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Courses (Geology)
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The School of Earth & Environmental Sciences offers more than 100 courses with the prefix, GEOL (Geology). Both general and advanced training is offered in most specializations in geology. The lower-division courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for those who major in geology as well as a stimulating introduction to earth science for the non-major. The 300-400-level courses provide training for professional geological work as well as preparation for postgraduate study. |
Geology (GEOL):
| 101 [P] | Introduction to Geology 4 (3-3) Introductory physical geology for non-science majors; emphasis on wesetern US. |
| 102 [P] | Physical Geology 4 (3-3) For science majors and honors students. Modern concepts of earth science; mineral rock, resource, and map study. |
| 103 | The Solar System 3 Overview of the results of modern planetary exploration, geological processes and environments on planets and moons in our solar system. |
| 150 [Q] | Conflict and Debate in Geological Sciences 4 (3-3) Examples in geology of hw science is done, how it advances, and what constitutes scientific work. |
| 180 [P] | Honors Geology 4 (3-3) Prereq honors student or by interview. Introduction to physical geology with emphasis on original research and scientific writing. |
| 201 | Geology of the National Parks 2 Prereq Geol 210. Significant geologic features, processes, and geology history of the national parks. |
| 206 | Field Petrology 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 101 or 102. Hand sample analysis, petrogenesis and field relationships of rocks. Field trips required. |
| 210 [P] | Earth's History and Evolution 4 (3-3) Rec Biol 102. Introduction to earth's history and evolution through observations, data collection and analysis, readings and writing exercises. |
| 221 | Field Trip 1 (0-3) Prereq Geol 210. One-week field trip to study geology of a selected area of the western United States. |
| 230 | Introductory Oceanography3 Basic physical, chemical geological and biological principles underlying oceanic phenomena: for both science and non-science majors. |
| 260 | Quantitative Concepts in Geology 2 (1-3) Prereq Chem 105; Geol 350 or c//; Math 107 or c//; Phys 101 or 201. Basic mathematical tools and physical principles for geologic problme solving. |
| 307 [M] | Geology Field Camp 3 (0-9) Prereq Geol 101, 210. Introduction to geologic field methods; basic geologic mapping. Cooperative course taught jointly by WSU and UI (Geol 290). |
| 308 [M] | Field Geology 3 (0-9) Prereq Geol 307, 340, 350. Advanced field problems and methods; interpretation of field data, preparation of reports based on field observations and interpretations. Cooperative course taught jointly by WSU and UI (Geol 490). |
| 310 | Invertebrate Paleontology 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 210. Morphology, classification, evolution, and paleoecology of fossil invertebrate organisms. |
| 315 | Water and the Earth 3 (2-3) Prereq Chem 106, Geol 101 or 260; Math 140, 171, or c//; Phys 102 or 202. Global hydrologic cycle, including rivers and weathering, groundwater, rainwater and the atmosphere, oceans, human impacts. |
| 320 | Sedimentary Petrology and Sedimentation 3 (3-3) Prereq Geol 210, 351. Sedimentary rock composition and origins applying fundamental principles of sedimentology. |
| 322 [P] | Geology of the Pacific Northwest 3 Prereq Geol 101 or 102. Physical geology of the Pacific Northwest focusing on geological processes important in its evolution. |
| 323 [P] | Geology of the Pacific Northwest 4 (3-3) Prereq Geol 101 or 102. Physical geology of the Pacific Northwest focusing on geological processes important in its evolution. |
| 340 [M] | Geologic Structures 4 (3-3) Prereq Geol 210; Math 107. Basic understanding and techniques of working in deformed rocks in mountain belts. |
| 350 | Mineralogy and Crystallography 4 (2-6) Prereq Chem 101 or 105; Geol 101 or 102. Composition, physical properties, structure, crystallography, identification, and origin of minerals. |
| 351 | Optical Mineralogy 1 Prereq c// in Geol 350 or by permission. Elements of optical crystallography as applied to identification of minerals. |
| 356 | Igneous Petrology 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 351. Origin, evolution, and eruption of magmas; emphasizes mineralogy, textures, chemical composition, and physical form of igneous rock. |
| 362 | Metamorphic Petrology 2 (1-3) Prereq Geol 351. Mineralogy and petrology or metamorphic rocks using the polarizing microscope. |
| 390 [P] | Living on the Edge: Global Climate Change and Earth History 3 Prereq junior standing. Global earth system: ocean, earth, atmosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere; human impact on the climate system; cliimate change data predictions; debates. |
| 391 [P] | Living on the Edge: Global Climate and Environmental Change Laboratory 1 (0-3) Prereq junior standing. Laboratory for Geol 390. |
| 403 | Environmental Geology 3 Prereq Geol 101 or 102. Geological hazards and geologic problems associated with human activities. |
| 405 | Geophysics 4 (3-3) Prereq Geol 340. Theory and application of geophysical methods for hydrology, environmental, engineering, exploration, and structural geology; review of techniques. |
| 413 | Soil Physics 3 (2-3) Prereq Math 107; Geol 101, 102 or SoilS 201. Characterization of soil properties including water content and potential and hydraulic conductivity; modeling water, solute transport, erosion and contamination of groundwater. Credit not granted for both Geol 413 and 513. |
| 418 | Geomicrobiology 3 Explore the interactions of microorganisms with the environment, particularly soil rock-water interaction and how microorganisms are important to our understanding of geological and hydrological processes; topics include ground water microbiology, subsurface microbiology and the microbiology of extreme environments. Additional work required for graduate credit. Credit not granted for both Geol 418 and 518. Cooperative course taught by UI (Geol 418); open to WSU students. |
| 421 [M] | Principles of Stratigraphy 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 210, 340. Correlation and dating of sedimentary strata; tectonics, and sedimentary basins; regional patterns of sedimentation. |
| 428 | Geostatistics 3 Prereq Stat 360. Applications of random variables and probability in geologic and engineering studies; regression, regionalized variables, spatial correlation. Same as Stat 428. |
| 444 | Earthquakes and Seismic Hazards 3 Prereq Geol 101, Phys 101. Geology of earthquakes from the mechanics of failur to seismic waves to seismicity associated with all fault types in a variety of tectonic settings; methods of identifying paleo-earthquakes in the geologic record and assessing seismic risk in active fault environments. |
| 451 [M] | Pedology 3 (2-3) Prereq SoilS 201. Soil profiles, soil-forming processes, and soil classification. |
| 459 | Geodynamics 3 Prereq permission of instructor. Dynamics, movement, and deformation of the earth's lithosphere, asthenospere, and mantle; emphasis on deformation processes and constraints derived from investigation of active tectonics using geophysics, seismology, geodesy, and structural geology. |
| 470 | Introduction to Economic Geology 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 340, 350. Genesis, evolution and tectonic setting of ore deposits combining theory, description, and detailed hand specimen analysis. |
| 475 | Groundwater 3 (2-3) Prereq BSysE 351, CE 317, or Geol 315; and Math 140 or 172 or c//. Introduction to groundwater occurrence, movement, quality, and resource management, emphasizing physical and biogeochemical principles. |
| 476 | Exploration Methods 3 Prereq Geol 470. Design of mineral exploration programs and integration and evaluation of geological, geochemical, and geophysical exploration techniques. |
| 480 | Introductory Geochemistry 3 Prereq Chem 106, Geol 350. The chemistry of Earth materials and processes. |
| 483 | Radiogenic Isotopes and Geochronology 3 Chem 105 and 106; Geol 480 or by permission. Radiogenic isotopes and their uses as chronometers (radiometric dating) and as tracers of earth evolution and differentiation. |
| 490 | Undergraduate Research V 1-3 Prereq Geol 101, 210. Research and advanced laboratory experience with a geology faculty member; oral presentation and written thesis. |
| 498 | Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 hours. Prereq major in geology or related field. Research papers presented by students, faculty, and visiting scientists on geological research. |
| 499 | Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. |
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| 500-level & above Courses | |
| 505 | Geophysics 4 (3-3) Graduate-level counterpart of Geol 405; additional requirements. |
| 515 | Paleoecology 3 Ecological dynamics as applied to the paleontological record; presearcation constraints; animal-sediment interactions; organisms' role in the relative time scale. |
| 518 | Geomicrobiology 3 Graduate-level counterpart of Geol 418; additional requirements. Credit not granted for both Geol 418 and 518. Cooperative course taught by UI (Geol 518); open to WSU students. |
