University of Connecticut |
UConn Center for Integrative Geosciences |
Please note that these courses are just the Geoscience classes we offer - both the undergraduate and graduate programs combine these courses with classes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anthropology, Marine Sciences, Engineering, Geography and others to make the course of study completely interdisciplinary. * For details about graduate classes that might be of interest to integrative geoscience graduate students, see the list here . * Effective Fall 2009, GEOL is now GSCI in the course catalog, for Geoscience classes! Fall 2013 undergrad course offerings and times are located for students on a schedule, click here to download. Spring 2013 undergrad course offerings and times are located for students on a schedule, click here to download. GSCI 1010 - Age of the Dinosaurs (111) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1010.) Either semester. Three credits. A reconstruction of the Mesozoic world of the dinosaurs as interpreted from geological and paleontological evidence. Course includes fundamental concepts of stratigraphy, historical geology, paleoclimatology, and paleontology. CA 3 GSCI 1050 -Earth and Life through Time with Laboratory (105) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1050.) Both semesters. Four credits. Three class periods and one three-hour laboratory period. Not open to students enrolled in or having passed GSCI 1051 or SCI 1051 . History of planet Earth, emphasizing how rock, air, water, and life interact at different scales to produce the earth's crust, landforms, life systems, natural resources, catastrophes, and climatic regimes. Provides a scientific context for human-induced global change. Includes laboratory component (see GSCI 1052 ). CA 3-LAB. GSCI 1051 -Earth and Life through Time (103) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1051.) Both semesters. Three credits. Three class periods. Not open to students enrolled in or having passed GSCI 1050 or SCI 1051 . Students who complete both GSCI 1051 and 1052 may request GSCI 1051 be converted from a CA 3 Non-laboratory to a CA 3 Laboratory course. History of planet Earth, emphasizing how rock, air, water, and life interact at different scales to produce the earth's crust, landforms, life systems, natural resources, catastrophes, and climatic regimes. Provides a scientific context for human-induced global change. CA 3. GSCI 1052 - Laboratory Earth and Life through Time (107) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1052.) Both semesters. One credit. Not open to students enrolled in or having passed GSCI 1050 . Students who complete both GSCI 1051 and 1052 may request GSCI 1051 be converted from a CA 3 Non-laboratory to a CA 3 Laboratory course. Laboratory complement to GSCI 1051 . Provides an opportunity to work with specimens (minerals, fossils, rocks), terrain images, maps, physical models, and simulation experiments. Includes two local field trips. GSCI 1053 - Discussion Earth and Life through Time (109) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1053.) Both semesters. One credit. Corequisite: GSCI 1050 or 1051 or 1052 or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with instructor consent. Faculty-taught, weekly discussions to enhance GSCI 1050 and 1051 . Emphasis and approach will vary, but all sections will track the lecture syllabus. GSCI 1054 - Field Trips Earth and Life through Time (113) (Formerly offered as GEOL 1054.) Both semesters. One credit. Corequisite: GSCI 1050 or 1051 or 1052 or instructor consent. May be repeated for credit with instructor consent. Two or more faculty-led weekend field trips to nearby sites of interest, designed to enhance GSCI 1050 and 1051 . GSCI 1070 - Global Change and Natural Disasters (Also offered as GEOG 1070 .) Second semester. Three credits. Climate change, global warming, natural hazards, earth surface processes, and the impact these have on populations now and in the past. CA 3. GSCI 3010 - Earth History and Global Change (250) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3010.) Second semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Reconstruction of earth history from geological data. Processes and events responsible for the stratigraphic record, and techniques used to decipher it. An integrated survey of earth history. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 3020 - Earth Surface Processes (251) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3020.) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Processes responsible for the formation of the unconsolidated materials, landforms, and soils which constitute the Earth's surface. Introduction to surface-water and groundwater hydrology, geological hazards and the effects of climatic change. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 3030 - Earth Structure (252) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3030.) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Structure and composition of the earth, including a survey of plate tectonics and crustal evolution. Gravitational, thermal and tectonic processes associated with the earth's surface and interior. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 3040 - Earth Materials (253) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3040.) Second semester. Four credits. Two class periods and two 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Recommended preparation: CHEM 1124-1126 or 1127 and 1128 . Principles of symmetry and crystal chemistry and the identification of minerals by hand sample, petrographic and x-ray methods. Description of the mineralogy and texture of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the application of contemporary petrogenetic models to the interpretation of the geologic environments they record. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 3230 - Beaches and Coasts (203)(Formerly offered as GEOL 3230.) (Also offered as MARN 3230 .) First semester (Avery Point). Three credits. Prerequisite: MARN 1002 or 1003 or GSCI 1050 or 1051 or instructor consent. Introduction to the processes that form and modify coasts and beaches, including tectonic setting, sediment supply, coastal composition, energy regimes and sea level change; tools and techniques utilized in marine geologic mapping and reconstruction of submerged coastal features; field trips to selected coastal features. GSCI 3510 - Applied Geophysics for Geologists and Engineers (228) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3510.) Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. One 3-hour lecture period during which geophysical field demonstrations may be performed. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 or 1051 . Liu Introductory survey of surface and borehole geophysical methods and their application to hydrogeologic, environmental monitoring, and geotechnical engineering studies. Demonstrations involve geophysical field measurement, data reduction and geologic interpretation. GSCI 3710 - Engineering and Environmental Geology (229) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3710.) (Also offered as CE 3530 and ENVE 3530 .) Second semester. Three credits. Recommended preparation: GSCI 1050 or 1051 .Liu Application of geological principles to engineering and environmental problems. Topics include site investigation, geologic hazards, slope processes, earthquakes, subsidence, and the engineering properties of geologic materials. Course intended for both geoscience and engineering majors. GSCI 3980 - Field Geology (212) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3980.) Second semester. Six credits. Four weeks intensive study following final examination period. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Field methods for geological and environmental geoscience studies, including electronic surveying techniques, aerial photograph interpretation, geological mapping, description and measurement of sedimentary sections, techniques of underground mapping, and geophysical surveying. GSCI 3990 - Spring Field Trip (213) (Formerly offered as GEOL 3990.) Second semester, alternate years, even. Three credits. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 or 1051 , or BIOL 1107 or 1108 , or consent of instructor. A field-based introduction to the integration of geological and biological observations and processes. Field trip during and weekly meetings before and after spring break. May be repeated for credit with change in field venue or permission of the instructor. GSCI 4050W - Geoscience and Society (290W) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4050W.) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 or 1051 ; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 ; or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Application of fundamental geological principles to issues of concern to society such as global climate change; wildfires; drought and water resources; earthquake, volcano, and tsunami hazards; medical geology; energy resources; sustainability; and coastal processes. GSCI 4110 - Sedimentology (240) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4110.) First semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Recommended preparation: GSCI 3020 . Basic principles of sedimentology with an emphasis on the description of sedimentary texture and structure. Physicochemical and biological processes that characterize depositional environments. Diagenesis. Examination of modern systems to interpret ancient sedimentary environments. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 4120 - Paleobiology (219) (Also offered as EEB 4120 .) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4120.) Second semester, alternate years, even. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory periods. Prerequisite: BIOL 1108 or GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 . Ancient life, including the preservation of organisms as fossils, evolution, ecology, geobiology, biostratigraphy, and major events in the history of life. Includes microorganisms, animals, and plants. GSCI 4130 - Geomicrobiology First semester, alternate years, even. Three credits. Prerequisites: BIOL 1108 or GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 ; or instructor consent. Recommended preparation: GSCI 3010 , MCB 2610 . Dupraz, Visscher Microbial diversity and biogeochemistry, microbemineral interactions, fossil record, atmospheric record, microbialites, and research methodology in geomicrobiology. A weekend field trip may be required. GSCI 4210 - Glacial Processes and Materials (223) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4210.) Second semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. One 2-hour class period and one 3-hour laboratory (for lab exercises and field trips). Recommended preparation: GSCI 3020 .Reconstruction of former glaciers and the interactive processes leading to the character and distribution of unconsolidated surface materials in glaciated regions. Techniques for interpreting subsurface unconsolidated materials. GSCI 4220 - Principles of Geomorphology (220) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4220.) First semester. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory (occasionally used for field trips). Prerequisite: GSCI 3020. Interpretation of landscape genesis with an emphasis on causal processes and paleoenvironmental implications. GSCI 4310 - Advanced Structural Geology (217) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4310.) Second semester, alternate years, even. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: GSCI 3030. Crespi Mechanics of rock deformation. Material behavior of rocks and their geometry during orogenesis, with applications of finite strain analysis, and advanced geometric techniques. One or more weekend field trips may be required. GSCI 4320 - Plate Tectonics and Geologic Processes (271) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4320 and as GEOL 261.) Second semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. Prerequisite: GSCI 3010 and 3030 , which may be taken concurrently. Understanding the structure and composition of the Earth's lithospheric plates using geological and geophysical techniques and analyses of magnetic anomalies, ocean floor sediments and the geologic history of the continents. Emphasis on the interaction of geologic and plate processes, especially along plate boundaries. GSCI 4330 - Active Tectonics First semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. Prerequisite: GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 ; or GSCI 1070 and 1052 ; or GEOG 2300 ; or consent of instructor. Recommended preparation: GSCI 3020 and 3030 . Byrne Tectonic processes that shape the Earth's surface, particularly its landforms. Emphasis on short-term processes that produce disasters and catastrophes and affect human society. GSCI 4390 - Field Problems in Earth Structure (257) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4390.) First semester. One credit. Two weekend field trips and two 2-hour class meetings. Prerequisite or corequisite: GSCI 3030. Mapping techniques and map interpretation using concepts developed in GSCI 3030 . Emphasis on mapping moderately deformed rocks in which sedimentary and tectonic features can be differentiated. GSCI 4410 - Igneous Petrology (214C) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4410C.) Second semester, alternate years. Four credits. Three class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GSCI 3040 . Recommended preparation: MATH 1122 or 1132. Introduction to rocks and the physical and chemical principles governing their formation. Fluid mechanics of magmas, heat transfer, thermodynamics, phase equilibria, isotope geochemistry, and the relation of magmatism to plate tectonics. Optical microscopy, x-ray fluorescence, and electron microprobe analysis. Preparing a paper suitable for publication in a scientific journal. GSCI 4420 - Metamorphic Petrology (215C) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4420C.) Second semester, alternate years. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory. Prerequisite: GSCI 3040 . Recommended preparation: MATH 1122 or 1132 . Joesten Interpretation of mineralogical, chemical and textural features of metamorphic rocks in terms of the physical conditions and dynamic processes operating in the Earth's crust. Thermodynamic description of phase equilibria in fluid-rock systems. Kinetics, mass- and energy-transport in metamorphic processes. Petrographic, and X-ray analytical techniques. GSCI 4510 - Applied and Environmental Geophysics (278C) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4510C.) First semester, alternate years, odd. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602 , which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1122 or 1132 or 1152 , which may be taken concurrently; not open to students who have passed GEOL 268Q. Liu Principles of imaging the Earth's interior using observations of electric, magnetic and gravity fields, with applications to environmental problems. GSCI 4520 - Exploration Seismology (277C) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4520C.) First semester, alternate years, even. Three credits. Two class periods and one 3-hour laboratory period. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602 ,which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1121 or 1131 or 1151 , which may be taken concurrently; not open to students who have passed GEOL 267Q. Liu Principles of seismic methods for imaging the interior of the earth, with applications to resource exploration and environmental problems. GSCI 4550 - Physics of the Earth's Interior (274) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4550.) (Also offered as PHYS 4100 .) Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602 , which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1121 or 1131 or 1151 , which may be taken concurrently, not open to students who have passed GEOL 264Q. Cormier The composition, structure, and dynamics of the Earth's core, mantle, and crust inferred from observations of seismology, geomagnetism, and heat flow. GSCI 4560 - Fundamentals of Planetary Science (276) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4560.) (Also offered as PHYS 4130 .) First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: PHYS 1230 or 1402 or 1502 or 1602 , which may be taken concurrently; MATH 1122 or 1132 or 1152 , which may be taken concurrently, not open to students who have passed GEOL 266Q. Cormier Evolution of the solar system, celestial mechanics, tidal friction, internal composition of planets, black-body radiation, planetary atmospheres. GSCI 4735 - Introduction to Ground-Water Hydrology (234C) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4735C.) (Also offered as NRE 4135 .) First semester. Four credits. Three class periods and one 2-hour laboratory for which occasional field trips will be substituted. Prerequisite: MATH 1122 or 1132 ; GSCI 1050 ; or GSCI 1051 and 1052 ; or instructor consent; open to juniors or higher. Robbins Basic hydrologic principles with emphasis on ground water flow and quality, geologic relationships, quantitative analysis and field methods. GSCI 4750 - Chemical Hydrogeology (235) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4750.) Second semester. Four credits. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory. Prerequisite: GSCI 4735 and CHEM 1127 - 1128 . Robbins Chemical processes controlling the composition of unpolluted and polluted natural waters. Field and laboratory analytical techniques. Equilibria, reaction and transport models of the chemical interactions groundwater and the media through which it travels. Applications of geochemical processes and principles understanding to the mitigation of environmental problems. GSCI 4989 - Undergraduate Research in Geology and Geophysics (296) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4989.) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: Open to juniors or higher. Open only with consent of instructor. Independent research for the advanced undergraduate student interested in investigating a special problem involving field and/or laboratory observations in geoscience. The student is required to give an oral presentation in a departmental seminar at the end of the semester. GSCI 4990 - Internship in Geoscience - Field Study (293) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4990.) Either semester. One to three credits. May not be repeated. Internship contract must be formulated before internship work begins. Students with summer internship must preregister for GSCI 4990 for the fall semester. Prerequisite or corequisite: GSCI 3010 , 3020 , 3030 , and 3040 . Must be taken concurrently with GSCI 4991 ; no credit will be given for one course without the other. Students taking this course will be assigned a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory). An internship program under the direction of Geoscience faculty. Students will be placed with government agencies or businesses where academic training will be applied in a program of activities to be planned and agreed upon in advance by the job site supervisor, the faculty coordinator, and the intern. One credit may be earned for each 42 hours of pre-approved activities up to a maximum of three credits. GSCI 4991 - Internship in Geoscience - Research Paper (294) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4991.) Either semester. One credit. May not be repeated. Students with summer internship must preregister for GSCI 4991 for the fall semester. Prerequisite or corequisite: GSCI 3010 , 3020 , 3030 , and 3040 . Must be taken concurrently with GSCI 4990 ; no credit will be given for one course without the other. Preparation of written report and oral presentation to Department summarizing internship experience and evaluating the applicability of academic experience to job situations and the impact of the internship experience on academic and career plans. GSCI 4995 - Special Topics (298) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4995.) Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Open only with consent of instructor. Investigation of special topics related to, but not ordinarily covered in the undergraduate offerings; emphasis on laboratory projects. GSCI 4996W - Undergraduate Research Thesis in Geoscience (297W) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4996W.) Either semester. Three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: GSCI 4989; ENGL 1010 or 1011 or 3800 ; open to juniors or higher. Open only with consent of instructor. Writing of a formal thesis based on independent research conducted by the student. GSCI 4998 - Variable Topics (295) (Formerly offered as GEOL 4998.) Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary. GSCI 4999 - Independent Study (299)(Formerly offered as GEOL 4999.) Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit. Open only with consent of instructor. GSCI 5000 - Geoscience Core Course. 3 credits. Lecture. Required of all first year graduate students in Geosciences. Exposes students to a solid background in a variety of topics related to integrative geosciences, emphasizing interdisciplinarity. Development of speaking skills through oral presentations, and writing skills through preparation and defense of large, interdisciplinary grant proposals. GSCI 5050 - Special Problems in Geology. 1-6 credits. Independent Study. May be repeated for credit up to six times with a change of content. Advanced study and research in geology. GSCI 5310 - Advanced Structural Geology 3 credits. Lecture/Laboratory. Application of finite and incremental strain analyses using advanced geometric techniques. This course integrates field studies of deformed rocks with theoretical understanding and quantitative analysis. GSCI 5510 -Applied Geophysics for Geologists and Engineers 3 credits. Lecture. Introductory survey of surface and borehole geophysical methods and their application to hydrogeologic, environmental monitoring, and geotechnical engineering studies. Laboratory involves geophysical field measurement, data reduction and geologic interpretation. GSCI 5520 - Exploring and Engineering Seismology 3 credits. Lecture/Laboratory. Theory of elasticity applied to wave propogation: equations of motion; reflection and refraction of elastic waves; velocity analysis and fundamental petrophysics; and principles of detecting subsurface interfaces and structures. GSCI 5530 - Applied and Environmental Geophysics 3 credits. Lecture/Laboratory. Potential theory (gravity, static electricity and magnetic fields), electromagnetic coupling, Maxwell's equations; electromagnetic wave propagation; principles of detection of subsurface interface and structures by geophysical methods. GSCI 5550 - Physics of the Earth 3 credits. Lecture. The composition, structure, and dynamics of the earth's core, mantle, and crust inferred from observations of seismology, geomagnetism, and heat flow. GSCI 5560 - Fundamentals of Planetary Science 3 credits. Lecture. Evolution of the solar system, celestial mechanics, tidal friction, internal composition of planets, black-body radiation, planetary atmospheres. GSCI 5720 - Groundwater Modeling. 3 credits. Lecture/Laboratory. Numerical techniques for modeling flow and contaminant transport in groundwater systems. Model design, calibration, visualization, verification and sensitivity analysis. Application to field sites. GSCI 5790 - Field Methods in Hydrogeology 1-6 credits. Lecture/Laboratory. Field methods associated with ground water and contamination assessments. GSCI 6530 - Geophysical Inverse Theory 3 credits. Lecture. Fitting geophysical model parameters to data. Topics include model uniqueness, resolution, and error estimation. GSCI 6550 - Special Topics in Geophysics 1-6 credits. Seminar. †GRAD 5950. Master's Thesis Research 1 - 9 credits. †GRAD 5960. Full-Time Master's Research 3 credits. †GRAD 5930. Full-Time Directed Studies (Master's Level) 3 credits. GRAD 5998. Special Readings (Master's) Non-credit. GRAD 5999. Thesis Preparation Non-credit. †GRAD 6950. Doctoral Dissertation Research 1 - 9 credits. †GRAD 6960. Full-Time Doctoral Research 3 credits. †GRAD 6930. Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level) 3 credits. GRAD 6998 . Special Readings (Doctoral) Non-credit. GRAD 6999. Dissertation Preparation Non-credit. For more information see the UConn undergraduate course catalog here . |
