Courses - Spring 2026
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.
GEOL102
Historical Geology
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and GEOL110. Or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Earth's history as revealed through the principles of stratigraphy and the processes of physical geology. Emphasis on formations and geologic development of the North American continent.
GEOL110
Physical Geology Laboratory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in GEOL120 or GEOL100.
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 $50.00 lab 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.
GEOL204
Dinosaurs, Early Humans, Ancestors, and Evolution; The Fossil Record of Vanished Worlds of the Prehistoric Past
What good is the fossil record? What relevance or insights might the remains of ancient living things have for our modern world? This course examines how the record of ancient life was made, and how we use diverse scientific techniques to reveal the information it contains. We will look at how the various inhabitants of our planet changed through time, and how different ecosystems such as reefs, forests, and grasslands were assembled. We will see how our own species came to be, and of our spread across the world from our ancestral home in Africa. We'll examine how the fossil record contains evidence of climate changes and extinction events far exceeding what we are currently experiencing, and how we can use these as warnings for our future. We'll address who are the owners and stakeholders in the evidence of the fossil world. Students will learn how to read and interpret the primary scientific literature, and how to present scientific information to others through various media.
GEOL322
Mineralogy
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and GEOL110. And CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); or CHEM103.
Restriction: Permission of instructor is required for non-degree seeking students.
Basic mineralogy for geology majors. The principles of morphologic crystallography, crystal chemistry, and determinative mineralogy.
GEOL340
Geomorphology
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100.
Restriction: Permission of instructor is required of non-degree seeking students.
Analysis of landforms, organized on the basis of the geologic processes that have operated during the late Cenozoic. Constructional and erosional landforms related to physical systems operating on geologic structures through time.
GEOL391
Biology of Extinct Animals
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: BSCI160 and BSCI161; or BSCI106.
Cross-listed with: BSCI392.
Credit only granted for: GEOL391 or BSCI392.
A survey of extinct animals that have few, if any, direct living descendants. The principles governing the functional design of animals will be used to infer life styles for extinct, and frequently bizarre, organisms.
Cross-listed with BSCI392. Credit granted only for GEOL391 or BSCI392.
GEOL392
Biology of Extinct Animals Laboratory
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in BSCI392.
Cross-listed with: BSCI393.
Credit only granted for: GEOL392 or BSCI393.
An overview of the techniques used in paleobiological reconstructions of extinct animals.
Cross-listed with BSCI393. Credit granted only for GEOL392 or BSCI393.
GEOL393
Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F
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.
GEOL412
Geology of the Terrestrial Planets
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL341 or GEOL340.
Credit only granted for: GEOL489A or GEOL412.
Formerly: GEOL489A.
Geological features of Mercury, Venus, Mars and the Moon with an emphasis on results from recent NASA planetary mission. Topics include interior structure, impact cratering, tectonic and volcanic history, surface conditions, climate change, and habitability.
GEOL437
Global Climate Change: Past and Present
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH115 or MATH140; and (GEOL100 or GEOL120); and (CHEM131 or CHEM135); and (CHEM132 or CHEM136).
Cross-listed with: AOSC437.
Credit only granted for: AOSC437 or GEOL437.
Introduction to the processes by which climate varies, the paleoclimate record, and projections of climate change into the 21st century, including discussion of climate sensitivity to external radiative forcing.
GEOL443
Petrology
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL322. And CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); or CHEM103. And must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in GEOL423; and (GEOL100 or GEOL120); and GEOL110.
Corequisite: Permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Study of igneous and metamorphic rocks: petrogenesis, distributions, chemical and mineralogical relations, macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, geologic significance.
GEOL445
High Temperature Geochemistry
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL322, GEOL100, and MATH115. And CHEM131 and CHEM132; or (CHEM135 and CHEM136); or CHEM103.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Review of chemical principles and their use in understanding processes of Earth, and solar system formation and differentiation. Topics include nucleosynthesis and cosmochemical abundances of elements, bonding and element partitioning, equilibrium thermodynamics and phase stabilities, radiogenic isotopes and geochronology, kinetics, and diffusion.
GEOL447
Observational Geophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH140 and MATH141; and (PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171).
An introduction to practical signal processing, data analysis, and inverse theory in geophysics.
GEOL456
Engineering Geology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PHYS141 and MATH141; and (GEOL120 or GEOL100). Or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL456 or GEOL489Z.
Formerly: GEOL489Z.
An overview of engineering geology with an emphasis on physical understanding of natural hazards and natural resources. General theories of stress and strain, failure criteria, frictional stability, fluid flow in porous media and poroelasticity are introduced. Quantitative approaches on earthquakes, landslides, land subsidence, and geotechnical aspects of oil/gas exploration are discussed.
