Academic Information
Contact: webmaster@isu.edu
Revised: March 2012
Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013
Department of Geosciences
Chair and Professor:Thackray
Professors: Finney, Link, McCurry
Research Professor: Glenn
Associate Professors: Ames, Crosby, Leif Tapanila
Assistant Professors: Godsey, Kobs, Lohse
Research Assistant Professor: Sankey
Assistant Lecturers: Bender, Lori Tapanila
Affiliate Faculty: Dehler, Mahar, Plummer, Rittenour, Sherwin, Smith, Stephens, Welhan, Winterfeld
GIS TReC Affiliate: Weber
Research Associates: Shapley, Shrestha, Yang
Emeriti: Blount, Fortsch, Hughes, Ore
Faculty Information
Department Web Page
Departmental Goals
Admmittance Information
Degrees
Emphasis in Engineering Geology
Minors
Courses
Overall Departmental Goals – All Programs
1. Graduates will think critically and comprehend written and verbal communications about geoscience topics.
2. Graduates will have specific skills for careers in geoscience and related industries, licensure, or to continue in graduate study.
3. Graduates will attain employment in geology or related fields or gain admission to graduate programs.
Program-Specific Goals and Objectives
I. Goals
1. Graduates will know geoscience materials, principles, and their applications to scientific inquiry and to societal concerns.
2. Graduates will understand geologic processes and their expression in the history of the Earth.II. Objectives
The Idaho State University Department of Geosciences is an active community of scholars consisting of undergraduate and graduate students, support and research staff, and professors. Objectives of the department are to train students for professional positions or further study in all aspects of the geosciences. Most courses include field trips and hands-on experience. The Idaho State University Geology summer field camp based at the Lost River Field Station north of Mackay, Idaho, is nationally recognized and attended by students from universities nationwide.
1. Provide undergraduate students with coursework, laboratory experiences, field exercises and hands-on opportunities in order to achieve all goals set forth above.
2. Improve students’ awareness of opportunities for professional employment, licensure, or continued education.The Idaho State University Geosciences Department offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Geology, Post-Baccalaureate Geotechnology Certificate, Master of Science degree in Geology, Master of Science degree in Geographic Information Science, and Master of Natural Science degree for teachers who desire more training in up-to-date science methods. The B.S. in Geology with Emphasis in Engineering Geology, the M.S. in Geology with Emphasis in Environmental Geoscience, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Engineering and Applied Science are also available.
Students who have taken GEOL 1100 and GEOL 1100L, or GEOL 1101 and GEOL 1101L, and who have decided to major in geology, must take GEOL 1110, which is the prerequisite for many other courses in the geology major. For the purposes of a geology major or minor, only 4 credits will be granted for any combination of GEOL 1100, GEOL 1100L, GEOL 1101, GEOL 1101L, and GEOL 1110.
Admittance to Geosciences Major
Idaho State University recognizes three categories with regard to a student's major status:Pre-Major
In the process of applying to Idaho State University, the student may indicate a preference for the Geosciences major. This is not the same as having a major in Geosciences.
Intending to MajorAdmitted to Geosciences Major
- Declare a Geosciences major in the Geosciences Department office;
- Meet with an advisor and outline a plan of study.
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in GEOL 1100 or 1101 (3 cr.)
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in GEOL 1110 (1 cr.)
- Complete University General Education Goals 1 through 3 (English, Speech, and Mathematics)
- Choose one or more Geosciences degree programs.
