Geosciences (GEO)
GEO 003, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH, 0 Credits
Engage in research activities appropriate to the discipline; and through the research experience, acquire skills, techniques, and knowledge relevant to the field of study. In consultation with a faculty mentor, engage in research activity, and make and execute a plan for a project.
GEO 004, INTERNSHIP, 0 Credits
Provides basic personal and professional skills that can be used within and outside of a work setting. Through practice, this experience guides students in building and maintaining positive professional relationships, networking/mentoring relationships, and enhances students’ understanding of the connection between theory and practice in their respective disciplines.
GEO 100, +*NATURAL DISASTERS: HOLLYWOOD VERSUS REALITY, 4 Credits
Introduces natural hazards, as seen through the lens of popular media and compared to foundational concepts in the physical sciences. Explores the causes and consequences of natural disasters via exercises and activities designed to develop students' skills in critical thinking, scientific analysis and problem solving.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Available via Ecampus
GEO 101, +*PLANET EARTH, 4 Credits
Explores our planet. Discovers Earth’s natural wonders, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks; examine processes that mold the natural environment; experience the relevance of earth science concepts to daily life including volcanoes, earthquakes, the formation and use of earth resources, and global environmental change.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Available via Ecampus
GEO 136, REGIONAL FIELD GEOLOGY OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, 1 Credit
Experience the highly varied geology of Oregon. Explore field geology sites, discover the diversity of world class geology in driving distance from Corvallis, and learn how to find, analyze, and understand these sites. Includes field trips.
Equivalent to: GEO 136X
This course is repeatable for 9 credits.
GEO 199, SPECIAL STUDIES, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: GEO 199H
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 201, +*PHYSICAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Explores earth materials and processes that originate in Earth’s interior and their societal relevance. Studies minerals, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, the processes that form them, and the geologic settings where they are found. Examines science concepts and theories including earth’s structure, tectonic cycle, rock cycle, and crustal deformation. Considers consequences of tectonic activity including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions for daily life and decision making. Uses the process of science in active learning activities to develop comprehension and insight.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Available via Ecampus
GEO 202, +*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE, 4 Credits
Explores interactions among Earth’s systems (Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere) that shape landscape features. Examines concepts like tectonic and rock cycles, weathering, hydrology, and glaciology. Considers climate variations and their impact on erosion, deposition, and resulting features. Emphasizes the identification, landscape formation processes, practical implications for daily life of features such as: meandering rivers, cirques, and haystacks. Uses the process of science in active learning activities to develop comprehension and insight.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Equivalent to: GEO 202H
GEO 202H, +*EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE, 4 Credits
Explores interactions among Earth’s systems (Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere) that shape landscape features. Examines concepts like tectonic and rock cycles, weathering, hydrology, and glaciology. Considers climate variations and their impact on erosion, deposition, and resulting features. Emphasizes the identification, landscape formation processes, practical implications for daily life of features such as: meandering rivers, cirques, and haystacks. Uses the process of science in active learning activities to develop comprehension and insight.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science; HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: GEO 202
GEO 203, +*EVOLUTION OF PLANET EARTH, 4 Credits
Examines major stages and critical events in planet Earth’s history, with emphasis on the interactions between global tectonics, biological evolution, and the climate system. Explores fossils and fossilization, geological time, catastrophic events that drove mass extinctions, and the role of humans as geological agents. Uses rocks and fossils during laboratories to provide a hands-on complement to lecture topics and to introduce methods of investigation of the geological record.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
GEO 221, *ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Introductory geology emphasizing geologic hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, flooding), geologic resources (water, soil, air, mineral, energy), and associated environmental problems and mitigation strategies.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science
Equivalent to: GEO 221H
Available via Ecampus
GEO 221H, *ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Introductory geology emphasizing geologic hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, flooding), geologic resources (water, soil, air, mineral, energy), and associated environmental problems and mitigation strategies.
Attributes: CFSI – Core Ed - Scientific Inquiry & Analysis; CPPS – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Physical Science; HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: GEO 221
GEO 301, GEOSCIENCES DATA ANALYSIS, 4 Credits
Explores problem-based numerical data analysis in the Earth Sciences, with an emphasis on practical skills in visualizing and interpreting geoscience data sets.
