Courses in Geology

Course Notes

Course Descriptions

1000 level:

GEOL 1101 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY (0). LAB. Coreq., GEOL 1100. Examination of rocks and minerals and use of geologic and topographic maps; structural geology and correlation exercises.

GEOL 1110 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY (4). LF-C. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 1100. Science Core. Physical and biological history of the Earth, with emphasis on the evolution of life forms.

GEOL 1111 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY (0). LAB. Pr., GEOL 1100. Coreq., GEOL 1110. Examination of rock, fossil, and related data sets bearing on the geological development of the earth with emphasis on North America.

GEOL 1200 MARINE TECHNICAL METHODS (2) LAB. 8 Introduction to procedures
utilized aboard marine research vessels; physical, biological and geological
measurements and sampling techniques. Taught only at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, see below. Summer. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 1220 COASTAL CLIMATOLOGY (2) LEC. 7 Controlling factors and features
of world climates, with attention to coastal areas; application and interpretation of
climate data. Taught only at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, see below. Summer. Pr., departmental approval.

2000 level:

GEOL 2050 IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY (4). LEC. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2010. Principles and processes of igneous and metamorphic activity in a plate tectonic and petrologic context. Description, classification and interpretation of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

GEOL 2100 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY (4). LEC. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 1100. Emphasis on geology as an environmental science; applied geology, geological hazards and environmental regulations as applied to geologic environmental remediation. Not open to undergraduates majoring in Geology.
 

3000 level:

GEOL 3100 TERRESTRIAL VEGETATION THROUGH EARTH HISTORY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2200, BIOL 1020. Plants are primary producers and are the foundation upon which the global ecosystem is based. This course focuses on the development, evolution, and application of the plant fossil record to problems in earth history.

GEOL 3150 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Fundamental geologic principles, materials, and processes that affect engineering projects and programs. Emphasis on pre-construction geological analysis to recognize potential hazards and problems. Credit will not be given for both GEOL 3150 and GEOL 1100.

GEOL 3200 PRINCIPLES OF PALEONTOLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 1110. The nature of the fossil record, applications of that data to geological and biological questions, with emphasis on the concepts, and using examples from all biotic groups.

GEOL 3300 EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION OF THE DINOSAURIA (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL I 1 00 or departmental approval. Survey of the dinosaurs, their evolution and extinction. Southeastern U.S. dinosaurs.

GEOL 3400 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (4). LEC. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2050. Fundamentals of rock deformation. The mechanics of rock flow, fracture, and folding. Geometric techniques of structural analysis.

GEOL 3650 FIELD CAMP (6). LEC. 1, LAB, 10. Pr., GEOL 3400. Instruments and methods used in geological field mapping, interpretation of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and deformational analysis. Summer.

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4000 level:

GEOL 4010 SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY (3). LEG. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2050 or departmental approval. Detailed description and classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks with emphasis on interpretation of origins, transport histories, depositional environments and diagenetic histories.

GEOL 4110 STRATIGRAPHY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4010 or departmental approval. Description and correlation of layered earth materials. Synthesis and interpretation of stratigraphic correlations. North American Stratigraphic Code. History and theory of stratigraphy.

GEOL 4210 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 3400, senior standing. The origin, distribution and classification of mineral deposits formed by igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary processes. Introduction of methods of exploration and development. Spring.

GEOL 4260 INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY (3). LEC. 3. Pr., CHEM 1040, GEOL 2050. Principles governing the distribution of major, minor and trace elements within the earth; differentiation of elements due to geologic processes and the hydrosphere.

GEOL 4300 GEODYNAMICS (3). LEC. 3. Pr., GEOL 2400, MATH 1620, PHYS 1510. Structure and dynamics of the earth deduced from seismology, gravity, heat flow and magnetism.

GEOL 4740 GEOLOGY SENIOR SEMINAR (1) LEC. 1 Pr., GEOL 4010 Current
concepts and research findings in the principal subject areas within the broad
discipline of geology.

GEOL 4930 DIRECTED STUDY (1-3). IND. Pr., departmental approval. Directed studies in areas of geology not covered by an existing course or to supplement knowledge gained from an existing course. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.

