201 Mineralogy
R. April
Minerals are the stuff of which planets are composed, the material from which
civilizations are built, and the coveted jewels and precious metals of humankind.
The study of these naturally occurring crystalline substances is the science of
mineralogy. This course deals with the principles and concepts fundamental to
understanding the physical, chemical, crystallographic and structural properties
of minerals. The laboratory introduces techniques, including optical and x-ray,
that aid in defining these characteristic properties. Familiarization with
minerals of common occurrence, and hence of greatest importance in the
understanding of Earth processes, is emphasized in the laboratories. Four
lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: one term of geology or permission of
instructor.
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202 Petrology
W. Peck
This course deals with the origin and
evolution of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Attention is focused
upon the chemical aspects of rock systems.
The origin of rock melts is examined as well as the processes
involved in their differentiation. Metamorphic facies, mineral
assemblages, and reactions are studied. Petrology and melting of the upper
mantle is discussed. These topics are unified by concepts of
plate tectonics. Laboratories involve the solution of
petrological problems through the study (mainly microscopic) of
rock suites from classic areas around the world. Three meetings
and one laboratoy per week, plus a field trip. Prerequisite: GEOL 201 or permission
of instructor.
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203 Environmental Geochemistry and Analysis
K. Harpp
Examination of environmental problems necessitates an
understanding of the geological, chemical, biological, and physical parameters that
interact within each system. The focus of this interdisciplinary laboratory and
field-based course is the development of practical skills essential to the study of
natural systems. Through a series of local projects, students learn how to address
environmental questions, including initial experimental design, collection and analysis
of samples, statistical and graphical treatment of data, interpretation of results,
and presentation of conclusions. Specific skills include instrumental
and laboratory-based techniques for the chemical analysis of natural materials
including rock, soil, and water (e.g., atomic, ultraviolet, and x-ray spectroscopy,
microscopy, mass spectrometry, wet chemistry techniques), data analysis, sample collection and handling techniques,
experimental design, and methods of data presentation. Students examine
environmental geology and chemistry in the context of the specific projects.
Two lecture meetings and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: GEOL 201 or CHEM 101
or permission of instructor
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210 Hydrology and Surface Geological Systems
B. Selleck
The geologic materials nearest the earth's surface are those that
interact with the biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere. This course explores the nature of
surficial geologic materials and processes by using geographic information system (GIS) tools
and hydrological modeling software. Major topics
are landform development, chemical weathering, soil development and
quality, and surface and groundwater hydrology. Three meetings and one
laboratory per week. No prerequisite; however, a previous earth science
or geology course is recommended.
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215 History of Life
C. Soja
This course studies within an environmental context
the evolution of life on Earth from its
origin to the present. Lectures, discussion exercises and debates,
a Web-based project, and a field trip explore the link between dramatic
physical (tectonic), climatic, and evolutionary events that occurred
on our planet in the past 4.5 billion years, including the origin of life
on Earth (and possibly elsewhere), the Cambrian "explosion," the transition
to life on land, and the influence of meteorite impacts, volcanism, and
climate on mass extinctions. Perspectives on primates, the role that
Homo sapiens may have played in recent extinctions, and forecasts
for the future diversity of life on a human-dominated planet are final
themes of the course. Two meetings per week. No prerequisite.
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217 Coastal Geology
C. McClennen
, P. Pinet
A study of coastal geomorphology, sediments, and wave-related
processes active in the present and geologic past. Major topics
to be considered include beach, near-shore, and estuarine
processes, barrier-island and salt-marsh development, Pleistocene
sea-level fluctuations, manmade modifications and
erosional-depositional patterns induced by the interaction of
physical and biological factors of the coastal environment.
Federal and state laws and policies that are applicable to coastal zone management will be a central
aspect of each student's library and web-based research term paper. (Formerly GEOL 307)
Prerequisite: GEOL 135 or equivalent.
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220 Volcanology
K.Harpp
Our fascination with volcanoes stems primarily
from their awesome powers of destruction, yet their constructive
role in shaping our landscape, atmosphere, and oceans has been crucial in
Earth's history. This course explores the fundamental concepts
of volcanology, from the geological, chemical, and physical
processes that generate volcanoes to the implications of
volcanic activity on humankind. Through a series of case studies,
this course examines: the tectonic environments that generate volcanoes
and what they tell us about Earth's internal processes; eruptive
styles and volcanic forms; volcanic rocks, minerals, and volatiles;
properties, generation, and and evolution of magmas and magma
chambers; features of lava and pyroclastic flows; constructional
forms; submarine volcanism; volcanic hazards, including their
prediction and mitigation; and what extraterrestrial volcanism
can reveal about the history of the solor system. Two lectures
per week. Prerequisites: GEOL 201 (may be concurrent) or permission
of instructor.
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302 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
B. Selleck
A detailed study of modern sedimentary environments and their use
in interpreting ancient sedimentary rocks. The chemical and
physical processes leading to weathering, erosion, transport,
deposition and lithification of sediments are considered. Field
interpretation of local Paleozoic, Pleistocene and Holocene
sediments are carried out through field study projects. Economic
aspects of sedimentary rocks, such as the occurrence of oil,
natural gas and coal, are discussed. Three lectures and one
laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: one term of geology or
permission of instructor.
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305 Structural Geology
A. Goldstein
This course examines the response of rocks to stress at scales
ranging from microscopic to subcontinental. It includes an
introduction to theoretical concepts of stress and strain, but
emphasis is on the structures produced by brittle and ductile
deformation. Theoretical discussions are followed by study of
examples from the world's major mountain belts. The laboratory
involves three-dimensional geometric analysis of faults and folds
using both hypothetical and real examples. A four-day field trip
is required. Four lecutures and one laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: GEOL 101 and 201 or permission of instructor.
