Steven D. Sheriff, Chairman
An understanding of geology involves a knowledge of the processes and events that shape the earth. By studying minerals, rocks, and fossils, as well as aspects of rivers, oceans and atmosphere, the geologist interprets earth history, the evolution of life, the movement and development of continents, and the changing aspects of the ocean basins. The study of earth materials takes place in the field and in the laboratory, and depends upon a rock hammer as well as sophisticated analytical equipment. Within the broad field of geology, professionals specialize in a variety of subjects including mineral resources, groundwater, sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, volcanoes, geophysics, geochemistry, fossils and many others. This specialization leads to employment by private industry, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, consulting firms, and by secondary schools needing earth science teachers. Many of our graduates work in the fields of exploration and development for minerals and fuels. Others work in a variety of fields related to construction, site selection, water supply, environmental remediation and planning. Jobs in geology are available at the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. level. However, the more creative the position, the higher level of education needed, and a master's degree is advisable for flexibility in professional employment.
The Department of Geosciences offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees; also available is a bachelor degree with a teaching major in earth sciences. All degree programs in the department involve field work and a combination of applied and theoretical approaches requiring sound general background in other sciences.
High School Preparation: In addition to the general requirements for University admission, recommended high school preparation includes as much mathematics and science as possible.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
Science courses designed for education majors may not be counted toward Geosciences Department science requirements. Geology courses and allied science courses must be taken for a traditional grade.
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog or by completing GEOL 499. See index.
The Geosciences Department offers four options for students wishing to major in geology. The first option is a highly flexible program designed for those who wish to double major in another science or who simply wish to acquire a broad education of their own design. It features a minimum number of specifically required courses in geology and other sciences. The remaining three options are designed for students who desire a more defined path through our curriculum or who are seeking certification to teach. Some paths in each of the options may require prerequisites that are not specifically listed or required.
General Option
This flexible option requires the following courses in geology: GEOL 100N, GEOL 101N, GEOL 130, and GEOL 226. At least 20 additional credits in geology must be completed with at least 16 of the 20 at the 300-level or above.
In addition to thirty credits in geology, thirty additional credits must be completed from among the following disciplines at the listed level or higher or equivalent: MATH 117, CHEM 151N, PHYS 121N, ASTR 131N, CS 172, BIOL 110N, FOR 140 or equivalent. Additional courses acceptable in this category include most of those offered in the Physical Geography and Geographic Methodology and Techniques sections of the Department of Geography's curriculum. Courses may be selected with the consent of the advisor who can offer advice concerning additional alternatives in cognate science courses.
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science with a major in Geology and a General Geology option is flexible. For example, for those interested in community affairs, planning and environmental relations or policy, GEOL 382, 432, and 480 are recommended. For a broad interest in evolution of Earth, GEOL 310, 330, 430, 432 and 429 are recommended. Students are encouraged to consult with departmental advisors regarding available choices.
Professional Options
The Geosciences Department offers three different options for students wishing to pursue geology as a profession. Although the three programs share many required courses, each prepares students for graduate studies or employment in different aspects of modern geoscience. Programs, as well as elective courses, should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor in the Geosciences Department.
Option in Geology
The following courses are required: Geology 100N, 101N, 130, 226, 330, 429. One course also must be selected from each of the following four categories: (1) Geology 480; (2) Geology 437, 438, 430; (3) Geology 310, 327, 437, 438; (4) Geology 306, 432.
Also required are at least 30 credits in cognate science courses including MATH 152 153 or MATH 150 and 158; PHYS 121N 122N or PHYS 221N 222N; and CHEM 161N 162N. Completion of CS 172 early in the program is strongly recommended.
Option in Environmental Geology
The following courses in Geology are required: 100N, 101N, 105N, 130, 301, 226, 320N or 327, 480, 499 plus geology electives at the 300 level or above for a total of 33 credits. Also required are 38 credits in mathematics and allied sciences.
Cognate science courses must include: MATH 152 153 or MATH 150 and 158; PHYS 121N 122N or PHYS 221N 222N; CHEM 161N 162N plus ten additional credits selected in consultation with your advisor. Examples include: CS 203, 204, 344, 365; MATH 158, 251, 311, 312, 341; CHEM 261, 262, 263, 264, 342, 344, 348, 370, 371, 452, 476.
