Geology (GY) Courses

GEOLOGY (GY)

1998-1999 Bulletin Information

GY 111 Earth Materials 4 cr
Materials that makeup the earth as well as the properties and geological processes that
operate in the earth. Special topics include plate tectonics, mineral chemistry, the rock cycle,
sedimentary processes, metamorphism and geological map reading. Fee.
GY 112 Earth History 4 cr
The origin and history of the earth as seen in the rocks and their contained life record.
Prerequisite: GY 111. Fee.
GY 305 Geophysics 4 cr
Application of classical physics to the study of the earth and the solution of problems in
the earth sciences, including analysis of geomagnetics, the earth's gravitational field, and seismic
analysis. Prerequisite: PH 115.
GY 310 Environmental Earth Science 3 cr
A spatial perspective on major global environmental problems. Topics include
population pressure, loss of biodiversity, ozone depletion, global warming, water, energy and
mineral resources, food supplies, waste disposal, geological hazards and political/economic
forces. (Identical to GEO 310). Prerequisite: GY 102. Fee.
GY 311 Applied Environmental Geology (W) 3 cr
A geological applications course designed to familiarize students with techniques used by
environmental and engineering geologists in their studies of land use, land development and
assessment of geological hazards. Material is illustrated with case studies from the Mobile area.
Prerequisites: GY 111, GEO 102. Fee.
GY 332 Introduction to Remote Sensing 4 cr
Introduction to the theory and use of remotely sensed data for analysis of earth-surface
phenomena. (Identical to GEO 332). Prerequisite: GEO 102 or permission of instructor. Fee.
GY 341 Crystallography 4 cr
Introduction to elementary crystallography, crystal chemistry, and atomic structure of
minerals. Geologic data will be analyzed using various microcomputer-oriented statistical and
graphics packages. Fee.
GY 342 Mineralogy (W) 4 cr
Identification of common rock-forming minerals and important ore minerals. Includes
introduction to determinative techniques involving basic qualitative chemical test. Geologic data
will be analyzed using microcomputer-oriented statistical and graphics packages. Prerequisite:
GY 341 or permission of instructor. Fee.
GY 343 Petrology 4 cr
The study of the formation and classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Prerequisite: GY 342.
GY 344 Sedimentary Petrology 2 cr
A study of sediments and their classification, as well as sedimentary processes,
petrography and diagenesis. Prerequisites: GY 111 and GY 112. Fee.
GY 345 Stratigraphy 3 cr
The development of the stratigraphic column; correlation and field procedures.
Prerequisite: GY 112.
GY 360 Structural Geology 4 cr
Study of the deformation of the internal earth and the structures that result. Prerequisites:
GEO 102, GY 111.
GY 371 Invertebrate Paleontology 4 cr
Major invertebrate fossil groups, their identification, and their geologic distribution.
Prerequisite: GY 112. Fee.
GY 411 Soils 3 cr
A review of soil formation, processes and properties. (Identical to GEO 411).
Prerequisite: GEO 102 or permission of the instructor.
GY 413 Coastal Geomorphology 2 cr
An introduction to coastal sediment processes and applied coastal geomorphology with
emphasis on waves tides, sediments and their interactions including the impacts of anthropogenic
influences.
GY 420 Geostatistics 4 cr
Applied bivariate and multivariate statistics to problems in geology, geography, and
meteorology; parametric and non-parametric pro-cedures in correlation, regression, analysis of
variance, etc. Time series analysis, trend surface analysis, kriging and analysis of spatial (map)
data. (Identical to GEO 420).
GY 431 Optical Mineralogy and Crystallography 4 cr
Theory and use of the petrographic microscope in the recognition and identification of
crystallographic and optical properties in non-opaque minerals. Prerequisite: GY 342 or
permission of instructor. Fee.
GY 433 X-Ray Analytical Methods 4 cr
Theory and use of X-ray diffraction systems as applied to crystallography, mineralogy,
chemistry, and metallurgy. Prerequisite: GY 341 or permission of instructor.
GY 440 Techniques in Geology: Thin Section Preparation 1 cr
A laboratory-based course illustrating techniques employed by geologists to prepare
thin-sections from geological materials. Students will produce thin-sections and write up reports
detailing the petrography of the samples examined. Prerequisites: GY 343 and permission of
instructor. Fee.
GY 442 Applied Remote Sensing 3 cr
Analysis of remotely sensed data for detection, identification, inventory, and mapping of
earth resources. (Identical to GEO 442). Prerequisite: GY 332 or GEO 332. Fee.
GY 444 Sedimentary Geology 3 cr
A study examining sedimentation with emphasis on environments of deposition, sea-level
and other controls on sedimentation in the rock record, and petroleum exploration. Prerequisite:
GY 344. Fee.
GY 446 Marine Geology 4 cr
A study of the geology of the ocean basins, with emphasis on the continental shelves,
their sediments, and sedimentary processes at work there. Prerequisites: GY 111 and GY 112.
GY 461 Computer Mapping and GIS Technology 4 cr
Techniques for the preparation of geoscience maps with the aid of desktop computer
workstations with emphasis on GIS analysis. Prerequisites: GY 111, GEO 102, CIS 150. Fee.
GY 475 Hydrology 4 cr
Principles of sources, occurrences, and movement of ground-water. Surface and
subsurface investigations of groundwater and elementary groundwater hydrology and chemistry.
Prerequisite: GY 342 or permission of instructor. Fee.