The Department of Geosciences administers the following degree programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Geology
Bachelor of Science in Geology
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental Systems
Bachelor of Arts in Geology
The B.A. degree is offered to those students who wish either a broader-based liberal arts degree or a broader multi-disciplinary science degree than is possible with the B.S. The B.A. degree is especially suited for future earth science teachers, environmental scientists, environmental lawyers, and others who wish to learn more about how the earth works. The degree fulfills major requirements for secondary school earth science teachers. Refer to the specific Goal requirements for the B.A. degree described in the General Information section of this catalog.Required Courses:
CHEM 1111,1111L General Chemistry I, and Lab 5 cr
MATH 1147 Precalculus 5 cr
GEOL 1100 The Dynamic Earth 3 cr
OR
GEOL 1101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 1110 Physical Geology for
Scientists Laboratory 1 cr
GEOL 2202 Historical Geology 3 cr
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL 3313 Earth Materials I 3 cr
GEOL 3315 Evolution of the Earth's Surface 4 cr
GEOL 4421 Structural Geology 4 cr
GEOL 4431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 cr
GEOL 4452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
GEOL 4456 Geology of Idaho 2 cr
OR
GEOL 4458 Geology of North America 3 cr
TOTAL: 31 to 32 geoscience credits plus 8 to 9 other upper division geoscience credits to equal 40 credits.Bachelor of Science in Geology
The B.S. degree is offered for undergraduates who wish to become professional geoscientists either after their bachelor's degree or after subsequent graduate study. It trains students in the essential observational and analytical skills of field geology as well as more applied areas of microscope petrology, geochemistry, and geotechnology. The B.S. degree is designed to give the student a broad and comprehensive understanding of the discipline of geology and a firm background in math, physics, and chemistry. Refer to the specific Goal requirements for the B.S. degree described in the General Information section of this catalog.Required Courses:
MATH 1147 Precalculus 5 cr
MATH 1170 Calculus I 4 cr
MATH 1175 Calculus II 4 cr
CHEM 1111,1111L General Chemistry I, and Lab 5 cr
CHEM 1112,1112L General Chemistry II, and Lab 4 cr
PHYS 1111*,1112*General Physics I and II 6 cr
OR
PHYS 2211*,2212*Engineering Physics (recommended) 8 cr
GEOL 1100 The Dynamic Earth 3 cr
OR
GEOL 1101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 1110 Physical Geology for
Scientists Laboratory 1 cr
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL 3313 Earth Materials I 3 cr
GEOL 3314 Earth Materials II 3 cr
OR
GEOL 4420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
GEOL 3315 Evolution of the Earth's Surface 4 cr
GEOL 4421 Structural Geology 4 cr
GEOL 4430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 cr
OR
GEOL 4431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 cr
GEOL 4450** Field Geology 6 cr
GEOL 4452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
Plus one of the following:
GEOL 4403,4403L Principles of Geographic
Information Systems, and Lab 3 cr
GEOL 4407 GPS Applications in Research 3 cr
GEOL 4409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
TOTAL: 37 to 38 required geoscience credits plus at least 10 other
optional geoscience credits to equal at least 48 geoscience credits.
GEOL 4430 is strongly recommended for those considering graduate
studies or employment in the field of environmental geoscience.
*May choose the following optional courses:
PHYS 1113, 1114 General Physics Laboratory 2 cr
PHYS 2213, 2214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr
**GEOL 4450 is a 5-week summer field course, usually taken between the junior and senior years.
Emphasis in Engineering GeologyComplete the following courses in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Geology:
CE/GEOL 4454 Basic Engineering Geology 3 cr
CE/GEOL 4455 Geologic Data Methods 3 cr
CE/GEOL 4475 Essentials of Geomechanics 3 cr
CE/GEOL 4476 Engineering Geology Project 1 cr
CE 4480 Earthquake Engineering 3 cr
Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Environmental Systems
The purpose of this program is to deliver a multidisciplinary education with environmental geosciences as a foundation, while also drawing upon existing courses from a diverse array of campus programs.
The emphases in this program span local to global concerns. Core knowledge is developed through a set of required courses across several disciplines, emphasizing the Geosciences, and through required and elective core courses. The student then chooses a specific cross-disciplinary tracks composed of other disciplinary courses.
Curriculum Outline
The Earth and Environmental Systems curriculum consists of three components: required cross-disciplinary courses, required and elective core courses, and required and elective courses in one of five cross-disciplinary tracks. Most students will be able to complete degree requirements (76-80 credits) and general education requirements (40-46 credits) within the typical 120-credit, 4-year Bachelor’s degree. Some of the degree requirements will also satisfy general education requirements. Depending on results of placement tests in mathematics and other areas, some students use as many as 61 credits to satisfy general education requirements, and will thus require more than 120 credits to fulfill both general education and degree requirements.