Option in Earth Science Education
Major Teaching Field of Earth Science: A student must complete GEOL 100N, 101N, 105N, 130, 226, 301, 310, 330, 3 additional credits from any geology course numbered 100 or above and 12 credits from any geology courses numbered 300 or above. Also required are GEOG 330N, ASTR 131N 132N, MATH 121, 341, CS 101, CHEM 485, and C&I 426. One of BIOL 121N 122N or CHEM 151N 152N or PHYS 121N 122N must be completed.
For endorsement to teach earth science, a student also must gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog). The demand in most Montana high school for teaching in this field may be limited, and students must complete the requirements for the required second teaching endorsement (major or minor).
Suggested Course of Study
For questions concerning your special interests or preparation, see a geology advisor.
General Option
| First Year | A | S |
| CHEM 151N General and Inorganic Chemistry or 162N College Chemistry | - | 3-5 |
| ENEX 101 Composition | 3 | - |
| GEOL 100N 101N General Geology and Lab 3 | ||
| GEOL 130 Introductory Field Geology and Maps | - | 3 |
| *MATH 121 Precalculus | 4 | - |
| General Education | 5 | 9 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| *BIOL 121N Introductory Ecology | 3 | - |
| *CHEM 152N Organic and Biological Chemistry or 162N College Chemistry | 3-5 | - |
| GEOL 202 Stratigraphy Sedimentology | - | 4 |
| GEOL 226 Earth Materials | 4 | - |
| Additional science course | - | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 3 | 9 |
| 15 | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| GEOL any 300 and above | 4 | 4 |
| Science* | 6 | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 4 | 8 |
| 14 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| GEOL any 300 and above | 4 | 4 |
| Science* | 6 | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 6 | 6 |
| 16 | 13 |
*Suggested, a total of 30 additional science credits are required. See special degree requirements.
Geology Option
| First Year | A | S |
| GEOL 100N 101N General Geology and Lab | 3 | - |
| GEOL 130 Introductory Field Geology and Maps | - | 3 |
| CHEM 161N 162N College Chemistry and Lab | 5 | 5 |
| MATH 152 and 153 Calculus I, II or 150 and 158 | 4 | 4 |
| ENEX 101 Composition | - | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 3 | - |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| GEOL 202 Stratigraphy Sedimentology | - | 4 |
| GEOL 226 Earth Materials | 4 | - |
| CS 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling or equivalent | - | 3 |
| PHYS 221N 222N General Physics or PHYS 121N 122N | 5 | 5 |
| Electives and General Education | 6 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| GEOL 330 Structural Geology | 3 | - |
| Two courses from Category 1, 2, 3, or 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Electives and General Education | 9 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Summer Session | ||
| GEOL 429 Field Geology | 6 | - |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Two courses from Category 1, 2 or 3, 4 as needed | 3 | 3 |
| Geology and non geology electives and General Education | 12 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 |
Option in Environmental Geology
| First Year | A | S |
| GEOL 100N 101N General Geology and Lab | 3 | - |
| GEOL 130 Introduction to Field Methods | - | 3 |
| CHEM 161N, 162N College Chemistry and Lab | 5 | 5 |
| MATH 152, 153 Calculus I, II or 150 and 158 | 4 | 4 |
| CS 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling or equivalent. | - | 3 |
| ENEX 101 Composition | 3 | - |
| 15 | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| GEOL 301 Environmental Geology | 3 | - |
| GEOL 226 Earth Materials | - | 4 |
| PHYS 221N 222N College Physics | 5 | 5 |
| Other science electives | 3 | 3 |
| General Education and electives | 3 | 5 |
| 14 | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Credits from 300 level or above geology courses | 3 | 3 |
| Other science electives | 6 | - |
| General Education and electives | 7 | 12 |
| 16 | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| GEOL 320N Global Water or 327 Geochemistry | 3 | - |
| GEOL 480 Hydrogeology | 4 | - |
| GEOL 499 Undergraduate Thesis | 2 | 3 |
| General Education and electives | 6 | 12 |
| 15 | 15 |
Earth Science Education Option
| First Year | A | S |
| CS 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling or equivalent | - | 3 |
| ENEX 101 Composition | 3 | - |
| GEOL 100N-101N General Geology and Laboratory | 3 | - |
| GEOL 105 Oceanography | - | 2 |
| GEOL 130 Introductory Field Geology and Maps | - | 3 |
| MATH 121 Precalculus | 4 | - |
| PSYC 100S Introduction to Psychology | 4 | - |
| *Electives and General Education | 3 | 6 |
| 17 | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ASTR 131N-132N Elementary Astronomy I, II | 3 | 3 |
| CHEM 151N General and Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | - |
| GEOL 226 Earth Materials | - | 4 |
| GEOL 301 Environmental Geology | 3 | - |
| GEOL any 100 | - | 3 |
| *Electives and General Education | 6 | 6 |
| 15 | 16 |
Need to formally gain admission to the Teacher Education Program. See requirement in the School of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Deadlines: March 1 and October 1.
