Course Descriptions

Major
Minor
Geography

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: BRIAN J. COOPER

FACULTY: Baldwin, Brown, Leipnik, Netoff, Torrez

The Geology Program provides a variety of courses directed toward a better understanding of the natural world. These courses serve four undergraduate areas: the general university student, the geology minor, and two types of geology majors.

The Program offers two Bachelor of Science plans. Plan I is designed for the person seeking a position in industry or planning to attend graduate school. Plan II is designed for the person with a career in education in mind or someone with a general interest in geology. Each plan is designed to provide an education in the fundamentals of geology. The required geology courses will give the student an understanding of the earth and will provide an opportunity to observe, investigate, analyze, and interpret geological materials, processes, and structures.

A minor in science or mathematics is strongly recommended.

See the following description of certification requirements.

The Bachelor of Science degree, Plan II, is recommended for those students working toward Secondary Teacher Certification in Earth Science, Life/Earth Science, or the Science Composite. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared for a provisional secondary certificate for teaching geology/oceanography at the high school level and for teaching earth science at the junior high school level. The graduate may be certified in Earth Science, Life/Earth Science or in the Science Composite, depending on the minor that is chosen.

Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certification under Plan II, Bachelor of Science degree, in one of the above areas must complete the following courses in addition to those listed under Plan II:

Geology minors seeking a B.S. or B.A. degree need to take GEL 133/113, 134/114 plus four advanced courses (20 hours minimum). Geology minors or those with a previous degree seeking certification to teach Earth Science need to take GEL 133/113, 134/114, 330; GEO 131/111; PHY 397/317 plus 6 hours advanced GEL.

For detailed information concerning Elementary Teacher Certification, the student is referred to the Elementary Education Program description. The Geology Program participates in two specialization areas. The Earth Science area requires GEL 133/113, 134/114, 330; GEO 131/111; PHY 397/317; 6 hours advanced GEL; and 9 extension hours. The Life/Earth Science area requires GEL 133/113, 330; GEO 131/111; BIO 138/118, 139/119; 341; PHY 397/317; 6 hours from GEL 360, 431, 432, or 437; or BIO 345 or 463 (or 465); and 5 extension hours.

GEOLOGY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GEL 133 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY. [GEOL 1303] An introduction to the materials, processes, and structure of the earth. Topics include earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, mountain building, weathering and erosion, glaciation, oceans, and mineral resources. No prerequisite. Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit 3.

GEL 113 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY. [GEOL 1103] This course must be taken concurrently with GEL 133, Physical Geology. These laboratory experiences involve the study of rocks, minerals, and map interpretations. Credit 1.

GEL 134 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY. [GEOL 1304] An introduction to the history of the earth and its past inhabitants, including a section on the dinosaurs and their extinction. This course gives a broad overview of the tectonic evolution of the planet, indicated by various major mountain-building events; ancient environments and changing sea levels recorded in sedimentary deposits; and the evolution of life represented by the fossil record. No prerequisite. Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit 3.

GEL 114 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY LABORATORY. [GEOL 1104] This course must be taken concurrently with GEL 134, Historical Geology. Laboratory experiences include the study of common animal and plant fossils and problems which illustrate practical applications of geological principles. No prerequisite. Credit 1.

GEL 330 OCEANOGRAPHY. A survey of the general principles of oceanography is made. The geology of ocean basins, tide-water processes and the chemistry of sea water are studied. Biophysics of the sea and environmental problems are considered. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113. Spring, Summer I. Credit 3.

GEL 332 GEOLOGY OF TEXAS. A study of the stratigraphy, tectonic history, and present-day physiography of Texas. Topics also include mineral, water, and petroleum resources of Texas. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113, GEL 134/114 are recommended. Odd year Fall. Credit 3.

GEL 354 MINERALOGY. This course covers crystallography, genesis of minerals, identification and classification of minerals, and optical mineralogy. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113 and CHM 138/118, 139/119, MTH 163. Includes lab work. Odd year Fall. Credit 5.

GEL 355 PETROLOGY. The classification, origin, occurrence and associations of igneous, sedimentary, and metimorphic rocks. Includes optical petrology using thin sections. Prerequisite: GEL 354. Even year Spring. Credit 5.

GEL 360 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY. This course offers an introduction to geological processes and materials, and how they affect people and the environment. Specific topics include earthquakes, volcanism, mass wasting, floods, coastal hazards, and climatic change. Optional topics may include such items as energy and water resources, subsidence, and waste disposal. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113. Even year Spring. Credit 3.

GEL 431 GEOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA. A study of the geologic history of the continent of North America. Topics include paleogeography, major depositional areas and stratigraphic units, and paleotectonics. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113, 134/114. Even year Fall. Credit 3.

GEL 432 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. This course is concerned with the origin and occurrence of economically important minerals. A portion of the course is devoted to petroleum. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113. Odd year Spring. Credit 3.

GEL 437 PLATE TECTONICS. An introduction to the movement of lithospheric plates. Topics to be covered include earthquakes, volcanism, seismic tomography, the evolution of continents and ocean basins, and the influence of the earth’s interior on these processes. Lecture only. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113, with GEL 134/114 highly recommended. Even year Spring. Credit 3.

GEL 440 STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION. A study of the principles and methods used in describing, classifying and correlating strata. Includes studies of modern and ancient depositional environments. Lab/field work included. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113 and GEL 134/114. Even year Fall. Credit 4.

GEL 442 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY. This course covers the principles of deformation of the Earth’s lithosphere, with emphasis on mechanical principles, identification and interpretation of structures from the microscopic scale to the scale of mountain belts. Other topics include regional tectonics and application in petroleum exploration. Lab work will focus on graphical and quantitative techniques of analyzing geologic structures. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113, PHY 138/119, MTH 163. Odd year Spring. Credit 4.

GEL 445 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY. Fundamental concepts, principles, and methods involved in deciphering the origin, development and extinction of past life as revealed through the study of invertebrate fossils. Prerequisites: GEL 134/114, BIO 139/119. Lab work included. Credit 4.

GEL 446 HYDROGEOLOGY. An introduction to the study of groundwater and its role in the hydrologic cycle. Topics include properties and distribution of water on the surface, in the vadose zone and in aquifers; behavior, modeling, and geology of groundwater aquifers; human use and abuse of water resources, including groundwater contamination and extraction; and water law economics, and aquatic ecology. A lab with field trips will focus on measurement and modeling of groundwater. Prerequisites: GEL 133/113, MTH 163. Even year Spring. Credit 4.

GEL 460, 461 FIELD GEOLOGY. These courses will consist of on-site studies in structure, stratigraphy, petrology and paleontology. Field trips will be taken to appropriate areas in Texas and/or surrounding states. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Credit 3 hours for each course.

GEL 495 SPECIAL TOPICS IN GEOLOGY. Individual study in special areas of geology. Topic content will usually be selected and agreed upon by the student and a member of the Geology faculty. Sometimes special topics courses will be offered by the Geology faculty. This course may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalogue. Prerequisites and credit will be determined by the faculty member. May be repeated for credit. Fall, Spring, Summer. Credit 1, 2, or 3.

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