The following courses are scheduled for 2008-2009. The courses tentatively planned for 2009-2010 are also given. A document with these course plans can be uploaded here.
101 Our Changing Planet (Davis, P.)
102 Oceanography (Benham, S.)
103 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Geologic Hazards (Foley, D.)
104 Conservation of Natural Resources (Todd, C.)
190 Geology of the National Parks (Benham, S.)
332 Geomorphology (Todd, C.)
335 Geophysics (Whitman, J.)
498 Seminar (Foley, D.)
101 Our Changing Planet (Davis, P.)
190 Global Climate Change (Todd, C.)
328 Paleontology (Benham, S.)
102 Oceanography (Benham, S.)
104 Conservation of Natural Resources (Whitman, J.)
105 Meteorology - probable
190 Energy Concepts (Davis, P.)
201 Geologic Principles (Foley, D.)
325 Structural Geology (Davis, P.)
334 Hydrogeology (Foley, D.)
390 Field Trip (Benham, S.)
499 Capstone (Whitman, J.)
101 Our Changing Planet
102 Oceanography
103 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Geologic Hazards
104 Conservation of Natural Resources
190 Geology of the National Parks
326 Optical mineralogy (Davis, P.)
327 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (Benham, S.)
330 Maps: Images of Earth (Foley, D.)
498 Seminar (McKenney, R.)
331 Maps: Computer aided mapping/map analysis (McKenney, R.)
102 Oceanography
103 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, & Geologic Hazards
104 Conservation of Natural Resources
190 Energy Concepts
201 Geologic Principles
324 Igneous Petrology (Davis, P.)
329 Metamorphic Petrology (Davis, P.)
350 Marine Geology
499 Capstone
100-level 200-level 300-level 400-level
101 Our Changing Planet
Exploration of Earth systems, including dcycles in and connections
among the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.
Discussion of changes in and human impacts to these systems that have
taken place through time. Includes labs.
102 General Oceanography
Oceanography and its relationship to other fields; physical, chemical,
biological, climatic, and geological aspects of the sea. Includes labs
and field trips.
103 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Golgogic Hazards
Study of the geologic environmetn and its relationship to humans, with
emphasis on geologic features and processes that create hazards when
encroached upon by human activity., including earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, landslides and avalanches, and solutions to problems created
by these hazards. Includes labs.
104 Conservation of Natural Resources
Principles and problems of public and private stewardship of our
resources with special reference to the Pacific Northwest. Includes
labs.
105 Meteorology
A full, balanced, and up-to-date coverage of the basic principles of
meteorology. Examination of the impacts of severe weather on humans and
the environment. No prerequisites. Includes labs.
106: Geology of National Parks (Taught as GEOS 190)
Study
of the significant geologic features, processes, and history as illustrated by selected National Parks. Relationship between human
history and geology and the impact of geology on our lives will be included.
107: Global Climate Change (Taught as GEOS 190)
A survey of current climate change research. Students will develop and apply fundamental understanding of earth systems through evaluation of geologic and other scientific evidence for long- and short-term climate change.
Special Topics: Energy Concepts (Taught as GEOS 190)
A survey of traditional and alternative energy resource potentials and impacts of their exploitation. The geological processes that produce fossil fuels and geothermal energy will be emphasized. Students will use qualitative reasoning and quantitative skills to evaluate current problems and debates from an earth systems perspective such as the difference in resource potential between fossil and renewable resources.
201 Geologic Principles
A survey of geologic processes as they apply to the evolution of the
North American continent, including the interaction of humans with
their geologic environment. Students participate actively in classes
that integrate laboratory and field study of rocks, minerals, fossils,
maps and environmental aspects of geology and emphasize developing
basic skills of geologic inquiry. This course meets state education
certification requirements for content in physical and historical
geology.
324 Igneous Petrology
Applied and theoretical study of the genesis, nature, and distribution
of igneous rocks, at microscopic to global scales. Includes labs.
Prerequisites: 201, 326, or consent of instructor.
325 Structural Geology
The form and spatial relationships of verious rock masses and an
introduction to rock deformation; consideration of basic processes to
understand mountain building and continental formation; laboratory
emphasizes practical techniques which enable students to analyze
regional structural patterns. Prerequisite: 201 or consent of
instructor.