Credit for both 475 and 575 will not be allowed.

GY 476 Contaminant Hydrology 4 cr
Flow systems, mass transport in the vadose and saturated zones; advection and
dispersion; transformation, retardation and attenuation of solutes; Low temperature geochemical
processes and kinetics of chemical reactions; contaminant modeling using finite difference -
finite element methods. Prerequisite: GY 475.

Credit for both 476 and 576 will not be allowed.

GY 480 Field Geology (W) 6 cr
A six-week, summer field course on the methods of geologic surveying, the nature and
construction of geologic and cross-sections, measurements of stratigraphic sections, and
preparation of geologic reports. Prerequisites: GY 343, GY 360. Fee.
GY 490 Special Topics 1-3 cr
Geologic topics not covered in current geology courses. Pre-requisites: Junior or Senior
standing.
GY 492 Seminar 1-3 cr
Departmental seminar investigating a selected field of geology (Topic announced prior to
registration.) May be repeated once when content varies.
GY 494 Directed Studies 1-3 cr
Independent research in the field or laboratory under the direction of a member of the
Geology faculty. Students must have an acceptable project approved before registering for this
course. Prerequisites: Permission of the Chair; Senior standing.
GY 496 Internship in Geology 1-3 cr
On-the-job training through occupational or professional work through an approved
geological organization. Only open to geology majors. Prerequisites: Permission of Chair; Junior
or Senior standing.
GY 512 Geomorphology 3 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 520 Geostatistics 4 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 531 Optical Mineralogy and Crystallography 4 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 533 X-Ray Analytical Methods 4 cr
Theory and use of X-ray diffraction systems as applied to crystal-lography, 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 543 Selected Applications in Remote Sensing 3 cr
Critical assessment of selected remote sensing applications in earth science. Application
subject GY 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 571 Micropaleontology I - Planktonic Foraminifera 4 cr
The study of the morphology, biology, zonation, and paleo-environmental significance of
Neogene planktonic foraminifera.
GY 572 Micropaleontology II - Calcareous Nannofossils 4 cr
The study of Cenozoic calcerous nannofossil morphology, zonation and
paleoenvironmental application.
GY 573 Marine Paleoecology 4 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 575 Hydrology 4 cr
Principles of sources, occurrences, and movement of ground water. Surface and
subsurface investigations of ground water and elementary ground water hydrology and
chemistry. Fee. (Generally taught Spring Semester.)
GY 576 Contaminant Hydrology 4 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 1-6 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. On-the-job training through occupational or professional work through an
approved geological organization. Only open to geology majors. Prerequisites: Permission of
Chair; Junior or Senior standing.