Geology for Science Majors Lab (1 cr)

Geol 203 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Geol 204 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Geol 212 Principles of Paleontology (4 cr)

Geol 249 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy (4 cr)

Geol 290 Field Geology I (3 cr)

Geol 299 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 308 Ground Water Geology (3 cr)

Geol 309 Ground Water Hydrology (3 cr)

Geol 324 Principles of Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4 cr)

Geol 326 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4 cr)

Geol 335 Geomorphology (3 cr)

Geol 344 Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards (3 cr)

Geol 345 Structural Geology (4 cr)

Geol 361 Geology and the Environment (3 cr)

Geol 375 Geology of National Parks (3 cr)

Geol 390 Petroleum Geology (2 cr)

Geol 400 (s) Seminar (1 cr, max arr)

Geol J407/J507 Basin Analysis (3 cr)

Geol 410 Techniques of Ground Water Study (3 cr)

Geol 417 Advanced Paleontology (3 cr)

Geol 422 Principles of Geophysics (3 cr)

Geol 423 Principles of Geochemistry (3 cr)

Geol 426 Principles of Forensic Mineralogy and Geology (3 cr)

Geol J432/J532 Geologic Development of North America (3 cr)

Geol J464/J564 The Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3 cr)

Geol J467/J567 Volcanology (3 cr)

Geol 471 Ore Deposits and Exploration (3 cr)

Geol 490 Field Geology II (3 cr)

Geol 497 (s) Practicum in Tutoring (1 cr, max 2)

Geol 498 Senior Thesis (1-4 cr, max 4)

Geol 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Geol 501 (s) Seminar (1 cr, max arr)

Geol 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Geol 507 Basin Analysis (3 cr)

Geol 510 (s) Geosystems (3 cr, max 6)

Geol 520 (s) Advanced Topics in Sedimentary Rocks (2-3 cr, max 6)

Geol 532 Geologic Development of North America (3 cr)

Geol 541 Structural Analysis (3 cr)

Geol 542 Advanced Structural Geology (3 cr)

Geol 548 Tectonics (3 cr)

Geol 549 Principles of Electron Microscopy (3 cr)

Geol 550 Advanced Mineralogy (3 cr)

Geol 554 Physical Petrology (3 cr)

Geol 564 The Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3 cr)

Geol 567 Volcanology (3 cr)

Geol 583 Radiogenic Isotopes and Geochronology (3 cr)

Geol 592 (s) Advanced Topics in Structural Geology (1-4 cr, max 6)

Geol 593 (s) Advanced Topics in Geomechanics (1-4 cr, max arr)

Geol 597 (s) Practicum (cr arr)

Geol 598 (s) Internship (cr arr)

Geol 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (cr arr)

Geol 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)

Mickey E. Gunter, Dept. Chair of Geological Sciences (322 Mines Bldg. 83844-3022; phone 208/885-6192).

Geol 101 Physical Geology (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-b. The earth, its composition, structure, and natural processes. Three lec and 2 hrs of lab a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Geol 101L Physical Geology Lab (1 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-b. The earth, its composition, structure, and natural processes. Three lec and 2 hrs of lab a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Geol 102 Historical Geology (3 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-b or J-3-d. Evolution of the physical earth, plants, and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history. Three lec and 2 hrs of lab a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Geol 102L Historical Geology Lab (1 cr)

May be used as general education credit in J-3-b. Evolution of the physical earth, plants, and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history. Three lec and 2 hrs of lab a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Geol 111 Physical Geology for Science Majors (3 cr)

Introductory course in earth science for geology and other science majors. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk; two 1-day field trips.

Geol 111L Physical Geology for Science Majors Lab (1 cr)

Introductory course in earth science for geology and other science majors. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk; two 1-day field trips.

Geol 203 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Geol 204 (s) Special Topics (cr arr)

Geol 212 Principles of Paleontology (4 cr)

Studies of morphology, classification of fossil groups, and utility of fossils in interpreting depositional environments and ages of sedimentary rocks. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk; one 1- to 2-day field trip. Recommended Preparation: Geol 102.

Geol 249 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy (4 cr)

Principles of crystallography, crystal chemistry, and crystal structure; mineral identification; principles of optical mineralogy and use of the polarized light microscope. Three lec and one 2-hr lab a wk; two 1-day field trips.

Prereq: Geol 111/111L or Geol 101/101L, and Chem 111

Geol 290 Field Geology I (3 cr)

Introduction to field mapping and field techniques; interpretation of sedimentary sequences; introduction to tectonic structures; preparation of reports based on field observations and interpretations. Accident and health insurance required. Three week, off-campus field course. (Summer only)

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L, and Geol 102/102L

Geol 299 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 308 Ground Water Geology (3 cr)

Geologic factors controlling the infiltration, accumulation and movement of ground water in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock environments. (Spring only)

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L, and Math 130 or Math 143

Geol 309 Ground Water Hydrology (3 cr)

Occurrence, movement, and properties of subsurface water; intro to ground water geology and hydrology.

