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Inactive: Geology and Geophysics (GEO) Courses

Academic Unit: Geology & Geophysics

GEO 1001 - Earth and Its Environments [ENV PHYS]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1001 until 06-SEP-22, ESCI 1101 (starting 02-SEP-08, was GEO 1101 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1105 (starting 06-SEP-11, ending 16-JAN-07, was GEO 1105 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1005 (starting 20-JAN-15, ending 17-JAN-06, starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1005 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1001 (starting 23-MAY-05, was GEO 1001 until 06-SEP-11)
Physical processes that shape the Earth: volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, glaciers, rivers. Current environmental issues/global change. Lecture/lab. Optional field experience.
GEO 1002 - Earth History
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1002 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 1102 (inactive, was GEO 1102 until 06-SEP-11), GEO 5002 (inactive), ESCI 1002 (inactive, was GEO 1002 until 06-SEP-11)
Evolution of life on Earth. Interrelationships of plate tectonism, climate change and organic evolution that led to the present ecosystem. Impacts of hominid evolution on Earth systems and of geological processes on human society.
GEO 1003 - Dinosaur Evolution, Ecology, and Extinction: Introduction to the Mesozoic World
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1003 until 16-JAN-18, GEO 5003 (inactive), ESCI 1003 (ending 02-SEP-08, was GEO 1003 until 06-SEP-11)
Dinosaurs and the Mesozoic Earth are used to introduce evolution, plate tectonics, climate change, and Earth systems. Overview of the history of dinosaur interpretations illustrates the principles and social aspects of scientific investigation.
GEO 1005 - Geology and Cinema [ENV PHYS]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1005 until 21-JAN-20, ESCI 1105 (ending 06-SEP-11, starting 16-JAN-07, was GEO 1105 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1005 (ending 20-JAN-15, starting 17-JAN-06, was GEO 1005 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1001 (ending 23-MAY-05, starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1001 until 06-SEP-11)
Physical processes shaping the Earth, materials it comprises, its nearly five billion year history as told spectacularly, but often wrongly, by Hollywood movies.
GEO 1006 - Oceanography [ENV PHYS]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1006 until 20-JAN-15, ESCI 1006, ESCI 1106, GEO 5006 (inactive)
How various processes in the ocean interact. Marine biology, waves, tides, chemical oceanography, marine geology, and human interaction with the sea. Labs include study of live marine invertebrates, manipulation of oceanographic data, and discussion using videos showing unique aspects of ocean research.
GEO 1007 - Geobiology: Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth [BIOL]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1007 until 20-JAN-15
Scientific evidence from biology, paleontology, and geology for origin/evolution of life over 4.5 billion years of Earth's history. Biochemical basis of life, biogeochemical cycles, natural selection, origin of species, genetics, phylogeny reconstruction, timescales for evolution.
GEO 1011 - Volcanoes of the Earth
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1011 until 05-SEP-17
Nonmathematical introduction to volcanoes, their origin and distribution on Earth and through time; theory of plate tectonics, origin of magmas and the Earth's interior; products of volcanoes, types of eruptions and hazards, and impact on climate, vegetation, and society.
GEO 1012 - Natural Hazards and Disasters [TS]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1012 until 08-SEP-20
Geological processes that give rise to natural hazards and the emerging technologies that allow societies to mitigate their effects.
GEO 1081 - Conspiracies, Fraud, and Deception in Earth History
(1 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1081 until 08-SEP-20
Famous cases of geological deception from three centuries are presented in the intellectual context of their time and demonstrate the prevailing power of scientific reasoning.
GEO 1101 - Introduction to Geology [ENV]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1101 until 06-SEP-22, ESCI 1101 (starting 02-SEP-08, was GEO 1101 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1105 (starting 06-SEP-11, ending 16-JAN-07, was GEO 1105 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1005 (starting 20-JAN-15, ending 17-JAN-06, starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1005 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1001 (starting 23-MAY-05, was GEO 1001 until 06-SEP-11)
Physical processes that shape the Earth: volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, glaciers, rivers. Current environmental issues and global change. Lecture.