Prerequisite: GEO 201 with C- or better and (ST 351 [C-] or ST 351H [C-])
Equivalent to: GEO 301X
GEO 305, +*SOCIETY AND VOLCANOES, 4 Credits
Explores volcanism on Earth and the impact of volcanic activity on people, infrastructure, and natural resources around the world. Examines the procedures, protocols, and technologies applied to mitigating hazard and risk to societies. Emphasizes the roles and interactions of different stakeholders (public, press, authorities, scientists) during volcanic crises.
Attributes: CSSS – Core Ed - Seeking Solutions; CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Available via Ecampus
GEO 306, +*MINERALS, ENERGY, WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT, 4 Credits
Explores the formation, occurrence, and use of earth resources including metallic minerals, building materials, energy resources (including fossil fuels and nuclear energy), and water resources. Develops an understanding of the environmental consequences of resource use including surface and groundwater pollution, waste disposal, air pollution and acid rain, and global climate change. Analyzes the implications of resource use and availability for economic development and geopolitical relations. Assesses the economics and policies that have shaped resource extraction, and the vulnerabilities and risks associated with those extraction methods.
Attributes: CSGI – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Contemporary Global Issues; CSSS – Core Ed - Seeking Solutions
Available via Ecampus
GEO 307, *NATIONAL PARK GEOLOGY AND PRESERVATION, 3 Credits
National parks as classrooms to study geological processes and the importance of preserving natural landscapes. Field trip(s) required; transportation fee charged.
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Equivalent to: GEO 307H
Available via Ecampus
GEO 308, *GLOBAL CHANGE AND EARTH SCIENCES, 3 Credits
Study of global change over different time scales during the history of the earth, with emphasis on evolution of its atmosphere, plate tectonics, paleoclimates, and mass extinctions.
Attributes: CSGI – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Contemporary Global Issues
Available via Ecampus
GEO 310, EARTH MATERIALS I: PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY OF MINERALS, 4 Credits
Introduces the principles of crystal morphology, habit, and symmetry. Explores the physical and optical characteristics of minerals and their origins in mineral structure. Uses both microscopes to view thin sections and large hand samples to identify minerals. Investigates how the processes of mineral formation and growth are caused by geological processes from igneous crystallization to sedimentary precipitation to metamorphic alteration.
Prerequisite: (GEO 201 with D- or better or GEO 221 with D- or better or GEO 221H with D- or better or ENSC 210 with D- or better) and (CH 121 [D-] or ((CH 221Z [D-] or CH 221HZ [D-] or CH 231 [D-] or CH 231H [D-]) and (CH 227Z [D-] or CH 227HZ [D-] or CH 261 [D-] or CH 261H [D-])) )
GEO 315, EARTH MATERIALS II: PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS, 4 Credits
Examines the origin, classification and identification of igneous rocks using hand samples, textures and minerals. Develops advanced petrographic microscope skills to identify common minerals and textures in thin sections. Evaluates magmatic processes including crystallization, cooling histories and relationship to tectonic environment.
Prerequisite: GEO 310 with C- or better
GEO 322, SURFACE PROCESSES, 4 Credits
Examination of surficial processes and terrestrial landforms of the earth, including slopes, rivers, glaciers, deserts, and coastlines. Field trip(s) required; transportation fee charged.
Prerequisite: (GEO 102 with D- or better or GEO 102H with D- or better or GEO 202 with D- or better or GEO 202H with D- or better) and (MTH 251Z [C-] or MTH 251HZ [C-] or MTH 251 [C-] or MTH 251H [C-]) and (PH 201 [D-] or PH 211 [D-] or PH 211H [D-])
GEO 331, *ASTROBIOLOGY: LIFE BEYOND EARTH, 3 Credits
Evaluates the potential distribution of life in the Universe, presents the science and technology used to search for life, and explores the societal impacts of its discovery.
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Recommended: Completion of 12 credits of biological and physical science in the Bacc Core
GEO 332, *GLOBAL WARMING: SCIENCE, IMPACTS, AND SOLUTIONS, 3 Credits
Explores the fundamental science on the causes of, and solutions to, global warming that underly the policy issues facing global citizens, communities, and governments. Applies the science of climate change and documentation of its impacts to identify and evaluate options for adaptation and mitigation around the world.