Cross-Disciplinary Track Requirements (21 cr):
The student will pursue one of five tracks, each consisting of specified and elective courses:
BIOL 1101,1101L Biology I, and Lab 4 cr
BIOL 1102,1102L Biology II, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 1111,1111L General Chemistry I, and Lab 5 cr
BIOL 2209 General Ecology 4 cr
MATH 1147 Pre-Calculus (B.A.) 5 cr
MATH 1160 Applied Calculus (B.S) 3 cr
MATH 1170 Calculus I (B.S.) 4 cr
MATH 1153 Introduction to Statistics 3 cr
or another approved statistics course
HIST 4430 Environmental History 3 cr
POLS 4455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
SOC 3335 Population and Environment 3 cr
GEOL/PHYS 4410 Science in American Society 2 cr
GEOL/HIST/POLS 4471
Historical Geography of Idaho 3 cr
ENGL 3307 Professional and Technical Writing 3 cr
PHYS 2211 Engineering Physics (B.S.) 4 cr
GEOL 1100, 1100L The Dynamic Earth, and Lab 4 cr
GEOL 1110 Physical Geology
for Scientists Laboratory 1 cr
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL 3315 Evolution of the Earth's Surface 4 cr
GEOL 4406 Environmental Geology 3 cr
GEOL 4416 Global Environmental Change 3 cr
GEOL 4403, 4403L Principles of Geographic
Information Systems, and Lab 3 cr
GEOL 4404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL 4407 Applications in Research 3 cr
GEOL 4409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
GEOL 3313 Earth Materials I 3 cr
GEOL 4402 Geomorphology 4 cr
GEOL 4403,4403L Principles of Geographic
Information Systems, and Lab 3 cr
GEOL 4404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL 4405 Volcanology 3 cr
GEOL 4407 Global Positioning Applications
in Research 3 cr
GEOL 4409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
GEOL 4410 Science in American Society 2 cr
GEOL 4415 Quaternary Global Change 3 cr
GEOL 4417 General Soils 3 cr
GEOL 4420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
GEOL 4421 Structural Geology 4 cr
GEOL 4430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 cr
GEOL 4431 Geobiology and the History of Life 3 cr
GEOL 4450 Field Geology 6 cr
GEOL 4451 Field Methods in Environmental Sciences 3 cr
GEOL 4452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
GEOL 4456 Geology of Idaho 3 cr
OR
GEOL 4458 Geology of North America 3 cr
GEOL 4482 Independent Problems
and Studies in Geology 3 cr
BIOL 4416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
BIOL 4462 Freshwater Ecology 3 cr
BIOL 4489 Field Ecology 4 cr
BIOL 2213 Fall Flora 2 cr
BIOL 2214 Spring Flora 2 cr
BIOL 4426 Herpetology 3 cr
BIOL 4427 Ichthyology 3 cr
BIOL 4438 Ornithology 3 cr
BIOL 4431 General Entomology 3 cr
BIOL 4441 Mammology 3 cr
SOC 3335 Population and Environment 3 cr
BIOL 3315 Introduction to Biometry 3 cr
BIOL 3337 Conservation of Natural Resources 3 cr
BIOL 4476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
HIST 4430 Environmental History 3 cr
ENVE 4404 Environmental Risk Analysis 3 cr
GEOL 4402 Geomorphology 4 cr
GEOL 4451 Field Methods in Environmental Sciences 3 cr
GEOL/HIST/POLS 4471 Historical Geography of Idaho 3 cr
GEOL 4420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
CHEM 1112,1112L General Chemistry II, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 2211 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 cr
CHEM 3301,3303 Organic Chemistry I, and Lab 4 cr
ENVE 4410 Introduction
to Environmental Engineering 3 cr
BIOL 4432 Biochemistry 3 cr
BIOL 2221,2221L Introductory Microbiology, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 2232,2234 Quantitative Analysis, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 3351 Physical Chemistry* 3 cr
CHEM 3352 Physical Chemistry* 3 cr
CHEM 4435 Environmental Chemistry 2 cr
ENVE 4404 Environmental Risk Analysis 3 cr
BIOL 4476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
GEOL 4451 Field Methods in Environmental Sciences 3 cr
BIOL 2221,2221L Introductory Microbiology, and Lab 4 cr
BIOL 4476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
ANTH 2230 Introduction to Biological
Anthropology and Lab 4 cr
HE 4442 Environmental Health
and Health Education 2 cr
HE 3383 Epidemiology 3 cr
SOC/SOWK 3308 Sociological Methods
and Social Work Research 3 cr
SOC 3309 Social Statistics 3 cr
SOC 3330 Sociology of Health and Illness 3 cr
