Undergraduate Course Descriptions
11040 EARTH DYNAMICS (3)
Application of basic concepts and theories of Earth science to the interpretation of Earth materials and dynamic processes (erosion, sedimentation, volcanism, continental drift). Prerequisite: None. Kent Core-Basic Sciences, TAG Science, Transfer Module-Natural Sciences
11041 EARTH DYNAMICS LABORATORY (1)
Laboratory study of minerals, rocks, aerial photos, topographic maps and geologic maps. Pre- or corequisite: GEOL 11040. 1.000 Credit hours, 3.000 Lab hours, Kent Core-Basic Sciences, Kent Core-Basic Sciences Lab, TAG Science
11042 EARTH HISTORY (3)
Application of basic concepts and theories of Earth science to the interpretation of the origin and evolution of the solar system, the Earth, the structures of the crust and life. Prerequisite: None. Kent Core-Basic Sciences, TAG Science
11043 EARTH HISTORY LABORATORY (1)
Laboratory study of fossils, sedimentary rocks and geologic maps in the framework of interpreting Earth history. Pre- or corequisite: GEOL 11042. 1.000 Credit hours, 3.000 Lab hours, Laboratory, Kent Core-Basic Sciences, TAG Science, Transfer Module-Natural Sciences
21062 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY (3)
Application of geology to environmental problems, including natural resource extraction, water supply, pollution, waste disposal, landslides, floods and land use planning. Prerequisite: None. Kent Core-Basic Sciences
21080 OCEANOGRAPHY (3)
Introduction to geological, physical, chemical and biological nature of the oceans. Prerequisite: None. Kent Core-Basic Sciences
23063 EARTH MATERIALS I (4)
Occurrence, associations, characteristics, crystallography and crystal chemistry of common minerals. Laboratory identification emphasizing physical properties. Prerequisite: GEOL 11040 and GEOL 11041; and pre- or corequisite CHEM 10060. Combined Lecture/Lab
31070 EARTH MATERIALS II (4)
Occurrence and origin of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory identification, description and classification of hand specimens. Required field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 23063. Laboratory, Lecture
31080 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY (4)
Mechanical principles of rock deformation. Structures in sedimentary igneous and metamorphic rocks. Required field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 11040. Combined Lecture/Lab
32066 GEOMORPHOLOGY (4)
Earth's surface features as functions of geological structures, processes and time. Landform analysis using topographic maps and some stereographic aerial photos. Trigonometry recommended. Prerequisite: GEOL 11040 and GEOL 11041. Combined Lecture/Lab
34061 INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY (4)
Concepts applied to study of commonly preserved invertebrate organisms; identification of common North American fossils. Required field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 11042 and GEOL 11043; and either BSCI 10110 or BSCI 30560. Combined Lecture/Lab, Writing Intensive Course
40095 SELECTED TOPICS IN GEOLOGY (3)
Selected topics presented by visiting professors or one-time offerings presented by regular faculty. Prerequisite: 20 hours of geology courses.
40096 INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN GEOLOGY (1 to 3)
Directed field, laboratory and/or library research. Written report required. Open on special approval of faculty member directing work. Only 3 hours will be applied toward baccalaureate degree. Does not count toward geology major. Prerequisite: Special approval.
41025 GENERAL GEOPHYSICS (3)
Physics of Earth, seismology, geomagnetism, heat flow, radioactivity, geochronology, geotectonic models. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070 and GEOL 31080 and MATH 12002; and PHY 13001 or PHY 23101.
41073 GEOLOGY OF OHIO (3)
Minerals, rocks, fossils, structural geology, physiography, environmental geology and geologic resources. Does not satisfy requirements of geology major. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
41077 GEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS (3)
Introduction to the geology of selected major national parks, emphasizing basic geological principles and the processes which have produced the spectacular scenery, rocks and fossils in each park. Not counted toward requirements for a major in geology. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
41079 ALL ABOUT DINOSAURS (3)
Dinosaurs (and some relatives) and their world, emphasizing how to interpret evidence concerning their history, biology and evolutionary relationships. Does not satisfy requirements of geology major. Prerequisite: None.
