| Geosciences
Courses
Courses with * fulfill General
Education requirements
(A-AP) = Arts - Applied
(A-TH) = Arts - Theoretical/Historical
(A-AR) = Analytical - Abstract
Reasoning
(A-QR) = Analytical - Quantitative
Reasoning
(CP) = Comparative Practices
(D-D) = Diversity - Domestic
(D-I) = Diversity - International
(D-L) = Diversity - Language
(ES) = Earlham Seminar
(IP) = Interpretive Practices
(SI) = Scientific Inquiry
(W) = Wellness
(AY) = Offered in
Alternative Year |
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*GEOS 111 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOSCIENCES
(4 credits)
An introduction to geological materials and phenomena that occur at or near Earth's surface. Examines human interaction with Earth surface geological materials and events, such as soils, groundwater, landscapes, floods, significant earth resources and other elements of environmental geosciences such as sustainable development and planning for water supply and waste disposal systems. Laboratory and field trip exercises employ maps, specimens and local geological sites and resources. Specifically designed for students who want to better understand Earth resources and their limits, and geologic hazards in the human environment. Lab. (A-QR, SI)
*GEOS 150 EARLHAM SEMINAR (4 credits)
Offered for first-year students.
Topics vary. (ES)
*GEOS 211 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (4 credits)
An introductory course investigating fundamental Earth materials, plate tectonics and processes changing the surface of the Earth. Lab exercises address mineral and rock identification, topographic and geologic map interpretation and geologic history interpretation. Field trips explore local Paleozoic limestone outcrops, glacial sequences and fluvial systems. Lab. (A-QR, SI)
GEOS 285 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
An independent research opportunity for students wishing to extend study of a topic from GEOS 111 or 211 as related to another area of interest, perhaps their major. Departmental approval required pending an acceptable proposal and faculty availability. Prerequisite: GEOS 111 or 211.
GEOS 314 INTERPRETING EARTH HISTORY (4 credits)
Summarizes Earth's evolution through the past 4.6 billion years
and examines the evidence that has allowed us to interpret changes
in Earth and its life. Weekly laboratories include study of Earth materials
and methods of their analysis. Primary objective: to provide
students context for understanding current discussions on the nature,
tempo and initiation of change in the natural world. Required Lab and
field trips. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: GEOS 211.
GEOS 342 LANDSCAPES AND SOILS (4 credits)
Surveys significant continental landscapes through analyses of the processes that form them. Emphasizes the relationship of natural landscapes and human activities to soil genesis and quality. Labs examine materials, processes and maps. Field trips examine local glacial landforms and regional karst and fluvial terranes. Lab and two Saturday field trips required. Prerequisite: GEOS 211. (AY)
GEOS 350 MINERALOGY (5 credits)
Examines principles and concepts necessary for an understanding of the physical, chemical, crystallographic and structural properties of minerals — the building blocks of rocks. Laboratory familiarizes students with minerals commonly found in rocks and the optical and x-ray techniques by which they are studied. Explores mineral associations common to igneous and metamorphic rocks. Lab. Prerequisite: GEOS 111, 211 or consent of the instructor; a first course in college chemistry is strongly recommended. (AY)
GEOS 351 PETROLOGY (4 credits)
The genesis, physical characteristics, mineral composition, identification, classification and geologic significance of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory time devoted to the identification of rock types and interpretation of their properties via hand specimens and thin sections. Prerequisites: GEOS 211 and 350, or consent of the instructor. (AY)
GEOS 352 GEOCHEMISTRY (4 credits)
The study of the distribution and concentrations of chemical elements and their isotopes in minerals, ores, rocks, soils, water and the atmosphere. Emphasizes chemical fundamentals necessary for an understanding of low-temperature aqueous geochemistry, specifically the cycling of nutrients, trace elements, heavy metals and synthetic organic compounds through natural systems. Prerequisite: GEOS 111, 211 or consent of the instructor; a year of college chemistry strongly recommended. (AY)
GEOS 353 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY AND TECTONICS (5 credits)
Examines the architecture of Earth's crust as well as the principles
involved in the formation of primary and secondary earth structures,
their historical significance, and their relation to economic
