Geological Sciences

Studies of the geologic materials and processes that shape our Earth and environment are explored as they relate to our everyday lives. Topics include global tectonics; earthquakes and other geologic hazards; glacial, river and coastal processes that form our landscapes; water, mineral and energy resources; and waste disposal and pollution.Students may not receive credit for …

Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101. Identification of rocks and minerals. Introduction to topographic maps and how they are used to interpret geologic processes and geologic history. Interpretation of geologic maps and data relating to earthquakes and plate tectonics. 3 hours lab, field trips. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity …

Not for credit in Geology major. Examines the revolution in earthquake hazard awareness that has occurred in California since the mid-1980’s when the scale of the earthquake hazard began to emerge from scientific discovery. Students will investigate the reciprocal ways in which science has informed the public, political and economic debate over the implications of …

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Analysis of Earth systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere), the solar system and the universe. Selected topics include structure and composition of the Earth; minerals and rocks; plate tectonics; landforms and surface processes; natural hazards, such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; physical oceanography, the water cycle, …

Corequisite: GEOL 107L. This online lecture explores how Earth science issues that impact society are depicted in film and television and how these depictions influence the viewers’ perceptions of Earth science. Students will learn fundamental concepts of Earth science, and how to evaluate the appropriateness and accuracy of Earth science portrayed in fictional and documentary …

Corequisite: GEOL 107. This online laboratory explores how Earth science issues that impact society are depicted in film and television and how these depictions influence the viewers’ perceptions of Earth science. Students will learn fundamental concepts of Earth science, and how to evaluate the appropriateness and accuracy of Earth science portrayed in fictional and documentary …

Introduction to the dynamic study of the Earth’s evolution, including changes in the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. This course focusses on how these changes, woven into the fabric of geologic time, affected major groups of plants and animals, including dinosaurs and humans. Students may not receive credit for both GEOL 110 and GEOL 113. …

Corequisite: GEOL 113. Course content includes introduction to fossil, relative-age relationships and construction and interpretation of maps and cross-sections that emphasize paleogeography and sedimentary rocks. 3 hours lab, 1-day field trip. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement provided GEOL 113 is also completed.)

Corequisite: GEOL 112. An exploration of evolution, environmental change, and the history of life on Earth using the fossil record over the last 4.6 billion years. Particular emphasis will be placed on the coevolution of organisms and Earth surface conditions through time. Students may not receive credit for both GEOL 113 and GEOL 110. (Available …

Corequisite: GEOL 117L. This lecture and lab combination explores the hazards associated with geological processes, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and flooding. Students will learn fundamental scientific concepts, evaluate risks posed by natural hazards, and assess potential mitigation strategies. (Available for General Education, B1 Physical Science. Students satisfy the B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement by completing …

Corequisite: GEOL 117. This lecture and lab combination explores the hazards associated with geological processes, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and flooding. Students will learn fundamental scientific concepts, evaluate risks posed by natural hazards, and assess potential mitigation strategies. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity. Students satisfy the B1 Physical Science requirement by completing …

Introduction to the oceans. Evolution of the ocean basins, their environment and resources. Aspects of biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography. (Available for General Education, B1 Physical Science. Students may satisfy the B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement by completing GEOL 123.)

Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 122. Introduction to oceanographic data, its collection and interpretation. 3 hours lab, field trips. (Available for General Education, B3 Science Laboratory Activity requirement provided GEOL 122 is also completed.)

Adverse impacts to this environment affect the well-being of humans and other living organisms. This course provides an understanding of how human impacts to the Earth system have caused environmental change across the planet. Students will learn principles of geology, ecology, atmospheric sciences, and examine today’s most pressing environmental issues including human population growth, biodiversity …

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Study of the relationship between humans and the Earth and the application of geology to environmental problems. Topics include geological hazards, pollution, mineral and energy resources, land use planning and environmental impact. 3 hours lecture, field trips. (Available for General Education, B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning.) …

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: GEOL 300. An introduction to geologic materials and processes as they are applicable to the human environment. Included are practical exercises on rocks, minerals, geologic maps and water, mineral and energy resources. Earthquake, volcanic, landslide and flood hazard evaluations are also performed. 3 hours …

Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Scientific discoveries are only useful to the community if they are shared clearly, concisely, and convincingly. Scientists use different communications strategies based on the audience they are addressing, the purpose of their communication, and the mediums available to them. This course introduces students to a range of written, visual, …

Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 306L. Recommended Preparatory: Any 100-level CHEM course. Study of the origin and distribution of the solid materials that comprise the Earth. Students will learn the physical and optical properties of minerals and use those properties to perform mineral and rock identifications. The course will emphasize placing earth …

Prerequisites: GEOL 306/L, CHEM 101 and CHEM 101L. Corequisite: GEOL 307L. Introduction to the classification and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including the optical properties of minerals. Lab study of these rocks utilizing hand-specimen characteristics and the petrographic microscope. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.

Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 309L. Study of the basic principles of plate tectonics and structural geology that provide ways to interpret Earth’s interior. Topics will include the basics of plate tectonic theory, stress and strain, classification of structures, and structural-tectonic evolution of modern and ancient plate boundaries. 3 hours lecture, 3 …

Prerequisites: GEOL 309/L. Corequisite: GEOL 310L. Study of rock deformational processes and resulting structures in the Earth’s crust. Lab work emphasizes the use of graphic methods to assist in the geometric and kinematic interpretation of rock structures. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trip, fee required.

Corequisite: GEOL 306/L. Study of and practice in techniques and methods of geologic field studies, including note taking, mapping, analysis of geologic history and structures, geologic illustration, and report writing. 3 hours per week and approximately 6 days of fieldwork (including overnight weekend trips). Fee required.

Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 314L. This course focuses on the four Earth systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) and interactions between these systems and humankind. Major course topics include water and energy resources, global climate change, sedimentary processes at the Earth’s surface, and how the fossil record is used to understand …

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. This course is a study of dinosaurs and the world in which they lived from the time of their first appearance to their extinction. The evolutionary patterns exhibited by dinosaurs are explored via an examination of their spatial and temporal distribution through time, considering connections to the …

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. A comprehensive introduction to the application of geoscience to criminal investigations and forensic problems solving. The course explores the use of geological evidence (rocks and minerals, soils, geochemistry, etc.) to aid in forensic investigation. Students review case studies in criminal justice, national security and environmental contamination. (Available …

Prerequisites: GEOL 314/L. Corequisite: 341L. Introduction to the processes of sedimentation; the texture, composition and classification of sedimentary rocks; depositional environments; and stratigraphic sequences and correlation techniques. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.

Prerequisite: Completion of the lower division writing requirement. Investigations of aspects of California geology. California-related topics may include: plate tectonic history, earthquakes, geologic hazards, geology of national parks, climate record and hydrogeology. (Available for General Education, B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning.) (IC) (WI)

Prerequisite: GEOL 101 or GEOL 125 or equivalent. A comprehensive overview of several primary energy resources (coal, petroleum, nuclear fuels, geothermal systems, and renewable energy) and their impact on the environment. Students will understand the geologic origins of energy resources, geological and geophysical techniques used to explore for and exploit resources, and evaluate the environmental …

Prerequisites: BIOL 100, BIOL 101 or BIOL 102; PHSC 170; GEOL 106LRS or GEOG 106LRS. This laboratory course serves as a culminating science experience for Liberal Studies majors in the Pre-Credential and ITEP options. An interdisciplinary blend of biology, physics, chemistry, and Earth and space sciences from lower division courses will be integrated into the …

Prerequisites: GEOL 310/L and GEOL 341/L. A two-course sequence on advanced observation and collection of geologic field data and the construction of geologic maps, cross-sections and stratigraphic sections. Students must enroll in both A and B courses during the same summer session, and fieldwork for both courses is completed during the first four weeks of the session. …

Prerequisites: Any 3 unit 100- or 300-level GEOL course; CHEM 101. Corequisite: GEOL 440L. The study of physical and biogeochemical processes in a range of environmental settings, with a focus on developing hypothesis-driven sampling and analysis plans. Students will learn how to select analytes of interest, assess a variety of sampling and analytical methods, and …

Prerequisites: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course; CHEM 101. This course investigates environmentally relevant hydrogeological issues, including natural and anthropogenic surface and groundwater contamination, water resources, and impacts of climate change. The course also surveys a range of environmental challenges and covers a variety of approaches for researching and mitigating them. Specific topics may include carbon …

Corequisite: GEOL 464L. Preparatory: GEOL 313, GEOL 307; MATH 150A or MATH 255A; or instructor consent. Introduction to the basic principles and techniques of geophysics. Includes study of seismic reflection and refraction, earthquakes, gravity, magnetic, electrical resistivity, ground penetrating radar and global positioning system satellites. Available for graduate credit. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field …

Prerequisites: GEOL 303, GEOL 306, GEOL 309, GEOL 313, GEOL 314; B.S. Geology majors only. Students engage in a semester-long case study problem where a community must make a decision about how to effectively use a geologically complex site such as an eroding coastline, a contaminated industrial site, or a landfill facing landslides (topics change …

Preparatory: Junior or senior standing; Instructor consent. Students are advised and guided in research methods and design. Students use critical reasoning and the scientific method to develop and write their own research proposal to execute the project for their senior thesis. The written proposal is patterned after those required by the National Science Foundation.

Prerequisites: GEOL 497; Instructor consent. Following approval by the thesis advisor of a written proposal, the student completes an original research project in consultation with the faculty advisor. Upon completion of the research, the student will submit the written thesis to the advisor and give an oral presentation to the Department of Geological Sciences.

See Independent Study under Courses of Study. Cannot be used for General Education credit.

An overview of science education research methodologies and findings that have an impact on science classrooms at all levels. Introduces practical techniques to identify students’ prior knowledge and construct effective educational experiences that help them build on that knowledge. Topics include: Common misconceptions; novice v. expert thinking; attention span with 21st century learners; developing spatial …

Preparatory: GEOL 341, GEOL 351, GEOL 508. Seminars in various topics in invertebrate paleontology, such as biostratigraphy, paleoecology, functional morphology, etc. May be repeated for credit as topic changes. 3 hours seminar.

Preparatory: GEOL 341 or instructor consent. Study of the characteristics of modern sedimentary environments and how these characteristics are used to recognize ancient sedimentary environments. 3 hours seminar.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. This course provides an overview of numerical and geospatial tools for processing, visualizing and interpreting quantitative data in the geological sciences. Students will be introduced to statistical analysis and mathematical modeling in Excel and geospatial analysis in GIS, apply these computational tools to geological and geophysical phenomena, and …

Corequisite: GEOL 523L. Preparatory: GEOL 310, GEOL 335, GEOL 341; or instructor consent. Lecture topics include a review of plate tectonic theory, followed by detailed discussions of the sedimentary and structural histories of basins from assorted tectonic settings. Labs include study of thin sections of sediments and sedimentary rocks, particularly clastic sedimentary rocks from basin …

Preparatory: GEOL 307/L, GEOL 310/L. This course will emphasize the microstructural and textural analysis of metamorphic rocks in thin section to aid in the interpretation of tectonic evolution. Topics include identification of igneous and metamorphic assemblages; identification of textures and microstructures; identification of deformation mechanisms at the grain- and crystal-lattice scale; secondary foliation and lineation …

Preparatory: GEOL 310. Lecture topics will include a review of plate tectonics, rock mechanics, seismology, tectonic geodesy, paleoseismology, tectonic geomorphology and seismic hazard assessment. Detailed discussions will include study of recent major earthquakes that have occurred in strike-slip, thrust-reverse, megathrust (subduction zone) and normal-fault tectonic settings. Labs will include study of air photos, geologic maps, …

Corequisite: GEOL 536L. Preparatory: GEOL 307. Study of the more important kinds of igneous rocks, emphasizing distribution, origin, causes of compositional variation and relation to tectonic factors. Representative rock suites and computer techniques are studied in the lab. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips.

Prerequisites: MATH 255A, GEOL 101. Corequisite: GEOL 546L. Recommended Preparatory: MATH 280, GEOL 307. This course provides fundamental concepts necessary for understanding of the interior and surficial processes of the Earth and other planets through quantitative analysis of elastic plate flexure, heat flow, heat production, convection, geophysical fluid dynamics, gravity, surface stresses, and rheology and …

Prerequisite: MATH 150A or MATH 255A. Corequisite: GEOL 548L. Recommended Preparatory: GEOL 101, MATH 280. This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in seismology and the study of elastic waves in the solid earth. Topics include: seismic wave equation, stress/strain theory, ray theory, tomography, reflection seismology, body waves, surface waves, source theory, anisotropy, inverse …

Prerequisites: GEOL 207L, CHEM 101, PHYS 100A. The course examines recent advances in Quaternary geochronology. Topics include defining the time period, common landforms and deposits, oxygen isotope stratigraphy, and geochronologic methods including radiocarbon (14C) dating, Uranium series disequilibrium, cosmogenic nuclides (10Be, 26Al, 36Cl), luminescence dating, and magnetostratigraphy. Lecture 3 hours, 1 field trip.

Preparatory: GEOL 307 or instructor consent. Application of the principles of chemistry to geological problems. Topics include nucleosynthesis, origin of the solar system, elemental distribution, and stable and unstable isotopes. 3 hours lecture.

Preparatory: GEOL 307, GEOL 341; or consent of instructor. Course topics include styles of volcanic eruptions, volcanic landforms, physicochemical controls on eruptions, characteristics and interpretation of volcanic deposits, emplacement of pyroclastic density currents, volcanic hazards and impacts of volcanism on Earth’s environment. 3 hours lecture.

Corequisite: GEOL 575L. Preparatory: Upper division standing in Geology; Formal geologic field reports, including geologic maps and cross-sections, one for GEOL 430A and one for GEOL 430B. Students must enroll in both courses during the same Summer session. Available for graduate credit.

Preparatory: Senior undergraduate or graduate standing in Geological Sciences. Students will make oral presentations of and lead discussions about current research literature in geological sciences.

Preparatory: Instructor consent. Experimental topics in the geological sciences with the course content to be determined. Topics may be repeated with advisor approval.

This course teaches fundamental skills of scientific writing and presentation for geoscientists. Students will learn how to structure an M.S. thesis, create figures for both paper and digital presentations, and present material in a variety of formats including oral and poster presentations.

Instruction and practice in the process required to develop and articulate a research idea, culminating in the completion of a graduate-level research proposal suitable as a master’s thesis project.

Directed Graduate Research

Thesis or Graduate Project

See Independent Study under Courses of Study. Cannot be used for General Education credit.