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Introductory Course Offerings

The Geology Department has a number of courses within the General Education Program's Science Inquiry Themes. See below for Course Descriptions.

Restless Planet: Earth, Environment, and Evolution

• Introduction to Physical Geology (GLY-1101)
• Introduction to Historical Geology (GLY-1102)
• Introduction to Environmental and Applied Geology (GLY-1103)

Global Environmental Change

• Water: Mountains to Sea (GLY-1104)

Life, Earth, and Evolution

• Introduction to Historical Geology (GLY-1102)

The Blue Planet

• Water: Mountains to Sea (GLY-1104)
• Introduction to Oceanography (GLY-1105)

Contemporary Science

• General Science Geology (GSG-1030)
• Additional Course Offerings for Non-Majors
• The History of Coal from the Pennsylvanian to the Present (GLY/AS-2301)

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Physical Geology (GLY-1101)
Introduction to the composition, origin, and modification of Earth materials through the study of the Earth's interacting dynamic systems; study and application of the scientific method with reference to the principles of geology as demonstrated through use of case histories and laboratory material. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

Introduction to Historical Geology (GLY-1102)
A study of the historical and biological aspects of the science of geology - tectonic models for understanding earth structure and lithospheric history, the physical and paleontological bases for understanding geologic time and dating rocks, biological principles relating to the evolution of organisms revealed in the fossil record, facts and theories of biological evolution, a survey of the evolution of organisms through time, the geologic history of North America, and discussion of the scientific aspects of the scientific-religious controversy of evolution vs. creationism. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. (CROSS-DISCIPLINARY; NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

Introduction to Environmental and Applied Geology (GLY-1103)
A survey of the chemical and physical processes that change the Earth's crust and surface creating geologic hazards and environmental problems for people; human perturbations of the environment that directly and indirectly affect geological change and human life, such as mining, waste disposal, and agricultural practices; and the principles of origin, distribution, availability, environmental consequences of use, and exploration of the Earth's mineral and water resources. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

Water: Mountains to Sea (GLY-1104)
A study of the interaction between terrestrial water and geological phenomena. The course applies the scientific method to the study of the continental components of the hydrologic cycle. It also focuses on the interaction of water with the rock and plate tectonic cycles. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

Introduction to Oceanography (GLY-1105)
A study of physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography and their interrelationships. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. (WRITING; NUMERICAL DATA) (ND prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

General Science Geology (GSG-1030)
A course in a sequential series of four science mini-courses. (EACH MINI-COURSE LASTS FOR ONE-HALF SEMESTER. STUDENTS SHOULD BE ADVISED TO REGISTER FOR TWO MINI-COURSES IN ONE SEMESTERR TO TOTAL FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.) The course will introduce students to selected fundamental principles and concepts of geology discussed and developed in the context of science topics of concern or interest in modern society. Prerequisites: GSP 1010 or GSA 1010 and GSC 1020. Corequisite: GSB 1040. Contemporary Biology. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. This course will not satisfy program requirements for students majoring in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, or physics. (NUMERICAL DATA) (CORE: NATURAL SCIENCES) (ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

The History of Coal from the Pennsylvanian to the Present (GLY/AS-2301)
Coal has played a critical role in the history of the southern Appalachians. The geologic processes that formed coal and shaped the landscape into the steep ridges and hollows of the Appalachian coalfields have directly affected the human history of the region - from hunting in pre-colonial times, to settlement and subsistence farming in the 1800s, to mining and unionization in the 1900s, to mountaintop removal and natural gas/coalbed methane extraction in the last decade. This course covers the physical and chemical processes that form coal as well as the tectonic and geomorphologic processes that formed the landscape of the coalfields and shaped the agricultural practices of the early settlers. It examines the cultural history of coal mining and life in the company-owned coal camps and the political history of unionization through literature and film. The economics and environmental consequences of coal-fired power plants are discussed, and the environmental and occupational hazards associated with both underground and surface coal mining are analyzed from both a scientific and a sociological perspective. (Same as AS 2301.)