326 Optical Mineralogy
Theory and practice of mineral studies using the petrographic
microscope, including immersion oil techniues, production of thin
sections, and determination of minerals by means of their optical
properties. Includes labs. Prerequisite: 201 or consent of
instructor.
327 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
Formational principles of surface-accumulated rocks, and their
incorporation in the stratigraphic record. This subject is basic to
field mapping and structural interpretation. Prerequisite: 201 or consent of
instructor.
328 Paleontology
A systematic study of the fossil record, combining principles of
evolutionary development, paleohabitats and preservation, with
practical experience of specimen identification. Includes labs.
Prerequisite: 201 or consent of instructor.
329 Metamorphic Petrology
Consideration of the mineralogical and textural changes that rock
undergo during orogenic episodes, including physical-chemical
parameters of the environment as deduced from experimental studies.
Includes labs. Prerequisites: 201, 326, or consent of instructor.
330 Maps: Images of the Earth
Maps as a basic tool for communicating information. An introduction to
computer-based Geographyc Information Systems, Global Positioning
Systems, digital maps, remotely-sensed images and aerial photographs.
Includes labs. Prerequisite: previous science (geoscience preferred),
math or computer science course or consent of instructor.
331 Maps: Computer aided mapping and map analysis
Computer-based Geographic Information Systems, digital maps, and data
sources. The creation, interpretation, and analysis of digital maps
from multiple data sources. Analysis of spatial information from
sciences, social sciences, and humanities using sets of digital maps.
Includes labs. Prerequisite: Previous science (geoscience preferred),
math or computer science course or consent of instructor. GEOS 330 or
familiarity with maps recommended.
332 Geomorphology
Study of the processes that shape the Earth's surface with emphasis on
the effects of rock types, geologic structure, and climate on the
formation and evolution of land forms. Includes albs. Prerequisite:
131, 201, or consent of instructor.
334 Hydrogeology
Study of the hydrologic cycle, investigating surface and ground-water
flow, resource evaluation and development, wells, water quality and
geothermal resources. Emphasis on water problems in the Puget Soudn
area, with additional examples from diverse geologic environments.
Includes albs. Prerequisite: 201 or consent of instructor.
335 Geophysics
Study of the physical nature of the Earth, its properties and
processes, employing techniques from seismology, heat flow, gravity,
magnetism, and electrical conductivity. Emphasis on understanding the
Earth's formation, structure, and plate tectonics processes as well as
geophysical exploration techniques. Includes labs. Perrequisites: 201 or consent of instructor.
350 Marine Geology
Study of the 70% of the Earth beneath the oceans, focusing on the
extensive discoveries of the past few decades. Emphasis on marine
sediments, sedimentary processes, plate tectonic processes, and the
historical geology of the oceans. Includes labs. Prerequisite: 102, or
201, or consent of instructor.
390 Field Trip
Field and on-campus study of major geologic sites in western U.S. Trips
take place during spring break or at end of spring semester.
Prerequisite: 201 or consent of instructor.
Required for the B.S. in Geosciences: Students completing the B.S. degree in Geosciences are required to take a departmentally approved field camp from another college or university (minimum of 4 semester credit hours). Students would normally take this during the summer, after their junior year or after their senior year depending upon their level of preparation. This field experience may be a traditional field geology course or a field based course in Hydrology, Environmental Geology or Geophysics, etc. Students must have approval of the department chair before enrolling in the Field Experience.
Required for the B.A. in Geosciences: Students completing the B.A. degree in Geosciences are recommended to take a departmentally approved field camp from another college or university. Students would normally take this during the summer, after their junior year or after their senior year depending upon their level of preparation. This field experience may be a traditional field geology course or a field based course in Hydrology, Environmental Geology or Geophysics, etc. Students must have approval of the department chair before enrolling in the Field Experience.
491 Independent Study
Investigations or research in areas of special interest not covered by
regular courses. Requires regular supervision by a faculty member.
497 Research
Experimental or theoretical investigation, in close cooperation with a faculty member. Open to upper division students.
498 Seminar
Discussion
of Professional readings and introduction to directed research for the
Capstone project. Required of all majors in their senior year. December
graduates should complete the sequence (498-499) in their final full
year.
499 Capstone Seminar
Culminating experience
applying geological methods and theory through original literature or
field or laboratory research under the guidance of a faculty mentor
with written and oral presentation of results. Required of all majors
in their senior year. December graduates should complete the sequence
(498-499) in their final full year. Prerequisite: GEOS 498.