resources and landscape features. Lab. Prerequisite: GEOS 211. Also recommended:
GEOS 314. (AY)
GEOS 354 PALEONTOLOGY (4 credits)
Examines the principles by which geoscientists employ fossils to determine the ages and ancient environments of fossil-bearing rock units. Includes references to modern analogs of geologically significant fossil groups. Field projects employ the rich fossil faunas of the Richmond area. Laboratory study of fossil groups is self-conducted by students. Two week-end day trips required. Prerequisite: GEOS 211, or an analytical introductory course in Biology or Chemistry with instructor's approval. (AY)
GEOS 355 SEDIMENTOLOGY (5 credits)
Examines the processes that generate, transport, modify, deposit and lithify sedimentary materials and the products that result. Emphasizes understanding modern sedimentary depositional environments as a means of interpreting ancient sedimentary sequences. Laboratory exercises teach the identification and analysis of clastics and carbonates in hand-specimen and thin-section. Field exercises analyze local and regional fluvial environments and glacial sediments, and Paleozoic carbonates. Prerequisite: GEOS 111, 211 or consent of the instructor. (AY)
GEOS 360 TECTONICS AND GEOPHYSICS (4
credits)
Introduces the basic geophysical concepts necessary to understand
deep Earth structure and dynamics. Fundamental concepts such as
paleomagnetism, gravity, seismicity, and heat flow are examined in
the context of plate tectonic theory and also applied to
environmental problems and energy resource exploration. Lab.
Prerequisite: GEOS 353; a semester of college physics is recommended.
GEOS 362 HYDROGEOLOGY (4 credits)
Introduction to the physical and chemical characteristics of ground water flow. Emphasizes predicting the behavior of ground water for drinking water resource evaluation and contaminant transport modeling. Includes review of case histories and quantitative problem solving. A field component develops an understanding of testing and sample collection methods. Lab. Prerequisite: GEOS 112, 211 or consent of the instructor; calculus and an introductory course in Chemistry or Physics strongly recommended. (AY)
GEOS 365 FIELD STUDIES (4 credits)
Declared Geoscience majors and minors given first preference if course is oversubscribed. During this 12- to 16-day field excursion, students study rocks of another geologic region, such as the mountainous areas of the East, Southwest or West; the mining districts of the North, West or Southwest; the Atlantic or Gulf coasts or off-shore islands, historically significant areas such as Scotland or Iceland, or other geologically significant sites. Topics include modern geologic processes, stratigraphy, structure and geologic history through the use of applicable standard field techniques, including geologic mapping and the collection, analysis and presentation of field data. Offered during alternate May Terms. Prerequisites: GEOS 211 and consent of the instructor. (AY)
GEOS 386 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN GEOSCIENCES (1-4 credits)
Summer research conducted with a faculty member as a supervisor. Introduction to and independent work with research methods and problems, culminating in a written report, map or other standard product of geologic research. Students using this course to satisfy the independent study requirement must also make an oral public report on their project. Open only to qualified majors pending supervisor availability. Prerequisites: GEOS 211 and consent of the instructor.
GEOS 480 SEMINAR ON CURRENT TOPICS (3 credits)
Requires utilization of technical literature, regular oral presentations, and an independently researched major project involving extensive library research. Final term paper and public presentation required. Majors must take this course at least once, but may take it twice. Open only to advanced Geosciences majors with 12 or more completed upperclass credits; majors of similar standing in other Natural Sciences need consent of the instructor.
GEOS 481 INTERNSHIPS, FIELD STUDIES AND OTHER FIELD EXPERIENCES
GEOS 482 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 credits)
Selected topics determined
by the instructor for upper-level study.
GEOS 483 TEACHING ASSISTANTS (1-3 credits)
GEOS 484 FORD/KNIGHT RESEARCH PROJECT (1-4 credits)
Collaborative
research with faculty funded by the Ford/Knight Program.
GEOS 485 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
An investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by
the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. Requires
submission of the final draft of a term paper and its public
oral presentation before the first reading day of a semester.
Prerequisites: Senior standing and faculty adviser's prior approval
of project proposal.
GEOS 486 INDEPENDENT STUDENT RESEARCH (1-3 credits)
GEOS 488 SENIOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE |
