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Geosciences Course Descriptions
GEOS 1103 (GEOL 1103) Physical Geology Laboratory
(1 semester hour) A laboratory to accompany GEOS 1303. The exercises
include mineral and rock identification. Topographic maps, geologic
maps, and aerial photographs are used to study surface landforms, geologic
phenomena and tectonic processes. GEOS 1303 is a corequisite or prerequisite.
(0-3) S
GEOS 1104 (GEOL 1104) History of Earth and
Life Laboratory (1 semester hour) A laboratory to accompany
GEOS 1304. Exercises include: fossil identification, stratigraphy and
correlation, the geologic time scale, age-determination techniques,
and maps. (0-3) Y
GEOS 1303 (GEOL 1303) Physical Geology
(3 semester hours) Introduction to the Earth as a unique planet. The
course investigates minerals and rocks which make up the Earth. The
structure of the Earth and dynamics of its internal mechanisms are explored.
Plate tectonics and surface processes which sculpt the Earth are the
topics of the second half of the course. Other planets and celestial
bodies within the solar system are contrasted with Earth. Field trip.
(3-0) S
GEOS 1304 (GEOL 1304) History of Earth and
Life (3 semester hours) Introduction to the history of the
Earth. The history of life and an introduction to the principles of
paleontology, stratigraphy and global change will be discussed. All
topics will be discussed in the context of the tectonic evolution of
North America. Field trip. Prerequisites: GEOS 1303 and GEOS 1103. (3-0)
Y
GEOS 2302 (GEOL 1305) The Global Environment
(3 semester hours) An introduction to the physical aspects of the world’s
geography, emphasizing the interrelationships between the Earth and
its climate, vegetation, soils, and landforms. Provides a global perspective
on the physical environment and the interactions between global systems
to produce regional differences. (Same as GEOG 2302) (3-0) Y
GEOS 2406 Geospatial Science and Methods
(4 semester hours) Remote sensing and Geographic Information System
(SIS) science and methods as applied to geospatial aspects of geosciences.
Introduction to geospatial software in geosciences. Prerequisites: GEOS
1303 and 1103; GEOS 2409 recommended. (4-0) Y
GEOS 2409 (GEOL 2409) Rocks and Minerals (4 semester hours) Introduction
to crystallography, mineralogy, and petrography. Laboratory course.
Prerequisites: GEOS 1303 and 1103 (may be taken concurrently). (3-3)
Y
GEOS 2410 Gemstones (4 semester
hours) Minerals and rocks used as gemstones; their characteristics,
physical properties; geological settings and extraction from the earth;
and lore and history of use. Laboratory component involves gemstone
identification and analysis. (3-3) Y
GEOS 2V08 Special Topics in Geology or Geophysics
(1-4 semester hours) Subject matter will vary from semester to semester.
Consent of instructor required. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 hour maximum).
([1-4]-0) R
GEOS 3101 Topics in Geosciences: Minicourse (1 semester hour) One hour courses designed
to provide an introduction to scientific topics of general interest.
Each course will last approximately 1 month during a semester. There
are no pre-requisites. Students may enroll in each course individually.
Up to 3 courses may be taken in one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 hours maximum). (1-0) Y Current topics include
(other courses may be introduced): Y
The Biosphere: Origin, Evolution and Mass Extinctions
(1 semester hour) This course presents an overview of the significant
events in the history of life on Earth, how the presence of life has
modified the Earth’s environment, and the catastrophic events
that have caused mass extinctions of organisms. May not be taken for
credit with or after taking GEOS 3350. (1-0) Y
Coral Reefs (1 semester hour) This course examines
the biology, chemistry, and geology associated with modern and ancient
reef building corals. Human impact on this fragile ecosystem and the
role that coral reefs play in global warming are explored. (1-0) Y
Deserts, Dunes, and Dust (1 semester hour) A study
of the climatology, location, and formation of the deserts of the
world. The unique landforms found in the desert are described with
special emphasis on sand dunes and the role of dust in the geologic
record. (1-0) Y
Diamonds (1 semester hour) An overview of the nature,
properties, origin, occurrence, history, exploration, mining, economics,
politics, and uses of diamonds in society and technology. May not
be taken for credit with or after taking GEOS 2410. (1-0) Y
Glaciers (1 semester hour) An introduction to the
formation and development of glaciers from the high mountains to Poles.
A review of past glaciations through geologic time to the present,
ending with a discussion of the causes of glaciation. (1-0) Y
Global Climate Change (1 semester hour) This course
focuses on the present climate system of Earth, glacial cycles of
the past and potential problems such as ozone depletion and greenhouse
warming. May not be taken for credit with or after taking GEOS 3350.