Attributes: CSGI – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Contemporary Global Issues
GEO 340, STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Analysis of geometry and kinematics of geologic structures including brittle and ductile faults, folds, joints, deformation fabrics. Field trip(s) required; transportation fee charged.
Prerequisite: GEO 201 with D- or better
GEO 370, STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY, 4 Credits
Basic principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy. Sedimentology is largely concerned with classifying and interpreting the origin of sedimentary rocks. Stratigraphy provides formal rules and strategies for organizing sedimentary (and other) rocks into a temporal framework. Reconstruction of Earth history with various approaches centered on paleoclimatology, paleogeography, paleooceanography, and tectonics.
GEO 380, *EARTHQUAKES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, 3 Credits
Earthquake hazards in the Northwest; responses to reducing earthquake risk at state, local, and personal levels.
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Available via Ecampus
GEO 387, ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROGEOLOGY, 3 Credits
Explore basic groundwater concepts, including quantifying water levels, groundwater flow, and groundwater-surface water interactions. Apply hydrogeology concepts to actual management and environmental problems. Understand factors that impact how water flows through the ground and its availability for human consumption and for ecosystem health.
Prerequisite: (MTH 112Z with C- or better or MTH 112 with C- or better) and (GEO 201 [C-] or GEO 202 [C-] or GEO 202H [C-] or GEO 221 [C-] or GEO 221H [C-] or ENSC 210 [C-] or SOIL 205 [C-] or CSS 205 [C-])
Available via Ecampus
GEO 395, INTRODUCTION TO FIELD GEOLOGY, 3 Credits
Build skills to identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Recognize and locate rock unit contacts. Establish a field traverse objective based on observations and collect structural and depositional data. Analyze collected field data through the development of geological maps, interpretive cross-sections, and stratigraphic columns. Interpret geological history in these products and written reports.
Prerequisite: GEO 201 with C- or better
Equivalent to: GEO 295
GEO 399, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
Equivalent to: GEO 399H
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 399H, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: GEO 399
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 401, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
Independent, original research subjects guided by faculty conferences and resulting in a brief written report. Faculty sponsor must be prearranged.
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 403, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
Independent, original study that culminates in a senior thesis. Faculty sponsor must be prearranged.
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
Independent reading in specialized topics guided by and discussed in faculty conferences. Faculty sponsor must be prearranged.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 407H, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits
Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: GEO 407
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
GEO 408, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 12 credits.
GEO 410, INTERNSHIP, 1-15 Credits
Pre-career professional experience under joint faculty and employer supervision.
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
Available via Ecampus
GEO 412, IGNEOUS PETROLOGY, 4 Credits
Petrogenesis of igneous rocks. Petrographic analysis using polarizing microscopes. Field trip may be required, transportation fee charged.
Prerequisite: GEO 315 with D- or better
Recommended: GEO 415 [C-]
GEO 415, EARTH MATERIALS III: PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY OF METAMORPHIC AND SEDIMENTARY ROCKS, 4 Credits
Examines the origin, classification and identification of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using hand samples, textures and minerals. Develops mastery of advanced petrographic microscope skills to identify common minerals and textures in thin sections. Evaluates sedimentary structures and metamorphic grade and their relationships to tectonic environment.
Prerequisite: GEO 315 with C- or better
GEO 427, ^VOLCANOLOGY, 4 Credits
A survey of volcanoes: their distribution, forms, composition, eruptive products, eruptive styles, and associated phenomena. Field trip may be required; transportation fee charged.
Attributes: CSWC – Core Ed - Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC); CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC)
Prerequisite: GEO 315 with D- or better
GEO 430, ^GEOCHEMISTRY, 4 Credits
Principles of geochemistry applied to problems of earth science.
Attributes: CSWC – Core Ed - Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC); CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC)
Prerequisite: GEO 315 (may be taken concurrently) with D- or better and ((CH 121 with D- or better and CH 122 [D-]) or ((CH 231 [D-] or CH 231H [D-]) and (CH 261 [D-] or CH 261H [D-]) and (CH 232 [D-] or CH 232H [D-]) and (CH 262 [D-] or CH 262H [D-])) )
GEO 431, ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY, 3 Credits
An introduction to natural processes at and near the earth's surface, as well as an examination of the impact of human activities on the natural environment. Study includes discussion of the sources, transformations, transport, and fate of contaminants. Field trip(s) required; transportation fee charge.
