GEOLOGY 1140 Physical Geology 4 Credits
The physical and chemical earth, materials of the earth's crust and interior, their compositions, distributions, origins, and the processes that modify them; minerals and rocks; interpretation of topographic maps and aerial photographs; field trips.
Components: Class, Laboratory
GE: Natural Science
Typically Offered: Fall - Spring
GEOLOGY 1240 Historical Geology 4 Credits
Study of the history of the Earth, beginning with its place in the solar system. An introduction to common rocks and minerals, to geological principles and reasoning, and to concepts of geologic time. Study of how the physical geography of Earth has changed through time and how the changes in the rock record tell of seas, mountain ranges, deserts, and ice ages through geologic time. Study of the fossil record and how life on Earth has changed to cope with the varying physical environments of Earth. Laboratory. Field trip(s) may be required.
Components: Laboratory, Class
GE: Natural Science
Typically Offered: Occasionally
GEOLOGY 1440 Landscapes of North America 3 Credits
A general survey of the characteristics and origins of major natural/physical regions of North America, with emphasis on national parks and monuments and other public areas. Field trip(s) may be required.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Fall
GEOLOGY 1690 Environmental Geology 4 Credits
The physical environment and our interaction with it. Emphasis on earth processes affecting humans, such as flooding, erosion, groundwater, landslides and earthquakes. The impact of humans upon the environment along with the application of the science of geology to these impacts. Air, water and soil pollution studied from a physical-chemical standpoint. The depletion of energy and mineral resources and the need for humans to design with nature. Two hours of lab per week. Field trip(s) may be required.
Components: Class, Laboratory
GE: Natural Science
Typically Offered: Based on Student Demand
GEOLOGY 1700 Disasters - Lives on the Edge 3 Credits
Study of various environmental hazards, their causes, impacts on humans, and mitigations. Core topics are natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, landslides, tornadoes, hurricanes), and anthropogenic hazards (climate change/global warming, nuclear hazards, and overpopulation). Additional topics may be covered: coastal hazards, pollution of groundwater, air, soil, and water, other atmospheric hazards (extreme weather, droughts), impacts from space, extinctions, biohazards, chemical hazards, and terrorism.
Components: Class
Typically Offered: Based on Student Demand
GEOLOGY 2970 Special Topics 1-4 Credits
Designed to cover topics not ordinarily covered in existing courses, or that cannot be accommodated in existing course formats. The topics selected in this course will depend on competencies of available staff and will be announced in the course timetable. May be taken more than once for credit if topics are different.
Components: Laboratory, Class
Typically Offered: Based on Student Demand
GEOLOGY 3130 Geology for Engineers 3 Credits
Geology applied to the solution of a variety of problems in the fields of civil and environmental engineering. Compositions of materials of the earth's crust and interior, geomorphology, seismology, slope stability, hydrogeology; field trips. Research paper and presentation required.
Components: Laboratory, Class
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: CHEMSTRY 1240 or CHEMSTRY 1450, P or C: CIVILENG 2000, or consent of instructor
Typically Offered: Fall - Spring
GEOLOGY 3430 Hydrogeology 4 Credits
Geological concepts applied to groundwater resources, including how geology influences groundwater flow, interaction between surface and groundwater, karst hydrology, and aquifer characterization. Labs and field trips focusing on local Driftless Area hydrogeology.
Components: Laboratory, Class
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: GEOLOGY 1140 or GEOLOGY 3130 or ENVSS 1040 or SCSCI 2230
Typically Offered: Spring - even year
GEOLOGY 4660 Cooperative Field Experience 1-8 Credits
Components: Field Studies
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: consent of department chair
Typically Offered: Fall - Spring
GEOLOGY 4920 Individual Research in Geology 1-3 Credits
Supervised research by individual students; written report required.
Components: Independent Study
Prereqs/Coreqs: P: consent of department chair
Typically Offered: Fall - Spring