GEO 1102 - Introduction to Earth History
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1102 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 1102 (inactive, was GEO 1102 until 06-SEP-11), GEO 5002 (inactive), ESCI 1002 (inactive, was GEO 1002 until 06-SEP-11)
Evolution of life on Earth. Interrelationships of plate tectonism, climate change, and organic evolution that led to the present ecosystem. Impacts of hominid evolution on Earth systems and of geological processes on human society.
GEO 1105 - Geology and Cinema [ENV]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1105 until 18-MAY-20, ESCI 1105 (ending 06-SEP-11, starting 16-JAN-07, was GEO 1105 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1005 (ending 20-JAN-15, starting 17-JAN-06, was GEO 1005 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1001 (ending 23-MAY-05, starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1001 until 06-SEP-11)
Physical processes shaping the Earth, materials it comprises, its nearly five billion year history as told spectacularly, but often wrongly, by Hollywood movies.
GEO 1106 - Oceanography [ENV]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1106 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 1006, ESCI 1106, GEO 5006 (inactive)
How various processes in the ocean interact. Marine biology, waves, tides, chemical oceanography, marine geology, human interaction with sea.
GEO 1901 - Freshman Seminar: Environment [ENV] (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 3]; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1901 until 21-MAY-18
Topics vary. See Class Schedule.
GEO 1905 - Freshman Seminar (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 3]; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1905 until 21-MAY-18
Topics vary. See Class Schedule.
GEO 1906W - Freshman Seminar: Writing Intensive and Environmental Theme [WI] (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 3]; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 1906W until 05-SEP-17
Topics vary: see freshman seminar topics.
GEO 2201 - Solid Earth Dynamics
(4 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 2201 until 20-JAN-15
Dynamics of solid Earth, particularly tectonic system. Seismology, internal structure of Earth. Earth's gravity, magnetic fields. Paleomagnetism, global plate tectonics, tectonic systems. Field trip.
GEO 2202 - Earth History
(4 cr; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 2202 until 16-JAN-24
Big Bang cosmology, plate tectonics, evolution. Formation of Earth. Chemical evolution of Earth, atmosphere, and ocean. Origin/tectonic evolution of continents. Origin of life, its patterns/processes. Long-term interactions between geosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
GEO 2203 - Earth Surface Dynamics
(4 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 2203 until 08-SEP-20
Earth's surface processes, drivers, and implications. Interactions between atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
GEO 2301 - Mineralogy
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 2301 until 20-JAN-15
Crystallography, crystal chemistry, physics. Physical/chemical properties, crystal structures, chemical equilibria of major mineral groups. Lab includes crystallographic, polarizing microscope, X-ray powder diffraction exercises, hand-specimen mineral identification.
GEO 2302 - Petrology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 2302 until 08-SEP-20
Magmatic and metamorphic processes, with an emphasis on plate tectonic interpretation of rock sequences.
GEO 3001 - Earth Materials
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3001 until 05-SEP-17
Common rocks/minerals and their geologic settings. Properties of these materials as basis for identification/use in industry/society.
GEO 3002 - Climate Change and Human History [ENV]
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Spring Even Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3002 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 5102, ESCI 3002 (starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 3002 until 06-SEP-11)
Causes of long-/short-term climate change. Frequency/magnitude of past climate changes; their geologic records. Relationship of past climate changes to development of agrarian societies and to shifts in power among kingdoms/city-states. Emphasizes last 10,000 years.
GEO 3003 - Geohazards
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3003 until 06-SEP-11
Geologic hazards associated with earthquakes/volcanoes. How society confronts dangers posed by these phenomena. Geological/geophysical nature/causes of earthquakes/volcanoes. Prediction/risk assessment. Public policy issues.
