Geology (GEOL) courses offered

For the most current listing of courses offered by the geology discipline, consult the UMM catalog. To find out what courses are being offered in a particular semester, consult the UMM course schedule. GenEd designators are Sci (Science w/out Lab) and Sci-L (Science with Lab).

Click the links below (where available) to see the class web page.

GEOL 1001 - Environmental Geology: Geology in Daily Life (SCI)
(4.0 cr; may not count toward the geol major or minor; spring, every year)
Effects of volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods on humans and civilization; geologic problems associated with rural and urban building, waste management, and waste disposal; the importance of geologic knowledge in the discovery of fossil fuels and mineral resources. (4 hrs lect) Cotter


GEOL 1011 - Geology of the National Parks (SCI)
(4.0 cr; may not count toward the geol major or minor; offered when feasible; fall)
Exploration of the fundamental aspects of the geosciences: earth materials, geologic time, plate tectonics, and the evolution of landscapes by examining the geology and geologic history of the U.S. national parks. (4 hrs lect) Brugger


GEOL 1012 - Oceanography (SCI)
(4.0 cr; may not count toward geol major or minor; fall)
Physiography and geological evolution of ocean basins; marine sedimentation; coastal processes and environments; chemical evolution, and chemical and physical properties of seawater; ocean-atmosphere interactions; deep-ocean circulation; waves and tides; marine ecosystems. (4 hrs lect) Brugger


GEOL 1101 - Physical Geology (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; fall, spring, every year)
Introduction to the materials that make up the Earth and the structures, surface features, and geologic processes involved in its origin and development. Lab work includes study of the major constituents of the Earth's crust, including the important rocks and minerals; study of surface and geologic features using aerial photographs, topographic maps, and satellite imagery. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) Brugger, Jones, Van Alstine


GEOL 1993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 5.0 cr [max 10.0 cr]; Prereq-approved directed study form; fall, spring, every year)
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.


GEOL 2101 - Mineralogy and Crystallography (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101, Chem 1101 or #; fall, every year)
Classification, identification, physical and chemical properties, origin and natural occurrence of major mineral groups. Lab study of crystal systems by use of models; introduction to optical aspects and physical and chemical testing. (3 hrs lect, 6 hrs lab and field trips) Jones


GEOL 2111 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-2101; spring, every year)
Classification, composition, genesis, and natural occurrence of igneous and metamorphic rocks; lab study and identification of rocks by various macroscopic, microscopic, and chemical means. (3 hrs lect, 6 hrs lab and field trips) Jones


GEOL 2121 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-2101; fall, every year)
Processes of sedimentation, including origin, transportation, and deposition of sediments; interpretation of sedimentary environments. Principles of stratigraphy and their applications. Lab work includes sedimentary particle analysis; stratigraphic sections; and interpretation of ancient sedimentary environments based on stratified sequences of sedimentary rock. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Van Alstine


GEOL 2131 - Geomorphology (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101; not offered 2005-06; spring)
Study of the Earth's surface and surficial processes; weathering, erosion, and deposition, and the resulting landforms and products; the history of the study of landforms in the United States. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Cotter


GEOL 2141 - Glacial and Quaternary Geology (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101; not offered 2005-06; fall)
Glaciers, glaciology, glacial deposition, glacial erosion; climatic change and the growth and advance of ice sheets; effect of glaciations on flora and fauna. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Cotter


GEOL 2151 - Historical Geology: Earth History and Changing Scientific Perspectives (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; spring, every year)
Development of fundamental theories and principles of geology, including stratigraphy, uniformitarianism, geologic time, evolution, and plate tectonics. Emphasis on how geological thought has evolved through time as the scientific, religious, and political climate has changed. Discussion of the Earth's history and science's changing views of the Earth; continental movements, mountain building, and the evolution and development of organisms and ecosystems. Lab experience on methods of interpreting Earth's history from rocks, fossils, and structures and solving geological problems. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) Cotter, Van Alstine


GEOL 2161 - GIS and Remote Sensing (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101 or Biol 1101 or #; spring)
Introduction to design, development, and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS); overview of acquisition and utility of satellite data and imagery; emphasis on applications in Earth and environmental sciences; lab component focuses on practical aspects of GIS development and use and involves original semester projects designed and implemented by individual students. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) Jones


GEOL 2301 - CE: Geology of Minnesota (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; summer)
Active, hands-on learning both in class and on class field trips to selected localities throughout the state. Field trips include: Pipestone National Monument; glacial geology of west-central Minnesota; geology of the Minnesota River Valley. Cotter


GEOL 2993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 5.0 cr [max 10.0 cr]; Prereq-approved directed study form; fall, spring, every year)
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.


