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Application of geology in the service of agriculture. Critically examine the methods and application of earth minerals and pyrolyzed waste biomass (black carbon) as natural alternatives to restore the health of soils for agro-farming, reforestation, and carbon sequestration.
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Sedimentary processes in major siliciclastic and carbonate depositional environments. Factors affecting deposition and erosion of sediments on time scales of hundreds of years to hundreds of thousands of years.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Research…
Course Description
Stress and strain within the earth, and the mechanical properties and behavior of earth materials. Geologic structures, their recognition and interpretation in the field, and the solution of structural problems. Framework of the Earth's crust; evolution…
Geomicrobiological processes, astrobiology, applied geomicrobiology in industries, applied geomicrobiology for environmental sustainability, and new methods in geomicrobiology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:…
The geologic aspects of ocean basins, including morphology, sedimentation processes, and mode of origin.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:More extensive term paper and term project and presentation.
Distribution of elements and isotopes in minerals, rocks, and waters. Principles governing the migration and behavior of elements and isotopes.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Term paper or project.
Chemical behavior of natural aquatic systems: chemical kinetic and equilibrium relationships controlling the quality of surface and subsurface waters, both pristine and polluted. Distribution and behavior of chemical species in aqueous environments.
This course will be taught 95% or…
Additional Requirements for…
Groundwater in the hydrologic cycle. Examination of flow through porous media, regional flow, influence of wells, water chemistry, and contaminant transport. Emphasis on practical environmental problems.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:More extensive…
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Field measurement of geologic parameters, accurate recording of observations, production and interpretation of geologic maps and cross sections, and the recognition of structures and lithologies in the field.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Graduate…
Theory and practice of field measurement, large scale planimetric and topographic mapping, and grid surveying. Graphic presentation of field data. Geologic mapping projects, including interpretation of observed geologic features. Summary maps and reports must be prepared and defended in the…
Textures, mineralogy, and classification of the common igneous and metamorphic rocks. Origin of magmas and volcanoes and their impact on civilizations; evolution of continental and oceanic crusts; metamorphic rocks as probes of crustal processes.
Classification and origin of base and precious metal ore deposits; relationships between ore deposits, host rocks, and plate tectonics; principles of ore deposit exploration and evaluation.
Geological understanding of petroleum, including its origin, its migration, the reservoir rocks in which it is found, the mechanisms by which it is trapped in the subsurface, the techniques by which it is found and extracted, and its geochemical and…
Evolution of North American continent through time. Stratigraphic, sedimentary, and magmatic history and tectonic development of various regions since the early Precambrian. Paleontological record of environmental and biological changes. Origin of energy, mineral, soil, and water resources.…
Methods of archaeometric analysis including chronometric and instrumental techniques. Absolute age dating and characterization of archaeological materials by physico-chemical analysis.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:More extensive term paper/project and…
A rigorous and quantitative study of the physiochemical underpinning of planetary processes and applications to specific planetary bodies.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Quantitative research project, and oral presentation of the results.
Introduction to the brittle field of rock deformation, the rock mass concept, and its role for site characterization and engineering design. Understanding rock as a material, the relationship between stress and strain, and deformation and failure of…
A hands-on course on the use of computer algebra systems to solve analytical and numerical problems from many areas within the Earth and Planetary Sciences.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:An independent and original research project focused on…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to archeogeology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:More extensive term paper or project as appropriate.
Taught as a directed study, but traditional…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to geochemistry.
Taught as a directed study, although traditional…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to geophysics.
Taught as a directed study but traditional lecture…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to hydrogeology.
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to mineralogy.
Taught as a directed study, but traditional lecture…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to paleontology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:More extensive term paper or term project as appropriate.
Taught as a directed study but traditional…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to petrology.
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques appropriate to sedimentation and stratigraphy.
Taught as a…
The literature, research procedures, and instrumental techniques applicable to structural geology and/or tectonics.
Taught as a directed study but…
Interpretation and origin of sediments and sedimentary rocks, with an emphasis on grain production, sediment transport, diagenesis, facies models, sequence stratigraphy, and sedimentary basins. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of sedimentary rocks in…
Geologic history and applications of marine microfossils, especially foraminifera, calcareous nannoplankton, radiolaria, and diatoms.