GEO 3004 - Water and Society
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3004 until 06-SEP-16
Processes that influence formation, circulation, composition, and use of water. Human influence on water quality through agricultural, industrial, and other land-use practices. International case studies examine human interaction with surface environment, influence of local land-use practices.
GEO 3005 - Earth Resources
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3005 until 20-JAN-15
Geologic aspects of energy/material resources. Resource size/life-times. Environmental consequences of resource use. Issues of international/public ethics associated with resource production, distribution, and use.
GEO 3006 - Planets of the Solar System
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3006 until 21-JAN-20
Recent accomplishments of space missions. Diverse/common characteristics of planetary formation. Surface processes/interior dynamics. Meteoritic impacts. Comets. Other solar systems/possibility of life.
GEO 3093 - Problems in Geology and Geophysics: Junior
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3093 until 21-JAN-20
Geological or geophysical problems studied independently under the direction of a faculty member.
GEO 3096 - Geology of Iceland
(4 cr; A-F or Audit)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3096 until 06-SEP-11
Geologic processes that form Iceland. Tectonics, volcanology, geomorphology, glaciology. Interplay between physical environment of Iceland and its social structure and culture. Lectures, field trips.
GEO 3101 - Sur Geo
(5 cr; Student Option)
GEO 3202 - Geodynamics II: The Fluid Earth
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3202 until 20-JAN-15
Dynamics of fluid Earth, mainly surface processes and convection.
GEO 3303W - Geochemical Principles [WI]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3303W until 07-SEP-21, was GEO 2303W until 07-SEP-10, was GEO 2303 until 05-SEP-00
Origin of elements (nucleosynthesis, elemental abundances). Geochemical classifications. Isotopes (radioactive, stable). Phase equilibria. Models of Earth's geochemical evolution. Basic geochemical processes that produced Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere.
GEO 3401 - Geochronology and Earth History
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3401 until 06-SEP-11
Modern high precision techniques for quantifying geologic time. Litho-, bio-, and chrono-stratigraphic correlation techniques for reconstructing geologic history.
GEO 3402 - Science and Politics of Global Warming [ENV]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3402 until 19-JAN-21, ESCI 3402, ESCI 5402
Detection/attribution of global warming using concepts of radiation, climate system, and carbon cycle. Effects on society/biodiversity. National/global efforts/controversy over responses/consequences.
GEO 3425 - Atmospheric Composition and Chemistry
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3425 until 22-JAN-19, ESPM 3425 (ending 06-SEP-16, starting 20-JAN-15, ending 07-SEP-10), ESCI 3425 (inactive, was GEO 3425 until 06-SEP-11)
Processes governing the chemical makeup of Earth's atmosphere and implications for air pollution, climate, and human welfare. Evolution of the atmosphere; atmospheric transport; biogeochemical cycles of C, N, O, mercury; greenhouse effect; aerosols; ozone hole; oxidizing power of the atmosphere; smog.
GEO 3870 - Modeling Workshop (Topics course)
(1 cr; Student Option; may be repeated for 2 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3870 until 05-SEP-17
Modeling of geologic or geophysical systems.
GEO 3880 - Laboratory Workshop (Topics course)
(1 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 2 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3880 until 18-JAN-22
Geologic or geophysical lab study.
GEO 3890 - Field Workshop (Topics course)
(1 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 2 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3890 until 13-MAY-24
Geologic or geophysical field study.
GEO 3891 - Field Methods
(1 cr; A-F only; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3891 until 21-JAN-14
Methods in geologic field mapping.
GEO 3911 - Introductory Field Geology
(4 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 3911 until 18-JAN-22
Geologic mapping on topographic maps and aerial photos. Field identification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Measurement of stratigraphic sections. Structural/geomorphic features.
GEO 4010 - Undergraduate Seminar: Current Topics in Geology and Geophysics (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 12 credits; may be repeated 12 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4010 until 17-JAN-23
Topics in geology and geophysics investigated in a seminar format.
GEO 4093 - Problems in Geology and Geophysics: Senior
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 6 credits; may be repeated 6 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4093 until 21-JAN-20
Nonstructured research course enabling seniors to engage in independent research under faculty supervision.
