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Course Criteria
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3.00 Credits
W. Peck This course examines the global distribution of mineral resources, the economic and engineering factors that govern their availability, and the environmental effects of their production and use. Mineral resources to be considered include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, precious metals, and energy fuels. Topics to be explored, in addition to the origin, nature, and geological settings of the world's great mineral deposits, include mineral law, mineral exploration and production, strategic mineral reserves, minerals and human health, and environmental impact of mining and use, and remediation. Prerequisite: GEOL 201.
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3.00 Credits
C. Soja This course entails a semester-long investigation of topics of special interest in paleontology, including the origin of life, Cambrian "explosion," Ordovician radiation, mass extinctions, Mesozoic Marine Revolution, or conservation paleobiology. Emphasis will be placed on critical reading and written critiques of the primary literature, seminar presentations, and data used to prepare a final paper. Prerequisites : GEOL 21 5 or two biology courses or permission of instructor.
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3.00 Credits
R. April An integrated and detailed study of the nature of clay minerals and the methods of x-ray analysis. Through lectures, laboratory work, and readings, students gain a thorough knowledge of x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence analytical techniques, and the mineralogy of clays and related minerals. Topics include x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence theory and applications; computer modeling of x-ray patterns; the structure and chemistry of clay minerals, their origin and occurrence; clays and the origin of life; and the role of clays in weathering. Laboratory work involves extensive use of the department's modern x-ray facility, and completion of an original research project. The required credit-bearing laboratory session GEOL 317L must be taken and passed concurrently with GEOL 317. Prerequisite: GEOL 201.
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3.00 Credits
Staff A five-week summer field program introduces the basic field techniques used in geologic mapping. Students prepare geologic maps and stratigraphic sections in assigned map areas and develop geological histories, focusing on igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic processes. The course consists of field work in such locations as Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. Prerequisites: GEOL 120 or three geology courses or completion of six semesters.
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3.00 Credits
K. Harpp Working in industry, government, and academia, geologists rely on modern instruments for rapid, accurate analysis of geologic materials and processes. This course examines the theory, practice, and application of analytical instruments in the geosciences. Emphasis is on equipment housed in the Department of Geology (atomic absorption spectrometer, scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer, x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, x-ray diffraction spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer) but other analytical methods are discussed. Current geologic literature illustrating applications of the techniques is also discussed. During laboratories, students learn sample preparation and practical use of instruments while conducting short research projects.
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3.00 Credits
B. Selleck Because the interdisciplinary area of Earth and environmental sciences has emerged as a critical focal point for studies of natural waters, this course is designed to examine the physical and chemical nature of water, its role in the global hydrologic cycle, and the impact of humankind on water resources. Topics covered include water resources and quality, surface- and ground-water hydrology and hydrodynamics, water-soil interactions, hydrogeochemistry, and ground-water contamination. The environmental consequences of human activity and development on water resources are considered through case studies of regional surface-water and ground-water problems. Lectures and discussion are supplemented with problem sets and exercises. Prerequisites: GEOL 210 and 302, or permission of instructor.
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3.00 Credits
A. Leventer, K. Swanger Earth's climate has fluctuated widely in the past, between droughts, warm periods, and ice ages. In fact, climate change is a certainty. The planet is currently faced with potential abrupt climate change resulting from human-induced environmental modification. Paleoclimatology, the study of past climates and environments of the Earth, provides a long-term perspective on the nature of global climate variability that is critical for evaluating the sensitivity of the Earth system to past, present, and future changes. This course provides students with an overview of paleoclimatology by examining the use of proxy records such as marine and lake sediment sequences, ice cores, tree rings, corals, and historical data to reconstruct past climatic conditions. Dating methods are introduced, and seminal publications in paleoclimatology are reviewed in tandem with current research papers addressing outstanding questions in paleoclimatology. Throughout, students critically analyze their current understanding of past climates and environments, and identify promising directions for future research. Topics include abrupt climate change, human evolution and climate, biosphere-climate interactions, and paleoclimate modeling. Prerequisites: GEOL 302 or 315, or permission of instructor.
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3.00 Credits
R. April The major geochemical processes and events that produced transformative change to the Earth's surface environment, from the origin of the planet 4.5 billion years ago to the present-day, are the focus of this course. Topics of study include the origin and evolution of Earth's atmosphere and oceans; geochemical evidence and conditions for the emergence of life; the chemical behavior of ocean water, rivers, and lakes; the global distribution and cycles of the major elements; weathering and erosion of the continents; and the nature and biogeochemistry of the Critical Zone - the fragile skin of the planet in which complex and interactive biogeochemical and physical processes operate together to sustain life. Lectures and weekly readings in the scientific literature guide class discussions. Prerequisite s: CHEM 1 01 a nd GEOL 20 1, or permission of instructor
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3.00 Credits
K. Harpp, W. Peck The age of the Earth, genesis and growth of continents, global climate change, and the formation of the solar system are all understood primarily through isotope and trace element geochemistry. This course explores how geochemical tracers are used to understand processes in the Earth and solar system that are not possible to observe directly. Methods to be investigated include geochronology, radiogenic isotopes in magmatic systems, stable isotopes as applied to understanding fluids in low- and high-temperature environments, stable isotopes and the paleoclimate record, and the radiogenic and stable isotope cosmochemistry of meteorites and lunar samples. Current research in these fields (and readings in the primary scientific literature) will be a focus of this course. Prerequisites: four geology courses, including GEOL 202 (may be concurrent) or permission of instructor.
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3.00 Credits
C. Soja Reefs are "organic fantasias," some of one of the most visually stunning and biologically diverse ecosystems on our planet. This course focuses on their biology and geology, evolutionary history, and conservation. Complex ecologic partnerships that have contributed to the evolutionary success of reefs in the past two billion years are examined to predict their survival in a modern environmental context. Students research why reefs are sensitive environmental indicators, how ancient reefs yield clues about past climate change, and the ways in which modern reefs monitor the health of world oceans. Seminar discussions are based on multidisciplinary research; on oral and poster presentations, debates, review panels, and symposia; and on interactions with invited speakers. These are enhanced by an investigation of modern and Pleistocene (fossil) reefs during an optional field trip to the tropics over spring break (or in January). Prerequisites : GEOL 215 (formerl y GEOL 315), GEOL 302 (may be concurrent), or permission of instructor.
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