| 520 | Advanced Topics in Sedimentary Rocks 3 (2-3) May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. Prereq Geol 320. Modern aspects of sedimentary rocks. |
| 521 | Clastic Depositional Systems 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 320. Clastic sedimentary environments; architectural elements and facies analysis. |
| 523 | Advanced Topics in Stratigraphy 3 May be repeated for credit. Prereq Geol 421. |
| 525 | Carbonate Depositional Systems 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 320. Modern carbonate environments and processes; ancient carbonate rock sequences; carbonate platform-to-basin transition; diagenesis of carboante rocks. |
| 527 | Sedimentary Petrography 3 (1-4) Description and classification of sedimentary rocks in thin sections and hand speciments. |
| 529 | Geologic Development of North America 3 Prereq Geol 310, 421. Tectonic, magnetic, and sedimentary sequence studies of North American continent through time; concepts of metal and petroleum enrichment related to time and geological processes. |
| 533 | Advanced Vadose Zone Hydrology 2 Prereq SoilS 413. Methods and models for water, heat, vapor and solute transport in the vadose zone; transfer functions to describe solute transport; non-linear parameter estimation. Cooperative course taught by WSU, open to UI students (SoilS 533). |
| 538 | Orogenic Systems I 3 Prereq Geol 340. Field-base course examines tectonic processes active in the northern Cordillera. |
| 539 | Orogenic Systems II 3 Prereq Geol 340. The tectonic evolution of western North America is examined in the field. |
| 540 | Tectonics 3 Prereq Geol 340. Nature and origin of the Earth's major tectonic features. |
| 541 | Structral Analysis 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 340. Structural analysis of complexly deformed rocks in orogenic belts. |
| 542 | Geomechanics 3 Prereq Phys 102 Math 171. Concepts of linear elastic fracture mechanics as applied to the classification, origin and evolution of all types of rock fractures; continuum theory in rock mechanics; rock strength and failure criteria; stress tensors; elastic theory. |
| 546 | Fault Mechanics 3 Prereq Geol 340. Examination of fault mechanics; internal fault architectures; fault slip distributions; relationship to rock properties; echelon fault systems, as well as earthquake behavior and seismic hazard recognition. |
| 550 | Advanced Mineralogy 3 Prereq Chem 106, Geol 355. Elements of crystal chemistry and crystal physics. |
| 551 | Ore Microscopy and Fluid Inclusion Analysis 3 (0-9) Prereq Geol 355, 470. Ore and alteration mineralogy of major ore deposits; mineral identification, textural interpretation, sample preparation, photomicrograpy, fluid inclusion analysis. |
| 552 | X-ray Analysis in Geology 3 (2-3) Generation and use of X-rays for geological research; electron microprobe/SEM, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray powder diffraction. |
| 554 | Physical Petrology 3 Prereq Geol 356. The applications of continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics to the generation, rise, storage, and eruption of magmas. |
| 557 | High-Temperature Aqueous Geochemistry I 3 (2-3) Prereq Chem 331, Geol 582; or by interview only. Application of solution chemistry to hydrothermal solutions; Eh-pH, log f(O2) -pH, activity - activity diagrams; estimation techniques; water structure; metal complexation; solubility, transport and deposition; equilibrium speciation; geothermal fields; experimental methods; activity coefficients. |
| 558 | High-Temperature Aqueous Geochemistry II 3 Prereq Chem 331, Geol 557, 582; or by interview only. Expands on topics covered in Geology 557 through seminar format; selected readings from primary literature followed by presentations and discussions in class. |
| 559 | Geodynamics 3 Prereq permission of instructor. Dynamics, movement, and deformation of the earth's lithosphere, aethenosphere, and mantle; emphasis on deformation processes and constraints derived from investigation of active tectonics using geophysics, seismology, geodesy, and structural geology. Credit not granted for both Geol 459 and 559. Cooperative course taught jointly by WSU and UI (Geol 459/559). |
| 560 | Advanced Igneous Petrology 3 (2-3) Origin, evolution, and tectonic significance of igneous rocks. |
| 561 | Advanced Topics in the Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits 3 Advanced study of geochemical aspects of the formation of and environmental impact of metallic ores of hydrothermal origin; selected readings and presentations. |