GEO 4094 - Senior Thesis
(2 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 4 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4094 until 20-JAN-15
Nonstructured research course enabling senior-level majors to engage in independent research under faculty supervision. Select problems according to individual interests and in consultation with faculty committee. Thesis and oral defense.
GEO 4096 - Geologic Field Studies in Iceland
(4 cr; A-F or Audit)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4096 until 06-SEP-11
Lectures, field research in various parts of Iceland. Focuses on individual projects in southwest Iceland. Write-up, oral presentation of field studies.
GEO 4102W - Vertebrate Paleontology: Evolutionary History and Fossil Records of Vertebrates [WI]
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Spring Even Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4102W until 20-JAN-15
Vertebrate evolution (exclusive of mammals) in phylogenetic, temporal, functional, and paleoecological contexts. Vertebrate anatomy. Methods in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships and origin/history of major vertebrate groups, from Cambrian Explosion to modern diversity of vertebrate animals.
GEO 4103W - Fossil Record of Mammals [WI]
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Spring Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4103W until 06-SEP-11
Evolutionary history of mammals and their extinct relatives. Methods in reconstructing phylogeny. Place of mammals in evolutionary history of vertebrate animals. Major morphological/ecological transitions. Origins of modern groups of mammals. Continuing controversies in studying fossil mammals.
GEO 4203 - Principles of Geophysical Exploration
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4203 until 04-SEP-18
Seismic exploration (reflection and refraction); potential techniques (gravity and magnetics) and electrical techniques of geophysical exploration.
GEO 4204 - Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4204 until 20-JAN-15
Present geomagnetic field at the Earth's surface, secular variation, geomagnetic field reversals. Physical and chemical basis of paleomagnetism: origin of natural remanent magnetization, mineralogy of magnetic minerals, magnetic polarity stratigraphy, apparent polar wander, and environmental magnetism.
GEO 4211 - Solid Earth Geophysics I
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4211 until 18-JAN-22
Basic elasticity, basic seismology, and physical structure of the Earth's crust and deep interior.
GEO 4212 - Solid Earth Geophysics II
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4212 until 19-JAN-21
Dynamics of the solid Earth, mostly mantle and core; seismic tomography, geothermal measurements, gravity, time-dependent deformation of the Earth, computer modeling.
GEO 4221 - Application of Magnetism in the Natural Sciences and Engineering
(2 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was PHYS 4221 until 07-SEP-04, was PHYS 4221 until 07-SEP-99
Fundamentals of magnetism including elementary statistical mechanics, rock magnetism, and micromagnetic modeling. Important applications of magnetism in geophysics, biomagnetism, magnetic sensors, and recording will be introduced.
GEO 4301 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall; may be repeated for 4 credits)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4301 until 04-SEP-12
Theoretical development of basic thermodynamic tools, chemographic analysis for interpreting chemical processes in igneous/metamorphic rocks. Problem sets.
GEO 4401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4401 until 17-JAN-17, was GEO 5301 until 20-JAN-04
General principles of solution chemistry applied to geology. Solution-mineral equilibria. Redox processes in natural waters. Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids. Environmental geochemistry.
GEO 4402 - Biogeochemical Cycles in the Ocean
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Spring Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4402 until 08-SEP-20
Introduction to marine biogeochemistry and chemical oceanography. Processes controlling chemical composition of oceans past/present. Cycles of major/minor constituents, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon, and oxygen and their isotopes. Role of these cycles in climate system.
GEO 4403 - Atmosphere, Oceans, and the Climate System
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4403 until 02-SEP-14
Dynamics/biogeochemistry. Modern processes that determine transport of water, energy, and trace materials within/between atmosphere and oceans. Climate models, their sensitivity to natural/anthropogenic forcings.
GEO 4501 - Structural Geology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4501 until 06-SEP-22
Fundamental concepts related to deformation of Earth's crust. Processes associated with deformation, faulting, folding, fabric development. Lab/recitation include solving problems, conducting physical/numerical experiments. Field trips.
