Geological Sciences 1
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Geological Sciences 1 GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES Geology (Earth and Environmental Systems) - Bachelor of Science Geology (Earth Science Education) - Bachelor of Science Undergraduate Program Information Master Degree(s) A degree in geology leads to a wide variety of career choices. Geology - Master of Science Students can access careers in the geosciences through one of three concentrations in the BS Geology degree. The first concentration is Minors for the Department Geological Sciences. This is a traditional geology curriculum, in which students take geology classes, augmented with calculus, physics, Geology - Undergraduate Minor and chemistry; this concentration leads to graduate study in the Professor, Nancy J. McMillan, Department Head geosciences and careers in industry, academia, government, and policy. The second concentration is Earth and Environmental Systems. Students Professors Amato, McMillan, Ramos; Associate Professor Hampton; take geology classes, augmented with a variety of environmental, Assistant Professors Burgette,Johnson; Adjunct Professors G. Brown, K. economic, and political classes; this concentration leads to careers in Davis, J. Witcher; Emeritus Faculty Lawton, Mack the environmental industry. The third concentration is Earth Science Education. Students take geology and education classes, and are N. J. McMillan, Department Head, Ph.D. (Southern Methodist)– igneous certified to teach science at New Mexico middle and high schools after petrology, geochemistry; J. M. Amato, Ph.D. (Stanford)– structural geology, completing the BS and one year of graduate work in the College of tectonics; F. C. Ramos, Ph.D. (California- Los Angeles)– isotope geochemistry, Education. petrology; R. J. Burgette, Ph.D. (Oregon)- neotectonics; B.A. Hampton, Ph.D. (Purdue)- sedimentology, tectonics; E.R. Johnson, Ph.D. (Oregon)- igenous Students earning the BS in Geology, any concentration, may also earn petrology, volcanology; T.F. Lawton, Ph.D. (Emeritus) (Arizona)- stratigraphy, the Undergraduate Research Certificate in the Department of Geological basin analysis; G.H. Mack, Ph.D. (Emeritus) (Indiana-Bloomington)- Sciences. Completion of the Undergraduate Research Certificate includes sedimentary petrology, sedimentology. completion of an undergraduate research project, participation in the department's undergraduate research meetings and one of the following: Geology Courses GEOL 1110G. Physical Geology 1. a senior thesis; 4 Credits (3+3P) 2. a manuscript submitted for a publication; or Physical Geology is an introduction to our dynamic Earth introducing 3. an oral or poster presentation at a national or regional meeting. students to the materials that make up Earth (rocks and minerals) and the processes that create and modify the features of our planet. Undergraduate Research Certificates are presented at the department's The course will help students learn how mountains are formed, how annual awards ceremony. volcanoes erupt, where earthquakes occur, and how water, wind, and ice The Department of Geological Sciences also cooperates with the can shape landscapes. Students will also develop a basic understanding Department of Physics in offering a BS degree in physics with a of the ways humans have altered the planet including our impact on concentration in geophysics. Requirements are listed in the Department natural resources and global climate change. of Physics section of this catalog. Learning Outcomes 1. Recall, describe or explain geologic vocabulary. Graduate Program Information 2. Identify or explain aspects of the geologic time scale and compare the uses and limitations of relative and absolute dating. The Department of Geological Sciences offers graduate study leading to 3. Recognize or explain the evidence used to support the theory of plate the Master of Science degree in geology. The department offers excellent tectonics. Describe or identify how plate tectonics is related to the laboratory facilities for research in mineralogy, igneous petrology, structure and features of the Earth. geochemistry, stratigraphy, geochronology, and sedimentology. Available are a large, fully equipped rock preparation laboratory, mineral separation 4. Describe the formation of, and describe, compare, and classify laboratory, plus computer, geochemical and petrographic labs. Major minerals. equipment includes a Gemeni heavy mineral separation table, Laser- 5. Identify or describe the three main rock types, how each forms in Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), a class 1000 clean lab, Thermal the context of the rock cycle and what each indicates about its Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS) and Laser-Ablation Multi-Collector environment of formation. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS). The 6. Recognize or explain the fundamentals of surface and groundwater department maintains its own fleet of field vehicles. Also available are hydrology and discuss the impact of human activities on water computing facilities that include an HP color plotter and GIS system. quality and quantity. Financial support is available to graduate students in geology through 7. Describe or discuss the processes that are responsible for specific teaching and research assistantships and scholarships. Inquiries geologic hazards (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mass regarding financial aid should be directed to the graduate advisor. movement, flooding, etc.). Admission to the program is in accord with the general regulations of the 8. Recognize or describe the geologic processes involved in the Graduate School. formation and concentration of geologic Degrees for the Department 9. resources. Bachelor Degree(s) Geology (Geological Sciences) - Bachelor of Science 2 Geological Sciences GEOL 1150. Introduction to Rocks and Minerals GEOL 2130. Introduction to Meteorology 3 Credits (2+3P) 4 Credits (3+3P) This course is an introduction to the characteristics and the formation of Introduction to Earth's atmosphere and the dynamic world of weather as the three main types of rocks, the rock-forming minerals, and important it happens. Working with current meteorological data delivered via the ore minerals. An outline of Plate Tectonics will give students the basis Internet and coordinated with learning investigations keyed to the current to understand how many of these rocks and minerals form. In laboratory weather; and via study of select archives. exercises, students will gain practice in describing and identifying hand- Learning Outcomes specimens of the main types of rocks and minerals. 1. Recall, describe, or explain the various elements of the Earth’s Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): GEOL 1110G. atmosphere, Earth’s relation to the sun, incoming solar radiation, Learning Outcomes the ozone layer, the primary temperature controls, and the unequal 1. The student Identify the main rock-forming minerals from each heating of land and water. mineral group as demonstrated by scoring a total of 70% or more on 2. Recall, describe, or explain weather variables and parameters. the relevant laboratory exercise component. Studying minerals, the 3. Recall, describe, or explain air masses, pressure systems, the various student will: Identify the main minerals in hand specimens; Describe fronts and associated types of storms, weather symbols, monsoons, the environments in which these minerals form; Identify the rock the various forms of precipitation, along with causes and effects of types in which these minerals are found. lightning. 2. The student will understand the structure, composition, and genesis 4. Recall, describe, or explain the hydrologic cycle, the characteristics of rocks by identifying the principal igneous, sedimentary, and and influences of the oceans and continents on the weather, the metamorphic rocks, as demonstrated by scoring a total of 70% or Southern Oscillation (i.e., El Nino), and the effects of land/water more on the relevant laboratory exercise components. distribution. 3. Studying rocks, the student will: Define the principal igneous 5. Recall, describe, or explain specific impacts by humans on weather, processes and features, identify the most common igneous climate, and on the ecosystem at large. rocks and their constituting minerals in hand specimens, and 6. Evaluate and interpret information from maps, diagrams, remote discuss their origin and interpretation; Describe the principles of sensing devices, graphs, and tables. sedimentary processes and features, identify the most common sedimentary rocks in hand specimens, and discuss their origin and 7. Apply critical thinking skills such as inductive, deductive, and interpretation; Describe the principles of metamorphic processes mathematical reasoning to solve problems using the scientific and features, identify the most common metamorphic rocks and method. constituting minerals in hand specimens, and discuss their origin and 8. Recognize and discuss the effect of human activity on climate, interpretation. climate change and the greenhouse effect. 9. Synthesize information from external, current sources and personal observations and discuss their relationships to class material. GEOL 2996. Special Topics 1-3 Credits Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. Community Colleges only. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Learning Outcomes 1. Varies GEOL 305V. Fossils and the Evolution of Life 3 Credits (3) Examination of the fossil record within the context of geologic time. Special emphasis on critical evaluation of possible terrestrial and extra- terrestrial