| Third Year | ||
| CHEM 485 Laboratory Safety | - | 1 |
| C&I 200 Exploring Teaching Through Field Experience | 2 | - |
| C&I 303 Educational Psychology & Measurements | - | 4 |
| C&I Other | 3 | 6 |
| GEOG 330 Meteorology | 3 | - |
| GEOL 310 Invertebrate Paleontology | 3 | - |
| GEOL 330 Structural Geology | 3 | - |
| GEOL any 300 or above | 3 | 6 |
| 17 | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| C&I 426 Teaching Science in Middle and Secondary Schools | 3 | - |
| C&I Other | - | 6 |
| GEOL any 300 or above | 3 | - |
| *Electives and General Education | 9 | 12 |
| 15 | 18 |
*C&I recommends a minor teaching field. A fifth year may be required to obtain a minor field endorsement.
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in Geology the student must complete GEOL 100N, 101N, 130, 226, plus at least 12 credits in other geology courses numbered 300 or above. All courses must be taken for a traditional letter grade.
Courses
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
Geology (GEOL)
U 100N General Geology 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. General geology including the work of wind, flowing water, glacial ice, gravity, earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics in shaping the earth. Credit not allowed for both GEOL 100N and 109.
U 101N General Geology Laboratory 1 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. or coreq., any geology courses below GEOL 130. A series of laboratory and field experiences designed around basic geologic processes and materials. Familiarization with common minerals, rocks, land forms, and structures. Intended to provide laboratory experience with any geology course below GEOL 130.
U 103N Volcanoes, Earthquakes and other Natural Hazards 3 cr. Offered spring. Examination of volcanism, earthquakes, landslides, floods, coastal erosion, hurricanes, and asteroid impacts. Emphasis on processes, recognition and consequences of catastrophic events, and how to minimize their societal impacts.
U 105N Oceanography 3 cr. Offered spring. Origin of sea water and ocean basins; currents, tides, and coastal processes; use and misuse of the oceans by humans.
U 106N History of Life 3 cr. Offered autumn. The evolution of plants, invertebrates and vertebrate animals, highlighting major events in the evolution of life on Earth. Includes laboratory experience with fossils.
U 108N Climate ChangeBPast and Future 3 cr. Offered autumn. The geoscience perspective on the earth's climate system. Climate processes and feedbacks, climate history from early earth to the ice ages, present and future changes due to natural processes and human activities.
U 109 Environmental Geoscience 2 cr. Offered autumn. An introduction to geology emphasizing the effects of geologic processes and events on humans, and interactions of humans with the Earth. Includes geologic hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and landslides; soil and erosion; ground and surface water resources; global climate; and mineral and energy resources. Credit not allowed for both GEOL 100N and 109.
U 130 Introductory Field Geology and Maps 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., GEOL 100N 101N. Basic geologic field observations and methods, geological map interpretation. All day Saturday field trips to key areas of western Montana.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 202 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 100N 101N. Concepts and methods of lithostratigraphy, and biostratigraphy including classification and correlation of sedimentary rocks. Interpretation of ancient environments from analysis of sedimentary structures.
U 207 Geological Hazards and Disasters 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., minimum grade of C in any 100-level geology course except 106. Study of major geological catastrophes, their causes and effects. Probability, frequency and recurrence intervals, magnitudes, the role of overlapping/ unrelated events. Examples of floods, hurricanes, landslides, submarine landslides, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts.