GEO 4502 - Tectonic Styles
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4502 until 20-JAN-15
Origin and nature of major types of tectonic disturbances affecting the crust and lithosphere, including analysis of the form and development of individual structural components and relationship to plate tectonics. Changes over geologic time in the nature of orogenic processes.
GEO 4503 - Neotectonics
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4503 until 22-JAN-19
Integration of diverse elements of geology, geodesy, and geophysics to examine recent and active tectonics of the Earth's lithosphere; extensional, compressional and wrench tectonic regimes with case studies around the world; modern global plate motions, geodetic techniques, seismic anisotropy, climatically driven tectonics.
GEO 4601 - Limnology
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Equivalent courses: was EEB 5601 until 20-JAN-15, was EEB 4601 until 16-JAN-07
Description and analysis of lakes and other aquatic environments beginning with lake origins and progressing through lake physics, chemistry, and biology. Interrelationships among these topics and effects of human activities.
GEO 4602 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4602 until 18-JAN-22
Interpretation of origin of sedimentary rocks through application of basic physical/chemical principles. Modern depositional environments, petrographic microscopy, basin dynamics, stratigraphy.
GEO 4605 - Limnology Laboratory
(1 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was EEB 5605 until 07-SEP-21, was EEB 4605 until 16-JAN-07, was EEB 4605 until 04-SEP-01
Field and lab methods used to obtain information on environmental conditions in aquatic environments and measure the abundance of aquatic organisms, especially plankton. Field/lab instruments, sampling devices, microscopy, water chemistry, data analysis.
GEO 4631W - Earth Systems: Geosphere/Biosphere Interactions [WI]
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4631W until 04-SEP-12, was EEB 4631 until 05-SEP-00, was GEO 4631 until 07-SEP-99
Interdisciplinary study of global-change forcing mechanisms, feedbacks, dynamics on various time scales, using paleorecord to illustrate processes.
GEO 4701 - Geomorphology
(3 cr [max 4]; Student Option; may be repeated for 4 credits)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4701 until 03-SEP-19
Origin, development, and continuing evolution of landforms in various environments. Environmental implications. Weathering, slope and shore processes, fluvial erosion and deposition, arid region processes, glacial processes.
GEO 4702 - General Hydrogeology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4702 until 17-JAN-17
Theory of groundwater geology, hydrologic cycle, watershed hydrology, Darcy's law, governing equations of groundwater motion, flow net analysis, analog models, groundwater resource evaluation/development. Applied analysis of steady and transient equations of groundwater motion and chemical transport. Chemistry of natural waters.
GEO 4703 - Glacial Geology
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4703 until 16-JAN-24
Formation and characteristics of modern glaciers; erosional and depositional features of Pleistocene glaciers; history of quaternary environmental changes in glaciated and nonglaciated areas. Field trips and labs.
GEO 4801 - Geomicrobiology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4801 until 17-JAN-23
Geosphere/biosphere interactions over temporal/spatial scales. Global biogeochemical cycling, microbe-metal interactions, microbial paleobiology, environmental geomicrobiology, life detection, habitability of planets.
GEO 4911 - Advanced Field Geology
(4 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4911 until 20-JAN-15
Geologic mapping; study of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; structures and surficial features; problem solving. Paper required.
GEO 4971W - Field Hydrogeology [WI]
(4 cr; Student Option; offered Every Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 4971W until 20-JAN-15, was GEO 4971 until 21-MAY-07
Aquifer, vadoze zone, and surface water hydrology field techniques. Shallow soil boring, sampling. Well installation. Single/multiple well aquifer testing. Ground water sampling for chemical analysis. Weather data collection, hydrogeologic mapping, water balance calculation.