SOC 3335 Population and Environment 3 cr
ANTH 4408 Special Topics in Medical Anthropology 3 cr
BIOL/PHIL 2230 Bioethics 3 cr
BIOL 3315 Introduction to Biometry 3 cr
BIOL 4423 General Parasitology 3 cr
MATH 4459 Applied Multivariate Analysis 3 cr
GEOL/HIST/POLS 4471 Historical Geography of Idaho 3 cr
MGT 4462 Issues in Business and Society 3 cr
POLS 4455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
POLS 4453 Public Policy Analysis 3 cr
ECON 3352 Environmental Economics 3 cr
BIOL 4416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
ECON 2201 Principles of Macroeconomic 3 cr
ECON 2202 Principles of Microeconomics 3 cr
ECON 4411 Political Economy 3 cr
ECON 4433 Economic Development 3 cr
POLS 4405 Administrative Process 3 cr
POLS 4409 Community and Regional Planning 3 cr
HIST 4430 Environmental History 3 cr
COMM 4452 Conflict Management 3 cr
PHIL 4430 Philosophy of Science 3 cr
SPCH 2208 Group Communication 3 cr
ENGL 3307 Professional and Technical Writing 3 cr
ENGL 3308 Business Communications 3 cr
MGT 2216 Business Statistics 3 cr
MGT 2217 Advanced Business Statistics 3 cr
GEOL/PHYS 4410 Science in American Society 2 cr
GEOL/HIST/POLS 4471 Historical Geography of Idaho 3 cr
GEOL 4402 Geomorphology 4 cr
ANTH 4402 Ecological Anthropology 3 cr
BIOL 4416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
GEOL 4404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
ANTH 2250 Introduction to Sociocultural
Anthropology 3 cr
ANTH 4493 Indigenous Conservation 3 cr
BIOL 3337 Conservation of Natural Resources 3 cr
GEOL 4415 Quaternary Global Change 3 cr
HIST 4430 Environmental History 3 cr
PHYS 3325 Introduction to Weather and Climate 3 cr
POLS 4453 Public Policy Analysis 3 cr
POLS 4455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
SOC/SOWK 3308 Sociological Methods
and Social Work Research 3 cr
SOC 3309 Social Statistics 3 cr
SOC 3335 Population and Environment 3 cr
GEOL 1100 The Dynamic Earth 3 cr
OR
GEOL 1101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 1110 Physical Geology for Scientists Lab 1 cr
GEOL 2202 Historical Geology 3 cr
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
IN ADDITION: Upper division Geology electives
approved by the Department 12 cr
TOTAL: 22 Geology credits
GEOL 4403,4403L Principles of Geographic
Information Systems, and Lab 3 cr
GEOL 4404 Advanced Geographical
Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL 4407 Global Positioning
Applications in Research 3 cr
GEOL 4408 GeoTechnology Seminar 2 cr
OR
BIOL 4418 Ecological Topics/GIS Applications 1 cr
GEOL 4409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
ANTH 4482 Independent Problems in
Anthropology/GIS and Anthropology 1-3 cr
BIOL 4482 Independent Problems in Biology/GIS
and Biology 1-4 cr
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL 4427 Information Technology for GIS 3 cr
GEOL 4428 Programming for GIS 2 cr
GEOL 4480 Special Topics in GIS 1-3 cr
GEOL 4481 GeoTechnology Internship 1-3 cr
GEOL 4482 Independent Problems and Studies
in Geology 1-3 cr
TOTAL: 19 cr
GEOL 1100 The Dynamic Earth;3 credits.;Understanding the Earth as a dynamic system. Explores the interaction between four major earth components: the solid earth, the atmosphere, the ocean and biological communities, including humans. Specific focus on climate change, natural hazards, and Earth resources. COREQ: GEOL 1100L. With GEOL 1100L, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1100L The Dynamic Earth Lab 1 credit. Focuses on the Earth System and the interaction of humans with the environment. Topics include: earth, water and energy resources as well as natural and human-caused disasters. COREQ: GEOL 1100. With GEOL 1100, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1101 Physical Geology 3 credits. Geological fundamentals: rocks and minerals, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, surface processes, earth resources and climatic change. With GEOL 1101L or GEOL 1110, Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1101L Physical Geology Lab 1 credit. Classification and recognition of minerals and rocks, landforms on topographic maps and air photos. Geology of Pocatello area. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 1101. With GEOL 1101, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1110 Physical Geology for Scientists Laboratory 1 credit. Identification and classification of minerals, rocks, and fossils; introduction to geologic maps and plate tectonics. Field trips. Required for Geology majors. May be taken in place of GEOL 1100L or 1101L. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101.With GEOL 1100 or 1101, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S
