GEOLOGY (GY)

GY 100 Concepts in Environmental Geology 4 cr
A study of the facets of geology that influence the quality of human environment, with case studies showing the past results of the lack of consideration of geological factors in planning, and the necessity for such considerations in future planning. This course is designed for students not majoring in geology. Credit not gained toward a major in geology. (Generally taught Fall quarter.)

GY 101 Earth Materials 4 cr
Materials that make up the earth, as well as the properties of the earth as a whole. Special topics include plate tectonics, volcanic processes, weathering of geologic materials, environmental effects of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. (Generally taught every quarter.)

GY 102 Earth Processes 4 cr
Chemical and physical processes that change and shape the earth. Topics include mass wasting, stream systems, ground water systems, continental and alpine glaciation, shoreline processes, introduction to crustal deformation. Special attention is given to the above processes with respect to interaction with the global climate. Prerequisite: GY 101. (Generally taught every quarter.)

GY 103 Earth History 4 cr
The origin and history of the earth as seen in the rocks and their contained life record. Prerequisites: GY 101 and GY 102 (Generally taught every quarter.)

GY 201 Environmental Geology 4 cr
Geological hazards, waste management, land use risk assessment, engineering design and regional planning. Prerequisites: GY 101 and 102. GY 103 recommended. (Generally taught Spring quarter of alternating years.)

GY 212 Geomorphology of Latin America (Spanish) 4 cr
A study of the landforms of Latin America, and their origin and development. A discussion of the physical factors that shape and form the land will precede a country-by-country discussion of the physiography of Latin America. Course will be taught in Spanish. (Generally taught alternate years.)

GY 231 Crystallography 5 cr
Introduction to elementary crystallography, crystal chemistry, point group symmetry, and atomic structure of minerals. Relationship of physical properties to internal structure. Prerequisite: GY 101 (Generally taught Fall Quarter.)

GY 232 Mineralogy (W) 5 cr
Identification of common rock-forming minerals and important ore and gangue minerals. Includes introduction to the statistical analysis of mineral data and use of simple statistical analysis to evaluate field data. Prerequisites: GY 101 and 231. (Generally taught Winter Quarter.)

GY 233 Petrology 5 cr
Introduction to phase diagrams and processes controlling magma generation and formation of metamorphic rocks. Relationship of plate tectonics to the genesis and distribution of igneous rocks. Classification and identification of major igneous and metamorphic rocks. Prerequisite GY 101. (Generally taught Spring quarter).

GY 290 Special Topics 4 cr
Geologic topics not covered in current geology courses (Generally taught upon demand.)

GY 311 Geology of National Parks 4 cr
A study of various, and varied, National Parks, particularly those which are unique because of their geological components. It will include a look at various landforms, caused by different agents of erosion, deposition and rock formation. Both Physical and Historical Geology will be used in gaining and understanding of the present day parks. (Generally taught alternate years.)

GY 323 Stratigraphy (W) 5 cr
The development of the stratigraphic column; correlation and field procedures. (Generally taught alternate years; alternates with GY 340, Spring quarter.)

GY 332 Introduction to Remote Sensing 4 cr
Introduction to the theory and use of remotely sensed data for analysis of earth-surface phenomena. Prerequisites: Junior Standing, GY 102 or GEO 111, or permission of instructor. (Generally taught each year.)

GY 340 Sedimentation (W) 5 cr
A study of sediments and their classification, as well as sedimentary processes, environments and diagenesis. Prerequisites: GY 103, 232, and 233. (Generally taught alternate years; alternates with GY 323, Spring quarter.)

GY 360 Structural Geology I 5 cr
Study of the application of deforming forces to earth materials and the structures resulting from that deformation. Application of microcomputer resources to solving structural problems will be emphasized in the laboratory. Prerequisites: GY 103, 233, PH through 112, mathematics through MA 121, and CIS 250 or equivalent is recommended. (Generally taught Winter quarter.)

