- GEOL 102: Our Dynamic Earth: Introduction to Geology (3)
- Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. A study of the minerals, rocks, and landforms that make up our earth in the context of the dynamic forces that form them. Emphasis on local geology, including earthquakes and other environmental aspects. Laboratory study of minerals, rocks, and maps. Required one-day weekend field trip. Fee required. Satisfies GE Area B1 (Physical Sciences) and GE laboratory requirements.
- GEOL 105: The Age of Dinosaurs (3)
- Lecture, 3 hours. The life and death of dinosaurs as evidenced by the fossil record will be studied to show how geology and biology combine in the discipline of paleontology. The evolution of dinosaurs over a 150-million- year time span sets the stage to investigate several interesting and ongoing controversies surrounding dinosaurs, including: why dinosaurs became extinct, the metabolism of dinosaurs, and the relationship between birds and dinosaurs. Satisfies GE Area B1 (Physical Sciences).
- GEOL 107: Introduction to Earth Science (3)
- This course studies the operation of the Earth system and its solar system home. It introduces the fundamental aspects of 4 major areas: astronomy; geology, including plate tectonics, and the planetary history of the Earth and its moon; physical oceanography; and weather and climate. There is no lab. The course is designed to prepare students for the earth science and astronomy parts of the SET examination. The prerequisite is that the student must be enrolled in the AMCS, LIBS, CALS, or ENSP credential program.
- GEOL 110: Natural Disasters (3)
- A course to examine the interaction between natural processes and human activities, and the often costly and fatal results. Course emphasis will be on the principles underlying natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, severe weather, coastal processes, asteroid impacts, fires, great dyings, and population growth. Many examples will be drawn from the northern California area. Extensive Internet work for current information. Course content may vary with instructor. Satisfies GE, category B3 (Physical Sciences, Specific Emphasis).
- GEOL 120: Regional Field Geology (3)
- The heart of geology is in the field. This course is an examination of rocks, minerals, and landforms, and the processes that form them. A 10-day field trip taken during spring vacation, where the natural world becomes our classroom. Prerequisites: GEOL 102 or concurrent enrollment; students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 205: Mineralogy (4)
- Lecture 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Principles of crystal chemistry, crystallography, properties, and origin of common rock-forming minerals. Laboratory sessions emphasize hand specimen and petrographic mineral identification and characterization. Prerequisites: completion of or concurrent enrollment in GEOL 303 and CHEM 115A/116A.
- GEOL 205a: Mineralogy, Optics (2)
- Supplementary course to be held concurrently with GEOL 205. For students who already have taken a mineralogy course but have not gained sufficient experience in optical mineralogy. Consists of the lecture and laboratory portion of GEOL 205 relevant to optical mineralogy. Prerequisite or co-requisites: GEOL 303 and CHEM 115A.
- GEOL 301: Natural History of the Hawaiian Isllands (3)
- Lecture, 3 hours. The origin and evolution of the flora and fauna of the most isolated archipelago in the world; geologic history and context of volcanic oceanic islands; conservation biology efforts to save the rare and endangered species of Hawaii. Satisfies GE Are B3 (Specific Emphasis in Natural Sciences). Prerequisite: BIOL 115 or 121/122.
- GEOL 302: Geology of Climate Change (3)
- Lecture, 3 hours. Climate changes on time scales of days to millions of years. We will review methods by which the amplitude and pacing of climate changes are measured, use data analysis to assess the significance of past climate variability, and consider interpretations and theories proposed to explain Earth’s climate. Prerequisites: GEOL 102 and CHEM 115A.
- GEOL 303: Advanced Principles of Geology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Advanced treatment of the principles, methods, and tools within the geological sciences. We will discuss topics such as: plate tectonics, Earth materials and resources, Earth surface processes, geological hazards, how to read geological and topographic maps, how we decipher geological history, and much more. Prerequisite: one of the following: GEOL 102, 105, 107,110, or 120; ANTH 201, ENSP 303, ENSP 309, BIOL 310, or GEOG 204.
- GEOL 304: Geologic Mapping & Report Writing (1)
- Field studies and report preparation done in conjunction with GEOL 303. Required weekend field trips. Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in GEOL 303; students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 305: Geology of America's National Parks (3)
- This course will explore the geology of some of our most interesting National Parks and their significant geological features, as well as the societal implications of our use – and overuse – of them. Some relevant history and natural and cultural resources of the parks will be integrated into the course.
- GEOL 306: Environmental Geology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours. Study of geological principles and processes as they relate to our natural environment emphasizing interaction between human activities and the geological environment. Major topics include the nature and behavior of rocks and soils; earthquakes and their associated hazards; landslides, slope stability, and building construction; groundwater and pollution; stream processes and flooding; shoreline processes and coastal development; engineering geology and construction of highways and dams; and development of natural resources, conservation, and ecology. Specific content varies year to year, depending on instructor. Prerequisite: GEOL 102 or consent of instructor.
