All geology majors take the following core courses within the department:

• one course in Introductory Geology (GLY 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, or 1105)
• Evolution of the Earth (GLY 2250)
• Preparation of Geologic Reports (GLY 2745)
• Principles of Structural Geology and Tectonics (GLY 3150)
• Introduction to Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (GLY 3800)

The following advanced geology courses are required for individual concentrations, or may be taken as electives:

• Introduction to Geophysics
• Geomorphology
• Geochemistry
• Geoarchaeology
• Issues in Environmental Geology
• Principles of Paleontology
• Hydrogeology
• Advanced Environmental and Engineering Geology
• Fundamentals of Mineralogy
• Petrology and Petrography
• Senior Seminar
• Summer Field Geology (aka "Field Camp" - taken off campus)

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Chart [PDF]

Course Descriptions

GLY 2250. Evolution of the Earth (4)
This course consists of the integrated study of the physicochemical and biological systems of the earth and their evolution over time, including investigation of the persistent linkage of geologic and biologic systems over earth's history. This course provides a basis for understanding the stratigraphic, geochemical, geophysical, and paleontological data utilized to reconstruct earth history, including a survey of the 4.5 billion years of earth system history, with special emphasis on the tectonic history of North America as observed in the Appalachian Mountains. The course also provides a survey of the evolution of life over earth history and an introduction to the paleontological principles utilized in understanding the fossil record of evolution. Introduction to advanced methods of rock and mineral identification and classification. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisite: GLY 1101.

GLY 2500. Independent Study (1-4)

GLY 2745. Preparation of Geologic Reports (4)
GEN ED: Junior Writing
This course provides instruction in various aspects of data collection, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and the preparation and presentation of written and oral geologic reports to standards of the profession. Topics include: survey of geologic literature and digital information retrieval services, research design, data management, ethics and safety. Data collection and mapping in the field is a major component of the course and vigorous hiking is required. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisites: GLY 1101 (or GLY 1510) and GLY 2250. Open only to Geology majors and minors. (WRITING; SPEAKING; COMPUTER)

GLY 3131. Geochemistry (3)
Geochemistry examines the occurrence and movement of elements through global earth systems, including natural and human modified environments. This course will introduce and investigate processes and factors controlling the geochemical cycles of elements within and between the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Students will apply principles learned in lecture to real-world environmental problems. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisites: GLY 2250, CHE 1101, CHE 1110 and MAT 1110, or permission of the instructor.

GLY 3150. Principles of Structural Geology and Tectonics (3)
The nature, classification, genesis, and quantification of microscopic and mesoscopic geologic structures, plus the history and fundamentals of tectonic theory, are the subjects of this course.
Prerequisites: GLY 2250 and GLY 2745. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours. (NUMERICAL DATA; COMPUTER)
(ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

GLY 3160. Introduction to Geophysics (3)
(Same as PHY 3160.)
An introductory survey of whole earth geophysics through theory and practice. The theory portion of the course covers seismology (techniques in reflection and refraction seismology), geothermics, radioactive dating, surface processes, tectonics, orogenics, gravity and gravimetric techniques, electrical and magnetic surveys, and borehole logging. The practical component of the course includes the utilization of several of these methods to study subsurface environments. Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours.
Prerequisites OR Corequisites: GLY 1101 (or GLY 1510), PHY 1103 (or PHY 1150), and MAT 1110, or permission of the instructor.

GLY 3220. Fundamentals of Mineralogy (3)
The course focuses on (1) mineral identification and classification, (2) crystal chemistry, (3) X-ray diffraction, (4) analytical electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and (5) the petrographic microscope. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisite: GLY 1101 or consent of the instructor.

GLY 3333. Geomorphology (3)
This course includes a study of the nature of landforms. Qualitative and quantitative aspects of landform analysis in the field and laboratory using maps and aerial photographs are introduced. Prerequisites: at least six hours of geology courses or consent of the instructor. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours. (WRITING; NUMERICAL DATA)
(ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

GLY 3500. Independent Study (1-4)

GLY 3520. Instructional Assistance (1)
A supervised experience in the instructional process on the University level through direct participation in a classroom situation. Graded on an S/U basis.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May be repeated for a total credit of three semester hours. (SPEAKING)

GLY 3521. Secondary Science Field Experience (1)
A supervised experience in the instructional process at the secondary school level through direct participation in a classroom situation. Graded on an S/U basis.
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. May be repeated for a total credit of three semester hours. Required of all teacher-licensure candidates in geology.

