Academic
Catalog August 2009 - August 2010 Undergraduate
and Graduate
Some courses may not be offered every year. Check with the college or department office for current information about when specific courses are offered.
For course syllabi, see the departmental website.
GLG 505 TOPICS IN GEOLOGY I (1)
Involves weekly attendance at departmental seminars and special presentations. Pass-fail only. Prerequisite: graduate status in geology.
GLG 506 TOPICS IN GEOLOGY II (1)
Involves weekly attendance at departmental seminars and special presentations. Development of M.S. thesis proposal. Pass-fail only. Prerequisite: graduate status in geology.
GLG 510 ELECTRON MICROPROBE TECHNIQUES (2)
Physical principles, equipment operation, and application of electron microprobe techniques to materials analysis. Letter grade only. Course fee required.
GLG 530 VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (3)
History of vertebrate organisms from the earliest fish to birds and mammal-like reptiles. Prerequisite: GLG 225 or BIO 223
GLG 535 PALEOECOLOGY (3)
Interprets ancient environments and the adaptation of organisms to those environments. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: BIO 221 and (GLG 102 or GLG 225)
GLG 536 VERTEBRATE PALEOBIOLOGY (3)
Detailed examination of osteology and paleobiology of Cenozoic animals, with separate emphases in amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Field trip possible. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Letter grade only. Course fee required.
GLG 537 QUATERNARY GEOLOGY (3)
Introduces Pleistocene geology and glaciation, pluvial conditions, hydrology, stratigraphy, and geomorphology. 3 hrs. lecture, field trips. Prerequisite: GLG 101 or GLG 101H
GLG 538 GLACIAL GEOLOGY (3)
Analyzes glaciers, their effects on the landscape, their stratigraphic record, and their changes through time. Lab emphasizes glacial-geologic research techniques. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade or pass-fail. Prerequisite: GLG 430
GLG 542 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (3)
Advanced study of deformation of Earth's crust. Stress and strain theory, deformation mechanisms, geometry, kinematics, and dynamics of orogenic belts. Prerequisite: GLG 315 and 435
GLG 550 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS IN GEOLOGY (3)
Use of statistical and computer techniques in the analysis of geologic data. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: STA 270 or Math Placement Test Results (ACT 22+; Accuplacer 60+; PLACE 55+; SATI 520+)
GLG 560 INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED GEOPHYSICS (3)
Surveys the principles and methods of exploration geophysics as applied to geologic problems. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: (GLG 101 or GLG 101H) and (MAT 137 or Math Placement Test Results (ACT 27+; Accuplacer 85+; PLACE 70+; SATI 620+)) and (PHY 112 or 262)
GLG 561 REGIONAL TECTONICS (3)
Geologic principles, plate tectonic theory applied to the interpretation of geologic history on a regional scale. 3 hrs. lecture, field trips. Prerequisite: graduate status in geology or instructor's consent.
GLG 564 GLOBAL TECTONICS (3)
Plate tectonic theory, analysis of global tectonic regimes, and intraplate tectonics. Prerequisite: graduate status in geology or instructor's consent.
GLG 565 INTRODUCTION TO SOLID EARTH GEOPHYSICS (3)
Surveys the principles and methods of geophysics as applied to the study of the earth: its origin, history, and internal constitution. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: GLG 435 and (MAT 137 or Math Placement Test Results (ACT 27+; Accuplacer 85+; PLACE 70+; SATI 620+)) and (PHY 112 or 262)
GLG 567 GIS FOR GEOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES USING ESRI ARCGIS (3)
This course is an introduction to GIS for geoscience applications using ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) ArcGIS software. Additionally, more advanced extensions will be used in more sophisticated applications of geologic analyses, i.e., mapping, integration with GPS, and other field and classroom-based exercises. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Geology or Senior Status or higher
GLG 575 GEOCHEMISTRY OF NATURAL WATERS (4)
Introduces equilibrium and kinetic processes responsible for the chemical composition of natural fresh, saline, and hypersaline surface and ground waters; application of these processes to geologic problems including diagenesis, weathering, and mineral deposits. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: (GLG 101 or GLG 101H) and CHM 151 and CHM 152 and CHM 320 and CHM 320L
GLG 587 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR (1-3)
Designed to assist you in preparing for entry into your professional arena. Letter grade or pass-fail.
GLG 589 CONTENT ENHANCEMENT FOR TEACHERS (1-6)
This course acts as a mechanism for teachers to enhance their content knowledge by taking needed undergraduate courses by arranging for an individually negotiated form of an independent study and completing an additional teaching application assignment equaling 30% of the final course grade. Department consent required. Letter grade only.
GLG 593 PUBLIC IN-SERVICE WORKSHOP (1-3)
Topical instruction involving exchange of ideas, practical methods, skills, and principles. You may count up to 6 hours of 593 toward your graduate program. Pass-fail only.
GLG 596 QUATERNARY CLIMATE CHANGE (3)
Analyzes causes and effects of climate change during the Quaternary Period; methods used to reconstruct past climates from marine and terrestrial sediments, ice cores, and biological records. Cross-listed with QS 596 and ENV 596. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: graduate status or instructor's consent.