GEOL 4980 RESEARCH METHODS (1-3). LEC. Pr., departmental approval. Active participation in original research under supervision of a senior investigator. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.

GEOL 4997 HONORS THESIS (2-4). LEG. 3. Pr., membership in the Honors College. May incorporate library, field or laboratory research in any proportion. Written thesis and thesis defense required. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.

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ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE

5000/6000 level:

GEOL 5060 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (4) LEC. 3, LAB. 2 Pr., GEOL 3200
and (BIOL 1030 or BIOL 1037) In-depth coverage of the invertebrate fossil record,
focusing on the systematics and evolutionary history of major groups. Laboratory/
discussion sessions and field trips included.

GEOL 5100 HYDROGEOLOGY (3) LEC. 2, LAB. 2 Pr., GEOL 1100 and CHEM 1030
and MATH 1610 and GEOG 5830 and PHYS 1500 Fundamentals of groundwater
flow in porous media, hydrodynamic dispersion, determination of aquifer properties
and geological aspects of groundwater occurrences. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 5240 COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY (2) LEC. 5, LAB. 4 Introduction to
coastal sediment processes and applied coastal geomorphology; emphasis on
waves, tides, sediments and their impact of anthropogenic influences. Taught only
at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, see below. Summer. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 5300 BASIN ANALYSIS (3) LEC. 2, LAB. 2 Pr., GEOL 4010 Study of analytical
techniques of sedimentary basin fills, including thermal history, litho and
biofacies analyses, depositional systems, subsurface logs, seismic reflection, provenance history, evolution, sedimentation and subsidence history.

GEOL 5400 PRINCIPLES OF EARTH SCIENCE (3) LEC. 2, LAB. 2 A special course
for in-service and future teachers only. Internal and surficial geologic processes,
meteorology and oceanography. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 5600 APPLIED GEOPHYSICS (4) LEC. 3, LAB. 2 Pr., (GEOL 1100 or GEOL
3150) and (MATH 1620 or MATH 1627) and PHYS 1510 Overview of geophysical
methods with applications to resource, tectonic and environmental analyses.
Seismic refraction and reflection, gravity, magnetics, electrical and electromagnetic
methods will be included. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 6060 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (4). LEC. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 3200, BIOL 1030. In-depth coverage of the invertebrate fossil record, focusing on the systematics and evolutionary history of major groups. Laboratory/discussion sessions and field trips included.

GEOL 6100 HYDROGEOLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 1100, CHEM 1030, MATH 1610, GEOG 3830, PHYS 1500, or departmental approval. Fundamentals of groundwater flow in porous media, hydrodynamic dispersion, determination of aquifer properties and geological aspects of groundwater occurrences.

GEOL 6200 GROUNDWATER GEOCHEMISTRY (2). LEC. 2. Pr., CHEM 1040, GEOL 1100 or GEOL 3150. Chemical principles applied to the understanding of factors controlling groundwater composition with an emphasis on water-mineral reactions. Introduction to chemical equilibrium computer modeling programs.

GEOL 6240 COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY (2) LEC. 5, LAB. 4 Introduction to
coastal sediment processes and applied coastal geomorphology; emphasis on
waves, tides, sediments and their impact of anthropogenic influences. Taught only
at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, see below. Summer. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 6300 BASIN ANALYSIS (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4010 (current enrollment). Study of analytical techniques of sedimentary basin fills, including thermal history, litho- and biofacies analyses, depositional systems, subsurface logs, seismic reflection, provenance history, evolution, sedimentation and subsidence history.

GEOL 6400 PRINCIPLES OF EARTH SCIENCE (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., Science Education majors or departmental approval. A special course for in-service and future teachers only. Internal and surficial geologic processes, meteorology and oceanography.

GEOL 6600 APPLIED GEOPHYSICS (4). LEC. 3, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 1100 or GEOL 3150; MATH 1620 or departmental approval; PHYS 151 0 or departmental approval. Overview of geophysical methods with applications to resource, tectonic and environmental analyses. Seismic refraction and reflection, gravity, magnetics, electrical and electromagnetic methods will be included.