| 563 | Igneous Petrogenesis 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 356. Chemical and petrologic techniques used to interpret the origin and evolution of igneous rocks. |
| 565 | Biogeochemistry and Global Change 4 (1-3) Survey of how life affects the chemistry of the surface of earth. |
| 567 | Volcanology 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 356. Eruption mechanisms, volcanic processes and landforms, and volcanic deposits. |
| 569 | Field Methods in Hydrogeology 2 (1-3) Prereq Geol 475; Geol 577 or 579. Theory and practive of acquisition of hydrogeologic data, emphasizing design and execution of field experiments. |
| 570 | Advanced Topics in Hydrogeology V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 9 hours. Prereq Geol 475 Topics may include organic/inorganic contaminant fate, recharge, carbon cycling, isotope applications. |
| 571 | Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits 3 (2-3) Prereq Geol 470. Ore formation in hydrothermal environments; sulfide mineral stability, water/rock interactions, and stable isotope relationships to altered rocks. |
| 573 | Advanced Topics in Economic Geology 2 May be repeated for credit. Prereq Geol 470. Ore-forming process or deposit type combining literature synthesis, theoretical evaluation and field trip inspection. |
| 574 | Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis 3 (1-4) Prereq Soils 374; 476 or equivalent. Digital image processing theory and geographic information systems applied to landscape analysis. |
| 575 | Seminar in Remote Sensing 1 Presentation of research results and ideas on subjects relating to remote sensing. |
| 576 | Fundamentals of Modeling Hydrogeologic Systems 3 Prereq Math 275; permission of instructor. Development and application of models representing physical systems, with emphasis on groundwater flow; basic equations of potential flow; properties assignment; parameter sensitivity; dimensional analysis. Cooperative course taught by UI (Hydr 576), open to WSU students. |
| 577 | Advanced Groundwater Hydraulics 3 Prereq Geol 475, Math 315. Modeling of subsurface flow in saturated, unsaturated, and multifluid systems; analytic and numerical solutions techniques; review of statistical geohydrologic methods. |
| 578 | Groundwater Geobiology 3 (2-3) Prereq graduate standing. Interaction of groundwater geology and the environment including microbial populations with emphasis on microbial transport in the sub-surface and bioremediation approaches. |
| 579 | Groundwater Geochemistry V 2-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours. Prereq Chem 331, Geol 475. Organic and inorganic aqueous geochemistry; controls on groundwater contaminant fate. |
| 582 | Petrologic Phase Equilibria 3 Prereq graduate standing. Thermodynamic and graphical analysis of phase equilibria in igneous and metamorphic rock systems. |
| 583 | Radiogenic Isotopes and Geochronology 3 Graduate-level counterpart of Geol 483; additional requirements. |
| 584 | Stable Isotope Geochemistry 3 Principles and applications of isotope geochemistry in the geological sciences. |
| 588 | Methods in Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry 3 (1-6) Prereq Geol 480: Geol 583. Laboratory-based course in modern analytical methods in radiogenic isotope geochemistry. |
| 592 | Advanced Topic in Structural Geology V 1-4 May be reapted for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. Advanced topics across normal subject boundaries. |
| 593 | Advanced Topics in Geomechanics V 1-4 Advanced treatment of current topics in geomechanics and related disciplines such as structural geology, hydrogeology, engineering geology. |
| 595 | Advanced Topics in Geology V 1-4 Topics of current interest in geology. May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. |
| 596 | Advanced Topics in Geology V 1-4 Topics of current interest in geology. May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. |
| 597 | Advanced Topics in Geology V 1-4 Topics of current interest in geology. May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 hours. |
| 598 | Graduate Seminar 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 4 hours. Graduate-level counterpart of Geol 498; additional requirements. |
| 600 | Special Projects of Independent Study Variable credit. S, F grading. |
| 700 | Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading. |
| 702 | Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading. |
| 800 | Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination Variable credit. S, F grading. |
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