Undergraduate Course Description

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Undergraduate Studies

Geologists must have a broadly based education. The first two years

focus on the fundamentals of several disciplines in preparation for

more intensive advanced geology courses in the junior and senior years.

Below are the courses currently being offered.

Please note that these course descriptions were entered verbatim from

the most recent ECU Course Catalog.

Please consult the course catalog under which you registered,

for the course descriptions as they apply to you.

GEOL 1500 - Dynamic Earth (3) (F,S,SS)

Introductory survey of geologic materials (minerals and rocks), topographic features on the continents and in the ocean basins, geologic structures (faults, folds, etc.), and various processes (plate tectonics igneous activity, weathering, erosion, sedimentation, glaciation, mountain-building, etc.) that produce geologic features.

GEOL 1501 - Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1) (F,S,SS)
One three-hour laboratory per week.
Corequisite: GEOL 1500.

Study, classification, and identification of common minerals and rocks of the earth's crust; study of various topographic features as revealed on topographic maps and aerial photographs; and study of geologic structures as seen on geologic maps, structural cross sections, and aerial photographs.

GEOL 1550 - Oceanography (4) (F,S)

Introductory survey of geological, biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of marine environment, their interrelationships, and interaction between people and the ocean.

GEOL 1600 - Earth and Life Through Time (4) (F,S)

Survey of physical, chemical, and biological geologic events that have occurred on earth during its long history. Chronologic arrangement of these events in world-wide geologic time scale and consideration of their causes. Major theme is organic evolution.

GEOL 1700 - Environmental Geology (4) (F,S)

Interactions among basic geologic processes, geomorphic features, earth resources, and people whose activities are expanding and increasingly demanding geological agent.

GEOL 1800, 1801 - Geology of the National Parks (4,0)
Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1500.

Geologic evolution and scenic features in our national park system. Topics include volcanoes, caverns, sea coasts, glaciation, arid regions, and fault block mountains. Relationship of scenery to geologic processes and materials.

GEOL 3050, 3051 - Mineralogy and Petrology (4,0) (F)
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1150, 1151; GEOL 1500, 1501, or consent of instructor

Systematic approach to hand-specimen study and classification of minerals and igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks.

GEOL 3150, 3151 - Mineralogy and Petrology II (4,0) (S)
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3050, 3051;
Recommended Prerequisites/Corequisites: CHEM 1150, 1151.

Crystallographic and chemical properties of minerals and study of chemical and physical processes governing the classification, origin, and occurrence of minerals and rocks.

GEOL 3200, 3201 - Introduction to Field Methods (2,0) (S)
One lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1600.

Introduction to the standard scientific methods of solving geologic field problems. Techniques include description, sampling, and measurement of geologic processes and sections; and principles of field mapping utilizing the Brunton compass, aerial photographs, and the plane table and alidade.

GEOL 3300, 3301 - Structural Geology (4,0) (F)
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3200, 3201

Study of structures resulting from tectonic formation of earth's crust and intrusion of molten magma.

GEOL 4000 - Summer Field Course in Geology (6) (SS)
Students will be full-time each week for the entire six-week session.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3150, 3151; GEOL 3300, 3301.

The field camp web site contains information and photographs about the course and life in the field.

Stratigraphy, structure, geomorphology, and economic deposits of southwestern and central New Mexico and southern Colorado through basic mapping on topographic and photo bases. Mapping exercises involve wide variety of geologic features ranging from complexly faulted Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks to isoclinally folded Precambrian rocks in areas of excellent exposures.

GEOL 4010, 4011 - Sedimentology (4,0) (F)
Three lectures and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1600; GEOL 3050, 3051.

Analysis of processes and products of sedimentation. Flow mechanics and sedimentary structures, depositional systems, sedimentation and tectonics, the effects of sea level on depositional systems, methods of description and classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, and preparation of sedimentologic field reports.

GEOL 4020, 4021 - Stratigraphy (3,0) (S)
Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1600.

