2002-04 HOME

Section I:
The University

Section II:
Graduation Requirements

Section III:
Majors, Minors, Courses

Geology and Geography

2001-2002 Faculty: Melchiorre (geology), Mills (geology), Soster (chair, geology), Wilkerson (geology).

Geoscientists study the composition and the history of the earth and the many processes that operate within the earth and on the earth's surface. Geoscientists are faced with the following new challenges: dwindling energy, mineral and water resources; global environmental problems such as the greenhouse effect, rising sea level and stratospheric ozone depletion; geologic hazard assessment related to earthquakes, volcanoes and mass movements; and long-term, safe disposal of hazardous wastes, especially radioactive materials.

Graduates in geology, environmental geoscience, and earth science may attend graduate school or may move directly into the workforce. The long-range outlook for employment in geosciences is good at this time, especially for women and ethnic minorities. Positions are available in private industries related to oil and gas exploration, mining and mineral exploration and water resource management; environmental and geological consulting firms; federal and state government; and schools, colleges and universities.

Geographers study the distribution of the physical and human features of the earth. Geography graduates working in the private sector are employed as cartographers, market researchers, meteorologists, location analysts, geographic information specialists, traffic managers, consultants, travel agents and sales managers. Geography graduates working in the public sector are employed as schoolteachers, college professors, land use and urban planners, environmental technicians, cartographers, census geographers, researchers, land and resource managers, and environmental inspectors. Geography graduates who go on to law school often specialize in environmental law.

Majors and minors are offered in Geology, Environmental Geoscience, Earth Science and Geography. Students planning to major in any of these fields should consult with a departmental faculty member as early as possible. During the senior year, all majors are required to pass a comprehensive departmental examination, participate in a seminar, or write and defend a thesis.

Departmental faculty and students are actively engaged in research and publication. Opportunities for student participation in ongoing research projects are excellent. Faculty and students are currently working on projects related to the fate of pollutant materials in aquatic ecosystems, sedimentation rates in modern depositional environments, origin and evoluation of igneous rocks in southwestern United States and in northeastern Canada, 2-D and 3-D structural analysis of fault-related folds, computer modeling of geologic structures, and acid mine drainage from Indiana coal mines. The department is exceptionally well equipped and designed to support undergraduate education. Facilities include teaching laboratories, a rock preparation laboratory, a radioisotope laboratory equipped with alpha spectrometers, 3D graphics workstation and computerized x-ray equipment. Microcomputers and extensive map, mineral, fossil and rock collections also are available for student use.

Students preparing for secondary teaching: review Section V, Teacher Education, and confer with the chair of the education department about requirements for admission and certification.

Requirements for a major in Geology:

Total courses required:

nine courses

Core courses:

GEOL 111, GEOL 112, GEOL 301, GEOL 302, GEOL 304, GEOL 316, and GEOL 497 CHEM 130, CHEM 170 and MATH 151 proficiency also are required.

Other required courses:

# 300 and 400 level courses:

four courses

Senior requirement:

The senior requirement consists of GEOL 497.

Additional information:

Students planning to attend graduate school should consider the following electives: CHEM 120, MATH 152, PHYS 121 and PHYS 122, and a summer field course.

Requirements for a major in Environmental Geoscience:

Total courses required:

thirteen courses

Core courses:

six course credits in geology including GEOL 111 and GEOL EXP any four of the following courses: GEOL 301, GEOL 304, GEOL 306, GEOL 316, GEOL 420, and GEOL 430

Other required courses:

Five course credits from two of the following allied fields (minimum of two course credits in each of the two chosen fields): Environmental Chemistry Environmental Biology Environmental Policy and Planning MATH 151 proficiency, UNIV EXP1 and UNIV EXP2.

# 300 and 400 level courses:

four courses

Senior requirement:

Additional information:

Students should consult with departmental faculty to obtain the list of approved courses for the allied fields.

Requirements for a major in Earth Science:

Total courses required:

nine courses

Core courses:

GEOL 111, GEOG 151, GEOL 497

Other required courses:

Four of the following courses are also required: GEOL 201, GEOL 301, GEOL 302, GEOL 304, GEOL 306, GEOL 316, GEOL 420, GEOL 430, GEOG 251, GEOG 262, GEOG 351.

# 300 and 400 level courses:

three courses

Senior requirement:

The senior requirement consists of GEOL 497.

