**Review** Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

College of Natural and Health Sciences

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

GEOL 510 Groundwater Geology

(2 lecture, 3 laboratory) Groundwater in the geologic setting. Hydrology of groundwater basins. Well hydraulics. Principles of flow in saturated and unsaturated materials. Modeling of hydro geologic systems. Applications to groundwater contamination and management problems.
3

Prerequisites

(GEOL 201 or GEOL 100 with a minimum grade of C) and (Concurrent Prerequisite MATH 131 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 515 Ore Geology

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

Prerequisites

(GEOL 202 and GEOL 320 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 521 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) 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

Prerequisites

GEOL 320 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 540 Paleontology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Study of fossils including taxonomy, systematics, taphonomy, functional morphology, paleoecology, biostratigraphy, extinction, evolutionary trends and major events in the history of life. Labs review major fossil groups. Field trips required.
4

Prerequisites

GEOL 202 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 545 Vertebrate Paleontology

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

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 550 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) 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

Prerequisites

GEOL 202 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 560 Geomorphology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) Origin and evolution of landforms emphasizing processes of their formation, including tectonic, glacial, fluvial and hillslope processes.
4

Prerequisites

(GEOL 100 or GEOL 201 with a minimum grade of C) and (Concurrent Prerequisite MATH 131 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Fee

Participation Fee Required

GEOL 567 Volcanic Geology

(2 lecture, 3 laboratory) 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

Prerequisites

GEOL 202 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 570 Structural Geology

(3 lecture, 3 laboratory) 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

Prerequisites

GEOL 202 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 581 Geologic Field Techniques

(4 laboratory) 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

Prerequisites

(GEOL 450 and GEOL 470 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 583 Soils

(2 lecture, 3 laboratory) Explore, examine and interpret classification, genesis and processes that drive soil formation. Use soil data from various ecosystems to assess soil health and land management issues. One weekend field trip required.
3

Prerequisites

(GEOL 320 or ESCI 320 with a minimum grade of C) and (CHEM 111 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

Course Fee

Participation Fee Required

GEOL 585 Tectonics

Overview of the processes driving and resulting from plate tectonics. Detailed study of some of the earth's past and present mountain belts.
3

Prerequisites

GEOL 470 with a minimum grade of C

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 586 Petroleum and Energy

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

Prerequisites

(GEOL 201 and CHEM 111 with a minimum grade of C)

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 590 Rocky Mountain Geology Seminar

Geology of selected Rocky Mountain area thoroughly investigated by means of four-day field trip to that area followed by seminar presentations on topics relevant to geology of specified area.
2

Class Restriction

Exclude Freshman and Sophomore

GEOL 622 Directed Studies

Individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a faculty member. (Minimum of 37.5 clock hours required per credit hour.)
1- 4

Special Notes

Maximum concurrent enrollment is two times.

Level Restriction

Include GR

Course Attribute

Variable Title Course

Repeatable Status

Course is repeatable with no limitations