Description, classification, and interpretation of stratified sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on principles and methodology.

GEOL 4200, 4201 - Paleontology (4,0) (S)
Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1600.

Fossilized remains of principal animals that lived during earth history. Emphasis on paleontologic principles, especially as applied to invertebrate fossils. Topics include population dynamics, taxonomic principles, functional morphology, paleoecology, evolution, and biostratigraphy.

GEOL 4550, 4551 - Honors Thesis (3,3) (F,S)
Nine research hours per week.
P: Junior standing with minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; completion of minimum of 20 s.h. in GEOL; a minimum grade of C and minimum 3.0 GPA in GEOL courses.

Extensive program of carefully supervised reading and research in area of geology. Written report in scientific format.

GEOL 5000, 5001 - Geomorphology (3,0)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1500, 1501; an additional 4 s.h. in introductory GEOL sequences; or consent of instructor.

Advanced study of landforms, stages of their development, and processes which have formed them.

GEOL 5150. The Geologic Component of Environmental Science (3)
Prerequisites: Introductory GEOL course or consent of instructor.

Basic geologic knowledge and insights that support sound, rational, and science-based environmental decisions and policies in regard to land and water use. Topics include pollution abatement, clean up, and prevention; resource extraction, use, and conservation; and hazardous geologic processes.

GEOL 5300 - Geology of Coastal Processes and Environments (3)
Two lectures and three laboratory hours per week.
Lectures will be supplemented by field trips to various coastal systems.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1550, GEOL 4010, 4011; or consent of instructor.

Modern coastal systems. Diversity and distribution, complexity and dynamics of interacting processes and responses, origin and evolutionary history, and role of man as major modifying force.

GEOL 5350 - Marine Geology (3)
Prerequisites: GEOL 1550; GEOL 4010, 4011; or consent of instructor.

Geology of world's ocean basins. Impact of geophysical, geochemical, and geobiological principles on concepts of origin and evolution of ocean basins; source, transportation, and deposition of marine sediments and formation of marine stratigraphic record; and role of oceanographic processes affecting earth history such as sea level fluctuation, plate tectonics, paleogeography, and paleoclimatology.

GEOL 5400, 5401 - Optical Mineralogy (3,0)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3050,3051.

Theory and basic techniques for determining optical constants of crystals using a polarizing microscope and thin sections.

GEOL 5450 - Introduction to Aqueous Geochemistry (3)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1150, 1151, 1160, 1161; or equivalent.

An introduction to the application of chemical principles to studying the distribution of elements at the Earth's surface especially with regards to their transportation in aqueous solutions. Topics include the fundamental principles governing chemical equilibria between earth materials and aqueous solutions, and their application to the study of weathering, groundwater and surface-water chemistry, and distribution of stable isotopes.

GEOL 5500, 5510, 5520 - Directed Studies in Geology (2,2,2)
Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing in geology or consent of instructor.

Designed to allow a student to pursue independent study in a given subject. Studies may include field work, directed readings, or some combination thereof. Occasionally a special field study or course will be offered using one of these three course numbers.

GEOL 5600, 5601 - Economic Geology (3,0)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3050,3051.

Genesis, mode of occurrence, and utilization of mineral resources. Metals, nonmetals, and basic energy resources such as petroleum, coal, and uranium. Emphasis on geology of these resources and their relationship to modern technological society.

GEOL 5700, 5701 - Geohydrology of Drainage Basins (3,0)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1500, 1501; or consent of instructor.

Drainage basin geology and hydrology. Emphasis on quantitative analysis, evaporation, streamflow, and hydrologic parameters of surface water and ground water basins.

GEOL 5710, 5711 - Groundwater Hydrology (3,0)
Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1500, 1501; or consent of instructor.

Origin, occurrence, movement, quality, regional analysis, and management of ground water. Interrelationship of ground and surface water. Lab emphasis on aquifer test data collection and interpretation.

GEOL 6000+ - Level Courses: See Graduate Course Descriptions.