GEOL 3001 - Global Tectonics (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-#; fall, spring)
Internal structure and composition of the earth; geometry and motion of lithospheric plates; geological and geophysical processes at plate boundaries; evolution of mountain belts; heat flow, thermal convection, and the driving mechanism for plate movement. Brugger


GEOL 3004 - Orogenic Belts (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-3001 or #; spring, even years)
Geodynamics of convergent and collisional tectonism; physical and chemical processes that control global topography; physical, chemical, and temporal evolution of orogenic (mountain) systems; regional comparison of characteristic orogenic belts (Alps, Himalaya, Appalachians, etc.); physical and environmental consequences of mountain building. Jones


GEOL 3101 - Structural Geology (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-2111 or #; spring, every year)
Elementary concepts of stress and strain, theory of rock deformation; description and classification of structures in the Earth's crust; application of geometric, analytical, and map interpretation techniques to solving structural problems; field mapping problems. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Brugger



GEOL 3111 - Introduction to Invertebrate Paleontology (SCI-L)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1121 or #; not offered 2005-06; spring)
Morphology and evolutionary record of the major invertebrate groups characterized by significant fossil representation. Principles of evolution, paleoecology, and paleoenvironmental interpretations of fossil assemblages. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab) Van Alstine


GEOL 3196 - Geology Field Camp (SCI)
(6.0 cr; Prereq-2121, 2151, 3101; summer, every year)
Identification and solution of geological problems in the field, including stratigraphic correlation, construction of cross sections and geologic maps, report preparation, field mapping, structural analysis, and environmental interpretation of Precambrian and Paleozoic rock units. Only offered during summer at a 6-week residential camp.


GEOL 3401 - Geophysics (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-Math 1101, Phys 1101 or #; not offered 2006-07; fall)
Propagation of seismic waves, earthquake seismology, and the structure of the Earth; the origin and nature of the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields; the Earth's internal production and flow of heat; composition, state, and rheology of the Earth's interior; plate tectonics and elementary geodynamics. (4 hrs lect) Brugger


GEOL 3411 - Advanced Stratigraphy: Subsurface Methods (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101, 2121 or #; not offered 2005-06; spring)
Techniques and methods of investigating subsurface geologic and stratigraphic features. Includes a discussion of drilling methods, subsurface mapping methods, and techniques for interpreting subsurface geologic trends. (2 hrs lect, 4 hrs lab) Van Alstine


GEOL 3421 - Airphoto Interpretation (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-1101 or #; offered when feasible; spring)
Interpretation of geologic landforms, cultural features, and vegetative patterns as viewed from aerial photographs. Geologic features studied include volcanic, mass wasting, and glacial flow features; coastal and fluvial features; groundwater solution features, and structural features. (2 hrs lect, 4 hrs lab) Van Alstine


GEOL 3501 - Hydrology (SCI)
(4.0 cr; Prereq-Math 1101 or #; fall, every year)
Elements of surface water hydrology; groundwater occurrence and aquifer characteristics; groundwater flow mechanics and flow nets; well hydraulics; groundwater contamination, contaminant transport, and remediation; management and legal aspects of water resources. (4 hrs lect) Brugger


GEOL 3993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 5.0 cr [max 10.0 cr]; Prereq-approved directed study form; fall, spring, every year)
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.


GEOL 4130 - Advanced Geomorphology (SCI)
(4.0 cr [max 8.0 cr]; Prereq-2131; offered when feasible; fall, spring)
Surficial processes and the resulting landforms; may include catastrophic events, large lakes, arid regions geomorphology or the evolution of the Badlands. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Cotter


GEOL 4140 - Advanced Glacial and Quaternary Geology (SCI)
(4.0 cr [max 8.0 cr]; Prereq-2141; not offered 2006-07; fall)
Glacial geology and glacial history; may include pre-pleistocene glaciations, quaternary stratigraphy, or subglacial processes. (3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab and field trips) Cotter


GEOL 4901 - Geology Senior Seminar
(1.0 cr; Prereq-#; required for geol major; fall, every year)
Capstone experience in Geology. Discussion of selected topics of geologic interest.


GEOL 4902 - Geology Senior Seminar Presentations
(1.0 cr; Prereq-#; required for geol major; spring, every year)
Capstone experience in geology. Presentations of research projects.


GEOL 4993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 5.0 cr [max 10.0 cr]; Prereq-approved directed study form; fall, spring, every year)
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.