- GEOL 307: Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. A study of the origin, properties, classification, and occurrence of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory exercises in the classification and description of minerals, textures, and structures of the more common rock types. Laboratory work will emphasize both hand specimen analysis and microscopic petrography. Prerequisites: GEOL 205, and GEOL 102 or GEOL 303.
- GEOL 308: Igneous & Metamorphic Field (1)
- Field studies done in conjunction with GEOL 307. Required weekend field trips. Fee required. Prerequisites: GEOL 304 and concurrent enrollment in GEOL 307. Students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 309: Computer Applications in Geology (4)
- Lecture; 3 hours; Laboratory, 3 hours. This course aims to provide our majors with some fundamental skills for manipulating and representing geological data using computer applications. Applications include using digitizing field maps and data into GIS format, creating figures in computer aided drawing programs, using basic functions computational software and generating histograms, and rose diagrams. Prerequisite or co-requisite: GEOL 303 and GEOL 304.
- GEOL 310: Geophysics (4)
- This course will cover the basic theories underlying various geophysical methods, field procedures and data collection, and how to interpret geophysical data. Topics include seismic reflectionandrefraction,paleomagnetism,gravityand magnetic surveying, and how geophysical methods have augmented our overall understanding of the earth’s structure and earth processes. Prerequisites: GEOL 303
- GEOL 311: Sedimentary Geology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. The description, classification and origin of sedimentary rocks. Discussion of weathering and origin of sediment; sediment transportation and sedimentary structures; clastic and nonclastic classification; and petrology. Hand specimen and thin section petrography and other techniques for studying sedimentary rocks will be used in the laboratory. Prerequisites: GEOL 303.
- GEOL 312: Sedimentary Geology Field (1)
- Field studies done in conjunction with GEOL 311. Required weekend and weekday field trips. Prerequisites: concurrent enrollment in GEOL 311. Students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 313: Paleontology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory 3 hours. The study of fossils in their geological context. Topics include taxonomy, morphology, evolution, biogeography, extinction, and biostratigraphy of the main groups of invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant fossils. Laboratory work will include becoming familiar with stratigraphically important fossil groups and the use of fossils in solving both geological and biological problems. Prerequisite: GEOL 303 for majors, GEOL 102 for non-majors.
- GEOL 314: Paleontology Field (1)
- Field studies done in conjunction with GEOL 313. Required weekend field trips.Prerequisites: GEOL 303 for majors, GEOL 102 for non-majors, and concurrent enrollment in GEOL 313. Students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 317: Structural Geology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. An introduction to deformation processes within the Earth’s crust and the geological strudtures that result from these processes. We will examine deformation running the gamut of scales (from atomic scale to tectonic scale). Prerequisites: GEOL 303 and 304.
- GEOL 318: Structural Geology Field (4)
- Field studies done in conjunction with GEOL 317. Required weekend field trips. Prerequisite: GEOL 317 or concurrent enrollment. Students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 320: Basin Analysis (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Origin and evolution of sedimentary basins; tectonic settings and significance; subsidence and thermal histories; basin-scale depositional systems; paleocurrent, provenance, and paleogeographic analysis; basin types; paleoclimatic influences; resources. Prerequisite: GEOL 311, 312, 317, and 318.
- GEOL 321: Burgess Shale Paleontology (3)
- Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. Advanced examination of the Cambrian Burgess Shale fossil deposits in British Columbia, Canada. Field work supplements lecture sessions on campus. Prerequisites: GEOL 313, GEOL 314, and consent of instructor. Students must be in good physical condition.
- GEOL 323: Hydrology (3)
- Lecture, 3 hours. Water as a natural resource, the hydrologic cycle, distribution of water on the Earth. Atmospheric water, soil water, runoff, and groundwater as related to water supply and use. Applications to problems of flood control, water management, and water pollution, with special emphasis on California and Sonoma County. Prerequisites: GEOL 102 or consent of instructor; MATH 160.
- GEOL 326: Stratigraphy & Earth History (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours. The principles of stratigraphy and historical geology will be discussed, with special emphasis given to the application of these principles to the geologic development of North America. The geologic history of California will be treated in detail. The use of sedimentary rocks, fossils, and structural and tectonic principles will be discussed, especially as they relate to our understanding of historical geology. Laboratory work will include a study of sedimentary rocks and their properties, fossils and their occurrence and distribution, the construction and interpretation of various types of stratigraphic maps, and detailed studies of selected maps representative of the various geologic provinces of North America. Required field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 303 or consent of instructor.
