University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
GEOSC 001
Physical Geology (3) Earth processes and their effects on the materials, structure, and morphology of the earth's crust. Practicum includes field work, study of rocks, minerals, dynamic models, and topographic maps. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 002
(GN)
Historical Geology (3) History of the earth and its life; fundamentals of evolution, correlation, and paleogeography; practicum includes field trips, study of geologic maps, geologic problems, and fossils, with emphasis on Appalachian geology. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Summer 1995
GEOSC 004
Mineralogy (3) Structure, properties, and occurrence of silicate minerals; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen; modern methods of mineral identification.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110 orCHEM 106;GEOSC 001
GEOSC 010
(GN)
Geology of the National Parks (3) Introduction to geology, geological change, and environmental hazards, as seen in the National Parks.
Effective: Fall 2003
GEOSC 020
(GN)
Planet Earth (3) Nontechnical presentation of earth processes, materials, and landscape. Practicum includes field trips, study of maps, rocks, and dynamic models, introduction to geologic experimentation. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Fall 2003
GEOSC 020L
(GN)
Planet Earth (3) Nontechnical presentation of earth processes, materials, and landscape. Practicum includes field trips, study of maps, rocks, and dynamic models, introduction to geologic experimentation. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
Effective: Summer 1988
GEOSC 020P
(GN)
Planet Earth (3) Nontechnical presentation of earth processes, materials, and landscape. Practicum includes field trips, study of maps, rocks, and dynamic models, introduction to geologic experimentation. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
Effective: Summer 1988
GEOSC 021
(GN)
Earth and Life: Origin and Evolution (3) Introduction to the origin and evolution of life on Earth from the perspective of geologic time and the fossil record.
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Spring 2002
GEOSC 040
(GN)
The Sea Around Us (3) Introduction to marine sciences and the world ocean, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography.
Effective: Fall 2003
GEOSC 040L
(GN)
The Sea Around Us (2) Introduction to marine sciences and the world ocean, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography.
Effective: Summer 2009
GEOSC 040P
(GN)
The Sea Around Us (1) Introduction to marine sciences and the world ocean, including physical, chemical, biological, and geological aspects of oceanography.
Effective: Spring 2009
GEOSC 071
Physical Geology for Engineers (3) Principles of physical geology, with emphasis on the engineering point of view; practicum includes field work, study of rocks, minerals, dynamic models, and topographic maps. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110
GEOSC 097
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1992
GEOSC 109H
(GN)
Earthquakes and Society (3) Introduction to earthquakes and seismology, and their relationship to society, including monitoring for nuclear weapons and seismic hazards.
Effective: Spring 2007
GEOSC 110H
(GN)
The Science of Gemstones (3) An exploration of the geological uses of gems and of the physical and chemical properties underlying their brilliance and color.
Effective: Summer 2002
Prerequisite:
high school chemistry and trigonometry
GEOSC 111
(GN)
Forensic Geoscience (3) Covers fundamental geoscience concepts such as stratigraphy, mineral and soil identification, seismology, and geochemistry within the context of forensic investigation.
Effective: Spring 2008
GEOSC 197
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1992
GEOSC 200
Geology of Caves and Karst (3) Geology and hydrology of carbonate terrains; cave origin; sedimentation processes in caves; water supply and land use in karst areas. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 201
Earth Materials (4) Elements of crystallography and crystal chemistry; origin, occurrence, and identification of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks and their minerals. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110 third-semester standing. Prerequisite or concurrent:GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 201H
Earth Materials (4) Elements of crystallography and crystal chemistry; origin, occurrence, and identification of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks and their minerals. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110 third-semester standing. Prerequisite or concurrent:GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 202
Chemical Processes in Geology (4) An in-depth examination of the application of chemical principles to geological processes.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001, MATH 140 third-semester standing. Prerequisite or concurrent:CHEM 113
GEOSC 203
Physical Processes in Geology (4) An in-depth examination of various physical processes that operate within and at the surface of the earth.