GEOL457
Seismology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and (MATH141, GEOL110, and MATH140). Or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Recommended: PHYS171, PHYS141, or PHYS161.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL457 or GEOL489A.
Formerly: GEOL489A.
General overview of the basics of seismology, starting with wave propagation, seismic reflection and refraction. Applications to the determination of the seismic velocity and anisotropy structure of the Earth. Earthquake generation, postseismic deformation and creep events, relation to faulting and plate tectonics.
GEOL488
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL489M
Special Topics; Classification and Machine Learning in the Geosciences
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH115 or higher, GEOL120 or GEOL100; Junior Standing; Experience in computer programming.
How can we tell if a landform is a volcano or an impact crater, if a seismic signal is an earthquake or noise, if two dinosaurs are related to one another, if a given township contain critical minerals, and if a flood event took place last week in Maryland? In each case, the answer involves classifying geoscientific datasets. Increasingly, machine learning techniques are essential in tackling these challenges. This course will introduce you to classification and its associated methods, such as clustering, graphs, and neural networks. You'll engage in hands-on analysis of real-world datasets, discuss key publications and applications, and learn to use Python programming to solve these classification problems.
How can we tell if a landform is a volcano or an impact crater, if a seismic signal is an earthquake or noise, if two dinosaurs are related to one another, if a given township contain critical minerals, and if a flood event took place last week in Maryland? In each case, the answer involves classifying geoscientific datasets. Increasingly, machine learning techniques are essential in tackling these challenges. This course will introduce you to classification and its associated methods, such as clustering, graphs, and neural networks. You'll engage in hands-on analysis of real-world datasets, discuss key publications and applications, and learn to use Python programming to solve these classification problems.
GEOL489X
Special Topics; Preparing for the Artemis Missions -- the Geology and Geophysics of the Moon
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Exploration of the Moon is undergoing a new renaissance, with the planned return of humans under the NASA Artemis missions opening a new chapter of exploration and science. This class will be a combination of lecture, paper reading and student-led presentations, with a focus on grad student and advanced undergraduate engagement on the latest topics in lunar research and exploration. Topics would cover recent results that have furthered our understanding of lunar geology, geophysics, formation models, surface composition and evolution, internal dynamics and structure, and mission science. Students would lead paper discussions and develop anotional proposal for a lunar landed science mission.
GEOL497
Recent Advances: Geology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed at least 2 upper-level GEOL courses.
Corequisite: GEOL393; and a third upper-level geology course.
Restriction: Must be in Geology program; and GPA of 3.0 or better in both overall and in all courses required for the major; and senior standing; and to be taken as late as possible in the program.
Credit only granted for: GEOL497 or GEOL489H.
Formerly: GEOL489H.
A survey of important recent advances in geological sciences in the context of the methods and practices of scientific research.
GEOL497H
Recent Advances: Geology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed at least 2 upper-level GEOL courses.
Corequisite: GEOL393; and a third upper-level geology course.
Restriction: Must be in Geology program; and GPA of 3.0 or better in both overall and in all courses required for the major; and senior standing; and to be taken as late as possible in the program.
Credit only granted for: GEOL497 or GEOL489H.
Formerly: GEOL489H.
A survey of important recent advances in geological sciences in the context of the methods and practices of scientific research.
GEOL499
Special Problems in Geology
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
GEOL615
Planetary Habitability and Surface Chemistry
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL445; or permission of instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL615 or GEOL789B.
Formerly: GEOL789B.
Introduction to emerging areas of research pertaining to the formation of planetary bodies, the evolution of habitable environments, and the capacity of life to emerge in environments found within and/or outside of our Solar System.
GEOL647
Observational Geophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: MATH140, MATH141, and PHYS141; and (PHYS161 or PHYS171).
Credit only granted for: GEOL789O or GEOL647.
Formerly: GEOL789O.
Introduces graduate students to instrument design and performance, signal processing, data analysis and inverse theory in geophysics.
GEOL654
Fluvial Geomorphology Seminar
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Recommended: GEOL452 and GEOL340.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL654 or GEOL789B.
Formerly: GEOL789B.
Fluvial geomorphology is the study of the movement of water and sedimentin stream channels. This includes: formation of channels, open channel hydraulics, sediment transport or bedload and suspended load, river morphology and landscape evolution. The course is designed for graduate students and advanced undergraduates.
GEOL656
Engineering and Environmental Geology
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: GEOL100, GEOL110, MATH141, and PHYS141; or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL656 or GEOL789Z.
Formerly: GEOL789Z.