GEO 5001 - Earth Systems Science for Teachers
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Fall & Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5001 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 1101 (ending 02-SEP-08, was GEO 1101 until 06-SEP-11), GEO 2111H (inactive, was GEO 2111 until 05-SEP-00), ESCI 5001 (inactive, was GEO 5001 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1005 (ending 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1005 until 06-SEP-11), ESCI 1001 (ending 07-SEP-04, was GEO 1001 until 06-SEP-11), GEO 1009 (inactive, starting 07-SEP-99)
Solid Earth, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, their interconnections in natural cycles of material/energy. Consequences of natural cycles for land-water-atmosphere-life environments/Earth's habitability. Human impact on natural cycles. Evidence for global environmental changes. Required project.
GEO 5102 - Climate Change and Human History
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Spring Even Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5102 until 20-JAN-15, ESCI 5102, ESCI 3002 (starting 07-SEP-04, was GEO 3002 until 06-SEP-11)
Causes of long-/short-term climate change. Frequency/magnitude of past climate changes, their geologic records. Relationship of past climate changes to development of agrarian societies and to shifts in power among kingdoms/city-states. Emphasizes last 10,000 years.
GEO 5108 - Principles of Environmental Geology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5108 until 06-SEP-11
Human impact on geological environment and effect of geology/geologic processes on human life from an ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles perspective. Geologic limits to resources and carrying capacity of Earth. Land use planning, environmental impact assessment, ecogeologic world models. Field project and trip.
GEO 5201 - Time-Series Analysis of Geological Phenomena
(3 cr; A-F or Audit)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5201 until 20-JAN-15
Time-series analysis of linear and nonlinear geological and geophysical phenomena. Examples drawn from ice age cycles, earthquakes, climatic fluctuations, volcanic eruptions, atmospheric phenomena, thermal convection and other time-dependent natural phenomena. Modern concepts of nonlinear dynamics and complexity theory applied to geological phenomena.
GEO 5203 - Mineral and Rock Physics
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5203 until 20-JAN-15
Physical properties of minerals and rocks as related to the composition and dynamics of the Earth's crust, mantle, and core.
GEO 5204 - Geostatistics and Inverse Theory
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5204 until 20-JAN-15
Statistical treatment of geological and geophysical data. Statistical estimation. Stochastic processes/fields. Non-linear/non-assumptive error analysis. Cluster analysis. Eigenvalue-eigenvector methods. Regional variables. Correlograms and kriging. Theoretical framework of linear geostatistics and geophysical inverse theory.
GEO 5205 - Fluid Mechanics in Earth and Environmental Sciences
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5205 until 22-JAN-19
Flow equations in conservation of mass, energy, and momentum. Fluid flow in oceans, lakes, rivers, and atmosphere. Flow of Earth?s mantle or outer core. Wave propagation. Porous medium flow in soils/fractures. Diffusive, advective, and dispersive transfer of heat and certain tracers, chemicals, contaminants, and microbes with subsurface fluids.
GEO 5302 - Isotope Geology
(3 cr; A-F or Audit)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5302 until 20-JAN-15
Theory and uses of radioactive, radiogenic, and stable isotopes in geology. Radioactive dating, geothermometry, and tracer techniques in geologic processes.
GEO 5351 - Geochemical Modeling of Aqueous Systems
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Spring Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5351 until 18-JAN-22
Using mass transfer reaction path models to assess chemical evolution of natural fluids, hydrothermal alteration processes, and formation of hydrothermal ore deposits.
GEO 5353 - Electron Microprobe Theory and Practice
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5353 until 20-JAN-15, MATS 5353 (inactive), ESCI 5353 (starting 02-SEP-08, was GEO 5353 until 06-SEP-11)
Characterizing solid materials with electron beam instrumentation, including reduction of X-ray data to chemical compositions.
GEO 5402 - Science and Politics of Global Warming
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5402 until 08-SEP-20, ESCI 3402, ESCI 5402
Detection/attribution of global warming using radiation, climate system, and carbon cycle. Effects on society/biodiversity. National/global efforts. Controversy over responses/consequences.