Effective: Fall 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 fifth-semester standing. Prerequisite or concurrent:PHYS 211
GEOSC 204
Geobiology (4) An introduction to how biological processes and materials are used to solve geological problems.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
BIOL 110;GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 228
Dinosaurs (3) Dinosaurs and other large Mesozoic reptiles; their morphology, stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental distribution, preservation, collecting, classification, lifestyles, origins, evolution, and extinction.
Effective: Summer 1995
GEOSC 296
Independent Studies (1-18) Creative projcts, including research and design, which are suprvised on an individual basis and which fall ouside the scope of formal courses.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 297
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 297A
Teaching Intern (1-2) Teaching interns.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOSC 297A
Teaching Intern (1-2) Teaching interns credit.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOSC 297A
Teaching Intern (1-2) Teaching Intern.
Effective: Fall 2010 Ending: Fall 2010 Future: Fall 2010
GEOSC 297B
Wilderness First Aid Course (1) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOSC 297B
Marine Science Seminar, Underwater Investigations, with Lee Kump (1) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOSC 297B
Wilderness First Aid Course (1) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 2010 Ending: Fall 2010 Future: Fall 2010
GEOSC 303
Introduction to Environmental Geology (3) Origin of earth and earth materials; natural resources, geologic barriers and hazards, and relationships to human use of the environment. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 310
Earth History (4) The principles of stratigraphy and paleontology and their use, in combination with plate tectonics, in reconstructing the earth's history. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 201
GEOSC 320
Geology of Climate Change (3) Geologic evidence for climate change and mechanisms of change, especially from the Ice Age through the near future.
Effective: Spring 2001
GEOSC 340
Geomorphology (3) Physical and chemical processes operating at the earth's surface and their resulting landforms. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 ; fifth-semester standing
GEOSC 397
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1992
GEOSC 402Y
(IL)
Natural Disasters (3) Case studies of the causes and consequences of natural disasters; analysis of disaster impact in different economic, cultural, and social conditions.
Effective: Summer 2005
Prerequisite:
fourth-semester standing
GEOSC 405
(SOILS 405)
Hydropedology (3) Soil and water interactions across scales, integrated studies of landscape- soil-water relationships, fundamental processes of water flow and chemical transport.
Effective: Spring 2008
Prerequisite:
SOILS 101
GEOSC 409W
Geomicrobiology (3) Investigation of modern and ancient microbial interactions with soils, sediments, the atmosphere, minerals, rocks, nutrients, and pollutants.
Effective: Summer 2008
Prerequisite:
CHEM 112;GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020, GEOSC 040, EARTH 002, BIOL 110 orMICRB 201
GEOSC 410
Marine Biogeochemistry (3) Exploration of the ways in which life influences and is influenced by chemical, physical, and geological processes in the ocean.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 112;EARTH 002 orGEOSC 001, GEOSC 020, GEOSC 040 orMETEO 022
GEOSC 412
Water Resources Geochemistry (3) Aqueous geochemistry of silica, alumina, carbonate minerals, and selected metals; organic species in water; isotope geochemistry applied to water.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110, CHEM 112
GEOSC 413W
Techniques in Environmental Geochemistry (3) This course teaches techniques needed for the collection, chemical analysis, and data analysis of environmental geochemical measurements. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
one of the following:C E 475, CHEM 402, GEOSC 202, GEOSC 412, SOILS 419
GEOSC 415
Geochemistry (3) Element abundance and genesis, application of chemical principles to earth materials, element fractionation in geologic processes.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 112, GEOSC 004 orGEOSC 201
GEOSC 416
Stable and Radioactive Isotopes in Geosciences: Introduction (3) Discussions on theories for natural isotopic and element variations and their applications to the solution of geologic and cosmologic problems.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110, CHEM 112, CHEM 111, CHEM 113;GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 418
(SOILS 419)
Soil Environmental Chemistry (3) Introduction to chemical constituents and processes occurring in soils. Topics include mineral weathering, soil solution chemistry and adsorption of solutes.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 112, SOILS 101
GEOSC 419
The Organic Geochemistry of Natural Waters and Sediments (3) Composition, sources, and fates of particulate and dissolved organic matter in natural environments; biogeochemical processes; organic geochemistry of anthropogenic contaminants.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
CHEM 110, CHEM 112
GEOSC 420
(BIOL 420)
Paleobotany (3) Classification, morphology, phylogeny, and stratigraphic occurrence of fossil plants; practicum includes field trips and study of paleobotanical techniques and specimens.
