Geol 107Nx EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE (3-3) 4
This course explores the solid earth, the oceans and the atmosphere as an integrated set of systems that act together to control climate, topography and other physical aspects of the natural environment. The lab work includes field trips and the study of rocks, minerals, plate tectonics, ocean systems and weather. There is one semester-long independent project in which students apply the scientific method to understand a local environmental issue. Fall and winter semesters.

Geol 113Tx PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (3-3) 4
The study of geologic processes and materials within the Earth's interior and on the Earth's surface. Laboratory work on minerals, rocks and maps. Field Trips. Fall, winter and summer semesters.

Geol 114 HISTORICAL GEOLOGY (3-3) 4
The geologic history and development of life on Earth. Laboratory work on rocks, fossils and maps. Field trips. Winter semester. Prerequisite: Geol 107 or 113.

Geol 150N GEOLOGY OF THE SOUTHWEST (3-0) 3
A survey of the historical, economic and structural geology and geomorphology of the Southern Rockies, Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range provinces. Emphasis is on classic geologic areas, national parks, natural resource development and problems associated with human activity in this delicate environment. Fall and winter semesters.

Geol 170N EARTH SHOCK (3-0) 3
This course focuses on some of the phenomena that give rise to the unpredictable, violent and calamitous events that cause enormous destruction of life and property and shape our view of natural disasters. Major concepts and topics are explored to give a basic understanding of the causes and effects of these catastrophic phenomena. The impacts of these events on humankind will be addressed, as well as case histories of natural disasters. This course is intended for students of any major and has no prerequisites.  Fall and winter semesters.

Geol 180N INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY (3-0) 3
All of Earth's residents, even those of us in landlocked Colorado, are profoundly influenced by the word's oceans. Using a multidisciplinary science approach, this course looks at the physical aspects of oceans, their aquatic life and environmental pressures on the oceans affecting us all. Fall semester.

Geol 202 GEOLOGIC METHODS (1-3) 2
An introduction to basic field and computer techniques used in geology. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Geol 107 or 113.

Geol 207 MINERALOGY (2-3) 3
The elements of crystallography and the classification and identification of minerals. Fall . Prerequisites: Geol 107 or 113, and completion of, or concurrent enrollment, in Chem 150.

Geol 208 OPTICAL MINERALOGY (2-6) 4
Procedures for identification of minerals in thin section, with emphasis on the optical determination of rock-forming minerals. Winter semester. Prerequisite: Geol 207.

Geol 210 PETROLOGY (2-3) 3
The megascopic study of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks with emphasis on the physical and chemical conditions governing the origins, occurrences and associations of various rock types. Winter semester. Prerequisite: Geol 207.

Geol 305 VOLCANISM OF HAWAII (2-0) 2
Perhaps nowhere on earth can students experience the primal force of earth processes than on the island of Hawaii. This course travels to Hawaii to witness first-hand the formation of new land.

Geol 323 GEOMORPHOLOGY (3-3) 4
The classification, description, nature, origin and development of present landforms and their relationships to underlying structures. Field trips. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Geol 202.

Geol 325 INTRODUCTION TO REMOTE SENSING (3-3) 4
Remote sensing is the study of the earth's land, water, atmospheric and human-made features using imaging devices on both airborne and spaceborne platforms. The course includes the study of electromagnetic energy and the application of remote sensing in geology, urban geography, meteorology, archaeology, agriculture, hydrology, etc. Lab work involves image interpretation using aerial photographs and computer-based digital image processing.  Winter semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: Geol 107 or 113, Math 110, or consent of instructor.

Geol 332 PLATE TECTONICS (3-0) 3
An introduction to crustal plates, their boundaries and their interactions given in terms of classic geological settings throughout the world. Prerequisites: Geol 107 or 113, Math 121.

Geol 333 INTRODUCTORY PALEONTOLOGY (3-3) 4
The systematic study of fossils, primarily invertebrate fossils, used in the identification and correlation of geologic formations. Winter semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisite: Geol 114 or consent of instructor.

Geol 337 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (3-3) 4
The geometric, kinematic and dynamic analysis of structural features in the Earth’s crust. Techniques in field mapping will be emphasized throughout the course. Winter semester. Prerequisites: Math 121, Geol 107 or 113, and 202.

Geol 361 STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION (2-3) 3
Sediments and sedimentary rocks - their characteristics and classification; sedimentary processes, tectonics and sedimentation. Stratigraphy - its history, stratigraphic nomenclature, facies relationships and correlation. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Geol 207 and 210.

Geol 363 SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY (3-2) 4
The origin, occurrence and classification of sedimentary rocks. Prerequisites: Geol 208, 210, and 361.

Geol 364 IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY (3-3) 4
The origin, occurrence, classification and petrography of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Prerequisites: Geol 208 and 210.

Geol 380W TECHNICAL WRITING IN GEOLOGY (3-0) 3
Technical writing in the geological sciences will focus on the preparation of geological reports, analysis of data, resumes, proposals and bibliographic documentations. Winter semester. Prerequisites: Comp 150 or 250 or 126, LIB 150 and junior standing.

Geol 401 NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3-0) 3
A critical study of the need for development of fossil fuel and industrial mineral deposits and the need to preserve regions in their natural state.

Geol 405 GEOLOGIC DATA ANALYSIS AND MODELING BY COMPUTER (2-6) 4
Use of the computer to help transform geologic data into information. Covers computer fundamentals, univariate and multivariate statistics, contouring/mapping algorithms, trend surface analysis, variograms and kriging. Winter semester of even-numbered years. Prerequisites: Geol 202 and junior or senior standing.

Geol 420 INTRODUCTION TO GEOCHEMISTRY (3-0) 3
Behavior of the common rock-forming oxides in endogenic and exogenic processes; isotope geochemistry; geochemical exploration. Winter semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: Geol 207 and 210, or consent of instructor.

Geol 430 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (3-0) 3
Application of geological sciences to the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works. Winter semester of odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: Geol 210 and Math 121.

Geol 435 GROUNDWATER GEOLOGY (3-0) 3
The qualitative and quantitative aspects of the occurrence of water in the ground. Winter semester of even-numbered years. Prerequisite: Geol 361.

Geol 441 FIELD GEOLOGY 6
The fundamental procedures and practices in geologic mapping. Summer semester. Prerequisites: Geol 114B, 202, 210 and 337, or consent of instructor.

Geol 442 FIELD STUDIES 5
Intensive field work on various geological problems emphasizing interpretation of petrologic and structural relationships. Summer semester. Prerequisite: Senior standing in geology or consent of instructor.

Geol 496 SENIOR SEMINAR I - Research (1-0) 1
Preparatory to Geol 497, students initiate and conduct independent, original research as part of a senior thesis project. Students work with faculty advisors and produce written and oral progress reports. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Geol 380, senior standing or consent of instructor.

Geol 497 SENIOR SEMINAR II - Thesis (2-0) 2
Emphasis on the preparation, writing and public presentation of the senior thesis project. A component of original research is central to the project and must be completed prior to the course. Winter semester. Prerequisite: Geol 496.

Geol 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-3
Individual research under the supervision of a faculty member. Offered on demand. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
 

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