Geology B.A.
Courses
COURSE OFFERINGS IN GEOLOGY (GEOL)
The quarters listed for course offerings are tentative.
Lower Division
101. Introductory Geology (FWS)
An introduction to the study of the earth, particularly the structure, composition, distribution and modification of earth materials, and processes that shape the surface of the earth. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: satisfactory score on the Entry Level Mathematics examination. (GE=B3) (GEOL 101=CAN GEOL 2) (5 units)
102. Introductory Geology Laboratory (FWS)
Designed for students who have taken an introductory geology lecture elsewhere. Hands-on introduction to the structure, composition, distribution and modification of earth materials, and processes that shape the surface of the earth. Three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: satisfactory score on the Entry Level Mathematics examination, and the transferable equivalent to the Introductory Geology lecture, and permission of department. (1 unit)
205. Volcanic Hazards, Surveillance and Prediction
An introduction to the study of volcanic eruptions; assessment of their hazards; methods used in their surveillance and in the prediction of eruptions. Effects of volcanic eruptions on humans, buildings, economic activities, and world climate. Two hours lecture. (GE=B4) (2 units)
210. Earthquakes: Science and Public Policy (FWS)
An introduction to the scientific study of earthquakes, the assessment of seismic hazards, earthquake engineering, and the physical and sociological effects of earthquakes. Various public policies aimed at mitigating earthquake hazards and attempts at earthquake prediction will also be examined. (GE=B4) (2 units)
250. Historical Geology (S)
Study of the origin and evolution of the earth and its life forms as interpreted from the rock and fossil record. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Overnight field trips may be required. (GEOL 250=CAN GEOL 4) (5 units)
295. Special Projects in Geology (FWS)
Individual investigation, research, study or survey of selected problems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-2 units)
Upper Division
301. Introduction to Geologic Mapping (F)
Field identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock units, sample collection, making rock descriptions, use of Brunton compass, pace and compass technique, topographic map reading, location determination, measuring geological features (e.g., strike and dip of bedding, lineation and foliation in metamorphic rocks), plotting geologic features on a topographic map, geologic symbol and notation conventions, topographic profile construction, geologic cross section construction and interpretation, geologic field note taking, and preparing geologic reports. Overnight field trips may be required. Two hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: GEOL 101 or GEOG 103. (4 units)
304. Geology in the Classroom
Basic concepts of geology as related to the elementary and middle school classroom. Hands-on analysis of geological materials and processes. Identification and classification of minerals, rocks, and fossils. Study of volcanoes and earthquakes. One hour lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: one college-level course in chemistry or physics. (2 units)
305. Demonstration Laboratory in Geology
A demonstration laboratory exploring the basic principles of geology through individual student demonstrations. Three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 304. (1 unit)
306. Oceans and Atmospheres for the Science Teacher
Basic concepts of oceanography and meteorology as these relate to the classroom including seawater chemistry, oceanic and atmospheric circulation, air masses and fronts, El Niño, monsoons, waves, tides, shores and shoreline processes and evolution of the sea floor. Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory/field studies. Materials fee required. Field trips may be required. Prerequisite: one laboratory course in physics or chemistry. (3 units)
307. Service Learning in the Earth Sciences (FWS)
Supervised activities in geology or geological education providing service to campus or community constituents. Minimum of 30 hours required per unit of credit. May be repeated for credit. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-2 units)
309. Earth: The Blue Planet (FWS)
Tailored for students intending to teach grades K-8. Planet Earth studied as a whole, comprising many separate but interacting systems. Earth's place and role in the solar system; what the planet is made of and how it is changing; surface processes that shape its exterior; influences on its habitable envelope. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: a college-level chemistry course and a college-level physics course, or consent of instructor. (5 units)
310. Regional Field Geology
Investigation of geologic features and their interpretation based on field observations of selected region or locality. Overnight field trips may be required. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: GEOL 101 or consent of instructor. (2 units)
312. Geology of California (W)
Interpretation of the geological features and evolution of California. Four hours lecture. Overnight field trips may be required. Formerly GEOL 440. Prerequisite: GEOL 101. (4 units)