U 226 Earth Materials 4 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., GEOL 100N, GEOL 101N or SCI 227, and college level chemistry. The mineralogy of rock forming minerals and other important mineral groups; an introduction to igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and processes.
U 260 River Systems 3 cr. Offered spring alternate years. Hydrologic and geomorphic basis of environmental management problems concerning river systems. Analysis of the processes of flooding, sedimentation, and morphological change in channels, flood plains, deltas, and alluvial fans. Effects of climate, land use and engineering.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 301 Environmental Geology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 100N 101N, 130; MATH 117 or 121; CS 172 or equiv. experience with spread sheets and word processors. Human effects on geologic processes and the effect of geologic processes on humans. Group and independent research projects on local and regional environmental geology problems are used to teach scientific problem solving. Topics include population growth, management of surface and groundwater quantity and quality, resource use, global environmetal change.
UG 302 Sedimentary Geology Field Trip 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 100N; coreq., GEOL 130. Examination of modern and ancient sedimentary depositional systems in the field through a 9-day spring break field trip. Possible areas of focus include the Permian Reef Complex of West Texas, the California convergent margin, Oregon coastal processes, geology of the Basin and Range, Death Valley Region, Colorado Plateau, and Oklahoma Aulacogen.
U 304E Science and Society 3 cr. Offered autumn. Role of scientific knowledge in human societies from the pre-Classical to the present. Discussion of tools for integrating science into ethical, political, and social decisions, including analyses of modern case studies from physical sciences.
U 306 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 226, CHEM 162N. Igneous rock associations, igneous processes and origins; metamorphic minerals and phase relationships, metamorphic zones, facies, and conditions; metamorphic environments, metallic minerals and mineral deposits.
UG 309 Planetary Science 3 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., PHYS 121N or 221N and MATH 150 or 152. Same as ASTR 351. Physical and geological characteristics of planets, satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids with an emphasis on comparative planetology.
UG 310 Invertebrate Paleontology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 100N, 202 or equiv. Principles of paleontology including morphology, classification and evolution of major groups of fossils and their application to paleoecology and biostratigraphy.
UG 311 Paleobiology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 310 or equiv. Application of geologic and biologic principles to problems in paleontology.
UG 313 Curation Techniques 2 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., basic course in natural sciences. Instruction in basic techniques of managing natural history collections. Focus on practical applications.
U 320N Global Water 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., one semester of college chemistry, ENEX 101 or equiv. Study of the chemistry of water in the hydrological cycles; how water picks its chemical attributes as it moves through the hydrological cycle. Atmospheric water, precipitation, ground water, and surface water are discussed.
U 327 Geochemistry 4 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., one year of college chemistry. Chemical principles applied to geologic processes. Origin and chemical composition of atmosphere and hydrosphere. Methods of radiometric dating and isotope applications.
U 330 Structural Geology 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 130 and 226. Structures of deformed rocks; mechanical principles; graphical interpretation of structural problems, tectonic principles.
UG 382 Global Change 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Lectures, readings, and discussions on geological and geochemical processes that affect global change using recent literature; carbon dioxide buildup, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, desertification, ice ages, and other global events.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 396 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Specific topics of particular interest to individual students.
U 398 Internship Variable cr. Offered every term. Prereq., 12 credits in geology. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. No more than 3 credits of GEOL 398 may be applied to the geology minor. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
UG 402 Sedimentary Geology Field Trip 2 cr. Examination of sedimentary depositional systems through a nine-day spring break field trip off campus.
U 425 Geology of the Pacific Northwest 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., GEOL 100N. Narrative discussion of the evolutions of the Pacific Northwest from Archean time to present.
U 429 Field Geology 6 cr. Offered summer. Prereq., GEOL 330 and consent of instr. Geologic mapping on aerial photos and topographic base maps. Field interpretation in a variety of rock types and structures. Taught every summer near Dillon, Montana. Extra fees. Pre registration in early spring.
UG 430 Global Tectonics 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 330, MATH 150, and 2.25 or better overall GPA in geology courses. Examination of large scale structural features of earth's surface and their relation to tectonic processes as well as active tectonic phenomena including siesmicity, volcanism, and crustal deformation.
