Geology
www.coloradocollege.edu/academics/dept/geology/
Professors LEONARD, MYROW, NOBLETT, C. SIDDOWAY; Associate Professor FRICKE (chair); Assistant Professor M.L. ANDERSON; Visiting Assistant Professor W.C. KRUGH
THE MAJOR — REQUIREMENTS:
Geology Courses:
All majors must pass courses listed in categories A through E below, with a grade of C- or above:
- Entry-level course options:
- GY130 Introductory Geology or GY140 Physical Geology
- 200-level courses:
- GY205 Historical Geology
- Either GY210 — Fundamental geological methods and Rocky Mountains evolution
- or GY211 The Rocky Mountains as a Chemical System and GY212 The Rocky Mountains as a Physical System
- ‘Menu’ at 300-level: one course from each group:
- GY305 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation or GY320 Surface Processes and Geomorphology
- GY335 Geochemistry or GY310 Igneous Petrology or GY313 Metamorphic Petrology
- GY308 Geophysics or GY315 Structural Geology
- 3 additional units of Geology at the 200 or 300 level (GY207 and GY307, excluded).
- Additional courses taken from the “menu” categories may count as an elective to fulfill this requirement. GY400 or GY445 may count toward this requirement if they are not being used to fulfill “E.” Both 400 and 445 can be used towards the electives requirement if another class is used to satisfy the Capstone requirement, but no single course can be counted for both requirements. 405 may not be used to satisfy an elective requirement.
- Capstone experience:
- One of: GY400, GY445 Regional Studies, or GY405 (senior project or senior thesis) (GY400 may not fulfill both D and E.)
11 units total
Supporting Courses:
All majors must also pass the following:
- PC 141– Introductory Physics I or PC 241 – Introductory Classical Physics I
- CH 107 – General Chemistry I
- MA 117 or BY 220 or EV228 – Probability and Statistics
- MA 126 – Calculus I
Geology majors, and especially those intending to go on to graduate school in geology, are strongly urged to take additional mathematics and science courses, to take GY 400 Senior Seminar in Geology, and to attend a summer geology field camp offered by a university. Geology majors wishing to pursue graduate work or a career in environmental geology should include GY 250 Studies in Geology: Hydrogeology in their course work and should consider taking additional course work in Environmental Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology.
AP credit may not be counted towards the supporting science requirement. Students with AP credit or who have tested out of any of the above courses in PC, CH, or MA must take the next higher course in the department’s sequence.
Geology Courses
100 Studies in Geology:
Geological topics, such as environmental hazards, plate tectonics, and mineral resources and society, offered in different years. No prior knowledge of geology is assumed. May not be taken for credit after 130. (Only one Geology 100 course unit may be applied toward divisional credit in the natural sciences.) (May meet the laboratory/field requirement for natural sciences.) (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: No credit if taken after 130 or 140.
1 to 2 units
101 Catastrophic Geology: Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters
An examination of the nature and causes of earthquakes, volcanos, and floods through in-depth study of several seminal hazardous events and regions. Unique and occasionally conflicting perspectives from historic/pre-historic records, modern science and present/future economics and politics underscore the slow progress in our understanding of these catastrophes. The events will also be examined within the global framework of plate tectonic theory to enhance understanding of dynamic earth processes. .5 or 1.0 unit. The 1.0 unit course provides one block toward the Critical Perspective: Scientific Inquiry requirement.
1 unit —
115 Oceanography
Basic principles of physical and chemical oceanography. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement.
1 unit —
130 Introductory Geology
The materials of the earth, earth processes and interrelationships between these domains. History of the earth, with emphasis on how geologists accomplish their historical inquiries. (Meets the laboratory/field requirement for natural sciences.) Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: No credit after Geology 140.
1 to 2 units
140 Physical Geology
The fundamentals of physical geology: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; basic mineralogy; structural geology; mapping; and examination of local stratigraphic units. (Meets the laboratory/field requirement for the natural sciences.) Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement.
Prerequisite: No credit after Geology 130.
1 unit —
150 Environmental Geology
A survey of environmental issues from the geologist's perspective, including such topics as: hazards from volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods, bio-geochemical cycles and atmospheric change, and energy and mineral resources. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
1 unit
205 Historical Geology
Historical development of the Earth and life history emphasizing the major tectonic and stratigraphic patterns and the feedback between the physical Earth and biological evolution. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement.
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140.
1 unit —
207 Independent Study in Geology
Independent research projects based on laboratory, field or library investigations. May be taught in extended format or regular course.
Prerequisite: Geology 140, consent of instructor and registration at least 1 block prior.
.5 to 1 unit —
210 Fundamental Geological Methods and Rocky Mountain Evolution
Foundational methods in geology, taught through field studies that examine the regional geology and tectonic evolution of the Rocky Mountain Region. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement.
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140, and Chemistry 107, Physics 141 or Physics 241 recommended. No credit if taken after Geology 211 or 212.
2 units —
211 The Rocky Mountains as a Chemical System
Investigation of the chemical processes of formation of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary minerals and rocks in the Rocky Mountain region. The project-based course examines links between the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Includes field and lab methods, data collection/analysis, and scientific writing as a foundation for higher-level Geology courses. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140; Chemistry 107.