GEOL 1115 Physical Geography 3 credits. The study of the form of the earth's surface, the hydrologic cycle, weather and climate. The global distribution of soils, animals and vegetation. Effects of climatic changes. Man's role in maintaining natural ecosystems. Laboratory exercises and field trips. COREQ: GEOL 1115L. With GEOL 1115L, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1115L Physical Geography Lab 1 credit. Laboratory exercises and field trips to study the form of the earth's surface, the hydrologic cycle, weather and climate, soils, animals and vegetation, and natural ecosystems. COREQ: GEOL 1115. With GEOL 1115, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 1122 Rocks and Stars 3 credits. A scientific multimedia guide to planetary geology, principles of mass and energy interactions; planetary growth and evolution, bolide impacts, volcanoes and lava plains, fault systems and mountains, streams, dunes, mass extinctions. AS
GEOL 2201 Rocks, Rails, and Trails 1 credit. Interaction between geology, geography and early history of Southeast Idaho, emphasizing the fur trapping period, the Oregon and California Trails, the coming of the railroad, and early Pocatello. Field trips. Graded S/U. F
GEOL 2202 Historical Geology 3 credits. Major events in earth history; continental drift, age dating, evolution of organisms, times of extinction, mountain building, episodes of world glaciation. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101. F
GEOL 2210 Earth in Space and Time 3 credits. Tools-oriented course in map coordinates, GPS, basic GIS and remote sensing, spread sheets and data analysis. Includes applications to geologic maps, cross sections, and Geologic Time Scale. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 1110. F, S
GEOL 2282 Undergraduate Laboratory Experience 1-3 credits. Participate in various laboratory or field-related tasks related to research projects, gaining practical experience via supervised operation of equipment, computers, and analytical instrumentation. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101. Graded S/U. F, S, Su
GEOL 3313 Earth Materials I 3 credits. Introduction to physical and chemical composition of the earth, emphasizing minerals, mineral associations and mineral formation, and lab-based determinative methods of mineralogy from microscopic to planetary scales. PREREQ: GEOL 1110. PREREQ OR COREQ: CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1111L. F
GEOL 3314 Earth Materials II 3 credits. Classifications, processes and environments of formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Lab- and field-based determinative methods of rock identification, classification and interpretation. PREREQ: GEOL 2210 and GEOL 3313. S
GEOL 3315 Evolution of the Earth's Surface 4 credits. Evolution of the Earth's surface in recent geologic time. Physical and climatic processes that govern landscape evolution. Examination of landforms and landscapes to interpret paleo-environments and modern Earth surface processes. Lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises, and field trips. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101, and GEOL 1110. S
GEOL 4400 Practicum in Geology Teaching 1 credit. Practical problems in teaching geology in public schools. Lab and field trip design and safety, Internet resources, student projects. PREREQ: GEOL 2210. AF
GEOL 4402 Geomorphology 4 credits. Process-response approach to landforms and landscapes. Historical perspectives, endo- and exogenetic processes, equilibrium and relict landforms. Emphasis on interrelations among various geologic sub-disciplines. Field trips, some lab exercises. PREREQ: GEOL 3313, GEOL 3315, or consent of instructor. COREQ: GEOL 4402L. F
GEOL 4402L Geomorphology Lab 0 credit.