The ecological factors affecting the distribution and abundance of fossil organisms, with emphasis on marine invertebrates. Invertebrates as a guide to environments of the past and as indicators of environmental change. Taphonomy of invertebrates.
Provides quantitative, rigorous hands-on-exercises on the applications of geographic information system (GIS) techniques in geological and environmental sciences, especially used to solve pressing environmental water resource issues. Students will master image processing and spatial analysis…
Provides quantitative rigorous hands-on-exercises on the applications of geographic information system (GIS) techniques in geological and environmental sciences, especially used to solve pressing environmental water resource issues. Students will master image processing and spatial analysis…
Soils as a natural component of the ecosystem, including morphology, landscape distribution, formation, identification of diagnostic horizons and features, and classification.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Graduate students…
Clay minerals with emphasis on x-ray diffraction analysis and identification of mixed layer systems. Geochemical factors for clay origin and uses including applications to soils, petroleum, archeological, environmental and economic ore deposit studies.
Global cycling of major elements. Rock-water interactions. Kinetics of mineral dissolution and growth in soil, marine, freshwater, sedimentary basins and hydrothermal systems. Geochemical models for estimating reaction rates and reservoir capacities/fluxes are considered.
Analysis of Earth's gravity, magnetic, and seismic wave fields applied to the investigation of the structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior. The course will cover theory, methods of analysis, and results of geophysical investigations. Emphasis on…
Geophysical methods for imaging the subsurface. Course will focus on gravity, magnetic, resistivity, seismic refraction, and seismic reflection surveys. Applications discussed include exploration for hydrocarbons and characterization of the shallow…
Geochemical dispersion and survey of common pathfinder elements; methods of instrumental analysis used in geochemical exploration. Background theory of gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, and electrical techniques used in resource exploration. Field based projects.
Additional…
Techniques for the geophysical propsection of near-surface geology, geohydrology, and geomorphology. Techniques include electro-magnetic, radar, sonar, and magnetism.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Graduate students will be expected to prepare and…
Lecture and laboratory course emphasizing principles and practical experience in chemical analysis of sediments, rocks and water, with particular emphasis on environmentally important organic and inorganic contaminants.
Archaeological geology examines the use of earth science methods and theories in the study of archaeological sites and their contents. The four major areas covered include: (1) the archaeological site and geology; (2) age determination techniques; (3) exploration techniques; (4) artifact…
Fundamentals of earth sciences for middle school teachers. Map interpretation; minerals and rocks; principles of astronomy, meteorology and oceanography. Processes at the surface and inside the Earth. Emphasis on plate tectonics; geologic time scale, evolution of life, and a study of fossils.…
Current and classical studies in geohydrology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Oral presentation.
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Current and classical studies in geochemistry.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Oral presentation required.
Discussion of the delivery of geology laboratory material, including presentation techniques, attendance policy, grading, and support systems.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:This course is offered only to those Graduate Students who are teaching…
This course explores the theory and application of different methods to effectively convey complex scientific information to diverse audiences, with a focus on written and visual approaches.
Fundamentals of eruption dynamics from the field and geochemical perspective, the state-of-the-art of volcano monitoring, and the challenges of volcanic eruption forecast.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Taught as a directed study, but traditional lab…
Reviews and discussions of current research topics.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:Graduate students will be required to submit one abstract per presentation.
Research while enrolled for a master's degree under the direction of faculty members.
Non-Traditional Format
Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory…
Advanced supervised experience in an applied setting. This course may not be used to satisfy a student's approved program of study.
Thesis writing under the direction of the major professor.
Course Objectives
Thesis writing with supervision of the major professor…
Introduction to the craft of effective scientific communication for graduate students in Geosciences. Students will learn standard format, content, and style of scientific papers, research proposals and theses. Students will also be trained in the use of relevant computer programs for creating…
Intensive study under the direction of staff members on approved topics.
Taught as a directed study using traditional lecture and lab exercises when appropriate.
Taught as a directed study but traditional lectures and lab exercises may be utilized when appropriate.
Taught as a directed study but traditional lectures and lab exercises may be used when appropriate.
Intensive study under the direction of a staff member on approved topics.
Taught as a directed study but traditional lectures and lab exercises may be utilized when applicable.
Pattern, process and causal mechanisms of modern and fossil biodiversity issues.
