Course Descriptions

GEOL-G 107 - Earth and Our Environment

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. An introduction to geology through discussion of geological topics that show the influence of geology on modern society. Topics include mineral and energy resources, water resources, geologic hazards and problems, geology and health, and land use.

GEOL-G 109 - Fundamentals of Earth History

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Basic principles of earth history: geologic time, basic rock types, reconstructing past environments. Physical development of the earth: its interior, mountain formation, plate tectonics. Origin and development of life: evolution, the fossil record. 

GEOL-G 110 - How the Earth Works

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Introduction to processes within and at the surface of the earth. Description, classification, and origin of minerals and rocks. The rock cycle. Internal processes: volcanism, earthquakes, crustal deformation, mountain building, plate tectonics. External processes: weathering, mass wasting, streams, glaciers, ground water, deserts, coasts. 

GEOL-G 115 - Oceanography

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Nonmathematical introduction to the geology, biology, and physical characteristics of the ocean. Includes waves, tides, and currents of the world ocean, the adaptations and distribution of marine animals, pollution of the marine ecosystem, and an introduction to the global ocean/atmosphere system.

GEOL-G 117 - Lab: Earth and Our Environment

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Laboratory exercises in environmental aspects of the geosciences. To accompany GEOL-G 107.

Prerequisite:

or C: GEOL-G 107.

GEOL-G 119 - Fundamentals of Earth History Laboratory

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall, Spring. Laboratory studies of rocks, fossils, and stratigraphic principles to reconstruct past environments and interpret Earth history. To accompany GEOL-G 109.

Prerequisite:

or C: GEOL-G 109.

GEOL-G 120 - Lab: How the Earth Works

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Laboratory studies of minerals and rocks, landscapes, and earth structures. To accompany GEOL-G 110.

Prerequisite:

or C: GEOL-G 110.

GEOL-G 130 - Short Courses in Earth Science (topic varies)

Credits:

1

Description:

Five-week courses on a variety of topics in the earth sciences. Examples of topics include lunar and planetary geology; geology of Indiana; geology of national parks; glaciers; water; gemstones; geology of art; earthquakes and volcanoes; dinosaurs. Each short course is one credit; no topic may be taken for credit more than once.

GEOL-G 132 - Environmental Issues and Solutions

Credits:

3

Description:

This course is offered via the Internet, and provides experience in addressing some of the kinds of problems that arise in studies of the environment. Particular attention is given to developing skills in evaluating scientific articles; specifically, the relevance of the information in an article, the credibility of the author, and the accuracy and usefulness of the quantitative information provided. The kinds of problems considered in this course will vary from semester to semester, but will be chosen from a list that includes global warming, tropical rain forests, acid rain, water pollution, solid waste disposal, appropriate use of land, and the ability of regulations to protect the environment. Three or four such topics will be covered each semester.

GEOL-G 135 - Indiana Rocks!

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. An in-depth investigation of Indiana's geology, including minerals and rocks, geologic time, mineral resources, fossils, topography, soil, water resources, and special geologic features such as the Falls of the Ohio River and Indiana Dunes.

GEOL-G 136 - Lab: Indiana Rocks!

Credits:

1

Description:

Fall, Spring, Summer. Field experiences and practical exercises in applying geologic principles and observing the geologic phenomena of Indiana. Topics may include sedimentary rocks and fossils, soils, mineral resources, hydrology, glacial history, and karst topography. Students will visit multiple park areas, complete problem solving or hands-on exercises, and submit written reports.

Prerequisite:

or C: GEOL-G 107 or GEOL-G 110, or GEOL-G 135.

GEOL-G 180 - Dinosaurs

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. Topics include: geologic time and the fossil record, preservation of vertebrate fossils, and how to "read" the fossil record. Dinosaur anatomy is surveyed in terms of evolutional changes. Controversies such as evolutionary paths are considered and extinction of dinosaurs is placed in the context of other mass extinctions.

GEOL-G 185 - Global Environmental Change

Credits:

3

Description:

Fall. The scientific basis behind natural and human-induced global environmental changes. Geological perspective of the development of the earth. Human activities influencing the natural system including population, deforestation, water usage, acid rain, ozone depletion, smog, and global warming. Subsequent human reaction.

GEOL-G 199 - Service Learning in Geology

Credits:

1

Description:

Students participate in community service projects. Completion of the project includes a paper reflecting on how the service experience contributed to their application of the principles of general education.

Prerequisite:

or C: GEOL-G 107, or GEOL-G 110, or GEOL-G 115, or GEOL-G 135.

GEOL-G 205 - Reporting Skills in Geoscience

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring and Fall. Techniques of presenting written and oral reports from the geoscience approach. The written report: mechanics of format and illustrations, proper citation of geoscience literature, the abstract, proofreading, and editing. The oral report: effective presentation and response to audience questions, simulating a professional science meeting.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 107 or GEOL-G 110 with a minimum grade of C- and ENG-W 131 with a minimum grade of C.

Corequisite:

P or C: COMM-R 110 .

GEOL-G 221 - Introductory Mineralogy

Credits:

5

Description:

Fall. Credit not given for both GEOL-G 221 and GEOL-G 306. The assembly of minerals from atoms in nature. Atomic bonding, structures and symmetry. Control of physical properties by symmetry. Interaction of light with crystals. Crystal fields and forces driving the growth of crystals from melts to aqueous solutions. The chemistry of silicates and other minerals.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 110 or GEOL-G 107 and CHEM-C 105 with a minimum grade of C- in each course.

GEOL-G 222 - Introductory Petrology

Credits:

5

Description:

Spring. Credit not given for both GEOL-G 222 and GEOL-G 306. Study of the principal representatives of the major chemical groups of minerals. Emphasis on rock-forming and useful minerals, their crystal structure, chemistry, physical properties, association, and occurrence. Study of major rock types.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 221 with a minimum grade of C-.

GEOL-G 304 - Principles of Paleontology

Credits:

3

Description:

Spring. Biological principles applied to the fossil record. Examination of the quality of the fossil record, taxonomic principles and procedures, analytical techniques, evolutionary theory, evolution and paleoecology of species, populations and communities, diversification and extinction, paleogeography. Laboratories: systematics, stratigraphic distribution, and ecology of major fossilized invertebrate phyla.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 109 or GEOL-G 110 or GEOL-G 335 with a minimum grade of C- or instructor consent.

GEOL-G 306 - Earth Materials

Credits:

4

Description:

Spring. Credit not given for both GEOL-G 221 and GEOL-G 306 or GEOL-G 222 and GEOL-G 306. The physical and chemical properties of Earth materials, and the chemical processes that have altered them to cause Earth to evolve to its present state. This course covers properties of minerals and their identification, genesis of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, interactions between solid Earth and the hydrosphere, and interactions between humans and the solid Earth.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 110 / GEOL-G 120 or GEOL-G 107 / GEOL-G 117, and CHEM-C 105.

GEOL-G 323 - Structural Geology

Credits:

5

Description:

Fall. Nature and origin of primary and secondary structural features of the earth's crust, with emphasis on mechanics of deformation and origin, and three-dimensional problems illustrating structural concepts. Laboratory.

Prerequisite:

GEOL-G 205 and GEOL-G 222, and GEOL-G 335 with a minimum grade of C- in each course.