Prereq: Geol 101./101L or 111, and Math 130 or 143

Geol 324 Principles of Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4 cr)

Description and identification of sedimentary rocks; organization and correlation of layered rocks in all scales, including factors controlling their distribution; cycles in sedimentation and stratigraphy; sequence stratigraphy and basin dynamics. Two lec and two 2-hr labs a wk; two 1-day field trips; optional 7-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 102/102L

Geol 326 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4 cr)

Hard rock petrology plus megascopic and microscopic petrography of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Two lec and two 2-hr labs a wk; two 1-day or one 2-day field trips.

Prereq: Geol 249

Geol 335 Geomorphology (3 cr)

Classification, recognition, origin, and significance of land forms; land form analysis in interpretation of geologic structure and history. One 2-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 102/102L or Geol 111/111L, or Geog 100/100L, or Permission

Geol 344 Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards (3 cr)

The geology of earthquakes including the cause of fault rupture, seismic waves, focal mechanisms, and earthquakes associated with all fault types in a variety of tectonic settings; methods of identifying paleo-earthquakes in the geologic record, and the assessment of seismic hazard and risk in active fault environments. One 3-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L

Geol 345 Structural Geology (4 cr)

Investigation of deformed rocks; mechanics of brittle and continuum failure, stress and strain relations, characterization, description, classification of folded and fractured rocks. Three hours of lecture and one 2-hr 45-min lab a wk; one week-long mandatory field trip. (Spring only)

Prereq: One semester high-school trigonometry or Math 144, Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L, and Phys 111/111L or Phys 211/211L

Geol 361 Geology and the Environment (3 cr)

Environmental consequences of development of geologic resources; including issues of waste disposal, pollution and human health; natural hazards and their impact on humans and the environment. Two 1-day field trips.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L

Geol 375 Geology of National Parks (3 cr)

Primarily for non-geology majors who want to acquire a better knowledge of geologic concepts and processes through study of geology of national parks. One 6-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 102/102L or Geol 111/111L or Geog 100/100L

Geol 390 Petroleum Geology (2 cr)

Petroleum technology for geologists. (Fall only)

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L

Geol 400 (s) Seminar (1 cr, max arr)

Participation in departmental colloquium.

Geol J407/J507 Basin Analysis (3 cr)

Characteristics of sedimentary basins and methods for studying them. For 500-level credit an additional research project is required. One 2-day field trip. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students. (Spring only)

Prereq: Geol 324

Geol 410 Techniques of Ground Water Study (3 cr)

Collection and analysis of field data for reconnaissance ground water studies. Two weekend field trips.

Prereq or Coreq: Geol 309

Geol 417 Advanced Paleontology (3 cr)

Fossil assemblage analyses and report writing; marine faunal assemblage 1st half semester; nonmarine floral assemblage 2nd half semester. Three 2-hr labs a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 212 or Permission

Geol 422 Principles of Geophysics (3 cr)

Outline of geophysical methods for geological investigations. One 1-day field trip.

Geol 423 Principles of Geochemistry (3 cr)

Physiochemical principles applied to geologic processes. Topics covered include atmospheric geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, aqueous geochemistry, crystal chemistry, radiogenic and stable isotopes. Two lec and one 2-hr lab a wk.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L, and Chem 112

Geol 426 Principles of Forensic Mineralogy and Geology (3 cr)

Introduction to the use of geological and mineralogical materials and techniques within the criminal/civil justice system. Topics will include the origin and description of minerals, rocks, soils and sands, fossils, industrial materials, and pollen, the history of forensic science, instrumental & forensic laboratory techniques, and the legal aspects of scientific evidence. Two lec and one 2-hr labs a wk; one 1-day field trip.

Prereq: Geol 101/101L or Geol 111/111L, and Chem 111; or Permission

Geol J432/J532 Geologic Development of North America (3 cr)

Tectonic, magmatic, and sedimentary sequence studies of North American continent through time; concepts of metal and petroleum enrichment related to time and geological processes. Additional questions on two exams and written report of field trip reqd for grad cr. One 7-day field trip. Geol 532 is a cooperative course available to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol J464/J564 The Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3 cr)

Geol 564 same as Hydr 564. Basic principles of aqueous geochemistry applied to natural waters (ground waters, lake and river waters, seawater), presented at an intermediate level; carbonate equilibria and alkalinity, solubility of minerals, sorption processes and surface reactions, redox reactions and Eh-pH diagrams, organic geochemistry, etc. For graduate credit, students are required to prepare two in-depth term papers and demonstrate through exam work and papers a more in-depth understanding of the material. One compressed video and one web-based lecture a wk. Recommended preparation: Geol 423.