Note: each time this class meets, a new topic will be discussed. For Fall 2002, we will be examining endosymbiosis and diversity of eukaryotic organisms by reading seminal papers and book on this subject. The…
Geologic history and paleoecology of fossil associations through time with emphasis on the marine fossil record.
Principles of sequence stratigraphy. Roles of sediment supply, subsidence, and eustasy in the accumulation of sediments on time scales of tens of thousands of years and longer.
Geochemical principles, materials, and processes related to the near-earth-surface environment. Systems studied include weathering and shallow groundwater; rivers, lakes, and oceans; diagenesis and deep groundwater; and the linkage of the rock and water cycles.
Mineralogy, petrology, and chemical compositions of igneous rocks. Origin and evolution of magmas and the causes and characteristics of volcanic eruptions including effects on climate and societies.
One weekend field trip is required.
Petrographic analysis and interpretation of stony archaeological materials, including rocks, minerals, ceramics, slags, and glass using the petrographic microscope.
Petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of limestones, dolostones, speleothems, travertines, and other carbonate-bearing geological materials. Precipitation of carbonate minerals, origin of carbonate grains, neomorphism, diagenesis, dolomitization, silicification, porosity, and permeability in…
Mechanics of plate motion on a sphere; analysis of earthquake focal mechanisms and state of stress in the lithosphere; paleomagnetism; true polar wander; geologic processes at plate boundaries; forces driving plates. Discussion of papers covering models for convection, fate of slabs, recent…
The principles of data analysis, including data collection methods, graphical presentation, and basic statistics.
Through lectures, in-class demonstrations, and computer-based homework problems, students will learn the fundamentals of statistics as applied to common geological problems.…
Theory of isotope fractionation and radioactive decay. Analytical methods for measurement of isotope ratios. Applications of isotope methods in the earth sciences including age dating, studies of chemical cycles in the environment, and evolution of inorganic and organic systems.
Clay minerals with emphasis on X-ray diffraction analysis and identification of mixed layer systems. Geochemical factors for clay origin and uses, including applications to soils, petroleum, archeological, environmental, and economic deposits.
Topics in theoretical and observational seismology. Wave propagation, time series analysis, geophysical data processing, inverse theory, and seismic array studies of the lithosphere, mantle and core. Topics to vary from year to year.
Intended for graduate students interested in exploring a broad range of topics in hydrogeology. A selection of papers will be used to expand the student's knowledge in the discipline as well as examine and discuss current ideas and breakthroughs in hydrogeological research. Lectures and papers…
The science, technology, and policy aspects of watershed-scale modeling. There will be multiple assignments that will require the use of the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and a project chosen by the student (including a term paper). A midterm will cover science and policy readings.…
Hands-on-exercises on the applications of remote sensing techniques in geological and environmental sciences. Students will master image processing and spatial analysis techniques (e.g., radiometric and geometric enhancement, image classifications, and spatial interpolation). The course will…
Mechanics of flow through subsurface media, including flow in confined, water table, and leaky aquifers, delayed yield, partially penetrating wells, boundaries, multiple wells, dual porosity media, and fractured rock; use of aquifer tests to estimate aquifer hydraulic properties.
Solutions of surface and subsurface flow and transport problems including finite difference, finite element, and boundary integral methods. Analytic techniques include Laplace-, z-, and Fourier-transform, complex variable, and separation of variables methods. Application to problems commonly…
Origin and distribution of organic compounds in rocks, soils, and water. Biochemistry of major classes of organic compounds found in rocks, soils, and minerals. Emphasis on anthropocentric contamination and geochemistry of remediation.
Physical and chemical processes controlling the mobility and fate of organic contaminants in soils, sediments, surface, and ground waters. Processes include biotic and abiotic (hydrolysis, volatilization, sorption, redox, and photochemical) reactions in the natural systems. Relationships between…
The current state of environmental pollution and the application of innovative technologies in clean-up of contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwater. Evaluate the performance and limitations of existing technologies due to site heterogeneity.
This course will be taught 95% or more…
This course provides research experience in environmental geology, including instruction on the fundamental elements of scientific research with subsequent application to create a unique scientific research product.
Environmental geological problems such as sanitary landfills, underground storage tank contaminated sites, mine land pollution areas, and hydrological assessment of wetlands.
Field trip participation is required.
Research while enrolled for a doctoral degree under the direction of faculty members.
Dissertation writing under the direction of the major professor.
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