GLG 599 CONTEMPORARY DEVELOPMENTS (1-3)
Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area of a particular field of study. May be offered no more than three times before being submitted for a permanent course number. May be repeated for credit. Pass-fail or letter grade.
GLG 602 TOPICS IN EARTH SCIENCE (3)
Education or earth science majors only. Fundamentals of a selected earth-science topic. 3 hrs. lecture or 2 hrs. lecture and 2 hrs. lab. Field trips. May be repeated for credit with different topic. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: 8 hours of earth science or geology.
GLG 607 EARTH HISTORY (3)
Earth science graduate students only. Origin and development of the earth; major structural and stratigraphic features. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab, field trips. Letter grade only. Course fee required.
GLG 608 FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE (1-12)
Pass-fail only. Department consent required.
GLG 610 VOLCANOLOGY (4)
Volcanic eruption and depositional mechanisms, origin of volcanic features, and research methods in volcanology. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Prerequisite: GLG 315
GLG 612 IGNEOUS PETROLOGY (4)
Petrogenesis of igneous rocks; advanced studies in thin section, hand sample, and field; computer modeling of igneous systems. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: GLG 315
GLG 615 METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY (4)
Analysis of metamorphic rocks and advanced studies in thin sections, emphasizing quantitative methods. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Prerequisite: GLG 315
GLG 616 PETROLOGIC PHASE EQUILIBRIA (3)
Theory and application of quantitative methods in petrology, focusing on methods useful for ascertaining physical conditions under which a rock formed. GLG 315 recommended before taking GLG 616. Prerequisite: Admission to Geology (MS)
GLG 617 ISOTOPE GEOLOGY (3)
Examination of major isotopic systems used in dating geologic materials and as geologic tracers, including radiogenic and stable isotopes in high and low temperature applications, and cosmogenic isotopes. Prerequisite: one year of undergraduate chemistry and graduate status in geology, or instructor's approval.
GLG 621 SEDIMENTARY ANALYSIS (3)
Advanced studies in sedimentary geology. Areas of focus may include stratigraphic principles and sequence stratigraphy or sedimentologic principles, sediment transport, and deposition. 3 hrs. lecture, field trips. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Prerequisite: GLG 324
GLG 622 CARBONATE PETROLOGY (4)
Petrographic and petrologic analyses of carbonate rocks; their origins, compositions, depositional systems, and diagenesis. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab, field trips. Letter grade or pass-fail. Prerequisite: GLG 315 and 324
GLG 625 SILICICLASTIC PETROLOGY (4)
Petrographic analysis of conglomerates, sandstones, and mudstones, including diagenesis, provenance reconstructions, and analysis of controls on composition. 3 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs lab, field trips. Letter grade or pass-fail. Prerequisite: GLG 315 and 324
GLG 627 DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEMS (3)
Analyzes processes, bedforms, facies patterns, models of modern and ancient depositional systems. Areas of focus may include continental and/or marine systems. 3 hrs. lecture, field trips. Letter grade or pass-fail. Course fee required. Prerequisite: GLG 324
GLG 629 EVOLUTION OF SEDIMENTARY BASINS (3)
Integrative study of styles, rates, and physical mechanisms of basin subsidence, emphasizing quantitative methods applied to understanding tectonic and structural controls on evolution of sedimentary basins. Prerequisite: GLG 324 and 435
GLG 632 ADVANCED PALEONTOLOGY (3)
Selected topics in paleontology. 2 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: GLG 225
GLG 637 GEOCHRONOLOGY OF QUATERNARY DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEMS (3)
Chronological, geologic, stratigraphic, paleoecologic investigation, analysis, and interpretation of Quaternary depositional systems. 3 hrs. lecture, field trips. Prerequisite: GLG 101 or GLG 101H
GLG 641 ROCK DEFORMATION (3)
Processes and products of brittle and/or ductile deformation, analysis of fault systems, shear zones, and structures produced by plastic flow in rocks. Prerequisite: GLG 435 and 542
GLG 670 ADVANCED HYDROGEOLOGY (4)
In-depth treatment of theories and equations of groundwater flow; investigation of prevalent groundwater problems and solutions. Specific areas of focus: field techniques, groundwater modeling, and groundwater contamination and solute transport. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: GLG 451 and CS 123
GLG 675 SHALE PETROLOGY (4)
Detailed investigation of the crystal chemistry of the clay minerals, their geologic distribution through time; space; their origin and alteration by geologic processes; and their significance in environmental and pedogenic processes. 3 hrs. lecture; 3 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: GLG 310 and 324
GLG 685 GRADUATE RESEARCH (1-6)
Directed research on selected topics. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Letter grade or pass-fail. Department consent required.
GLG 697 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-6)
Letter grade or pass-fail. Department consent required.
GLG 698 GRADUATE SEMINAR (1-3)
Discussion and reading on selected topics. Letter grade or pass-fail. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit. Department consent required.
GLG 699 THESIS (1-9)
Individualized directed research, writing, and oral defense of selected thesis topic. May be repeated as needed. Prerequisites: must have graduate regular status, program submitted, and thesis proposal approved by committee. Department consent required.