The Department of Geosciences offers the courses that are part of a typical geology curriculum, and several courses beyond that to provide additional emphasis on environmental geology. Small class sizes offer students personal attention. A significant focus in many of the upper-level courses is inclusion of research-based projects. These are designed to introduce students to research methods used in geology. They also help students to define their interests within geology and prepare them for research experiences.
GEOL 101 Environmental Geology with lab 4 cr. (GE6) Mankind’s interaction with the earth. Major environmental problems facing citizens today including: water resources, energy and mineral resources, and geologic hazards. Local field trips. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
GEOL 101H Honors Environmental Geology with lab 4 cr. (GE6) Mankind’s interaction with the earth. Major environmental problems facing citizens today including: water resources, energy and mineral resources, and geological hazards. Laboratory time will focus on small-scale research projects, in-depth discussions of particular topics including current events, and local field trips. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 3 hours. Honors Program admission or 3.30 cumulative GPA and permission of instructor.
GEOL 105 Physical Geology with lab 4 cr. (GE6) Earth as a physical body, its structure, composition, and the geologic processes acting on and within the earth. Designed especially for students with a specific interest in geology and for those students contemplating a major in the sciences. Field trips. Lecture, 3 hrs; lab, 2 hrs.
GEOL 106 Historical Geology with lab 4 cr. (GE6) Earth through time, its origin, history, and the history and evolution of animal and plant life. Laboratory study of fossils, sedimentary rocks, and stratigraphic problems. Field trips. Lecture, 3 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105.
GEOL 108 Earth and Planetary Science 4 cr. An introduction to the physical geology of Earth and astronomy, focusing on our solar system. Earth’s materials and structure; internal and surficial processes that work to shape Earth; the history of the Earth. Introduction to astronomy, including the earth’s moon, the planets and minor bodies of our solar system, the sun, and the universe beyond our solar system. Lecture, 3 hrs; lab, 2 hrs.
GEOL 210 Minerals and Rocks 3 cr. Physical, chemical, structural, and optical properties of minerals; description and identification of common rock-forming and ore minerals; mineral associations and introduction to classification of common rock types. Field trip. Offered each spring. Lecture, 2 hrs; laboratory, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105 and CHEM 121/121L.
GEOL 220 Introduction to GIS 3 cr. Introduces students to theory and techniques of GIS including data capture, management and analysis, and cartographic output. This course is especially useful for geography, environmental science, economics and business majors. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs.
GEOL 240 Geology of North Dakota 2 cr. Geology of North Dakota for students with an interest in the geologic history of the state. Coverage includes sedimentary rock units of the state and history of glaciation. Lecture, 1 hr; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105.
GEOL 260 Energy Resources 3 cr. A survey of energy resources, including fossil fuels, renewable, nuclear and unconventional sources. Emphasis on origin, use and implications of development. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105. Offered alternate falls.
GEOL 290 Regional Geology 3 cr. A study of the geology of a particular region in the United States or abroad. Class time involves introduction to the geology and preparation for a field trip to the region. Field trip is typically 10-14 days long and may involve hiking and camping. Special fees required. May be repeated for credit. Lecture 2 hrs, field trip required. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 101 or GEOL 105 or consent of instructor.
GEOL 300 Geologic Field Methods 3 cr. Geologic mapping and sampling techniques. Students use basic mapping instruments, gather data, record it while in the field, and construct complete and accurate geologic maps. Offered alternate falls. Lecture, 1 hr; lab, 4 hours. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 106 and 210 or consent of instructor.
GEOL 305 Methods in Mineralogy and Petrology 2 cr. Application of modern laboratory methods to the study of minerals and rocks. Methods include optical and scanning electron microscopy, analysis of bulk materials by ICP-ACES and XRD, and EDS microanalysis of minerals. Offered alternate fall semesters. Lab: 6 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 310 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 3 cr. Description and classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks based on mineralogy, textures, and chemical compositions; study of the origins of rocks through laboratory investigations of suites of related rocks. Field trip. Offered alternate springs. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 305.
GEOL 311 Paleontology 4 cr. Fossilization, classification, evolution, and paleoecology. Geologic history and identification of major invertebrate phyla. Laboratory emphasizes fossil identification. Offered alternate falls. Field trip. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 4 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 106 or BIOL 151.
GEOL 320 Oceanography 3 cr. Nature, origin, and evolution of ocean basins and sea water. Sea water chemistry, movement, and ability to support life. Life forms. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105.
GEOL 321 Hydrogeology 3 cr. Surface water hydrology; runoff and stream flow; groundwater hydrogeology: distribution of groundwater, aquifer properties, local and regional groundwater flow, geology of groundwater occurrence; groundwater resource development and management; water law. Offered alternate springs. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 322 Geomorphology 4 cr. Processes that shape the Earth’s surface. Effects of rock type, geologic structure, and climate on the formation and evolution of land forms. Lecture, 3 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 323 Global Climate Change 3 cr. Examination of physical, chemical and biological processes that cause environments to change naturally or under the influence of human activities. Consideration of small watersheds, large lake systems and global atmospheric-ocean systems including meteorological processes. Emphasis on positive and negative feedback in controlling environments and their susceptibility to change. Prerequisite: Geol 101, or 105 or 108.
GEOL 331 Soils 3 cr. Principles of soils including formation, properties, and classification. This course includes the use of soils information in environmental applications. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 340 Aqueous Geochemistry 3 cr. Principles of aqueous chemistry and their application to various geologic environments; chemical weathering, carbonate systems, clay minerals, evaporates, ocean systems, acid deposition, kinetics, solubility and redox equilibria, ion-exchange. Offered alternate springs. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab 3 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 361 Structural Geology 4 cr. Stress, strain, mechanical behavior of rocks; description and interpretation of folds, faults, joints, and foliation; tectonic processes; interpretation of geologic maps and field data. Field trip. Offered alternate springs. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 6 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 210.
GEOL 411 Field Geology 6 cr. The methods of geology, including the preparation of stratigraphic columns, cross sections and geologic maps integrated with paleoenvironmental interpretation and structural history. Students must write professional level reports. Offered in summer. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 361, 471, and consent of instructor. [taken as a summer course through an approved college/university]
GEOL 421 Applied Hydrogeology 3 cr. Mass transport in vadose and saturated zones; origin and behavior of inorganic and organic contaminants; investigative techniques; groundwater models; site remediation. Lecture, 2 hrs; lab, 3 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 321.
GEOL 471 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 4 cr. Origins, characteristics, and classification of sedimentary rocks. Techniques of study, interpretation of data, lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, and correlation. Offered alternate falls. Lecture, 3 hrs; lab, 2 hrs. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 105.
GEOL 494 Directed Research in Geology 1-2 cr. Students conduct research under direction of a faculty mentor. The topic and goals are agreed to by student and mentor. Repeatable for credit.