GLY 3530-3549. Selected Topics (1-4)
On Demand.

GLY 3680. Geoarchaeology (3)
The course focuses on fundamental concepts in geoarchaeology and covers the application of earth science concepts, techniques and knowledge to the study of artifacts and the processes involved in the formation of the archaeological record. Preservation of paleoclimate signals in the geological record is considered. Case studies will consider specific North American and global examples.
Prerequisite: GLY 2250 or permission of the instructor.

GLY 3703. Issues in Environmental Geology (3)
An in-depth study of critical issues in environmental geology on a regional and global scale. Topics to be covered include: natural hazards, water, mineral and energy resources, and related waste disposal problems under pressures of increasing human population and changing climate. This course will make use of case studies to illustrate specific examples. Lecture three hours.
Prerequisite: one year sequence in natural science, e.g., BIO 1101 and BIO 1102; GLY 1101-GLY 1102; PHY 1103-PHY 1104; CHE 1101, CHE 1110 and CHE 1102, CHE 1120; or GSP 1010-GSC 1020-GSG 1030-GSB 1040.

GLY 3715. Petrology and Petrography (3)
This course includes a study of the microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic features; the mineralogy, and the chemistry of rocks; and the study of petrogenetic theory.
Prerequisites: CHE 1101 and CHE 1110; GLY 2250, GLY 2745, and GLY 3220. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours. (WRITING)

GLY 3800. Introduction to Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (3)
Properties, classification, and depositional models of sedimentary rocks. Principles of collection and interpretation of stratigraphic data; emphasis on field relationships. Prerequisites: GLY 1102 and GLY 2250. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.

GLY 4025. Principles of Paleontology (3)
Morphology, phylogeny, temporal distribution, and paleoecology of fossils, with emphasis on applying invertebrates to the recognition of ancient environments and environmental change through geologic time. Biological evolution is studied in the scope of the history of the earth. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisite(s): GLY 2250 OR (GLY 1101 and either BIO 3436 or ANT 3405). (WRITING; CROSS-DI SCIPLINARY ; NUMERICAL DATA)
(ND Prerequisite: passing the math placement test or successful completion of MAT 0010.)

GLY 4210. Geology Seminar (1)
GEN ED: Capstone Experience
Presentation and discussion of current topics, with emphasis on student projects, petrology, and surficial processes.
Prerequisite: senior standing geology major.

GLY 4501. Senior Research (1)
Initiation of a laboratory or field research project under supervision of a geology faculty member. At least one semester prior to the start of the research project, the student must formally confer with a thesis advisor, submit and have approved a formal research proposal.
Prerequisite: open only to senior geology majors with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in geology courses.

GLY 4510. Senior Honors Thesis (3)
Work, under supervision of a geology faculty member, on the project begun in GLY 4501. An oral report on the project will be presented in the spring geology seminar. Minimum of five hours laboratory or field work per week. A written thesis will be presented to the department. A student who completes the thesis with a grade of B or better and who graduates with a GPA of 3.5 in geology courses will be graduated with honors in geology; with a grade of A and a geology GPA of at least 3.7, the student will be graduated with highest honors in geology.
Prerequisite: GLY 4501; senior geology majors with minimum of 3.25 GPA in geology courses. (WRITING)

GLY 4630. Hydrogeology (3)
The occurrence of groundwater resources, factors governing groundwater movement through aquifers, and an analysis of techniques for measuring a water resource are the focus of this course. Groundwater contamination and remediation methods will be introduced. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisites: at least junior standing and a minimum of six semester hours of geology courses above the 1000 level, or permission of the instructor. (NUMERICAL DATA)
(ND Prerequisite: passing the math placementtest or successful completion of MAT 0010.) Dual-listed with GLY 5630.

GLY 4705. Advanced Environmental and Engineering Geology (3)
GEN ED: Capstone Experience
Field and laboratory analysis of problems arising from interactions between humans and Earth and application of geologic knowledge to the mitigation of these problems. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours.
Prerequisites: at least junior standing and a minimum of six semester hours of geology courses above the 1000 level, or permission of the instructor. Dual-listed with GLY 5705.

GLY 4835. Summer Field Geology (6)
An intensive five to six week practicum in making geologic maps, measuring sections, and using other field techniques.
Prerequisites: GLY 3150, GLY 3715, and GLY 3800. [Dual-listed with GLY 5835.]