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GEOLOGY (GEOL) 1000-level Courses
1101.
Earth Science I Laboratory. 1(0-2)
A
laboratory experience that focuses on laboratory techniques, data
collection and analysis. The experience reinforces and promotes greater
understanding of concepts of physical geology, oceanography and
meteorology presented in GEOL 1301.
Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1301. Laboratory fee, $5.
1102.
Earth Science II Laboratory.
1(0-2)
A
laboratory experience that focuses on laboratory techniques, data
collection and analysis. The experience reinforces and promotes greater
understanding of astronomy, earth-surface processes, geomorphology and
historical geology as presented in GEOL 1302.
Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1302. Laboratory fee, $5.
1103.
Physical Geology Laboratory.
1(0-2)
A
laboratory experience that focuses on laboratory techniques, data
collection and analysis. The experience reinforces and promotes greater
understanding of earth materials and the physical processes at work on and
in the earth.
Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1303. Laboratory fee, $5.
1104.
Historical Geology Laboratory. 1(0-2)
A
laboratory experience that focuses on laboratory techniques, data
collection and analysis. The experience reinforces and promotes greater
understanding of events and processes that have shaped the earth and
influenced the development of life through time.
Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1304. Laboratory fee, $5.
1301.
Earth Science I. 3(3-0)
Introduction to principles and methods of earth science. Nature of the
earth and its setting in space as revealed by a survey of physical
geology, meteorology and oceanography. Designed for students not majoring
in science or engineering.
Occasional field trips may be arranged.
1302.
Earth Science II. 3(3-0)
Survey of astronomy, the effects of physical processes operating on the
earths surface (geomorphology) and of earth history as interpreted from
fossils and rocks (historical geology). The significance to society of the
earth sciences including environmental problems and natural resource
exploration and utilization. Designed for students not majoring in science
or engineering.
Occasional field trips may be arranged.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1301.
1303.
Physical Geology. 3(3-0)
General composition and form of the earths surface and the volcanic,
erosional, depositional and deformational processes which operate on it.
The properties of the interior of the earth inferred from earthquakes and
other external evidence.
Occasional field trips may be arranged.
1304.
Historical Geology. 3(3-0)
The
important change through which the earth has passed since its origin as a
planet; especially, the history of the orderly evolution of life and
physical features evidenced in the rocks of the earth.
Occasional field trips may be arranged.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1303. Laboratory fee, $5.
GEOLOGY (GEOL) 2000-level Courses
2376.
Nature of the Earth and Universe.
3(3-2)
Survey of
the basic concepts of geosciences. This course begins with an introduction
to astronomy and the Earths position in our solar system. The course
includes the interrelationships between the solid portion, hydrosphere,
atmosphere and biosphere of the Earth.
Prerequisite: BIOL 2375. Laboratory fee, $5.
GEOLOGY (GEOL) 3000-level Courses
3305. Environmental
Geology. 3(3-0)
The relationship between humans and their
geologic environment. Reviews and builds on principles of physical geology
to understand the geology of the present, as distinct from that of the
distant past. Relevant examples from South Texas environmental geologic
research are included.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1303 or permission of instructor.
3407.
Field Geology. 4(3-3)
Geologic
mapping on topographic maps and aerial photographs. Interpretation of
field relationships. Basic topographic surveying methods and measurements
using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Two weekend field trips
required, including geologic mapping in the field and written reports.
Other problems simulated in the laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1304/1104. Laboratory fee, $5.
3409.
Mineralogy. 4(3-3)
Morphological crystallography and symmetry concepts. Methods of
identification of minerals by their physical and chemical properties.
Origin of economic minerals and ore deposits. Geological significance of
common rock-forming minerals. One weekend field trip required.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103 and 3 hours of chemistry.
Laboratory fee, $5.
3411.
Petrology. 4(3-3)
Classification and origin of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Laboratory emphasis on identification and interpretation of hand
specimens. One weekend field trip required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3409. Laboratory fee, $5.
