Department of Geology
Courses
- General Education Course

Introductory course for non-science majors focusing on (i) Earth Hazards; and mitigation, (ii) Climate change and its impacts; and (iii) Earth and Energy resources, their origin, development, and environmental impacts.

Origin of the seas and ocean basins. Processes of marine sedimentation and seawater chemistry. Dynamics of air/sea interaction, circulation, waves and tides. Description of coastal and other marine environments. Origin of the seas and ocean basins. Processes of marine sedimentation and seawater chemistry. Dynamics of air/sea interaction, circulation, waves and tides. Description of coastal and other marine environments.

A complementary laboratory to Introductory Oceanography, GLY 150. A series of exercises relating to bathymetry, accoustic profiling, marine charts, properties of seawater, sea floor sediments, currents, waves and tides. A complementary laboratory to Introductory Oceanography, GLY 150. A series of exercises relating to bathymetry, accoustic profiling, marine charts, properties of seawater, sea floor sediments, currents, waves and tides.
An introduction to U.S. Parks and Monuments including earth materials, plate tectonic setting, formative geologic processes, and natural history; brief overview of history and purpose of the National Park Service.

An elementary but comprehensive physical geology course that deals with the earth's origin, composition, structures, tectonics and processes. Intended primarily for, but not limited to, the science major. 3 lec. An elementary but comprehensive physical geology course that deals with the earth's origin, composition, structures, tectonics and processes. Intended primarily for, but not limited to, the science major. 3 lec.

Introduction to 1) the principles used to interpret past physical, biologic, and chemical events archived in rock record, and 2)the history and development of the earth's lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

An introduction to laboratory methods and materials as applied to the identification, classification, recovery and uses of earth resources. 2 lab. An introduction to laboratory methods and materials as applied to the identification, classification, recovery and uses of earth resources. 2 lab.

Reconstruction of events in earth history based on physical characteristics and arrangement of rock layers and their fossil contens. 2 hr lab (PR: 210L; CR: GLY 201) Reconstruction of events in earth history based on physical characteristics and arrangement of rock layers and their fossil contens. 2 hr lab (PR: 210L; CR: GLY 201)
Introduction to geologic map interpretation, qualitative and quantitative methods of geologic map and cross-section preparation, and basic ArcGIS mapping methods. 2 lec 1 lab. (Field Work).
Pre-req: (GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D or GLY 201 with a minimum grade of D) and (GLY 210L with a minimum grade of D or GLY 211L with a minimum grade of D).
Analysis, classification and origin of depositional and deformational structures common to all classes of rocks; their structural history, relationships, and stresses which caused them. 3 lec-2 lab. Analysis, classification and origin of depositional and deformational structures common to all classes of rocks; their structural history, relationships, and stresses which caused them. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 110 or GLY 200.
Identification, classification, orgin, occurrences, and economic uses of minerals and their crystallographic forms. 3 lec-2 lab. Identification, classification, orgin, occurrences, and economic uses of minerals and their crystallographic forms. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and CHM 211 with a minimum grade of D.
Techniques of collection, preparation and analysis of mineral, rock and water samples, and the use of different instruments for obtaining quality data. Will also cover tools used for data interpretation. Techniques of collection, preparation and analysis of mineral, rock and water samples, and the use of different instruments for obtaining quality data. Will also cover tools used for data interpretation.
Pre-req: GLY 200 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D and GLY 210L (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D.
Formation, organization, sequence, and correlation of sedimentary rocks; study of the orgin, transportation and deposition of rock-forming sediments. 3 lec-2 lab. Formation, organization, sequence, and correlation of sedimentary rocks; study of the orgin, transportation and deposition of rock-forming sediments. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 201 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 211L with a minimum grade of D.
Field trip to Big Bend National Park, Texas to study the structure, stratigraphy, igneous geology, metamorphic geology, paleontology and natural history of this national park. Field trip to Big Bend National Park, Texas to study the structure, stratigraphy, igneous geology, metamorphic geology, paleontology and natural history of this national park.
Taxonomy, morphology, and paleoecology of body and trace fossils representing the major invertebrate phyla; analysis and interpretation of faunal assemblages; evolution and extinction of species. (PR: GLY 201) Taxonomy, morphology, and paleoecology of body and trace fossils representing the major invertebrate phyla; analysis and interpretation of faunal assemblages; evolution and extinction of species. (PR: GLY 201)
Pre-req: GLY 201 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 211L with a minimum grade of D.
Application of chemical principles to geology. Topics include cosmochemistry; distribution of elements in minerals and rocks; aqueous solutions and water-rock interaction; radiometric age dating and stable isotope geology.
Pre-req: CHM 211 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D.
Indentification and classification of igneous, and metamorphic rocks, their origin and occurrence; their geologic and economic importance. 3 lec-2 lab. Indentification and classification of igneous, and metamor- phic rocks, their origin and occurrence; their geologic and economic importance. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 314 with a minimum grade of D.
Microscopic description of minerals, textures, and fossils in sedimentary rocks, their classification, and interpretation of source area, depositional environment and post-depositional history. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 201.
Development of seismic, gravity, magnetism, electrical and thermal methods of studying the structure and dynamics of the earth. 3-lec
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 210L with a minimum grade of D and (PHY 201 with a minimum grade of D or PHY 211 with a minimum grade of D) and MTH 229 with a minimum grade of D.
Origin and distribution of coal, oil and gas, and methods of exploration and reserve evaluaton. 3 lec-2 lab. Origin and distribution of coal, oil and gas, and methods of exploration and reserve evaluaton. 3 lec-2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 200.
Principles of identification and analysis of the world's surficial features in terms of stratigraphy, structure, processes, tectonics and time. 3 lec. 2 lab. Principles of identification and analysis of the world's surficial features in terms of stratigraphy, structure, processes, tectonics and time. 3 lec. - 2 lab.
Pre-req: GLY 200 and GLY 210L.
The properties of water, the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on surface and groundwater processes, the uses, needs and problems associated with water resources. 3 lec. The properties of water, the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on surface and groundwater processes, the uses, needs and problems associated with water resources. 3 lec.
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and (MTH 132 with a minimum grade of D or MTH 229 with a minimum grade of D or MTH 229H with a minimum grade of D).
A two-hour laboratory of practical hydrogeologic problem solving. For non-majors, elective. A two-hour laboratory of practical hydrogeologic problem solving. For non-majors, elective.
Pre-req: GLY 455 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of D.
Consideration of risks posed by natural geo-hazards and from physical/chemical contamination of geologic media. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 210L or equivalent; Recommended: GLY 451) Consideration of risks posed by natural geo-hazards and from physical/chemical contamination of geologic media. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 210L or equivalent; Recommended: GLY 451)
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 210L with a minimum grade of D.
Consideration of geotechnical problems faced by geologists and engineers. Major topics include mechanics and classification of soil and rock, and geotechnical aspects of groundwater.
Pre-req: GLY 200 with a minimum grade of D and GLY 210L with a minimum grade of D and (MTH 132 with a minimum grade of D or MTH 229 with a minimum grade of D).

An independent study involving a research project or internship. Must be approved by Geology faculty. (PR: 20 hours of Geology coursework).

An independent study involving a research project or internship. Must be approved by Geology faculty. (PR: 20 hours of Geology coursework).