GRADUATE COURSES

7000 level

GEOL 7100 GEOCOMMUNICATION (3). LEC. 3. Pr., departmental approval. Instruction and practice in the written and oral communication skills necessary for a successful career in the geosciences; emphasis on preparation of scientific articles, technical reports, abstracts, and thesis; preparation and delivery of oral presentations.

GEOL 7200 TECTONICS (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2050 and GEOL 4010 or departmental approval. Emphasis will be placed on plate tectonics and driving forces, evolution of collisional, transform and extensional systems, and dynamic indicators of past and current tectonic processes.

GEOL 7220 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND MARINE RESEARCH
(3) LEC. 10, LAB. 15 Introduction to geographical information system (GIS) techniques
with a focus on application in the marine environment. Taught only at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, see below. Summer. Pr., departmental approval.

GEOL 7250 GROUNDWATER HYDROGEOLOGIC MODELING (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 61 00 or departmental approval. Overview of groundwater modeling techniques with environmental and geologic applications. Interaction of geology and subsurface groundwater flow. Basin hydrology modeling. Practical experience in computer simulations of subsurface hydrogeologic processes.

GEOL 7260 AQUEOUS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., CHEM 1040, GEOL 2050. Study of water-rock reactions that control the chemical composition of groundwater; aqueous geochemistry of trace elements; groundwater pollution, romediation and goomicrobiology.

GEOL 7300 CYCLES THROUGH EARTH HISTORY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4110, GEOL 2200, GEOL 4260. Discussion of the fundamental processes controlling cycles of (1) C, N, 0, H, P, and S, (2) climate, and (3) sea-level through geologic history; how interrelationships of these cycles have impacted the abiotic and biotic character of Earth.

GEOL 7310 ISSUES IN PALEONTOLOGY (3). LEC. 3. Pr., GEOL 3200. Advanced applications of paleontological data sets to topics that may include taphonomy, biogeochemistry, evolution, asystematc functional morphology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology and biostratigraphy.

GEOL 7400 ADVANCED ECONOMIC GEOLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4210. The practical and theoretical aspects of economic geology as applied to exploration and development of natural resources.

GEOL 7410 GEOLOGY OF ORGANIC MATTER (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4010 and GEOL 4110 or departmental approval. The origins, classifications, and taphonomy of organic matter, modern and ancient processes and environments of deposition of organic-rich strata, including hydrocarbon-source rocks and coals. Laboratory and field trips required.

GEOL 7450 MINERAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., CHEM 1040, GEOL 2050. Overview of geology and geographic distribution of mineral resources; economic aspects affecting their extraction; environmental impacts and cost of mineral resource extraction.

GEOL 7550 ADVANCED GEOPHYSICAL METHODS (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 6600 and departmental approval. Advanced treatment of geophysical methods, data interpretation and modeling. Applications to resource development and environmental assessments will be explored, with emphasis on seismic methods.

GEOL 7600 PETROLOGY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2050, GEOL 401 0 or departmental approval. The description, classification, formative processes, and petrologic interpretation of igneous, metamorphic and igneous rocks.

GEOL 7610 STRUCTURAL AND METAMORPHIC ANALYSIS (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 2050, GEOL 3400 and GEOL 3650. Quantitative analysis of dynamic, kinematic and chemical responses of rocks and minerals to crustal movements and dynamo thermal metamorphism.

GEOL 7650 FACIES ANALYSIS AND SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY (3). LEC. 2, LAB. 2. Pr., GEOL 4010 and GEOL 4110 or departmental approval. Systematic analysis of modern and ancient deposition facies and their interpretation in a sequence stratigraphic context. Laboratory and field trips required.

GEOL 7930 DIRECTED STUDIES OR READINGS (1-3). LEC. 3. Pr., departmental approval. Directed studies may incorporate literature, field and/or laboratory research in any proportion. Subject matter and credit hours shall be determined by student and directing faculty. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.

GEOL 7980 CAPSTONE PROJECT (1-3). LEC. Pr., departmental approval. Literature, field and/or laboratory research directed towards completion of capstone project required for non-thesis option. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.

GEOL 7990 RESEARCH AND THESIS (1-10). MST. Pr., departmental approval. Credit to be arranged. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 10 credit hours.

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DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LABORTORY