Prerequisite: (CH 121 with D- or better and CH 122 [D-] and CH 123 [D-]) or ((CH 231 [D-] or CH 231H [D-]) and (CH 232 [D-] or CH 232H [D-]) and (CH 233 [D-] or CH 233H [D-]))
GEO 432, APPLIED GEOMORPHOLOGY, 3 Credits
Effect of landform processes upon human activity; consequences of resource management strategies on erosional balance within landscape; identification of mitigation of natural hazards; role of geomorphic process studies in environmental planning. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
Recommended: GEO 322
GEO 433, COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY, 3 Credits
Morphodynamic approach to coastal landforms, processes and evolution including the impacts and response of humans to coastal change.
Prerequisite: (PH 211 with D- or better or PH 211H with D- or better) and (PH 212 [D-] or PH 212H [D-]) and GEO 322 [D-]
GEO 440, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Principles of the origin, distribution, and importance of metallic mineral deposits formed by magmatic, hydrothermal, and sedimentary processes.
Prerequisite: GEO 315 with D- or better
Recommended: GEO 340 [C-]
GEO 461, GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES, 3 Credits
Tectonics of the present day as based on surface geology, geodesy, seismicity, and crustal structure; description of active faults and folds; use of neotectonics in evaluation of earthquake hazard. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
Prerequisite: GEO 340 with D- or better
GEO 463, ^GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS, 4 Credits
Geophysical observations as constraints on geologic interpretation.
Attributes: CSWC – Core Ed - Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC); CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC)
GEO 477, GLACIERS IN THE CLIMATE SYSTEM, 3 Credits
Discusses glaciers as an important component of the cryosphere and the climate of Earth. Examines the physics of glacier formation and flow; glacier interactions with atmosphere, ocean, and landscape. Explores the impact of modern glacier change on water resources and sea level rise.
Prerequisite: (MTH 251Z with C or better or MTH 251HZ with C or better or MTH 251 with C or better or MTH 251H with C or better) and (MTH 252Z [C] or MTH 252HZ [C] or MTH 252 [C] or MTH 252H [C]) and (PH 211 [C] or PH 211H [C]) and (PH 212 [C] or PH 212H [C])
Equivalent to: GEO 477X
GEO 481, GLACIAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Mass balance of glaciers, physics of glacial flow, processes of glacial erosion and deposition, glacial meltwater, glacial isostasy and eustasy, and Quaternary stratigraphy. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
Recommended: GEO 202 [C-]
GEO 484, INTRODUCTION TO BIOGEOCHEMISTRY, 3 Credits
Interdisciplinary course, applying concepts from chemistry, physics, biology and geology to Earth systems including terrestrial, ocean and freshwater environments; water and energy cycles; carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles; biogeochemical cycles through Earth history.
Prerequisite: (MTH 111Z with D- or better or MTH 111 with D- or better or MTH 112Z with D- or better or MTH 112 with D- or better or MTH 251 with D- or better or MTH 251H with D- or better or MTH 227 with D- or better) and ((CH 121 with D- or better and CH 122 [D-]) or ((CH 231 [D-] or CH 231H [D-]) and (CH 261 [D-] or CH 261H [D-]) and (CH 232 [D-] or CH 232H [D-]) and (CH 262 [D-] or CH 262H [D-])) )
GEO 486, QUATERNARY PALEOCLIMATOLOGY, 3 Credits
Introduction to geochronology, climate proxies, climate forcing, and climate modeling applied to paleoclimate problems. Emphasis on Quaternary climate history.
Prerequisite: (GEO 202 with D- or better or GEO 202H with D- or better or GEO 203 with D- or better) and (CH 122 [D-] or ((CH 232 [D-] or CH 232H [D-]) and (CH 262 [D-] or CH 262H [D-] or CH 272 [D-])) )
GEO 487, HYDROGEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Movement of water through porous media. Darcy's Law and groundwater flow equation. Development of groundwater resources. Computer models.