GEO 5502 - Advanced Structural Geology
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5502 until 21-JAN-20
Analysis of structures and fabric of deformed rocks. Determination of states of stress and strain in rocks and of evolution of these with time. Deformation mechanisms. Extensive reading in journal literature. Field trips.
GEO 5503 - Advanced Petrology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Fall Odd Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5503 until 20-JAN-15
Quantitative approach to modern igneous/metamorphic petrology. Emphasizes thermodynamics of minerals/melts and with applications to phase diagrams, thermobarometry, melting relationships, and energetics of petrologic mass transfer.
GEO 5601 - Advanced Sedimentology
(4 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5601 until 02-SEP-14
Modern techniques of sedimentary basin analysis focusing on interactions among the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Sedimentary facies of modern and ancient systems, petrology of clastic and carbonate deposits, tectonic and paleoclimatic interpretations, paleocurrent analysis, diagenetic effects on subsurface fluid flow, and volcanic sedimentation.
GEO 5602 - Depositional Mechanics
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5602 until 04-SEP-12
Elementary mechanics of sediment transport applied to quantitative interpretation of sedimentary rocks.
GEO 5701 - General Hydrogeology
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5701 until 06-SEP-11
Theory of groundwater geology, hydrologic cycle, watershed hydrology, Darcy's law, governing equations of groundwater motion, flow net analysis, analog models, and groundwater resource evaluation and development. Applied analysis of steady and transient equations of groundwater motion and chemical transport. Chemistry of natural waters.
GEO 5702 - Regional Aquifer Systems of North America
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Periodic Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5702 until 04-SEP-12
Geologic controls on flow patterns within aquifer systems. Case histories and specific examples from glaciated terrains and Paleozoic basins in Minnesota. Analysis of basin-scale regional aquifer systems of North America. Survey of famous aquifer systems of the world.
GEO 5705 - Limnogeology and Paleoenvironment
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5705 until 20-JAN-15
Within-lake, hydrogeologic, and landscape (geological/biological) processes that lead to formation of various proxy records of paleoenvironment. Systems approach to physical, geochemical, biogeochemical, and biotic proxies. Basic principles, case studies. Emphasizes how proxy records relate to paleoclimate.
GEO 5713 - Tracers and Karst Hydrogeology
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5713 until 05-SEP-17
Karst hydrogeology and application of tracers to determine source, age, and mixing parameters of water in various natural reservoirs. Physical and chemical principles and processes operating in karst hydrogeology; use of natural and synthetic chemical and isotopic labels or tracers to follow movement and mixing of water through hydrologic cycle.
GEO 5802 - Scientific Visualization
(3 cr; Student Option; offered Every Spring)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5802 until 06-SEP-11
Visualization hardware and software, three-dimensional graphics, representation of scientific data, modeling, user interface techniques, output, commonly used algorithms, animation, case studies and examples.
GEO 5971 - Field Hydrogeology
(2 cr; Student Option; offered Every Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5971 until 20-JAN-15, ESCI 5971
Aquifer, vadoze zone, and surface water hydrology field techniques. Shallow soil boring and sampling. Well installation. Single/multiple well aquifer testing. Ground water sampling for chemical analysis. Weather data collection, hydrogeologic mapping, water balance calculation.
GEO 5980 - Seminar: Current Topics in Geology and Geophysics (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; S-N or Audit; offered Periodic Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 8 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 5980 until 13-MAY-24
Topics in geology and geophysics investigated in a seminar format.
GEO 8243 - Principles of Rock Magnetism
(1 cr [max 3]; Student Option; may be repeated for 3 credits)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8243 until 20-JAN-15
Remanent magnetizations, their classification and origins. Fundamentals of fine particle magnetism; magnetic minerals; separation of multicomponent magnetizations; effects of chemical change on magnetization; magnetic proxies of climatic and environmental change; biomagnetism.