Effective: Spring 2005
Prerequisite:
any 3-credit introductory course in historical geology or plant biology
GEOSC 422
Vertebrate Paleontology (3) Course covers scientific thinking and skills in scientific writing, the history of vertebrates, and modern evolutionary theory applied to vertebrates.
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Spring 2009
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 andBIOL 110
GEOSC 424
Paleontology and Fossils (3) Concepts and precedures using fossils to solve problems in systematics, evolution, biostratigraphy, correlation, sedimentation, paleoecology, and global change.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 428
Micropaleontology (4) Biology and ecology of microfaunas and microfloras (e.g., foraminifera, coccolithophores, radiolaria, diatoms, dinoflagellates) and applications in biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
Effective: Summer 2004
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 204
GEOSC 434
Volcanology (3) Phenomena and products of volcanic eruptions; physical characteristics of lava and pyroclastic material.
Effective: Spring 1996
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 004 orGEOSC 201
GEOSC 439
Principles of Stratigraphy (3) An introduction to the description and genesis of sedimentary rock bodies, the determination of their stratal geometries, and their correlation. (This course includes from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.)
This course contains from one to several field trips for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 201
GEOSC 440
Marine Geology (3) Chemical and physical processes affecting the topography and sediments of the sea floor.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
fourth-semester standing
GEOSC 444
Matlab Applications for Geoscience (2) An introduction to Matlab: m-file development, descriptive statistics, bootstrapping, Fourier transforms, regression, interpolation, least-squares, differentiation, integration, differential equations, signal analysis, graphics.
Effective: Spring 2009
Prerequisite:
MATH 110 orMATH 140
GEOSC 445
Coastal Geology (4) A field course dealing with the processes operative in the environmental systems of a segment of the mid-Atlantic coast.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
fifth-semester standing
GEOSC 451
Natural Resources: Origins, Economics and Environmental Impact (3) Geologic, economic and environmental issues related to exploitation of non-renewable natural resources (metals, minerals, rocks, and fossil fuels).
Effective: Fall 2006
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 orGEOSC 020
GEOSC 452
Hydrogeology (3) Hydrologic cycle: occurrence, movement, quality, and quantity of groundwater; solute transport; quantitative hydrogeologic methods; role of water in geologic processes. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee may be charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2008
Prerequisite:
CHEM 112;GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020 orGEOSC 071;MATH 140 orMATH 110
GEOSC 454
Geology of Oil and Gas (3) Properties, origin, migration, and occurrence of oil and gas. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001
GEOSC 461
Geology of North America (3) Evolution of structural-stratigraphic framework of continent; interpretation of relevant data obtained from field, experimental, and geophysical observation.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001, GEOSC 020 orGEOSC 071
GEOSC 465
Structural Geology (4) Effects and mechanics of deformation of the earth's crust; practicum includes field trips and studies of maps and structural problems. This course has one or more field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
or concurrent:GEOSC 203, GEOSC 310
GEOSC 466
Mechanics of Geological Materials (3) Stress and strain specification; fracture and flow in deformational environments; environmental rock deformation; anisotropy; shear and consolidation of particulate media.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 465
GEOSC 470W
Introduction to Field Geology (3) Field interpretation of geologic features; principles and techniques of geologic mapping; interpretation of geologic maps and diagrams. This course has one or more required field trips for which a fee is charged to the student.
Effective: Spring 2002
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 001 ; fifth-semester standing
GEOSC 472A
Field Geology I (Introduction to Field Methods (3) Introduction to geologic field methods and the 3-D characterization of earth structure and the reconstruction of geologic histories. This course includes travel outside the University for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation, food, and lodging.
