Geology Courses
121 Geology and the Environment. 4. Materials of the earth and processes acting on them, both at the surface and within: nature of continents and oceans, plate tectonics, erosion and weathering, rocks and minerals; the earth as a physicochemical system and the human’s part in that system. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements. Offered yearly in fall.
122 Historical Geology. 4. Historical account of discovery of geologic time and development of the theory of evolution; origin and development of the earth; geologic history of North America — both life and lands. Emphasis in laboratory on interpretation of earth history and applications of methods in making such interpretations through use of the Quaker Quadrangle. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement. Offered yearly in spring.
141 Oceanography. 4. Formation of the earth and oceans; shape and composition of the ocean floor; plate tectonics. Waves and tides, seawater chemistry, climate and the ocean’s interaction with the atmosphere. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
150 Special Topics. 4. Recent topics include geographical information systems and remote sensing, reefs of Puerto Rico, environmental history of China, climate and history, earth systems science, GIS and image processing and soil science. May also be offered at 250, 350 and 450 levels.
151 HP:Climate and History. 4. Explores the roles of global climate and climate change in the evolution and development of human beings and their cultures. Topics include climate-driven migration, effects of ice ages, climate change during the last two millennia and their effects on subsistence, war, commerce and exploration and what to expect in next century. Fulfills historical perspectives requirement.
160 Gems and Minerals. 4. Introduction to minerals and gemstones. Includes basic crystallography and crystal chemistry; physical and optical properties of minerals, gemstone identification, consumer geology. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
180 Energy and Natural Resources. 4. Analysis of problems posed by interaction of conventional economic growth with limited natural resources; evaluation of potential contribution of various alternative energy sources to the national and world energy budget; review of distribution and abundance of mineral resources.
190 Terroir: The Science of Wine. 4. An interdisciplinary look at the science behind wine. The course will investigate the geology and geography of the major wine-growing areas of the world, and see how climate, culture and geology play a role in what grapes flourish where. Students will also learn the basics of sensory evaluation of wines. Enrollment limited to CCE students over age 21. Must provide proof of age and sign a waiver. Fulfills natural science and mathematics requirement.
223 Hydrology. 4. Precipitation, interception and runoff measurements and analysis; stream flow and features, stream flow monitoring and data analysis; floodplain mapping; water supply analysis; groundwater geology and flow, groundwater prospecting; well design and analysis; water supply and water quality problems. Prerequisite: GEOL 121 or permission of instructor and an understanding of algebra and trigonometry. Alternate years.
230 Environmental Pollution (ENVS 330). 4. This course examines the impacts of human culture and activity on the quality of air, water and soil with a focus on sources of contamination and the fate of pollutants in the environment. Laboratory focuses on experimental work and field studies that introduce students to the scientific investigation of environmental problems. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements. Generally alternate years.
240 Seminar West (BIOL 240). 4. Five-week summer course, including four weeks of camping and hiking, to study the American Southwest. Emphasis on the natural history of the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau: the geologic processes of mountain building and erosion and the plant and animal communities found in these environments. Fulfills natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements. Summer, once every three years.
242 Natural Science Seminars. (variable credits). Studies of the biology, geology, ecology and natural history of different field areas, including East Africa, Puerto Rico or the North Carolina Outer Banks. Includes a one-to-three week trip to the area being studied, depending on when the course is offered. Students conduct research projects during the field trip portion of the course. When course is offered for a minimum of 2.7 semester credits, the course will fulfill the natural science and mathematics and social justice/environmental responsibility requirements.
260 Independent Study. 1-4. May also be offered at 360 and 460 levels. Independent and directed research, including field and laboratory experience.
290 Internship, 1-4. May also be offered at the 390 level.
311 Optical Mineralogy. 4. Principles of optical mineralogy, basic crystallography and crystal chemistry, rock-forming minerals and mineral formation and associations. Lab will focus on mineral identification in hand specimen and thin section. Alternate years in fall. Prerequisite: CHEM 111 (may be taken concurrently with instructor permission).
312 Petrology. 4. Introduction to the study of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Principles of classification, occurrence, phase equilibria, tectonic environments and origin/formation of rocks are emphasized in lectures. Labs emphasize description, classification and interpretation of textures and mineralogy in hand sample and in thin section. Alternate years in spring. Prerequisites: GEOL 311, CHEM 112 (may be taken concurrently with instructor permission).
335 Structural Geology. 4. Study of the deformation of rocks of the earth’s crust: descriptive and theoretical treatment of folding, faulting, jointing, unconformities, diapirs, plutons and the structural features found in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks; introduction to geophysical methods; discussions of problems in global tectonics, such as mountain-building and continental drift. Offered in alternate years in spring. Prerequisites: two laboratory courses in geology, competence in trigonometry (or MATH 115) or consent of the instructor.
336 Geomorphology. 4. Study of landforms and the processes involved in their formation, especially the investigation of fluviatile and arid geomorphic cycles, coastline development and theories of landscape evolution. Prerequisites: GEOL 121 and one other geology laboratory course or consent of the instructor. Offered on demand.
340 Images of the Earth: GIS and Remote Sensing. 4. Focuses on various ways to classify, represent and visualize the Earth's surface. Interpretation, creation and use of maps, aerial photographs and satellite images. Exploration, construction and use of geographic information systems (GIS) and other computer-based methods to create maps and visualize data. Application of knowledge and techniques to issues such as ecosystem management, environmental assessment, urban planning, geologic mapping, global change and archaeology.
412 Geochemistry (CHEM 412). 4. Distribution, movement and processes affecting chemical elements within the earth. Nuclear chemistry, formation of earth and planets; crystal chemistry and mineral structures; isotope geology, trace elements, thermodynamics in geology. No laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, three semesters of laboratory courses in geology or consent of the instructor.
415 Paleontology. 4. Study of fossils with major emphasis on invertebrates: classification and identification, principles of evolution and paleoecology; application of paleontology to geologic problems, especially its use in stratigraphic studies. Offered in alternate years in fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 122 and another course in geology and/or biology and/or chemistry or consent of the instructor.
416 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. 4. Advanced study of sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on sedimentary processes, grain size analysis, sedimentary structures and sedimentary petrography; the description, classification, correlation and interpretation of sedimentary rocks; principles of stratigraphic nomenclature; interpretation of tectonic conditions, depositional environments, and paleogeography; advanced historical geology. Prerequisites: four semesters of laboratory courses in geology or related science or consent of the instructor. Offered in alternate years in spring.
470 Senior Thesis. Credit variable. Independent research project begun at end of junior year. See department for details.