320. Mineralogy and Crystallography (F)
Introduction to crystal symmetry, crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineral classification, mineral genesis, physical and chemical properties of minerals, and laboratory identification of important ore and rock-forming minerals. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Field trips may be required. Prerequisite: GEOL 101. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 205 or 215. (5 units)
321. Optical Mineralogy (W)
Theory and application of petrographic microscopy for the analysis and identification of minerals. One hour lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Formerly GEOL 315. Prerequisite: CHEM 205 or 215. Recommended: GEOL 320. (3 units)
322. Introduction to Geochemistry (S)
Distribution, migration, and reactions of chemical elements within the earth through space and time. Recommended as an elective for students of chemistry, environmental studies, and life sciences. Four hours lecture. Formerly GEOL 300. Prerequisite: CHEM 205 or 215. Recommended: GEOL 320. (4 units)
325. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (S)
Description and genesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks, their mineralogic and chemical composition, internal structure, and mode of occurrence. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Overnight field trips may be required. Prerequisite: GEOL 320 and 321. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 216. (5 units)
330. Sedimentary Petrology (W)
Study of sedimentary processes, depositional environments, and diagenesis, based on the interpretation and classification of sedimentary rocks. Overnight field trips may be required. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: GEOL 101 or equivalent. (5 units)
340. Stratigraphy (S)
Principles of analysis, description, and interpretation of stratiform rock, including stratigraphic nomenclature, correlation, facies relationships, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Overnight field trips may be required. Prerequisite: GEOL 330. (5 units)
350. Paleontology
Concepts of paleobiology exemplified by systematic study of important fossil groups. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Overnight field trips may be required. Prerequisite: an introductory geology or biology course. (5 units)
360. Structural Geology (W)
Mechanics and characteristics of rock deformation and analytical techniques for the solution of structural relationships. Four hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Materials fee required. Overnight field trips may be required. Prerequisites: GEOL 101 and PHYS 121 or 221. (5 units)
370. Tectonics (S)
Interpretation of the geological evidence for plate tectonics; the mechanisms that control it; the structures it produces; its control on igneous, metamorphic, sedimentologic, and biological processes; and plate interactions. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: GEOL 325, 330 and 360. (4 units)
375. Groundwater Hydrology (F)
Occurrence, distribution, and movement of groundwater; properties of aquifers; principles of groundwater flow; effects of well extraction; regional groundwater flow; water quality and contamination. Four hours lecture. Prerequisites: GEOG 470, GEOL 101 and MATH 212. Recommended: MATH 251. (4 units)
376. Field Methods in Hydrology (W)
Measurement methods and analysis associated with the evaluation of water movement in the field. Sampling methods and use of data loggers and other sampling equipment are emphasized. Two hours lecture and six hours laboratory Materials fee required. Field trips are required. Prerequisite: GEOL 375. (4 units)
390. Field Camp
Geological field work at selected areas in the western United States. Techniques of geologic mapping and structural, petrologic, stratigraphic, and paleontologic interpretation will be used to interpret the geological history and significance of those areas through reports, maps, cross-sections, and diagrams. Materials fee required. Prerequisites: GEOL 301, 340, 360 and consent of instructor. (8 units)
391. Advanced Geologic Mapping (WS)
Techniques of geologic mapping as applied to selected disciplines within the broad field of geosciences. May be repeated for credit with departmental consent. A total of eight units may be applied towards the degree. Prerequisites: GEOL 301 and consent of instructor. (2-6 units)
395. Directed Studies (FWS)
Individual laboratory, field or library study conducted under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit, a total of six units in GEOL 395 may be applied toward graduation. Prerequisites: consent of the department and approval of a written proposal of a project submitted on a standard application filed in advance of the quarter in which the course is to be taken. (1-4 units)
399. Undergraduate Geological Research (FWS)
Individual scholarly research project conducted under the direction of a faculty member. Project will include a written description of research question, research design, methods used, data collected, and interpretation of results will be presented. Oral presentation as well is encouraged. May be repeated for credit with department consent. A total of six units may be applied towards graduation. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and department chair prior to beginning of quarter in which work will be done. (2-4 units)