41080 TECTONICS AND OROGENY (3)
Introduces advanced concepts of plate tectonics and mountain building with emphasis on Western United States and Appalachians. Prerequisite: GEOL 31080.
41092 SUMMER FIELD CAMP (6)
Five weeks devoted to geologic mapping and solving structural and stratigraphic problems in Black Hills, S.D. Special fee on actual cost basis. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070 and GEOL 31080.
42030 REMOTE SENSING (3)
Computer analysis of multispectral satellite datasets. Applications in Terrestrial Earth Science are emphasized. Prerequisite: none.
42035 SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN GEOLOGY (3)
Applying scientific methods to geologic data in the field and lab; models and sampling procedures. Collecting and analyzing data. Formulating and testing hypotheses. Provides background necessary for upper-level geology courses for majors. Prerequisite: none. Combined Lecture/Lab
42067 INTRODUCTORY HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
Occurrence of ground water in geologic materials; emphasizing utilization conservation and management of ground water resources. Prerequisite: MATH 12002; and GEOL 31070 and GEOL 32066.
42068 CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY (3)
An introduction to the basic principles of chemical and physical behavior of contaminants introduced by humans into the environment. Students are expected to understand concepts and work practical quantitative problems. Prerequisite: GEOL 42067 and CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061 and CHEM 10062 and CHEM 10063.
42069 HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Processes and evolution of the chemical composition of water in the natural hydrologic cycle. Methods of hydro chemical interpretation applied to ground water and pollution problems. Prerequisite: 10 hours of chemistry.
42074 ENVIRONMENTAL CORE AND WELL LOGGING (3)
Examination of subsurface processes and the distribution of stratigraphic layers using core and well logging techniques based on analysis of physical properties of sediment, rock and pore fluids. Applications to paleoclimate, hydrogeology, engineering geology, oil and gas exploration and environmental remediation. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070.
42078 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY (4)
Engineering properties of soils and rocks. Site evaluation for building foundations, dams, tunnels, and highways. Slope stability. Prerequisite: Geology majors with junior standing. Combined Lecture/Lab
43040 PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Introduction to chemical thermodynamics and its applications in solving geochemical problems. Distributions of elements and isotopes in the earth and laws governing these distributions. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070; and MATH 12002; and CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061.
43042 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY (3)
Explores chemical processes that influence the natural environment, including anthropogenic impacts. Topics include atmospheric chemistry and air pollution, energy and climate change, toxic organic compounds, water chemistry and water pollution, metals, soils, sediments and waste disposal. Environmental problem solving using steady state and non-steady state box models, thermodynamics and energy transfer, and chemical reactions and equilibria is emphasized. Required half-day field trip. Prerequisites: CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061.
43044 ENVIRONMENTAL ISOTOPES (3)
Deals with the fundamentals of isotope geochemistry and the application of primarily light stable isotopes (H, O, C, N) to earth system processes (involving the hydrosphere, biosphere, and upper geosphere). Prerequisites: CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061.
43066 OPTICAL PETROGRAPHY (3)
Theory of optical crystallography and the microscopic examination and identification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in thin section. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070.
44070 SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY (4)
Students are introduced to the principles regarding the systematics of sedimentary rocks and the relationships between geologic formations at various spatial and temporal scales. Lectures are integrated with readings from the open literature and required labs and field trips. Prerequisite: GEOL 31070 and GEOL 34061. Combined Lecture/Lab
44074 PALEOCEANOGRAPHY (3)
A broad spectrum of geological approaches, including paleontology, geochemistry and stratigraphy is employed to interpret the history of earth's oceans. Prerequisite: Senior standing in geology.