GY 361 Structural Geology II 5 cr
Continuation of GY 360, with an analysis of secondary structures, structure of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and introduction to regional geologic structure. Prerequisite: GY 360. (Generally taught Spring quarter.)

GY 371, 372 Invertebrate Paleontology 4 cr each qtr
Major invertebrate fossil groups, their identification, and their geologic distribution. (Generally taught Winter and Spring quarters respectively.)

GY 412 Geomorphology (W) 4 cr
A study of the processes that shape and form the land, the landforms resulting therefrom, and the influence of both on the modern topography of North America. (Generally taught each year.)

GY 413 Coastal Geomorphology 3 cr
This course is an introduction to coastal sediment processes and is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in the physical and biological marine sciences.

GY 420 Geostatistics 5 cr
A geological applications course introducing the use of both parametric and nonparametric methods. Topics include measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, ANOVA, trend surface analysis, and the common multivariate procedures. Prerequisite: ST 275 or permission of instructor. (Generally taught alternate years, Winter quarter.)

GY 431 Optical Mineralogy and Crystallography 5 cr
Theory and use of the petrographic microscope in the recognition and identification of crystallographic and optical properties in non-opaque minerals. Emphasis is placed on immersion method for routine identification but thin section analysis is also stressed. Prerequisite: GY 232 or permission of instructor. (Generally taught Fall or Spring quarter each year.)

GY 433 X-Ray Analytical Methods 5 cr
Theory and use of X-ray diffraction systems as applied to crystallography, mineralogy, chemistry, and metallurgy. Prerequisite: GY 231. (Generally taught alternate years.)

GY 440 Techniques in Geology: Thin Section Preparation 2 cr
A laboratory-based course illustrating techniques employed by geologists preparing thin sections from geological materials. Students will manufacture a minimum of two thin sections and submit written reports summarizing the petrographic characteristics of the specimens sectioned. Prerequisite: GY 340 or 431, and permission of the instructor. (Generally taught Fall and/or Spring quarter.)

GY 442 Applied Remote Sensing 4 cr
Analysis of remotely sensed data for detection, identification, inventory, and mapping of earth resources. Prerequisites: GY 332 or GEO 332 or permission of instructor. (Generally taught alternate years, Winter quarter.)

GY 443 Selected Applications in Remote Sensing 4 cr
Critical assessment of selected remote sensing applications in the earth sciences. (Application subject designated prior to registration.) Prerequisites: GY 332 or GEO 332 or permission of instructor. (Generally taught alternate years, Spring quarter.)

GY 444 Marine Geology 6 cr
A study of ocean basins with emphasis on sedimentation: sampling techniques, laboratory analysis, and interpretation. Offered only through the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.

GY 445 Coastal Geomorphology 6 cr
This course is an introduction to coastal sediment processes and applied coastal geomorphology. The course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in the physical and biological marine sciences. Prerequisites: GY 101 and 102, or permission of the instructor. Offered only through the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium.

GY 450 Computer Mapping and GIS Technology 5 cr
Techniques for the preparation of geoscience maps with the aid of desktop computer workstations with emphasis on geographical information system (GIS) problem analysis. Cross listed with GEO 450. Prerequisite: CIS 150.

GY 460 Petroleum Geology (W) 5 cr
The geology of petroleum; its occurrence and the methods employed in exploration for petroleum deposits. (Generally taught upon demand.)

GY 475 Hydrology 5 cr
Principles of sources, occurrences, and movement of groundwater. Surface and subsurface investigations of groundwater and elementary groundwater hydrology and chemistry. (Generally taught Winter quarter.) Credit for both 475 and 575 will not be allowed.

GY 476 Contaminant Hydrology 5 cr
Flow systems, analytical and numerical solutions to ground water flow problems and solute transport. Low temperature geochemical processes and kinetics of chemical reactions. Prerequisite: GY 475. Credit for both 476 and 576 will not be allowed.

GY 480 Field Geology 9 cr
A six-week, summer field course on the methods of geologic surveying, the nature and construction of geologic and structural maps, measurement of stratigraphic sections and preparation of geologic reports. Prerequisites: GY 233, 360, and 371. (Generally taught upon demand, Summer quarter.)

