Courses - Fall 2025
GEOL100
Credit only granted for: GEOL100 or GEOL120.
Additional information: CORE Distributive Studies Physical Science Laboratory Course only when taken concurrently with GEOL 110.
A general survey of the rocks and minerals composing the earth, its surface features and the agents that form them, and the dynamic forces of plate tectonics.
GEOL104
Dinosaurs: A Natural History
Dinosaurs, their evolution, and our understanding of their fossil record. Students will examine the geologic record and the tools used by paleontologists to determine: geologic ages and ancient environments; evolutionary history and extinctions; dinosaurian biology and behavior; and their survival as birds. Mechanisms of global change ranging from plate tectonics to asteroid impact will be discussed.
GEOL110
Physical Geology Laboratory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in GEOL120 or GEOL100.
Additional information: CORE Distributive Studies Physical Science Laboratory Course only when taken concurrently with GEOL 100.
The basic materials and tools of physical geology stressing familiarization with rocks and minerals and the use of maps in geologic interpretations.
Students must pay a $50 laboratory materials fee.
GEOL120
Environmental Geology
Credit only granted for: GEOL100 or GEOL120.
A review of geologic factors underlying many environmental problems and the interactions between population and physical environment: geologic hazards, land-use planning, conservation, mineral resources, waste disposal, land reclamation, and the geologic aspects of health and disease. The course is aimed at lower division students in education and liberal arts, and should be useful to any student concerned with geologic perspectives of environmental problems.
GEOL123
Cross-listed with: AOSC123.
Credit only granted for: AOSC123, GEOG123, or GEOL123.
Study of the major components of Earth's climate system and climate change history. Discussion of 21st century climate change prediction, mitigation and adaptation efforts.
GEOL200
Earth's Fury: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunami
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunami frequently remind us of the dangers associated with living on a constantly changing planet. How do people prepare for these rare but dramatic events? Student will study the science behind earthquakes and volcanoes, how it guides monitoring, forecasting, prevention, and response, and the cultural and ethical aspects of these events.
GEOL212
Planetary Geology
Credit only granted for: ASTR330 or GEOL212.
An examination of the geologic and geochemical processes at work in the solar system from the perspectives supplied by space age exploration of the planets and other solar system bodies.
GEOL341
Structural Geology
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and GEOL102; and GEOL110. Or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Permission of instructor is required of non-degree seeking students.
Study of the deformation of Earth's lithosphere, especially stress, rheology, strain, and the origin and significance of structural features. Development of 3-dimensional thinking through drafting and drawing of structures, construction of geologic maps and cross-sections, and stereographic and orthographic representation of structures. Improvement of scientific writing. Two weekend field trips.
GEOL342
Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and GEOL110; and GEOL322. And CHEM103; or (CHEM131 and CHEM132); or (CHEM135 and CHEM136).
Restriction: Permission of instructor is required of non-degree-seeking students.
Description, origin, and distribution of sediments and sedimentary rocks.
GEOL375
Introduction to the Blue Ocean
Prerequisite: MATH120 or higher.
Recommended: MATH121, MATH141, PHYS161, or PHYS171.
Cross-listed with: AOSC375.
Credit only granted for: AOSC375 or GEOL375.
The global ocean is a major component of the Earth System that shapes life on earth, including our weather and climate. We explore the observation-based interdisciplinary science of oceanography, identifying its strong connections to related sciences like meteorology, and geography. We apply this developing understanding to environmental issues such as marine pollution, fish and fisheries, as well as to climate variability and to the changes to the marine environment that are resulting from steadily rising levels of atmospheric greenhouse gasses. Focusses include the biogeochemical and physical changes we can observe in the nearby Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters of Eastern Shore, Maryland.
GEOL386
Experiential Learning
Credits:
3 - 6
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
GEOL393
Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS141 or (PHYS161 and PHYS174); and MATH141; and (CHEM131 and CHEM132) or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); and must have completed at least two upper-level geology courses and be concurrently enrolled in a third.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and must be in Geology program.