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310 Environmental Economic Geology
R. April
, W Peck
This course examines the global distribution of mineral
resources, the economic and engineering factors that govern their
availability and the environmental effects of their production
and use. Mineral resources to be considered include ferrous and
non-ferrous metals, precious metals and gems, energy fuels,
construction and manufacturing materials such as limestone,
gravel, zeolites and clays, and chemical industry minerals such
as salts, potash and phosphates. Topics to be explored, in
addition to the origin, nature and geological setting of the
world's great mineral deposits, include mineral law and
economics, mineral exploration and production, strategic mineral
reserves and war, minerals and human health, commodity markets
and cartels, and environmental impact assessment and remediation.
Three meetings per week. Prerequisite: GEOL 201.
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315 Invertebrate Paleontology and Paleoecology
C. Soja
A detailed study of the taxonomy, morphology and paleoecology of
the organismal groups found in the geologic record. An analysis of
the origin and diversification of these groups shows their evolutionary
interrelationships. Laboratories
examine problems in preservation, systematics, evolution and
paleoecology. Three lectures and one laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: GEOL 115 or 215, or permission of instructor.
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317 X-ray and Clay Mineralogy
R. April
An integrated and detailed study of the nature of clay minerals and the methods of x-ray analysis.
Through lecures, laboratory work, readings, and research exercises, students will gain a thorough
knowledge of x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence analytical techniques and the mineralogy
of clays and related silicate minerals. Topics include: x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence
theory and applications; powder diffraction techniques; computer modeling of x-ray patterns; the
structure and chemistry of clay minerals, their origin, paragenesis, classification, and occurrence; clays and
the origin of life; the role of clays in weathering and the geochemical balance of Earth's oceans and atmosphere.
Laboratory work will involve methods of sample preparation, extensive use of the department's
modern x-ray facility, and completion of an original research project. Prerequisite: GEOL 201.
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320 Techniques of Field Geology
Staff
A seven-week summer field program introduces the basic field
techniques used in geologic mapping. Students prepare geologic
maps and stratigraphic sections in assigned map areas and develop
geological histories, focusing on igneous, sedimentary and
metamorphic processes. Registration is by permission only.
Prerequisite: three geology courses or completion of six semesters.
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321 Analytical Methods in Geology
K. Harpp
Working in industry, government and academia, geologists rely on
modern instruments for rapid accurate analysis of geological
materials and processes. This course examines the theory,
practice and applicaiton of analytical intruments in the
geosciences. Emphasis is on equipment housed in the Geology
Department (atomic absorption spectrometer, scanning electron
microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer, x-ray flourescence
spectrometer, x-ray diffraction spectrometer) but other
analytical methods are discussed. Current geologic literature
illustration application of the techniques is discussed. During
laboratories, students learn sample preparation and practical use
of instruments while conducting short research projects.
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330 Hydrogeology and Groundwater Pollution
B. Selleck
Because the interdisciplinary area of Earth and environmental sciences
has emerged as a critical focal point for studies of natural waters, this course is designed
to examine the physical and chemical nature of water, its role in the global hydrologic cycle,
and the impact of humankind on water resources. Topics covered include water resources and
quality, surface- and ground-water hydrology and hydrodynamics, water-soil interactions,
hydrogeochemistry, and ground-water contamination. The environmental consequences of human
activity and development on water resources are considered through case studies of regional
surface-water and ground-water problems. Lectures and discussion are supplemented with
laboratory exercises. Prerequisites:
GEOL 210 and GEOL 302, or permission of instructor.
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403 Geochemistry
R. April
Concepts to be considered in this
low-temperature geochemistry course are primarily related to
processes occurring at or near the Earth's surface. The chemical
behavior of ocean water, rivers, lakes, groundwaters, sediments,
and sedimentary rocks and the geochemical cycles of the major
elements are studied. Other topics include the evolution of Earth's atmosphere and oceans,
biogeochemistry and environmental geochemistry. Prerequisites:
CHEM 101 and GEOL 201, or permission of instructor.
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405 Geophysical Exploration Methods
A. Goldstein
Knowledge of the subsurface is based primarily on the use of
geophysical techniques. Drilling is expensive and yields
information only about a very small area. This course examines
the primary techniques used in the exploration of the shallow
subsurface environment: gravity, seismology and electric
resistivity. Each technique is examined from a theoretical
perspective and the details of data collection, reduction, and
interpretation are discussed. Although some time is spent
investigating information gained about the deep structures of our
planet, the emphasis is on the upper several hundred feet and
their relationship to the quality of our environment.
Laboratories consist of using the Geology Department's gravity
meter, exploration seismography, and resistivity meter to study
the glacial sediments of the local Chenango Valley. Physiscs is
not a prerequisite for this course. Prerequisites: GEOL 201, 302
(GEOL 210 and MATH 112 recommended).
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411 Isotopes in the Earth Sciences
K. Harpp
, W. Peck
The age of the Earth, genesis and growth of continents, global climate
change, and the formation of the solar system are all understood
primarily through the interpretation of isotope and trace element behavior. This
course explores how geochemical tracers are used to understand processes in the
Earth and solar system that are not possible to observe directly. Methods to be
investigated include geochronology, radiogenic isotopes in magmatic systems, stable isotopes
and the paleoclimate record, and the radiogenic and stable isotope cosmochemistry of
meteorites and lunar samples. Current research in these fields (and readings in the
primary scientific literature) will be a focus of this course. One field trip.
Prerequisites: four geology courses including GEOL 202 (may be concurrent), or
consent of the instructor.
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415 Seminar on Reefs