GY 490 Special Topics 1-4 cr
Geologic topics not currently being covered in geology courses. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing; may be repeated once when topic varies. (Generally taught upon demand.)

GY 492 Seminar 1-4 cr
Selected topics in the earth sciences for advanced undergraduate students (topic announced prior to registration). (Generally taught Fall quarter.)

GY 494 Directed Studies 2-6 cr
Directed research in field or laboratory. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair; students must have an acceptable project approved before registering for this course. For Geology majors. (Generally taught upon demand.)

GY 412-512 Geomorphology 4 cr
A study of the processes that shape and form the land, the landforms resulting therefrom, and the influence of both on the modern topography of North America. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 412 and 512 will not be allowed.

GY 420-520 Geostatistics 5 cr
A computer-based course emphasizing the use of ANOVA, regression and correlation analysis, trend surface analysis, and the common multivariate techniques that are used in the routine analysis of geological data. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 420 and 520 will not be allowed. Prerequisite: MA 275 or MS 355.

GY 431-531 Optical Mineralogy and Crystallography 5 cr
Theory and use of the petrographic microscope in the recognition and identification of crystallographic and optical properties in non-opaque minerals. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 431 and 531 will not be allowed. Prerequisite: GY 231.

GY 433-533 X-Ray Analytical Methods 5 cr
Theory and use of X-ray diffraction systems as applied to crystallography, mineralogy, chemistry, and metallurgy. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 433 and 533 will not be allowed. Prerequisite: GY 231.

GY 443-543 Selected Applications in Remote Sensing 4 cr
Critical assessment of selected remote sensing applications in earth science. Application subject designation prior to registration. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 443 and 543 will not be allowed. Prerequisites: GY 332 or GEO 332 or permission of instructor.

GY 470-570 Introduction to Geophysics 4 cr
An introduction to the physics of the solid earth, including seismology, gravity, magnetics, and geodynamics. Graduate credit will require an additional project specified by the instructor. Credit for both 470 and 570 will not be allowed. Prerequisites: GY 360, 361; PH 111, 112 or equivalent; permission of instructor.

GY 571 Micropaleontology I - Planktonic Foraminifera 6 cr
The study of the morphology, biology, zonation, and paleoenvironmental significance of Neogene planktonic foraminifera.

GY 572 Micropaleontology II - Calcareous Nannofossils 6 cr
The study of Cenozoic calcerous nannofossil morphology, zonation and paleoenvironmental application.

GY 573 Marine Paleoecology 6 cr
A survey of principal marine fossil groups presented in Gulf Coastal Plain sediments, their paleoecology, and paleogeography. Special emphasis on recent and ancient marine communities and the individuals in them.

GY 475-575 Hydrology 5 cr
Principles of sources, occurrences, and movement of ground water. Surface and subsurface investigations of ground water and elementary ground water hydrology and chemistry. (Generally taught Winter Quarter.)

GY 476-576 Contaminant Hydrology 5 cr
Flow systems, analytical and numerical solutions to ground water flow problems, and solute transport. Low temperature geochemical processes and kinetics of chemical reactions. Prerequisite: GY 475-575.

GY 590 Special Topics 1-6 cr
An in-depth course for advanced students in geology, Topics and titles will be selected to examine the subject matter in an area of current interest to students and in an area of particular faculty expertise. To include specialized topics not currently listed in Bulletin course offerings.

GY 592 Seminar 1 cr
Students and faculty meet weekly in an interactive discussion of current literature in geological sciences. The focus will be on "state-of-the-art" theories and methodologies as they occur in the primary geology literature. Student presentation is required to receive credit.

GY 594 Directed Research 1-6 cr
Independent research, not related to the dissertation, under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. May be used to learn new techniques or explore research questions of special interest. A maximum of 6 hours may be earned for this course toward the Ph.D. degree in Marine Sciences.

Courses of Instruction

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