Prerequisite: MTH 252Z with D- or better or MTH 252HZ with D- or better or MTH 252 with D- or better or MTH 252H with D- or better
GEO 488, QUATERNARY STRATIGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA, 3 Credits
Stratigraphic principles applied to Quaternary deposits. Survey Quaternary dating methods. Proxy records of glaciation and climate change. Quaternary stratigraphy of North America, emphasizing stratigraphic records of ice sheets, glaciers, and pluvial lakes.
Recommended: GEO 481
GEO 495, ADVANCED FIELD GEOLOGY, 6 Credits
Six-week summer program in central Oregon. Collect field data to make geological maps, cross-sections, columns, and reports. Fee charged.
Prerequisite: (GEO 295 with C- or better or GEO 395 with C- or better) and GEO 315 [C-] and GEO 340 [C-] and GEO 370 [C-]
GEO 497, FIELD MAPPING OF ORE DEPOSITS, 3 Credits
Field trip to a mineral district in the western United States, emphasizing detailed mapping of outcrops, trenches, and underground workings. Prepare final maps and a report suitable for presentation to management or publication.
GEO 499, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 499H, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: GEO 499
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 501, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
Independent, original research subjects guided by faculty conferences and resulting in a brief written report. Faculty sponsor must be prearranged.
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 503, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
GEO 505, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
Independent reading in specialized topics guided by and discussed in faculty conferences. Faculty sponsor must be prearranged.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 507, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
GEO 508, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 510, INTERNSHIP, 1-15 Credits
Pre-career professional experience under joint faculty and employer supervision. May not be used to meet minimum credit hour requirements for graduate degrees in geosciences.
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 512, IGNEOUS PETROLOGY, 4 Credits
Petrogenesis of igneous rocks. Petrographic analysis using polarizing microscopes. Field trip may be required, transportation fee charged.
GEO 514, GROUNDWATER HYDRAULICS, 4 Credits
Emphasizes principles of groundwater flow and chemical transport in confined and unconfined aquifers, aquifer testing and well construction. Design and dewatering and contaminant recovery systems. CROSSLISTED as BEE 514/CE 514/GEO 514.
Equivalent to: BEE 514, CE 514
Recommended: CE 547 or (CE 311 and CE 313) or (BEE 311 and BEE 312) or other fluid mechanics and hydraulics courses
GEO 516, INTERPRETATION OF GEOLOGIC MAPS, 3 Credits
Development of skills in formulating geologic problems, using geologic maps, and developing solutions by the scientific method.
GEO 518, GEOSCIENCE COMMUNICATION, 3 Credits
Professional development of the skills of technical editing and writing for geoscientists. Practice the craft of presentation development and delivery, and the broader issues of problem development, and manuscript and proposal writing specific to geoscience graduate students.
GEO 527, VOLCANOLOGY, 4 Credits
A survey of volcanoes: their distribution, forms, composition, eruptive products, eruptive styles, and associated phenomena. Field trip may be required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 530, GEOCHEMISTRY, 4 Credits
Principles of geochemistry applied to problems of earth science.
GEO 531, ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY, 3 Credits
An introduction to natural processes at and near the earth's surface, as well as an examination of the impact of human activities on the natural environment. Study includes discussion of the sources, transformations, transport, and fate of contaminants. Field trip(s) required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 532, APPLIED GEOMORPHOLOGY, 3 Credits
Effect of landform processes upon human activity; consequences of resource management strategies on erosional balance within landscape; identification of mitigation of natural hazards; role of geomorphic process studies in environmental planning. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 533, COASTAL GEOMORPHOLOGY, 3 Credits
Morphodynamic approach to coastal landforms, processes and evolution including the impacts and response of humans to coastal change.
GEO 535, GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES, 3 Credits
An introduction to the theory, techniques and instrumentation used for the chemical analysis of earth materials, with emphasis on analysis of solid earth material samples (predominantly, but not restricted to, rocks). Includes discussions of laboratory safety, relevant statistical approaches, basic physical and chemical principles of analysis, sample preparation techniques and data processing and reporting. Course also includes a large component of hands-on experience with instrumentation available in-house in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Prerequisite: GEO 530 with C or better
GEO 537, TECTONIC GEOMORPHOLOGY, 3 Credits
Exploration of linkages between patterns of erosion, crustal deformation, and landscape evolution from geomorphic, geologic, geophysical, and modeling perspectives. Field trip required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 540, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Principles of the origin, distribution, and importance of metallic mineral deposits formed by magmatic, hydrothermal, and sedimentary processes.
