2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog

GEOL 410 Groundwater Geology

Prerequisite: GEOL 201. Groundwater in the geologic setting. Hydrology of groundwater basins. Well hydraulics. Principles of flow in saturated and unsaturated materials. Modeling of hydrogeologic systems. Applications to groundwater contamination and management problems.

3

GEOL 415 Ore Geology

Prerequisite:  GEOL 202.  Overview of what ore is and how it is formed, techniques of finding and extracting ore, plus environmental impacts of extracting ore.  Case studies of well known mines.

3

GEOL 421 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Prerequisite: GEOL 320. Description and classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand sample and in thin section. Includes a study of the genesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks via phase diagrams and chemical reactions.

4

GEOL 422 Directed Studies

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.) Repeatable, maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

1-4

GEOL 445 Vertebrate Paleontology

GEOL 202 or permission of instructor. A survey of the evolution of vertebrates through geologic time, emphasizing major events in the history of vertebrates. Includes field trips and methods of fossil collection, preparation, and curation.

3

GEOL 450 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Prerequisite: GEOL 202. Sedimentary processes; depositional environments; classification and structures of sedimentary rocks; field and laboratory methods of analyzing and interpreting outcrops and samples. Regional stratigraphy of northeastern Colorado investigated. Field trips required.

4

GEOL 460 Geomorphology

(2 lecture, 3 laboratory) Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 201. Origin and evolution of landforms emphasizing fluvial processes, hydraulic characteristics of streams, morphology of drainage basins, landscape evolution by stream sculpture and deposition and lithologic, climatic and structural controls.

3

GEOL 464 Glacial and Quaternary Geology

Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or GEOL 201. A survey of geologic phenomena that characterized the Quaternary Period, with emphasis on the behavior of glaciers, glacial landforms and sediment and climatic implications. Two Saturday field trips required.

3

GEOL 467 Volcanic Geology

(2 lecture, 3 laboratory) Prerequisite: GEOL 202. A study of volcanoes, and volcanic processes and products. Emphasis on the origin, classification and interpretation of volcanic rocks and ejecta, and volcanic structures and landforms.

3

GEOL 470 Structural Geology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Prerequisites: GEOL 202. Mechanics of rock deformation and geologic structures of the earth's crust – their description and classification, theories and facts regarding their origins and methods of investigating them. Field trips required.

4

GEOL 481 Geologic Field Techniques

(4 laboratory) Prerequisites: GEOL 450, GEOL 470. Techniques of obtaining and recording geological data in the field and constructing geological maps. Includes use of Brunton compass, topographic maps, aerial photographs, geographic information systems, and the preparation of geological reports.

2

GEOL 483 Soils

Prerequisites: GEOL 201 and CHEM 111.  Explore, examine and interpret classification, genesis and processes (physical, chemical, biological) that drive soil formation. Use soils data from various ecosystems to determine nutritional and toxic aspects for land management.

3

GEOL 485 Tectonics

(3 lecture) Prerequisite: GEOL 470. Overview of the processes driving and resulting from plate tectonics. Detailed study of some of the earth's past and present mountain belts.

3

GEOL 486 Petroleum and Energy

Prerequisite: GEOL 201 and CHEM 111. Petroleum and energy geology includes integrated exploration and development methods and understanding technological advancements that have led to the dynamic energy industry. Case studies and applied problems are emphasized.

3