1 unit
212 The Rocky Mountains as a Physical System
Investigation of the geophysical, deformational, and geomorphic processes that gave rise to the modern geology and landscape of the Rocky Mountain region. Introduces field, lab, and computer methods, data collection/analysis, and scientific writing as a foundation for work in higher-level Geology courses. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140; Physics 141 or 241 No credit if taken after Geology 210.
1 unit
230 Volcanology
Volcanic types, processes and products. Volcanic hazards and prediction. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement.
Prerequisite: consent of instructor or Geology 210 or Geology 211.
1 unit —
240 Plate Tectonics
History of Plate Tectonics and its formulation, paleomagnetic record of ocean crust, geodynamics and tectonic theory, active tectonics, current frontiers.
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140 and one 200-level GY course.
1 unit —
250 Studies in Geology:
Geological topics, such as Advanced Environmental Geology, Hydrology, Mineral Resources Problems and Policies, and Colorado Alpine Environments, offered in different years. (May meet the laboratory/field requirement for natural sciences.)
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140.
1 unit —
300 Invertebrate Paleontology
Microscopic and megascopic study of the significant fossil invertebrate phyla with emphasis on taxonomy, morphology, ecology and evolution. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 130 or Geology 140 and Geology 210 or Geology 212.
1 unit
305 Stratigraphy & Sedimentation
Transport and deposition of sediment, modern and ancient depositional systems, basin analysis, and correlation of sedimentary rocks. Field work emphasizes analysis of sedimentary structures and facies models for paleoenvironmental interpretation.
Prerequisite: Geology 210 or Geology 211.
1 unit —
307 Independent Study in Geology
Independent research projects based on laboratory, field or library investigations. May be taught in extended format or regular course.
Prerequisite: One prior course in the discipline of study, consent of instructor and registration at least one block prior.
.5 to 1 unit —
308 Introductory Geophysics
Applications of physics to the study of Earth structure from crust to core. Seismology, magnetics, gravity, and geodesy. Explores history of Earth's formation, current geologic and tectonic problems, and uniqueness of interpretation issues.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 125 or Mathematics 126, Physics 141 or Physics 241, and Geology 210 or Geology 212 or consent of instructor.
1 unit —
310 Igneous Petrology
Classification, modes of occurrence and origin of igneous rocks.
Prerequisite: Geology 210 or Geology 211 and Chemistry 107.
1 unit —
313 Metamorphic Petrology
Classification, modes of occurrence and origin of metamorphic rocks. Emphasis is on field relations and thin section work. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Chemistry 107 and Geology 210 or Geology 211.
1 unit
315 Structural Geology
A study of the geometry and origin of rock structures from microscopic to continental scale. Mechanical behavior of rocks, stress and strain, plate tectonic context of rock deformation. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 210 or Geology 212 and Physics 141 or Physics 241.
1 to 2 units
316 Field Analysis of Geological Structures
Techniques of field and laboratory analysis of deformed rocks. Geological mapping in metamorphic and sedimentary terrains.
Prerequisite: Geology 315.
1 unit —
320 Surface Processes and Geomorphology
Mechanical and chemical processes involved in the development of landforms. Discussion of weathering and soils, mass movement, fluvial, and glacial/periglacial processes and landforms, tectonic geomorphology, and landscape evolution. Course involves significant components of laboratory and field work. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 210 or Geology 212 and Physics 141 or Physics 241.
1 unit
321 Glacial Geology
An introduction to glaciology and glacial geomorphology. Course also examines the nature, history, and causes of Quaternary glaciation.
Prerequisite: Geology 260 or 320 or consent of instructor.
1 unit —
335 Geochemistry of the Rock Cycle
Atomic-scale to lithospheric-scale investigation of geologic processes that occur as a result of chemical reactions, and the evidence of these reactions in the rock record. Includes study of chemical behavior of common and rare elements in the earth, and of isotopes of these elements. Theoretical concepts are reinforced by collection and analysis of geochemical data by students, critical reading of journal articles, and by scientific writing summary papers and research proposals. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Geology 210 or Geology 211 and Chemistry 107.
1 unit
370 Adv Studies in Geology:
Advanced geological topics. These courses are aimed at students with considerable background in geology and will generally involve critical reading of current literature. Topics will vary year-to-year. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: depending on topic.
1 unit
400 Senior Seminar in Geology:
Thematic capstone seminar designed to integrate aspects of several geologic disciplines. Emphasis will be placed on current topics in the geological literature, including their historical and philosophical contexts. Topics will vary year-to-year. Senior standing in geology is required. Class size limit is 15 students. (Not offered 2012-13).
Prerequisite: Senior Geology Major.
1 unit
405 Research Topics in Geology:
Student participation in original research. The particular topic, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member, to be included in the course title whenever offered. (May be taken either as a block course or as an extended format course with 1/2 unit of credit per semester.)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
1 unit —
445 Regional Studies in Geology
An in-depth study of a geological region that requires students to apply fundamental knowledge and skills acquired through the course of their college education. Involves in-depth study of primary rock relationships in a field setting, critical reading of published geological literature, and interpretation and synthesis in oral/written formats.
Prerequisite: Senior Geology major and consent of instructor.
1 unit —