GEO 550, COASTAL HAZARDS: PROCESSES, RESPONSE, AND ADAPTATION, 3 Credits
Coastal hazards and the associated risks they pose to rapidly expanding coastal communities. Examination of coastal hazards from a trans-disciplinary perspective including the physical processes, the coastal response, and coastal adaptation/management options for dealing with the hazards. Emphasizes probabilistic and other user-inspired approaches for assessing coastal vulnerability to the various hazards.
GEO 561, GEOLOGY OF EARTHQUAKES, 3 Credits
Tectonics of the present day as based on surface geology, geodesy, seismicity, and crustal structure; description of active faults and folds; use of neotectonics in evaluation of earthquake hazard. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 563, GEOPHYSICS AND TECTONICS, 4 Credits
Geophysical observations as constraints on geologic interpretation.
GEO 577, GLACIERS IN THE CLIMATE SYSTEM, 3 Credits
Discusses glaciers as an important component of the cryosphere and the climate of Earth. Examines the physics of glacier formation and flow; glacier interactions with atmosphere, ocean, and landscape. Explores the impact of modern glacier change on water resources and sea level rise.
Equivalent to: GEO 577X
GEO 581, GLACIAL GEOLOGY, 4 Credits
Mass balance of glaciers, physics of glacial flow, processes of glacial erosion and deposition, glacial meltwater, glacial isostasy and eustasy, and Quaternary stratigraphy. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 586, QUATERNARY PALEOCLIMATOLOGY, 3 Credits
Introduction to geochronology, climate proxies, climate forcing, and climate modeling applied to paleoclimate problems. Emphasis on Quaternary climate history.
GEO 588, QUATERNARY STRATIGRAPHY OF NORTH AMERICA, 3 Credits
Stratigraphic principles applied to Quaternary deposits. Survey Quaternary dating methods. Proxy records of glaciation and climate change. Quaternary stratigraphy of North America, emphasizing stratigraphic records of ice sheets, glaciers, and pluvial lakes.
GEO 597, FIELD MAPPING OF ORE DEPOSITS, 3 Credits
Field trip to a mineral district in the western United States, emphasizing detailed mapping of outcrops, trenches, and underground workings. Prepare final maps and a report suitable for presentation to management or publication.
GEO 599, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 601, RESEARCH, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 36 credits.
GEO 603, THESIS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 999 credits.
GEO 605, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
GEO 606, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 84 credits.
GEO 607, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 48 credits.
GEO 608, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.
GEO 622, IGNEOUS PETROLOGY, 3 Credits
Controls on the distribution of major and trace elements; theory, applications, and examples. Field trip(s) may be required; transportation fee charged.
GEO 633, GEOCHRONOLOGY AND ISOTOPE GEOLOGY, 3 Credits
Measurements of cosmic and geologic time by radioactive decay. Use of radiogenic and stable isotopic tracers in geology.
GEO 666, STABLE ISOTOPE GEOCHEMISTRY, 3 Credits
Study of the principles governing terrestrial stable isotope distributions, with application to geologic, oceanographic, atmospheric and planetary processes. The primary focus is on isotopes of the light elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and sulfur, but may include other isotope systems, including Sr/Nd isotopes as geochemical tracers, noble gases, and metal isotopes (eg. Mo, Cu, Fe).
GEO 684, GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES, 4 Credits
An in-depth treatment of global biogeochemical cycles, focusing on cycles of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. CROSSLISTED as GEO 684/SOIL 684.
Equivalent to: SOIL 684
Recommended: One year of college-level physics and chemistry, including introductory biology. One year of graduate coursework in soil, earth, ocean, atmospheric or forest science
GEO 694, TOPICS IN ORE GENESIS, 1-3 Credits
This course is repeatable for 6 credits.
GEO 699, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 24 credits.