Prereq: Chem 111-112

Geol J467/J567 Volcanology (3 cr)

Eruption mechanisms, volcanic processes and landforms, and volcanic deposits. Additional projects/assignments reqd for grad cr. Two lec and one 2-hr lab a wk; seven days of field trips. Geol 567 is a cooperative course available to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol 471 Ore Deposits and Exploration (3 cr)

The geologic origin of metallic ore deposits, and the methods used to search for them. Taught in alternating years. 3-hr lec per week. One one-day and one three-day field trips.

Prereq: Geol 249

Geol 490 Field Geology II (3 cr)

Advanced field problems and methods; interpretation of field data, preparation of reports based on field observations and interpretations. Accident and health insurance required. Three week, off-campus. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students. (Summer only)

Prereq: Geol 290 and Geol 345

Geol 497 (s) Practicum in Tutoring (1 cr, max 2)

Tutorial services performed by advanced students under faculty supervision. Graded P/F.

Prereq: Permission of department

Geol 498 Senior Thesis (1-4 cr, max 4)

Completion of original research and report. Course is taken over two semesters; first semester is graded IP until completion of second semester.

Prereq: Senior standing and Permission

Geol 499 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 500 Master's Research and Thesis (cr arr)

Geol 501 (s) Seminar (1 cr, max arr)

Participation in departmental colloquium.

Geol 502 (s) Directed Study (cr arr)

Geol 503 (s) Workshop (cr arr)

Geol 507 Basin Analysis (3 cr)

See Geol J407/J507.

Geol 510 (s) Geosystems (3 cr, max 6)

Interdisciplinary core graduate course in earth sciences. Course will involve multiple instructors and modules framed around a common theme. Specific focus may vary from year to year. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol 520 (s) Advanced Topics in Sedimentary Rocks (2-3 cr, max 6)

Modern aspects of sedimentary rocks.

Prereq: Geol 324

Geol 532 Geologic Development of North America (3 cr)

See Geol J432/J532.

Geol 541 Structural Analysis (3 cr)

Structural analysis of complexly deformed rocks in orogenic belts. Field trip required. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol 542 Advanced Structural Geology (3 cr)

Concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics as applied to the classification, origin and evolution of all types of rock fractures; continuum theory in rock mechanics; rock strength and failure criteria; stress tensors; elastic theory. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereq: Geol 345

Geol 548 Tectonics (3 cr)

Nature and origin of the Earth's major tectonic features. Two lec and 2 hrs of lab a wk; one or two 1- to 2-day field trips. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereq: Geol 345 or Permission

Geol 549 Principles of Electron Microscopy (3 cr)

Theory and principles of scanning and transmission electron microscopy as an investigative tool; includes physical principles of electron microscopy, operation and maintenance of the electron microscope, specimen preparation, and digital image capture. Lab section involves hands-on use of SEM and TEM. Students registering are required to complete a research project. One 1.5-hr lec and one 2-hr lab a week. (Fall only)

Geol 550 Advanced Mineralogy (3 cr)

Advanced concepts in mineralogy not covered at the undergraduate level. Specifically the methods necessary to determine, examine, and represent the crystal structure of minerals and relate them to the mineral's physical properties. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Prereq: Geol 249 or equivalent

Geol 554 Physical Petrology (3 cr)

Applications of continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics to generation, rise, storage, and eruption of magmas. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol 564 The Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3 cr)

See Geol J464/J564.

Geol 567 Volcanology (3 cr)

See Geol J467/J567.

Geol 583 Radiogenic Isotopes and Geochronology (3 cr)

Nuclear structure, radioactive decay, isochrons, the age of meteorites, the earth, and the timing of various major differentiation events, applications of radiometric (including cosmogenic) dating in a wide range of fields, and the use of radiogenic isotopes as tracers of multi-reservoir evolution.

Geol 592 (s) Advanced Topics in Structural Geology (1-4 cr, max 6)

Classroom or field-based course focused on application of structural geology concepts to specific problems. Topical focus of class may vary from year to year. Cooperative: open to WSU degree-seeking students.

Geol 593 (s) Advanced Topics in Geomechanics (1-4 cr, max arr)

Advanced treatment of current topics in geomechanics and related disciplines such as structural geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology, and petroleum engineering.

Geol 597 (s) Practicum (cr arr)

Geol 598 (s) Internship (cr arr)

Geol 599 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (cr arr)

Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.

Prereq: Permission

Geol 600 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (cr arr)