UG 432 Architecture of Sedimentary Deposits 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 202. Study of the architectural elements and composition of sedimentary deposits in the context of their tectonic environments and their influence on petroleum and hydrogeologic systems.
UG 433 Sedimentary Petrology 4 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing or GEOL 432. Field, hand specimen and thin section petrology of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks, emphasis on tectonic and diagenetic interpretation of siliciclastic rock and environments of deposition and diagenesis of carbonate rocks.
UG 437 Seismology and Magnetics 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq. or coreq., MATH 153, GEOL 100N 101N, PHYS 121N. Theory and global aspects of seismology and magnetics as well as their practical application to environmental problems.
UG 438 Gravity and Electromagnetics 4 cr.Offered Spring. Prereq. or coreq., MATH 153, GEOL 100N-101N, PHYS 121N. GPS, gravity, and electromagnetic methods with acquisition, processing, and interpretation of locally-collected data. Applications include environmental and crustal scale imaging, tectonic processes, and whole-earth models.
UG 460 Process Geomorphology 4 cr. Offered autumn, alternate years. Coreq., one year college calculus and physics. Quantitative examination of landforms, runoff generation, weathering, mechanics of soil erosion by water and wind, mass wasting, glacial and periglacial processes and hillslope evolution.
UG 465 Computer Modeling in the Physical Sciences with Matlab 3 cr. Offered spring alternate years. Coreq., one year college calculus and physics. Introduction to Matlab and writing and using computer models to address typical problems faced by physical scientists. Topics include heat diffusion, carbon storage, and landscape evolution. No previous computer experience required.
UG 480 Hydrogeology 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 100N 101N; PHYS 121N or 221N; MATH 150 or 152 strongly recommended. Occurrence, movement, quality, and methods of quantification of groundwater. Geological framework and physics of groundwater flow. Supply, contamination, and management problems.
U 493 Omnibus Variable cr. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Independent work under the University omnibus option. See index.
UG 494 Senior Seminar 1 10 cr. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., upper division standing in geology or consent of instr. Independent study of various topics under the direction of a faculty member.
UG 495 Special Topics 1 8 cr. (R-8) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 496 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Specific topics of particular interest to individual students.
U 499 Undergraduate Thesis 3 10 cr. (R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., 18 credits in geology. Independent research project in any geologic topic supervised by faculty member, and leading to completion of baccalaureate degree.
G 502 Thesis/Dissertation Proposal 1 cr. Offered spring. Work with advisors to choose a research project and write a proposal.
G 522 Metamorphic Terrain Analysis 3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to techniques used to analyze burial and uplift histories of metamorphic terrains. Topics include: geochronology, including closure temperature theory and the use of geochronologic systems as thermochronometers; geothermometry and geobarometry; quantitative thermodynamic modeling of P-T paths; heat flow and the thermal structure of orogenic belts.
G 528 Sedimentary Basin Analysis 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 202. Influence of allocyclic processes (tectonism, climate, eustacy, etc.,) in shaping the evolution of sedimentary basins. Emphasis on integration and synthesis of tools of sedimentary basins analysis, including the study of depositional systems, provenance, paleocurrents, subsidence, sequence stratigraphy, and well logs.
G 531 Environmental Geochemistry of Metal Contamination 4 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 570, 579; CHEM 442; FOR 511 or consent of instr. Integration of major processes and cycles transporting, fixing, and transforming inorganic contaminants in aquatic systems, soils, sediments and subsurface environments. Concentration on multicisciplinary research to solve complex environmental problems.
G 560 Fluvial Geomorphology 4 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., one year college calculus and physics. Application of fluid mechanics to sediment transport and development of river morphology. Form and process in river meanders, the pool-riffle sequence, aggradation, grade, and baselevel.
G 570 Advanced Geochemistry 4 cr. Offered autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., one year college chemistry. Chemistry of aqueous systems including aqueous kinetics, aqueous thermodynamics, acid/base chemistry, carbonate systematics, oxidation/deduction reactions, mineral solubility, and complexation. Includes an introduction to the use of geochemical models. Concepts applied to natural systems.