3431.
Stratigraphy and Sedimentology.
4(3-3)
Study of
composition, environment, sequence and correlation of stratified
rocks. Occasional field trips will be arranged.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103 and GEOL 1304/GEOL
1104. Laboratory fee, $5.
3445.
Oceanography. 4(3-3)
Methods
and principles of oceanography. The physical and chemical properties of
the seas, life in the sea and a comprehensive treatment of marine
geology. Saturday field trips will be arranged.
Prerequisites: GEOG 1301/GEOL 1101 or GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103 or GEOL
1301/GEOL 1101. Laboratory fee, $5.
3481.
Structural Geology. 4(3-3)
The
inherent and imposed structures in rocks and their modes of
formation. Mechanical principles of rock deformation, petrofabrics,
regional structural interpretation, theories of mountain building and
geotectonics.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103 and GEOL 1304/GEOL
1104. Laboratory fee, $5.
GEOLOGY (GEOL) 4000-level Courses
4107.
Applied Geology Laboratory. 1(0-3)
Laboratory course to accompany GEOL 4307. Field and laboratory
applications of geological concepts in solving geological engineering
problems. Study of engineering principles and properties of earth
materials. Exploration of engineering design and methods of site
investigations.
Prerequisite: registration or credit in GEOL 4307. Laboratory fee,
$20.
4307. Applied
Geology. 3(3-0)
Applications of geological concepts in solving geological engineering
problems. Study of engineering principles and properties of earth
materials. Exploration of engineering design and methods of site
investigations.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303, MATH 1316, CHEM 1311/CHEM 1111.
4325.
Aqueous Geochemistry. 3(3-1)
Introduces the processes controlling the chemical composition of surface
and groundwater.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103, CHEM 1111, CHEM 1112, CHEM 1311
and CHEM 1312.
4395.
Special Problems. V:1-3
Supervised individual research of a geological problem that meets the
needs in interest of the student.
May be repeated for a maximum of 3 semester hours credit.
Prerequisite: 18 semester hours of geology prior to
registration. Laboratory fee, $5.
4405.
Senior Research Project. 4(3-3)
Collaborative research project involving the student and a geology faculty
member, focused on s topic that requires mastery of geologic knowledge
appropriate to the students plans for a professional career or advanced
study in the field.
Prerequisite: senior standing in geology. Activity fee, $10.
4417.
Summer Field Course I. 4(3-V)
A summer
term program covering geologic field methods and techniques. Includes the
use and maintenance of field equipment, measurement, description and
interpretation of stratigraphic sections, identification and
interpretation of field relations of sedimentary rocks and preparation of
geological field reports. Classwork six days per week.
Simultaneous enrollment in GEOL 4418 is mandatory.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3411, GEOL 3431, GEOL 3407, and GEOL
3481. Laboratory fee, $6. Special Field Course Fee required.
4418.
Summer Field Course II. 4(3-V)
A summer
term program covering geologic field methods and techniques. Includes the
identification and interpretation of field relations of igneous and
metamorphic rocks; geologic mapping on topographic, aerial-photo and
plane-table base; and preparation of geological field reports. Classwork
six days per week.
Simultaneous enrollment in GEOL 4417 is mandatory.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3411, GEOL 3431, GEOL 3407, and GEOL
3481. Laboratory fee, $6. Special Field Course Fee required.
4420.
Special Topics in Geoscience.
4(3-3)
One or
more important concepts, developments or discoveries in geology.
May be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of geography and/or
geology. Laboratory fee, $5.
4425.
Hydrogeology. 4(3-2)
Principles of fluid, mass and energy transport in geologic formations are
emphasized to handle human affair problems such as water supply,
contamination and energy resources.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1303/GEOL 1103 and GEOL 1304/GEOL 1104.
GEOLOGY
(GEOL) Graduate Courses
5301.
Research Problems in Geology.