- GEOL 395: Community Involvement Program (1-4)
- CIP involves students in community problems such as tutoring, aiding in school science classes, and advisement of county agencies. A total of 6 units of CIP credit may be applied toward a degree. May be taken by petition only. Not applicable to the geology major.
- GEOL 396: Internship in Geology (1-4)
- Professional geologic work for a geologic firm or agency. Forty-five hours of work per unit. Not applicable to the geology major. Prerequisites: GEOL 303 and consent of instructor.
- GEOL 406: X-Ray Mineralogy (2)
- Lecture, 1 hour; laboratory, 3 hours. Introduction to the use of x-ray diffraction techniques. Prerequisites: CHEM 115A and GEOL 205 or concurrent enrollment, and consent of instructor.
- GEOL 420: Integrative Field Experience (4)
- This course is a synthesis of the geology-major, core courses. This course aims to hone our students’ abilities to make valid geologic field interpretations through detailed field mapping and report writing. Twelve days of fieldwork are required. Prerequisites: GEOL 309, 308, 311, 312, 317, and 318. Students must be in good physical condition. Lecture, 3 hours. Introductory cosmochemistry and origin of the elements; meteorites; the earth as a chemical system, chemistry of processes at the surface of the earth; mineral crystal chemistry; introduction t0 geochronology and stable isotope variations in nature; thermodynamics and its geological application; geochemical prospecting. Prerequisite: GEOL 303, CHEM 115AB/116AB, MATH 161, or consent of instructor.
- GEOL 422: Geochemistry (3)
- Lecture, 3 hours. Introductory cosmochemistry and origin of the elements; meteorites; the Earth as a chemical system, chemistry of processes at the surface of the Earth; mineral crystal chemistry; introduction to geochronology and stable isotope variations in nature; thermodynamics and its geological application; geochemical prospecting. Prerequisites: GEOL 303, CHEM 115AB/116AB, MATH 161, or consent of instructor.
- GEOL 425: Economic Geology (4)
- Lecture, 3 hours. Classification, origin, and alteration of metallic ore deposits. Laboratory sessions on hand sample identification of ore and alteration minerals and petrographic analysis of selected ore suites. Prerequisites: previous or concurrent enrollment in GEOL 307 and CHEM 115B/116B.
- GEOL 426A: Senior Thesis 1 (3)
- 426A is the first semester of a senior thesis project. A senior thesis is an opportunity for students to engage in primary research. Students must write a proposal, defining the scope of their project. Thesis projects must be a two-semester project. Students will be required to present their projects at the Geology Colloquium. Prerequisite: thesis advisor consent.
- GEOL 426A: Senior Thesis 2 (3)
- 426B is the second semester of a senior thesis project. A senior thesis is an opportunity for students to engage in primary research. Students must write a proposal, defining the scope of their project. Thesis projects must be a two-semester project. Students will be required to present their projects at the Geology Colloquium. Prerequisites: thesis-advisor consent and GEOL 426A.
- Department policy on Senior Thesis
The student must have a 3.00 or higher departmental grade point average. The student must have demonstrated ability to work independently and do quality work in both the lecture and the field classes. The student must submit a detailed proposal of work, a schedule, and the expected results. The student must have a faculty sponsor who is willing to advise the project and will set up a schedule of meetings for this purpose. Two copies of the final paper/report will be filed with the department office before a grade will be assigned. The student must be presented at the department colloquium.
Individual study, under guidance of an advisor, of an advanced field, laboratory, or literature problem. The student must have demonstrated ability to work independently and do quality work. The student must have a faculty sponsor who is willing to advise the project and will set up a schedule of meetings for this purpose. May be repeated for credit. - GEOL 496: Selected Topics in Geology (4)
- An intensive study of an advanced topic in geology. May be repeated for additional credit with new subject matter. Prerequisite: adequate preparation for topic under consideration. Additional fee may be required.
- GEOL 498: Geology Practicum (1-4)
- Application of previously studied theory through supervised instructional work experience in geology, generally as a teaching assistant in geology laboratory classes. Intended for professional growth. May be repeated for up to a total of 4 units. Not applicable for the Geology major or minor. Prerequisites: upper-division standing in Geology and consent of instructor. Student needs to have passed the course that he/she will be a teaching assistant in with a grade of B or better. To be a teaching assistant in GEOL 102 laboratory student needs to have received a grade of B or better in GEOL 303.
- GEOL 427: Advanced Field Geology (4)
- A minimum of five weeks of detailed mapping in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, and the preparation of field reports and geological maps. Students may also complete this course at another university, but should do so only in consultation with the Geology Department. Students must demonstrate equivalence in terms of field hours and course content to GEOL 427. Prerequisite: senior-level standing in Geology. GEOL 420 strongly recommended.
- GEOL 495: Special Studies (1-4)