G 572 Advanced Hydrogeology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., GEOL 480 or consent of instr. Advanced concepts used in groundwater investigations, including flow systems analysis, hydrogeologic monitoring and sampling, resource evaluation, exploration, development and monitoring, and contaminant transport. Special problem areas in groundwater exploration and management.
G 573 Applied Groundwater Modeling 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., GEOL 480 and consent of instr. Development of numerical modeling techniques, finite difference and finite element modeling of groundwater flow systems. Application of standard 2D and 3D models to field problems.
G 575 Clays and Clay Petrology 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Clay mineralogy including fundamental particle theory; x ray identification methods. Origins of clays; petrology of shales through low grade metamorphism.
G 579 Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Systems 3 cr. Offered autumn, even-numbered years. Prereq., one year of college of chemistry of consent of instr. Chemistry and geology of hydrothermal systems including solute/gas geothermometry, acid/base reactions, oxidation/reduction reactions, mineral equilibrium, and microbial ecology as applied to terrestrial and submarine hydrothermal systems. Includes an introduction to the use of geochemical models.
G 580 Topics in Mineralogy and Petrology Variable cr. (R-6 for M.S., R-12 for Ph.D.) Prereq., consent of instr. Offerings on request of graduate students by arrangement with appropriate faculty. Recent topics: tectonics and petrology; alkaline igneous rocks.
G 582 Topics in Structure and Geophysics Variable cr. (R-6 for M.S., R-12 for Ph.D.) Prereq., consent of instr. Offerings on request of graduate students by arrangement with appropriate faculty. Recent topics: structural analysis, Precambrian crustal evolution, field trips on Rocky Mountain structure.
G 583 Topics in Stratigraphy, Paleontology and Sedimentation Variable cr. (R-6 for M.S., R-12 for Ph.D.) Prereq., consent of instr. Offerings on request of graduate students by arrangement with appropriate faculty. Recent topics: evolution of life; Proterozoic stratigraphy; reefs through time.
G 585 Topics in Hydrogeology and Low Temperature Geochemistry Variable cr. (R-6 for M.S., R-12 for Ph.D.) Prereq., consent of instr. Offerings on request of graduate students by arrangement with appropriate faculty. Recent topics: field methods, well design, contaminant transport, geochemical modeling.
G 587 Topics in Geomorphology Variable cr. (R-6 for M.S., R-12 for Ph.D.) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Reading and discussion of relevant papers. Offerings on request of graduate students by arrangement with appropriate faculty. Recent topics: landscape evolution; weathering processes; tectonic geomorphology.
G 590 Supervised Internship 1-12 cr. Offered intermittently.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-8) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 597 Advanced Problems Variable cr. (R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Investigations of geological problems exclusive of thesis or dissertation research.
G 599 Thesis Research Variable cr.(R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., thesis proposal approval. Directed research to serve as thesis for the master degree. Credit assigned upon submittal of final copy of approved and bound thesis.
G 699 Dissertation Research Variable cr. (R-12) Offered every term. Prereq., dissertation proposal approval. Directed research to serve as dissertation for the Ph.D. degree. Credit assigned upon submittal of final copy of approved and bound dissertation.
Faculty
Professors
- Marc S. Hendrix, Ph.D., Stanford University, 1992
- Johnnie N. Moore, Ph.D., University of California (Los Angeles), 1976
- James W. Sears, Ph.D, Queen's University, 1979
- Steven D. Sheriff, Ph.D., University of Wyoming, l981 (Chair)
- George D. Stanley, Ph.D., University of Kansas, 1977
- Graham R. Thompson, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve, 1971
- William W. Woessner, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin (Madison), 1978
Associate Professor
- Nancy W. Hinman, Ph.D., University of California (San Diego), 1987
Assistant Professors
- Julia A. Baldwin, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003
- Rebecca O. Bendick, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2000
- Manny J. Gabet, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, 2002
- Joel T. Harper, Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 1997
Emeritus Professors
- David Alt, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1961
- Donald W. Hyndman, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley), 1964
- Ian M. Lange, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1968
- Raymond C. Murray, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1955
- John P. Wehrenberg, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1956
- Robert M. Weidman, Ph.D., University of California (Berkeley), 1959
- Donald Winston, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1963