V:1-3
Individual problems assigned,
defined and supervised by a graduate faculty Geology staff member with
permission of the departmental chair. Provides experience in individual
design, execution and reporting of research of professional caliber.
May be repeated, but no more than 4 semester hours may be used for a
graduate degree in geology.
5305.
Graduate Research Project.
3
A Graduate Research Project must
be completed and submitted to the Graduate Office for a grade to be
assigned, otherwise IP notations are recorded. This course is specifically
designed for Plan II and Plan III students.
Prerequisite: departmental approval.
5306.
Thesis.
3
This course is for Plan I
Students. The course requires 6 hours of grades, the first 3 hours
consisting of completion of a thesis proposal and the last 3 hours
consisting of completion of the thesis. Completion of the thesis proposal
is a prerequisite for enrollment in the last 3 hours of thesis.
5310.
Advanced Topics in Geology.
V:1-3
Intensive study at a graduate
level of selected advanced topics.
May be repeated for credit under different topics.
5311.
Geochemistry.
3(2-3)
Study of the occurrence,
distribution and behavior of major and minor elements in the earth's
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3409, GEOL 3411, CHEM 1412. Laboratory fee, $5.
5312.
Geographic Information Systems.
3(3-0)
Principles and practice of
geographic information systems (GIS) using vector-based GIS as the primary
software package. Students will demonstrate the use of GIS through
individual class projects oriented toward their area of interest.
5315.
Aqueous Geochemistry.
3(3-1)
Principles and practice of the
geochemical evaluation of groundwater in uncontaminated and contaminated
settings. Emphasis will be placed on the use of computerized chemical
models for geochemical calculations in aqueous systems.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1111, CHEM 1112, CHEM 1311, CHEM 1312, CHEM
3331, CHEM 3451 and GEOL 1303/1103.
5319.
Geology of Groundwater.
3(3-0)
Principles and practice of
physical and chemical hydrogeology in uncontaminated and contaminated
settings. This includes the influence of geologic conditions on
groundwater quality, production, contamination and resource evaluation.
Emphasis will be placed on a geology/hydrology course involving the
presentation of theory, the collection of field data, the use of
industry-validated computerized models for the analysis of the field data
and the presentation of reports.
Prerequisite: graduate standing, GEOL 1303/1103 and GEOL 1304/1104.
5321.
Depositional Systems.
3(3-0)
Concepts and processes
controlling the geometry, texture and distribution of clastic sediments.
Emphasizing description, classification and environmental analysis of
ancient and modern terrigenous clastics.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3431.
5329.
Urban and Environmental Geology.
3(3-0)
Principles and practice of
characterizing environmental sites using typical environmental geologic
and engineering data. Emphasis will be placed on site characterization and
geostatistical analysis of subsurface data.
Prerequisite: graduate standing, GEOL 1303/1103 and GEOL 1304/1104.
5341.
Sedimentary Petrography.
3(2-3)
Study, primarily in thin
section, of sedimentary rocks. Interpretation of provenance, depositional
environment and digenetic history, from examination of textural,
structural and mineralogical features.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3409 and 3411. Laboratory fee, $5.
5349.
Regional Tectonics.
3(3-0)
Age, location and evolution of
major crustal features of the earth with emphasis on North American
tectonic provinces. Theory of plate tectonics and its effect on selected
areas of geologic thinking.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3481.
5351.
Interpretation of Geophysical Data.
3(3-0)
Interpretation of geophysical
exploration data with emphasis on environmental and hydrogeological
applications. Advantages and limitations of geophysical information used
in geological investigations.
Prerequisites: PHYS 1302/1102, MATH 2314, GEOL 3481 or PHYS 4370.
5352.
Remote Sensing.
3(3-0)
Principles and practice of
remote sensing involving analysis and interpretation of aerial photos and
digital images. Students will demonstrate the use of remote-sensed through
individual class projects oriented toward their area of interest.
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