Effective: Summer 2005
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 310
GEOSC 472B
Field Geology II (Advanced Field Methods) (3) Advanced application of geologic field methods to the 3-D characterization of earth structure and the reconstruction of geologic histories. This course includes travel outside the University for which an additional charge will be made to cover transportation, food, and lodging.
Effective: Summer 2005
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 310, GEOSC 465 . Prerequisite or concurrent:GEOSC 472A
GEOSC 474
(BIOL 474)
Astrobiology (3) In depth treatment of principles/concepts of biochemical evolution, the origin/evolution of life; evaluation of distribution of life in the universe.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
BIOL 110, CHEM 110
GEOSC 475W
(METEO 475W)
Global Biogeochemical Cycles (3) The study of earth's major global biogeochemical cycles (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur) in the context of the climate system.
Effective: Summer 2007
Prerequisite:
MATH 110 andMATH 111 orMATH 140 andMATH 141 andCHEM 110
GEOSC 479
Advanced Stratigraphy (3) Modern topics of sequence stratigraphy are addressed, with a heavy emphasis on field and laboratory data analysis and interpretation.
Effective: Spring 1999
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 439
GEOSC 481
Solid Earth and Planetary Geophysics (3) Structure, composition, origin, and evolution of the Earth and Solar System.
Effective: Fall 2001
Prerequisite:
PHYS 204 orPHYS 214
GEOSC 483
Environmental Geophysics (3) This course presents the principles and applications of the variety of techniques geophysicists use to address environmental problems.
Effective: Fall 2001
Prerequisite:
PHYS 211, PHYS 212
GEOSC 484
Geophysical Surveying (3) Principles and interpretation of seismic, gravity, magnetic, electric, and electromagnetic methods; applications to geologic, mining, petroleum, and engineering problems.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
PHYS 213 orPHYS 214
GEOSC 487
Analysis of Time Series (4) Nonstatistical approach to data analysis; spectral and correlation analysis; filter theory; signal-to-noise improvement applied to seismic problems.
Effective: Spring 2008
Prerequisite:
CMPSC 201 orCMPSC 202
GEOSC 488
An Introduction to Seismology (4) An overview of the observations, methods, and frameworks used in seismogram analysis for earthquake and earth-structure investigations (includes laboratory).
Effective: Spring 2003
Prerequisite:
MATH 140, MATH 141
GEOSC 489
Dynamics of the Earth (4) Constitution and dynamics of the solid earth; mechanics and consequences of Plate Tectonic processes.
Effective: Fall 2001
Prerequisite:
GEOSC 203, GEOSC 310, PHYS 211
GEOSC 494M
Senior Thesis (1-4) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small group basis.
Effective: Fall 2007
Prerequisite:
seventh-semester standing
GEOSC 494W
Senior Thesis (1-4) Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small group basis.
Effective: Spring 2001
Prerequisite:
seventh-semester standing
GEOSC 495
Internship (1-18) Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction including field experiences, practica, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required.
Effective: Spring 2001
GEOSC 496
Independent Studies (1-18) Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 496H
Independent Studies (1-18) Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOSC 497
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Fall 1983
GEOSC 497A
The Hydrogeophysics Field Experience (3) The Hydrogeophysics Field Experience.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOSC 498
Special Topics (1-9) Formal courses given infrequently to explore, in depth, a comparatively narrow subject which may be topical or of special interest.
Effective: Spring 1997
GEOSC 498A
Hazardous Waste Operations (3) Hazardous Waste Operations is a training course required by the OSHA for personnel who are assigned to work on hazardous waste sites.
Effective: Fall 2009 Ending: Fall 2009
GEOSC 498A
Hazardous Waste Operations (3) Hazardous Waste Operations is a training course required by the OSHA for personnel who are assigned to work on hazardous waste sites.
Effective: Spring 2010 Ending: Spring 2010 Future: Spring 2010
GEOSC 499
(IL)
Foreign Studies (1-12) Courses offered in foreign countries by individual or group instruction.
Effective: Summer 2005
Last Import from UCM: November 21, 2009 3:00 AM