The first semester of the two-semester Geology Senior Thesis. Emphasis is on developing a plan for original research in the geosciences and presenting that plan both in writing and in public presentations that adhere to geosciences professional standards.
GEOL394
Geology Senior Thesis II: Research
Prerequisite: GEOL393; and must have completed at least three upper level GEOL courses.
Restriction: Must be in Geology program; and junior standing or higher.
The second semester of the two-semester Geology Senior Thesis. Investigation of specific original research question in geosciences. Emphasis is on completion of original research proposed in GEOL393 and presentation of results both in writing and in public presentations that adhere to geosciences professional standards.
GEOL413
Geoscientific Modeling
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH115; and two 400-level GEOL courses.
Recommended: Some experience in computer programming.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Jointly offered with: GEOL613.
Credit only granted for: GEOL413, GEOL489G, GEOL613 or GEOL789G.
Formerly: GEOL489G.
A model is a simplified representation of reality. Modeling is implicit or explicit in almost everything we do as geoscientists. Model construction, coding, and the concepts of parsimony vs complexity, robustness, validation, uncertainty, and the scientific interpretation of simulation results. Problem sets, independent study and participatory discussion of modeling applications in the current literature.
GEOL423
Optical Mineralogy
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL100 or GEOL120; and GEOL110; and GEOL322. And CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); or CHEM103.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
The optical behavior of crystals with emphasis on the theory and application of the petrographic microscope.
GEOL436
Principles of Biogeochemistry
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH120 or MATH140; or must have completed MATH220. And (GEOL100 or GEOL120); and GEOL322. And CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136).
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Cross-listed with: AOSC436.
Credit only granted for: GEOL436 or AOSC436.
An introduction to the basic principles of biogeochemistry including aspects of organic geochemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, global geochemical cycles, the origin of life and paleoenvironmental evolution.
GEOL444
Low Temperature Geochemistry
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL322, GEOL100, and MATH115. And CHEM103; or (CHEM131 and CHEM132); or (CHEM135 and CHEM136).
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Basic chemical principles, thermodynamics, and kinetics of low-temperature inorganic and organic geochemical reactions in a wide range of surface environments. These geochemical tools will be used to provide a context for understanding elemental cycling and climate change. Laboratories will include problem sets as well as wet chemical and mass spectrometric techniques used in low temperature geochemistry.
GEOL446
Geophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS141, MATH141, and MATH140; and (GEOL100 or GEOL120).
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
An introduction to modern geophysics. Topics include: global plate tectonics, plate motion, triple junctions, geomagnetism, earthquakes and faulting, reflection and refraction seismology, gravity and isostasy, heat flow and mantle dynamics, deep interior of the Earth, geophysical observations and measurements.
GEOL451
Groundwater
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL110 and MATH140; and (GEOL120 or GEOL100); and (CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); or CHEM103). Or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor; and junior standing or higher.
An introduction to the basic geologic parameters associated with the hydrologic cycle. Problems in the accumulation, distribution, and movement of groundwater will be analyzed.
GEOL452
Watershed and Wetland Hydrology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and all other students require the permission of the instructor.
Physical processes by which water moves in watershed and wetland systems. Topics include: precipitation, infiltration, flow in the unsaturated zone, streamflow generation processes, and groundwater flow.
GEOL453
Ecosystem Restoration
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH120 or MATH140; or must have completed MATH220. And (CHEM131 or CHEM135); and (CHEM132 or CHEM136); and (GEOL100, GEOL120, or ENST200).
Restriction: Junior standing or higher; and permission of instructor is required of non-degree-seeking students.
Credit only granted for: GEOL453 or GEOL489L.
Formerly: GEOL489L.