Additional information:

an introductory course in astronomy CHEM 103 and MATH 151 (or MATH 135-136)

Requirements for a major in Geography:

Total courses required:

nine courses

Core courses:

GEOG 151, GEOG 351, GEOG 353, GEOG 495, GEOG 496, GEOL 111

Other required courses:

any two of the following courses: GEOG 105, GEOG 252 or GEOG 262, GEOL 107 any two of the following courses: GEOG 153, GEOG 274 or GEOG 276.

# 300 and 400 level courses:

three courses

Senior requirement:

The senior requirement consists of GEOG 495 - GEOG 496.

Additional information:

CSC 121 an introductory statistics course, e.g. MATH 340 or PSY 210

Requirements for a minor in Geology:

Total courses required:

four courses

Core courses:

GEOL 111

Other courses:

# 300 and 400 level courses:

one course

Requirements for a minor in Environmental Geoscience:

Total courses required:

five courses

Core courses:

(there are no core courses)

Other courses:

Choose from five of the following: GEOL 111, GEOL 197, GEOL EXP (appropriate topic),GEOL 301, GEOL 304, GEOL 306, GEOL 316, GEOL 420, GEOL 430, UNIV EXP (appropriate topic).

# 300 and 400 level courses:

one course

Requirements for a minor in Earth Science:

Total courses required:

four courses

Core courses:

GEOL 111, GEOG 151

Other courses:

# 300 and 400 level courses:

one course

Requirements for a minor in Geography:

Total courses required:

four courses

Core courses:

GEOG 151

Other courses:

# 300 and 400 level courses:

one course

Courses in Geology and Geography

Courses in Geology

GEOL 107. Geology of America's National Parks --1 course
Includes laboratory. Study of the geologic history of America via the National Park System. The course focuses on origin and evolution of landforms in various national parks and the geologic processes that created and sculpted them. Park features serve as a point of departure for interdisciplinary discussions on society's impact on the biosphere (life), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air) and tectosphere (land).

GEOL 111 . Physical Geology --1 course (includes laboratory)
An introduction to the materials that make up the earth and the interplay between constructive and destructive processes that shape it, including plate tectonics. Laboratories include mineral and rock identification, work in the field, and topographic map construction and interpretation.

GEOL 112. Historical Geology --1 course
Includes laboratory. The reconstruction of ancient environments based on the interpretation of sedimentary rocks and fossil communities; the origin and history of life with emphasis on the interrelationships of evolution, earth history and plate tectonics; the physical history of the North American continent. Laboratory exercises include field trips to examine and interpret rock outcrops in Indiana and adjacent states. Prerequisite: GEOL 111.

GEOL 197L. First-Year Seminar --1 course
A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of geology. Open only to first-year students.

GEOL 201. Geologic Field Experiences --1 course
Includes laboratory. A. West Virginia B. Utah C. Nevada. An introduction to field geology through intensive study of a geologic province. Students collect and interpret geologic data, construct geologic maps and cross sections and read published professional papers in order to interpret the tectonic, stratigraphic and geologic history of a province. Topics include the Valley and Ridge Province in West Virginia, the Colorado Plateau province in Utah, and the Basin and Range province in Nevada. A week-long field trip to the geologic province is required during Spring Break. A course fee covers field trip expenses. GEOL 201 may be repeated for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: GEOL 111.

GEOL 301. Mineralogy --1 course
Includes laboratory. A qualitative and quantitative study of the physical, chemical and optical properties of minerals. The physical properties of minerals are studied through the identification of hand samples and geometric analysis of crystal models. Mineral chemistry is studied using literature sources and laboratory work. The optical properties of minerals are examined using the petrographic microscope. Prerequisite or co-requisite: GEOL 111, CHEM 103 or permission of instructor. Offered in alternate years.

GEOL 302. Petrology --1 course
Includes laboratory. Genesis, classification and identification of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. These rock groups are studied through the use of hand samples, rock and mineral chemistry, microcomputers and petrographic analysis. Laboratory exercises include field trips to examine and interpret outcrops in Indiana and adjacent states. Prerequisite: GEOL 301.

GEOL 304. Structural Geology and Tectonics --1 course
Includes laboratory. Recognition, description and origin of structural features that form the architectural framework of the upper crust. Geometric (shape), kinematic (motion) and dynamic (mechanical) development of structural features are emphasized. Field work and applied laboratory work with microcomputers facilitate analyses of structures over a wide range in scale (lattice deformation to orogenic belts). Prerequisite: GEOL 111.

