BSU Catalog Home | Geology Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

Geology (GEOL)

College-Program Codes: 7-09. Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1120 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY (4 credits) Introduction to the history of Earth. Includes study of major fossil groups and significant geologic events with an emphasis on North America. Lecture and laboratory. Liberal Education Category 3 (LC)

2110 MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY (4 credits) Identification and occurrence of minerals and igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Introduction to diagnostic tests including spectrometer and polarizing microscope. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 1110 and GEOL 1120.

2430 INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY (3 credits) A general overview of physical oceanography through the interdisciplinary fields of geology, physics, chemistry and biology. Prerequisite: GEOL 1110 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Category 3 (May not be offered every year)

2730 INTRODUCTION TO PLANETARY SCIENCE (4 credits) An introduction and examination of the solar system, planets, satellites, asteroids, comets and meteorites. Atmospheric phenomena, magnetic fields, cosmic particles and the human presence in Space are included. Liberal Education Category 3

2925 PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: EARTH SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE (3 credits) Application of the earth sciences in understanding the causes of, and solutions to, environmental problems. Environmental perspectives on geologic hazards. Liberal Education Category 10

3120/BIOL 3120 SOILS (4 credits) Introduction to principles of soil genesis, classification, physical and chemical properties, and biological significance. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: BIOL 1211 and BIOL 1212 or consent of instructor. (May not be offered every year)

3211 HYDROGEOLOGY I (3 credits) Factors affecting the occurrence, quality, and usage of groundwater. Hydrologic cycle, aquifers and confining beds, hydraulic conductivity, groundwater movement, flow to wells, aquifer tests. Prerequisites: GEOL 1110 or GEOL 1120, and MATH 1170 or equivalent, and PHYS 1101 or PHYS 2101, or consent of instructor. (May not be offered every year)

3212 HYDROGEOLOGY II (3 credits) Recharge of aquifers, geophysical methods in hydrogeology, use of computer models in ground water studies, introduction to hydrogeologic field methods. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 3211 and MATH 1170 or equivalent. (May not be offered every year)

3400 GLACIAL AND PLEISTOCENE GEOLOGY (3 credits) Modern concepts of glaciology and glacial geology. Interpretation of the phenomena and effects on the landscape. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 1110.

3420 GEOMORPHOLOGY (3 credits) Geological processes and the origin and evolution of landforms. Principles of aerial photography and photo interpretation. Prerequisites: GEOL 1110 and GEOL 1120. (May not be offered every year)

3500 TOPICS IN PALEONTOLOGY (3 credits) Introduction to major groups of organisms that are commonly preserved as fossils. Focus of class may vary between offerings; including invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, introductory micropaleontology, palynology and pollen analysis. May be repeated as topics change. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 1120. (May not be offered every year)

3600 STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION (3 credits) Study of sedimentary rocks. Recognition of the physical and biologic factors affecting deposition. Introduction to stratigraphic principles. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 1110, GEOL 1120, and GEOL 2110. (May not be offered every year)

3650 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (3 credits) Study of deformation within Earth's crust, including faulted, folded, and fractured rock. Relationship of Earth structures to mountain belts and other plate tectonic features. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 1110 and GEOL 1120. (May not be offered every year)

3700 GEOPHYSICAL FIELD METHODS (4 credits) Introduction to geophysical processes, geophysical field methods and geological field interpretations. Interdisciplinary approach to an understanding of the physical environment. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: GEOL 1110. (May not be offered every year)

3730 ADVANCED PLANETOLOGY (4 credits) A thematic examination of the planetary system utilizing surface processes such as cratering, atmospheric, and physical properties. Celestial mechanics, meteorite and lunar sample identifications are also introduced. Prerequisite: GEOL 2730. (May not be offered every year)