Courses - Fall 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.
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.
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.
GEOL124
Evolution of Life and Environment on Planet Earth
An exploration of how life has shaped Earth's physical environments, both in the contemporary Earth and over the long course of Earth history. Topics range from evidence for the origin and diversification of life and its impact on Earth environments to the mind-set and methods of the scientists who interpret it, and what those methods tell us about future interactions between life and the environment, both on Earth and in the Solar System.
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.
GEOL331
Principles of Paleontology
Credits:
4
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL102; or (BSCI207 or BSCI392); or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Permission of instructor is required of non-degree seeking students.
Cross-listed with: BSCI333.
Credit only granted for: GEOL331 or BSCI333.
A review of the theory, principles, and applications of Paleontology. A systematic overview of the morphology, evolution, and relationships of the major fossil-producing taxa.
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.
GEOL351
Statistics for Geoscientists
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH115.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Practical approach to basic statistics applied in the geosciences. Experimental design, elementary statistics and probability, sequence analysis, spatial analysis, linear regression, nonparametric statistics, bivariate, multivariate and principal components analysis of variance, hypothesis testing. Problem sets and participatory discussion of statistical applications in the current literature.
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.
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.
GEOL455
Marine Geophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: MATH141 and MATH140; 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: GEOL455 or GEOL489E.
Formerly: GEOL489E.
Plate tectonics, earthquakes and faulting, isostasy and gravity, heat and mantle dynamics, ocean ridges and transform faults, hydrothermal vents, trenches and oceanic islands, subduction zones, accretionary and erosion wedges, sedimentary basins and continental rifts. Exploration of the oceans using geophysical methods.
Prerequisite: MATH141 and MATH140; and (GEOL120 or GEOL100). Or permissi on of the CMNS-GEPS department. Junior Standing.
Plate tectonics, earthquakes and faulting, isostasy and gravity, heat and mantle dynamics, ocean ridges and transform faults, hydrothermal vents, trenches and oceanic islands, subduction zones, accretionary and erosion wedges, sedimentary basins and continental rifts. Exploration ofthe oceans using geophysical methods.
Plate tectonics, earthquakes and faulting, isostasy and gravity, heat and mantle dynamics, ocean ridges and transform faults, hydrothermal vents, trenches and oceanic islands, subduction zones, accretionary and erosion wedges, sedimentary basins and continental rifts. Exploration ofthe oceans using geophysical methods.
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.
GEOL472
Active Tectonics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: GEOL341.
Recommended: GEOL340, GEOL447, GEOL457.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Provides overview of the theories, findings, and tools of Active Tectonics. The course is designed for graduate and senior undergraduate students who have basic mathematics background and have taken Structural Geology or relevant courses. Topics covered in this class include: stress and strain, crustal structure and lithosphere rheology, rock friction, geodesy, earthquake cycles, slow earthquakes, earthquake modeling, and earthquake hazards.
Cross-listed with GEOL672. Credit only granted for GEOL472 or GEOL672.
Prerequisite:GEOL341, Recommended GEOL340, GEOL447, GEOL457
Provides overview of the theories, findings, and tools of Active Tectonics. The course is designed for graduate and senior undergraduate students who have a basic mathematics background and have taken Structural Geology or relevant courses. Topics covered in this class include: stress and strain, crustal structure and lithosphere rheology, rock friction, geodesy, earthquake cycles, slow earthquakes, earthquake modeling, and earthquake hazards.
Prerequisite:GEOL341, Recommended GEOL340, GEOL447, GEOL457
Provides overview of the theories, findings, and tools of Active Tectonics. The course is designed for graduate and senior undergraduate students who have a basic mathematics background and have taken Structural Geology or relevant courses. Topics covered in this class include: stress and strain, crustal structure and lithosphere rheology, rock friction, geodesy, earthquake cycles, slow earthquakes, earthquake modeling, and earthquake hazards.
GEOL488
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL499
Special Problems in Geology; Special Problems in Geology
Credits:
1 - 3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
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.
GEOL651
Statistics for Geoscientists
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: MATH115; and non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL789V or GEOL651.
Formerly: GEOL789V.
Practical approach to basic statistics applied in the geosciences. Experimental design, elementary statistics and probability, sequence analysis, spatial analysis, linear regression, nonparametric statistics, bivariate, multivariate and principal components analysis of variance, hypothesis testing. Problem sets and participatory discussion of statistical applications in the current literature.
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.
GEOL655
Marine Geophysics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: Permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Recommended: GEOL120 or GEOL100; and MATH141.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL655 or GEOL789E.
Formerly: GEOL789E.
An introduction to geophysical aspects of global tectonics. Quantitative geophysical approached are introduced for: past and present plate motions, seismology and interior of the Earth, gravity and isostasy, heat and mantle dynamics. Ocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, transform faults, oceanic core complex, ocean trenches and subduction zones, accretionary anderosion wedges, rift and rift margins, convergence and collisons, sedimentary basins.
Prerequisite: Permission of CMNS-GEPS department.
An introduction to geophysical aspects of global tectonics. Quantitative geophysical approaches are introduced for: past and present plate motions, seismology and interior of the Earth, gravity and isostasy, heat and mantle dynamics. Ocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, transform faults, oceanic core complexes, ocean trenches and subduction zones, accretionary and erosional wedges, rifts and rift margins, convergent and collisional margins, sedimentary basins.
An introduction to geophysical aspects of global tectonics. Quantitative geophysical approaches are introduced for: past and present plate motions, seismology and interior of the Earth, gravity and isostasy, heat and mantle dynamics. Ocean ridges, hydrothermal vents, transform faults, oceanic core complexes, ocean trenches and subduction zones, accretionary and erosional wedges, rifts and rift margins, convergent and collisional margins, sedimentary basins.
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.
GEOL672
Tectonics
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, S-F
Prerequisite: GEOL341; or permission of CMNS-Geology department.
Restriction: Non-degree-seeking students require the permission of the instructor.
Credit only granted for: GEOL672 or GEOL789C.
Formerly: GEOL789C.
The study of the development of the lithosphere on Earth and other rocky planets and moons. Emphasis on the student led discussion and improvement of scientific writing.
Cross-listed with GEOL472. Credit only granted for GEOL472 or GEOL672.
Prerequisite:GEOL341, Recommended GEOL340, GEOL447, GEOL457
Provides overview of the theories, findings, and tools of Active Tectonics. The course is designed for graduate and senior undergraduate students who have a basic mathematics background and have taken Structural Geology or relevant courses. Topics covered in this class include: stress and strain, crustal structure and lithosphere rheology, rock friction, geodesy, earthquake cycles, slow earthquakes, earthquake modeling, and earthquake hazards.
Prerequisite:GEOL341, Recommended GEOL340, GEOL447, GEOL457
Provides overview of the theories, findings, and tools of Active Tectonics. The course is designed for graduate and senior undergraduate students who have a basic mathematics background and have taken Structural Geology or relevant courses. Topics covered in this class include: stress and strain, crustal structure and lithosphere rheology, rock friction, geodesy, earthquake cycles, slow earthquakes, earthquake modeling, and earthquake hazards.
GEOL688
Geology Colloquium; Geology Colloquium
Credits:
1
Grad Meth:
S-F
GEOL789A
Recent Advances in Geology
Credits:
2 - 4
Grad Meth:
Reg, Aud, 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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