(1-0) Y
Gems of the World (1 semester hour) This course focuses
on some minerals used as gemstones and discusses their characteristics,
lore, history, intrigue, and geological settings. May not be taken
for credit with or after taking GEOS 2410. (1-0) Y
The Evolution Debate (1 semester hour) The theory
of evolution and the origin of life problem. Supporting evidence from
the fossil record, molecular biology and DNA. Creationism, intelligent
design and pseudoscience. (1-0) Y
GEOS 3110 Environmental Geology Lab
(1 semester hour) Field observation and measurement of processes and
phenomena in environmental geology. Activities include stream and groundwater
flow and chemistry measurements, hydrogeologic mapping, and environmental
site assessment. Most class meetings are outdoors. GEOS 3310 is a pre-
or co-requisite. (0-3) Y
GEOS 3132 Age of Dinosaurs Lab (1
semester hour) Hands-on activities that include biological classification,
form and analyses of bones, calculations of dinosaur mass, calculations
of speed from fossil trackways, assembling a horse or a cow, and building
your own sauropod dinosaur from chicken bones. GEOS 3332 is a pre- or
co-requisite. (0-3) Y
GEOS 3310 Environmental Geology
(3 semester hours) A self-paced course examining the interactions of
people and our physical environment. Natural hazards, including landslides,
flooding, tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, erosion and sea-level change.
Air, soil, fresh and ocean water pollution problems and solutions including
greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, acid rain, aquifer depletion, toxic
wastes and contamination. Energy supplies and the environment, including
radioactive waste problems, and human impacts on climate. Self-paced
course. No prerequisites. (3-0) Y
GEOS 3317 Water Resources of the Southwest
(3 semester hours) Examination of the water cycle and the role that
fresh water has played in the environment and development of the southwest
USA and northern Mexico. Topics include water sources, groundwater and
surface water systems, evaporation, pollution, and the role of governments
and the private sector in managing water resources. (3-0) R
GEOS 3320 Geology, Resources, and Environment
of Africa (3 semester hours) An overview of the natural environment
of Africa and how this is being impacted by human activity. Topics include
the formation of African crust and continent; location and formation
of major physiographic features such as rivers and mountains, nature
and origin of mineral resources; and environmental challenges facing
Africans. (3-0) R
GEOS 3321 Geology, Resources, and Environment
of Latin America (3 semester hours) An overview of the physical
environment of Mexico, Central America, and South America. Topics include
evolution of Latin American crust and continent; location and formation
of major geologic resources and physiographic features; resource exploitation
and present environmental problems with an historic perspective. (3-0)
R
GEOS 3332 Age of Dinosaurs (3 semester
hours) Introductory survey of the anatomy, physiology, life-styles,
population, and evolution of dinosaurs and swimming and flying reptiles,
as well as Mesozoic climates and basic Earth history of the “Age
of Dinosaurs”. One three- or four- day field trip to dig dinosaurs
in the Big Bend area of Texas. No prerequisites. (3-0) Y
GEOS 3350 Global Change (3 semester
hours) An examination of the Earth as a system of interacting spheres
- water, air, land and life - and the energy that drives these systems;
global changes that have occurred on Earth in the past (e.g., ice ages,
mass extinctions) and are happening now and in the future (e.g., greenhouse
warming, ozone depletion); how the presence of life has modified the
planet. (3-0) Y
GEOS 3401 Oceanography (4 semester
hours) Fundamentals of oceanography, with discussions on the effects
of the oceans and people on the Earth’s climate and biological
communities. Topics include the formation of ocean currents, waves
and tides, the greenhouse effect, El Niño, marine pollution,
the exploitation of marine resources, wetlands preservation, coral
reefs, life in the deep sea, and other marine ecological systems.
Laboratory course. Enrollment inCan
receive credit for only one of GEOS 3401 or precludes
enrollment in ISNS
3367 The Oceans. (3-3) R
GEOS 3421 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (4 semester hours) Principles and evolution of modern stratigraphic
nomenclature; concepts of space and time in the rock record and methods
of stratigraphic correlation; factors controlling stratigraphic architecture
of sedimentary basins; integrated stratigraphic techniques. Origin,
transportation, and deposition of carbonate and siliciclastic sediments;
weathering, textural analysis, and depositional environments. Laboratory
course. Field trips. Prerequisites: GEOS 1304, 1104, and 2409. (3-3)
Y
GEOS 3432 Introduction to Fossils
(4 semester hours) Introduction to the study of invertebrate fossils
occurring in Cretaceous sedimentary strata in North Texas. “Hands
on” approach to the study of invertebrate macrofossils and microfossils
includes learning how to (1) collect fossils at selected outcrops in
the field; (2) process samples for fossils in the laboratory; (3) illustrate
microfossils using the scanning electron microscope; and (4) identify
fossils using the available paleontological literature. Both lectures
and laboratory exercises will focus on the invertebrate phyla occurring
in selected North Texas Cretaceous outcrops. Laboratory and field trip
course. Not available to students who have taken, or are taking, GEOS
3430. (3-3) Y
GEOS 3434 Paleobiology
(4 semester hours) History of life as documented by the fossil record.