Overview of ecosystem functions across biomes/geologic settings, and considerations and tradeoffs in ecosystem restoration strategies. Specific case studies and discussions will be aimed at understanding how structure can influence biophysical and biogeochemical processes supporting ecosystems, and then describes how rates, timing, and location of physical, chemical, and ecosystem processes can be altered by different restoration strategies to enhance ecosystem services.
Jointly offered with MEES698E and GEOL789L.
GEOL460
Field Geophysics
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL100 or GEOL120, MATH140, MATH141, and (PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171).
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Students will become familiar with geophysical instrumentation used for both scientific and industrial applications. Students will be given an introduction to the use of geophysical instrumentation for data collection, processing, and analysis, design of field experiments for investigating field geophysical problems, and an introduction to the theory of instrument design and use. Instruments that will be covered include (but are not limited to): broadband seismometers, geophones, ground-penetrating radar, magnetotellurics, and Global Positioning Satellites.
GEOL488
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL499
Special Problems in Geology
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: GEOL100 or GEO120, GEOL110, GEOL102; or equivalent; and permission of department. In addition, non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor. Intensive study of a special geologic subject or technique selected after consultation with instructor. Intended to provide training or instruction not available in other courses which will aid the student's development in his or her field of major interest.
GEOL613
Geoscientific Modeling
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed MATH115 or equivalent; and any two 400 level GEOL courses, or equivalent. Or permission of instructor.
Recommended: Some experience in computer programming will be helpful but not necessary.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Jointly offered with: GEOL413.
Credit only granted for: GEOL413, GEOL489G, GEOL613 or GEOL789G.
Formerly: GEOL789G.
A model is a simplified representation of reality. Modeling is implicit or explicit in almost everything we do as geoscientists. Model construction, coding, and the concepts of parsimony vs complexity, robustness, validation, uncertainty, and the scientific interpretation of simulation results. Problem sets, independent study and participatory discussion of modeling applications in the current literature.
GEOL636
Ecosystem Restoration
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH120 or MATH140; and (CHEM131 or CHEM135); and (CHEM132 or CHEM136); and (GEOL100, GEOL120, or ENST200).
Restriction: Equal preference is given to students enrolled in GEOL, MEES, CONS, ENST, AOSC, and civil and environmental engineering graduate programs; and permission of Instructor required for non degree seeking students.
Credit only granted for: GEOL453 or GEOL489L.
Formerly: GEOL489L.
A further understanding of ecosystem functions across biomes/geologic settings, and developing practical applications in ecosystem restoration strategies through a graduate level project. Specific case studies and discussions will be aimed at understanding how structure can influence biophysical and biogeochemical processes supporting ecosystems, and then describes how rates, timing, and location of physical, chemical, and ecosystem processes can be altered by different restoration strategies to enhance ecosystem services. A project will then be used to apply restoration principles towards solving tangible environmental problems and communication to managers.
GEOL650
Isotope and Trace Element Geochemistry
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: GEOL443; or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Trace elements and isotopes in geology, including modern applications in geochronology and petrogenesis.
GEOL652
Advanced Watershed and Wetland Hydrology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL452; or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Physical and chemical processes in watershed and wetland systems: with an emphasis on redox reactions.
GEOL670
Physical Oceanography
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of CMNS-Atmospheric & Oceanic Science department; or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Cross-listed with: AOSC670.
Credit only granted for: GEOL670, AOSC670 or AOSC420.
Ocean observations. Water masses, sources of deep water. Mass, heat, and salt transport, geochemical tracers. Western boundary currents, maintenance of the thermocline. Coastal and estuarine processes. Surface waves and tides. Ocean climate.
GEOL688
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL789C
Recent Advances in Geology; Principles of Biogeochemistry
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
GEOL789F
Recent Advances in Geology; Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Mass Balance in Isotope Fractionation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
GEOL798
Seminar in Geology
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
GEOL799
Master's Thesis Research
Credits:
1 - 6
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL898
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits:
1 - 8
Grad Meth:
Reg
GEOL899
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits:
6
Grad Meth:
S-F
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