GEO 8333 - FTE: Master's
(1 cr; No Grade Associated; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; 6 academic progress units; 6 financial aid progress units)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8333 until 20-JAN-15
GEO 8353 - Phase Equilibrium in Mineral Systems
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8353 until 20-JAN-15
Principles of homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria and their application to problems in petrology. Emphasis on derivations from first principles and formulation of algebraic and graphical methods essential to multicomponent systems.
GEO 8354 - Igneous Petrology
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8354 until 20-JAN-15
Igneous rocks and processes, emphasizing geochemistry of melts and minerals. Content varies with instructor and student interest.
GEO 8355 - Metamorphic Petrology
(3 cr; Student Option)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8355 until 20-JAN-15
Metamorphic processes; relation of theory and observation to current problems. Relation of fundamental concepts and techniques to progressive development of mineral assemblages. Term paper required.
GEO 8444 - FTE: Doctoral
(1 cr; No Grade Associated; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; 6 academic progress units; 6 financial aid progress units)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8444 until 20-JAN-15
GEO 8511 - Mechanics of Sediment Transport
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Spring Even Year)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8511 until 06-SEP-11, ESCI 8511, CEGE 8511 (starting 02-SEP-08, was CE 8511 until 08-SEP-15)
Particle motion in fluids. Criteria for incipient motion. Formulations for bedload and suspended load. Bedform mechanics, hydraulic resistance relations. Channel stability, aggradation/degradation, alluvial stream morphology.
GEO 8601 - Introduction to Stream Restoration
(3 cr; A-F or Audit; offered Every Fall)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8601 until 20-JAN-15, ESCI 8601, CEGE 8601 (starting 08-SEP-15, was CE 8601 until 08-SEP-15), EEB 8601
Background material essential for participating in a stream restoration project. How to assimilate geologic, hydrologic, and ecological data at the watershed and reach scales to plan a restoration project and evaluate/critique existing stream restoration projects.
GEO 8602 - Stream Restoration Practice
(2 cr; S-N only; offered Every Summer)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8602 until 20-JAN-15, CEGE 8602, ESCI 8602, EEB 8602
Field experience, group design project. Students provide a stream restoration context for each other?s elective coursework, complete critical assessments of stream restoration projects, and design a stream restoration site.
GEO 8666 - Doctoral Pre-Thesis Credits
(1 cr [max 6]; No Grade Associated; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 12 credits; may be repeated 2 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8666 until 20-JAN-15
GEO 8712 - Transport Phenomena and Analytical Geohydrology
(3 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall; may be repeated for 4 credits)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8712 until 20-JAN-15
Microscopic flow parameters, momentum, mass and energy transport through porous media. Geologic factors in aquifer performance, equations for groundwater flow, and analysis of pump tests.
GEO 8718 - Numerical Methods in Hydrogeology
(4 cr; A-F or Audit)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8718 until 20-JAN-15
Introduction to finite difference and finite element methods in hydrogeology. Students develop one- and two-dimensional models of diffusion and advection-dispersion equations.
GEO 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1 cr [max 18]; No Grade Associated; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 50 credits; may be repeated 10 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8777 until 20-JAN-15
GEO 8888 - Thesis Credit: Doctoral
(1 cr [max 24]; No Grade Associated; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 100 credits; may be repeated 10 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8888 until 20-JAN-15
GEO 8970 - Seminar: Current Topics in Geology and Geophysics (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; A-F or Audit; may be repeated for 30 credits; may be repeated 30 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8970 until 16-MAY-22
Seminar course.
GEO 8980 - Seminar: Current Topics in Geology and Geophysics (Topics course)
(1 cr [max 4]; S-N or Audit; offered Every Fall & Spring; may be repeated for 30 credits; may be repeated 30 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8980 until 16-JAN-24
Selected seminar topics.
GEO 8994 - Research in Geology and Geophysics
(1 cr [max 4]; Student Option; offered Every Fall, Spring & Summer; may be repeated for 30 credits; may be repeated 30 times)
Equivalent courses: was ESCI 8994 until 20-JAN-15
Independent research under faculty supervision.

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