GEOL 306. Geochemistry --1 course
Includes laboratory. An introduction to the origin and evolution of terrestrial and extraterrestrial geochemical systems using thermodynamics, kinetics, isotopes and rock chemistry. The systems under study will include the atmosphere, crust, mantle and natural waters. Prerequisites: GEOL 111 and CHEM 103 .

GEOL 316. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy --1 course
Includes laboratory. Formation, transportation and deposition of sediments, and criteria for inferring geologic history of sediments. Classifications of stratigraphic units, the facies concept, unconformities and principles of correlation. Prerequisite: GEOL 111.

GEOL 420. Environmental Geophysics --1 course
Includes laboratory. Detailed analysis of the basic theory, field methods, and interpretation techniques of seismic, gravitational, magnetic and electrical methods of geophysical prospecting. Application of geophysical techniques to solving problems in geology, with emphasis on their applicability in environmental and exploration investigations. Outdoor work required. Prerequisites: GEOL 111 or permission of instructor and MATH 135 proficiency. PHYS 121 recommended.

GEOL 430. Applied Hydrogeology --1 course
Includes laboratory. An investigation of the occurrence and movement of ground water with consideration of ground water monitoring techniques, contamination, and remediation. Prerequisites: GEOL 111, CHEM 103 and MATH 135 proficiency.

GEOL 490. Advanced Topics in Geology --1/4-1/2-1 course
Intensive study of advanced topics in geology. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of the department.

GEOL 491. Readings and Problems in Geology --1/4-1/2 course
Advanced readings and problems in geology. Prerequisite: Permission of Chair of the department.

GEOL 492. Readings and Research in Geology --1/4-1/2 course
Original research in geology including a written thesis and an oral defense. Prerequisite: Permission of Chair of the department.

GEOL 497. Senior Seminar --1/2 course
Students read, present and discuss research papers in the geosciences. Prerequisite: A departmental major and senior standing.

Courses in Geography

GEOG 105. Earthquakes and Volcanoes --1 course
An investigation of the theory of plate tectonics and how it explains the distribution of earthquake and volcanic activity throughout the world. Destructive historical earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are examined with consideration of the impact of these disasters on human populations. Advances in the prediction of earthquake and volcanic activity also are evaluated. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 151. Physical Geography --1 course
An introduction to the earth's physical environment. Earth-sun relationships, weather, climate, natural vegetation, soils and landforms are studied.

GEOG 153. World Geography --1 course
An introduction to the earth's human environment. Emphasis is placed on the spatial diffusion of people and culture over the surface of the earth. Population dynamics, migration, cultural patterns, settlement, agriculture and geopolitics are examined. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 197G. First-Year Seminar --1 course
A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of geography. Open only to first-year students.

GEOG 251. The Global Environment --1 course
A topical examination of the world's natural resources. Special attention is given to the conservation of natural resources and the environmental impact of the extraction and use of natural resources. Topics include renewable and nonrenewable resources, acid rain, deforestation, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion and water pollution. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 262. Oceanography --1 course
An introduction to the study of physical oceanography. Topics include the seafloor, plate tectonics, ocean sediments, the chemistry of seawater, currents, waves, tides, beaches and shoreline processes. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 274. Geography of Anglo-America --1 course
A survey of the physical and human geography of Canada and the United States. Landforms, climates, population patterns, settlement, cultural regions and economic activity are examined. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 276. Geography of Latin America --1 course
A survey of the physical and human geography of Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Islands. Landforms, climates, population patterns, settlement, cultural regions and economic activity are examined. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 351. Map Interpretation --1 course
Includes laboratory. Interdisciplinary study of geologic processes and resulting landforms through the analysis and interpretation of geologic and topographic maps. Course focuses on the relationship of map patterns to tectonic, geomorphic, hydrogeologic and climatic processes that shape and influence landform development. Prerequisite: GEOG 111.

GEOG 353. Economic Geography --1 course
The location and development of primary, secondary and tertiary economic activities. Transportation principles, agriculture, industrial location, natural resources and location theory are studied. Offered in alternate years.

GEOG 460. Advanced Topics in Geography --1/2 course-1 course
Intensive study of advanced topics in geography. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of the department.

GEOG 495. Readings and Problems in Geography --1/4-1/2 course
Advanced readings and problems in geography. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of the department.

GEOG 496. Readings and Research in Geography --1/4-1/2 course
Original research in geography including a written thesis and an oral defense. Prerequisite: Permission of chair of the department.

©2001 DePauw University

email: sbates@depauw.edu