An overview of mechanical aspects of earthquakes as a result of fault instability. Quantitative approaches on soil and rock strength, instability on earthquakes, landslides, land subsidence, and geotechnical aspects of oil/gas exploration are discussed. Emphasis is on theoretical framework of mechanics of earthquake and faulting, earthquake source mechanisms, earthquake scaling relations, the seismic cycle etc.
GEOL657
Seismic Wave Propagation
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH140 and MATH141; and (PHYS141, PHYS161, or PHYS171); and permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Recommended: GEOL100 or GEOL120; and (MATH241 and MATH246); and (PHYS260 or PHYS273).
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL657 or GEOL789A.
Formerly: GEOL789A.
A description of the physics of seismic wave propagation and their applications to the determination of the structure of the Earth and the mechanics of earthquakes.
GEOL682
Computational Geodynamics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: Permission of CMNS-Geology department; or (MATH462, GEOL680, and MATH240).
Recommended: Familiarity with MATLAB.
Credit only granted for: GEOL682 or GEOL789M.
Formerly: GEOL789M.
An introduction to the techniques used to model geodynamics processes. The focus is on understanding and applying techniques, not on proving their worth and programming. Students will learn about Finite Element, Boundary Elements, and Finite Differences methods. We will not explore these topics with the rigor expected by Applied Mathematics but focus instead on practical aspects and their application to geodynamics.
GEOL688
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL789C
Recent Advances in Geology; . Advanced Statistical Analysis
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
GEOL789G
Recent Advances in Geology; Advanced Geophysics Seminar
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: By permission of instructor; this course assumes a working knowledge of multivariable calculus, linear algebra, basic statistics, and experience with computer programming.
This graduate-level seminar explores advanced topics in geophysics through in-depth reading and discussion of both classic and contemporary research papers, fostering a deep understanding of foundational concepts and emerging discoveries. Students will engage with a range of subjects spanning seismology, potential fields methods, and Earth structure while critically evaluating scientific developments across time. In addition to discussions, participants will engage in hands-on exercises such as forward modeling and seismogram readings to connect theory with practical applications in modern geophysical research.
This graduate-level seminar explores advanced topics in geophysics through in-depth reading and discussion of both classic and contemporary research papers, fostering a deep understanding of foundational concepts and emerging discoveries. Students will engage with a range of subjects spanning seismology, potential fields methods, and Earth structure while critically evaluating scientific developments across time. In addition to discussions, participants will engage in hands-on exercises such as forward modeling and seismogram readings to connect theory with practical applications in modern geophysical research.
GEOL789M
Recent Advances in Geology; Special Topics; Classification and Machine Learning in the Geosciences
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: MATH240 or equivalent; or permission of CMNS-Geology department; Some experience in computer programming; Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Course Description: How can we tell if a landform is a volcano or an impact crater, if a seismic signal is an earthquake or noise, if two dinosaurs are related to one another, if a given township contain critical minerals, and if a flood event took place last week in Maryland? In each case, the answer involves classifying geoscientific datasets. Increasingly, machine learning techniques are essential in tackling these challenges. This course will introduce you to classification and its associated methods, such as clustering, graphs, and neural networks. You'll engage in hands-on analysis of real-world datasets, discuss key publications and applications, and learn to use Python programming to solve these classification problems.
Course Description: How can we tell if a landform is a volcano or an impact crater, if a seismic signal is an earthquake or noise, if two dinosaurs are related to one another, if a given township contain critical minerals, and if a flood event took place last week in Maryland? In each case, the answer involves classifying geoscientific datasets. Increasingly, machine learning techniques are essential in tackling these challenges. This course will introduce you to classification and its associated methods, such as clustering, graphs, and neural networks. You'll engage in hands-on analysis of real-world datasets, discuss key publications and applications, and learn to use Python programming to solve these classification problems.
GEOL789S
Recent Advances in Geology; . Visual Storytelling for Science Communication
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
GEOL789V
Recent Advances in Geology; . Remote Sensing in Geoscience
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
GEOL789X
Recent Advances in Geology; Preparing for the Artemis Missions -- the Geology and Geophysics of the Moon
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud
Exploration of the Moon is undergoing a new renaissance, with the planned return of humans under the NASA Artemis missions opening a new chapter of exploration and science. This class will be a combination of lecture, paper reading and student-led presentations, with a focus on grad student and advanced undergraduate engagement on the latest topics in lunar research and exploration. Topics would cover recent results that have furthered our understanding of lunar geology, geophysics, formation models, surface composition and evolution, internal dynamics and structure, and mission science. Students would lead paper discussions and develop anotional proposal for a lunar landed science mission.
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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University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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