430. Engineering Geology
A survey of issues and techniques pertinent to geology as it applies to engineering of structures. Soil and rock mechanics; mass wasting processes; water-related issues; land subsidence; seismic hazards. Field trips are required. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory, some of which will be conducted in the field. Materials fee required. Prerequisite: GEOL 360. (5 units)
460. Topics in Applied Geology
A selected topic of applied geology such as engineering geology, groundwater, environmental geology, resource management, well-log analysis, and geological hazards. Four hours lecture. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: GEOL 360 or consent of instructor. (4 units)
510. Scientific Issues in Surface and Groundwater Management
Overview of groundwater concepts and issues, including groundwater origins and behavior; response to wells; water chemistry; water quality and contamination; development and management. Emphasis is given to applications and case studies. This course does not satisfy requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees in geology. Four hours lecture. (4 units)
520. Readings in Classical Geology (FWS)
Directed readings of important geologic literature that have shaped our understanding of the earth and its history. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: GEOL 250. (2 units)
530. Scanning Electron Microscopy
Theory and techniques of scanning electron microscopy. Lectures on theory of operation of the scanning electron microscope and specimen preparation. Laboratory includes hands-on training in the use of the scanning electron microscope. Laboratory projects will teach technical aspects of specimen preparation and microscope use. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory Materials fee required. (Also offered as BIOL 530. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of instructor. (5 units)
531. Transmission Electron Microscopy
Theory and techniques of transmission electron microscopy. Lectures on theory of operation of the transmission electron microscope and specimen preparation. Laboratory includes hands-on training in the use of the transmission electron microscope. Laboratory projects will teach technical aspects of specimen preparation and use. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. (Also offered as BIOL 531. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of instructor. (5 units)
532. Techniques in Ultrastructure Analysis
Specialized techniques in ultrastructural analysis using either the scanning or transmission electron microscope. Topics will vary, but will include specialized techniques in specimen preparation, alternative image detectors, and image analysis. Theory of the analysis and training in the technical aspects will be covered. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory. Materials fee required. (Also offered as BIOL 532. Students may not receive credit for both.) Prerequisites: BIOL 530 or 531 or GEOL 530 or 531 and consent of instructor. (5 units)
540. Advanced Topics in Geology
An advanced geologic topic, such as geophysics, carbonate petrology, seismic stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, advanced igneous and metamorphic petrology, volcanic processes, geochemistry, paleoecology, Quaternary geology, geostatistics, micropaleontology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, marine geology, and rock mechanics. Overnight field trips may be required. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisites: consent of instructor. (4 units)
545. Laboratory for Advanced Topics in Geology
Laboratory work to accompany some topics offered in GEOL 540. Three hours laboratory per unit enrolled. Materials fee required. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Overnight field trips may be required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (1-2 units)
575. Internship in Geology (FWS)
Work experience off and on campus in geologically related work. Supervised by a member of Geological Sciences faculty. May be repeated for credit with department consent. A total of four units may be applied towards graduation. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (2-4 units)
590. Senior Seminar (S)
Assessment of student learning through a standardized test and through written and oral presentation of a research project, which may have been initiated as part of another course. This course should be taken in the spring quarter immediately prior to graduation. Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 395, 399 or 595. (2 units)
595. Independent Study (FWS)
Laboratory, field or library research conducted under the direction of a faculty member. A total of six units in GEOL 595 may be applied towards the major in geology. Prerequisites: a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, consent of the College of Natural Sciences, and approval of a written proposal of a project submitted on a standard application filed in advance of the quarter in which the course is to be taken. (1-6 units)
Please refer to the University catalog at http://catalog.csusb.edu for official information.