Basic concepts of Paleontology and Biostratigraphy followed by a review
of major fossil groups and major events in the evolution of life, speciation,
mass extinction, evolution of communities and ecosystems through geologic
time. Paleontological methods to paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
Field trip. GEOS 1304 and 1104 recommended. (3-3) Y
GEOS 3464 Mineralogy and Petrography
(4 semester hours) Description of crystal morphology, symmetry, atomic
structure and chemistry. Structure and classification of silicate minerals.
Identification of minerals under the polarizing microscope. Crystallization
of magma and classification of igneous rocks and their identification
in thin section. Metamorphic reactions, facies and tectures. Examination
of metamorphic rocks in thin section. (3-3) Y
GEOS 3470 Structural Geology (4
semester hours) Modern tectonic concepts, survey of major structural
provinces, examination of material behavior, stress-strain concepts,
failure criteria, soil mechanics, fault analysis, rheology, fold analysis
and applications of structural concepts to neotectonics and environmental
problems. Training in graphical techniques, use of stereographic projections,
and geological map interpretation. Laboratory course. Field trip. PHYS
2325 and 2125 strongly recommended. (3-3) Y
GEOS 4320 The Physics and Chemistry of Solid
Earth (3 semester hours) The study of the structure and evolution
of the Earth through petrology, geochemistry, and geophysics. Plate
tectonics will be emphasized as a framework for crust and mantle dynamics.
The roles of gravity, thermal processes and the mechanical behavior
of rocks are investigated. Tectonic settings of igneous and metamorphic
rocks will be explored. (3-0) Y
GEOS 4322 The Earth System (3 semester
hours) Planet Earth comprises a system of interacting spheres: atmosphere,
hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere, all of which have played an
important role in Earth processes and Earth history. This course examines
these Earth systems and how their interactions over time have effected
their evolviing compositions, the evolution of life and Earth's climate.
The short-term and long-term parts of the Carbon cycle provide the underlying
theme for the study of the Earth System. (3-0) Y
GEOS 4390 Senior Research
and Advanced Writing (3 semester hours) For students conducting independent research and
scientific writing in Geosciences. Subject and scope to be determined
on an individual basis. Satisfies the Advanced Writing Requirement
for Geoscience majors. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and senior in Geosciences. (3-0) S
GEOS 4399 Senior Honors in Geosciences
(3 semester hours) For students conducting independent research for
honors theses or projects. Satisfies advanced writing requirement. (3-0) R
GEOS 4430 Hydrogeology and Aqueous
Geochemistry (4 semester hours) An introduction to the principles
of physical and chemical hydrogeology. Physical topics include the nature
and quantification of the components of the hydrologic cycle, fundamentals
of water supply and quality, overview of aquifier testing and environmental
assessment. Chemical topics include behavior of low-temperature aqueous
solutions, water-rock interaction and applications of chemistry to understand
the Earth and its geochemical cycles. (4-0) Y
GEOS 4606 Field Geology (Summer
Field Camp) (6 semester hours) A four-week summer camp designed to provide
both practical geological and geophysical experience. Geology students
emphasize mapping in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic terrains.
Geophysics students utilize seismic, potential field, and electrical
methods to analyze a field area. Reports in professional form are required.
Prerequisites: GEOS 2407, 3421, 3470. NOTE: A field-trip fee is charged
for this course. Students are responsible for all personal expenses
related to camp. (6-0) Y
GEOS 4V08 Special Topics in Geology or Geophysics
(1-4 semester hours) Subject matter will vary from semester to semester.
Consent of instructor required. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 hours
maximum). ([1-4]-0) R
GEOS 4V09 Senior Research in Geology
(1-69 semester hours) Topics may vary. May be repeated for credit. No more than 3 hours
of senior research may be used to satisfy the upper-division course
work requirement in the major unless approved in advance by the undergraduate
advisor. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. ([1-69]-0) S
GEOS 4V80 Senior Research in Geophysics
(1-69 semester hours) Topics may vary. May be repeated for credit. No more than 3 hours
of senior research may be used to satisfy the upper-division course
work requirement in the major unless approved in advance by the undergraduate
advisor. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. ([1-69]-0) S
Interdisciplinary Studies Courses Applicable to the B.A. in Geosciences
Students electing the B.A. program in Geosciences may take one of
the following university-wide Interdisciplinary Studies courses as a
Geosciences elective.
ISNS 3367 The Oceans
ISNS 4359 Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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