GEOL 4403 Principles of Geographical Information Systems 3 credits. Study of GIS fundamentals, introduction to GPS, databases, and metadata. Practical application of ESRI ArcView ®. Build, edit, and query a GIS; basic spatial analysis. Requires competence in computer operating systems. PREREQ: CIS 1101 or permission of instructor. COREQ: GEOL 4403L. F, S, W
GEOL 4403L Principles of GIS Laboratory 0 credit. Computer lab assignments to apply principles from GEOL 4403. COREQ: GEOL 4403. F
GEOL 4404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 credits. Study of relational databases, including spatial analysis, and remote sensing. Practical application of Arc/Info ® and Idrisi ®. Exercises include digitizing, querying, digital terrain modeling, and image processing. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L or permission of instructor. S
GEOL 4405 Volcanology 3 credits. Aspects of physical and chemical volcanology: types of volcanoes; interpretation of volcanic deposits; properties of magma; generation, rise and storage of magma; volcanic hazards and prediction. PREREQ: GEOL 3314, GEOL 4402, GEOL 4421 or GEOL 4452. AF
GEOL 4406 Environmental Geology 3 credits. Humans and the environment,. Topics include: industrial exploitation of fossil fuels, energy sources, soils, water and other materials, environmental health, pollution, waste disposal, hazards, disasters, and land use. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101. F, W
GEOL 4407 GPS Applications in Research 3 credits. Overview of satellite positioning systems usage. Topics include GPS theory, basic mapping concepts, use of mapping grade receivers for GIS data collection, and processing of carrier phase data for high precision applications. S
GEOL 4408 GeoTechnology Seminar 2 credits. GIS applications in natural and social sciences; ethical and legal issues, current status and recent advances in GeoTechnology. Lectures, discussion, readings. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L or permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL 4409 Remote Sensing 3 credits. Fundamentals and applications of single frequency, multispectral, and hyperspectral remote sensing for physical, natural, engineering, and social sciences. Emphasis on acquiring, processing, integrating, and interpretation of imagery. Requires competence in computer operating systems. S
GEOL 4410 Science in American Society 2 credits. Observational basis of science; technology's historical influences on scientific developments; perceptions of science in contemporary America; tools/strategies for teaching science. Equvalent to PHYS 4410. PREREQ: Junior standing and permission of instructor. AF
GEOL 4411 Planetary Petrology 3 credits. Chemistry, mineralogy, tectonic association and petrogenesis of the principal igneous and metamorphic rock types on Earth and other planetary bodies. PREREQ: GEOL 3314. AF
GEOL 4412 Petrology Laboratory 2 credits. Microscopic identification of igneous and metamorphic minerals and rocks. PREREQ: GEOL 3313 and 2211; COREQ: GEOL 4411. AF
GEOL 4413 Sedimentary Rocks in Thin Section 2 credits. A variety of terrigenous, volcaniclastic, and carbonate rocks will be studied. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 4411. AF
GEOL 4415 Quaternary Global Change 3 credits. Use and interpretation of landforms, sediments, and fossil life in the reconstruction of Quaternary events, environment, and climates. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. AS
GEOL 4416 Global Environmental Change 3 credits. Analysis of the causes and effects of both natural and human-induced environmental change. Integrates knowledge from other Earth Systems Science courses, and examines and analyzes relevant problems in global environmental change using scientific methods. PREREQ: GEOL 1115, GEOL 1115L, GEOL 2210, GEOL 4406, and BIOL 2209. AS<
GEOL 4417 General Soils 3 credits. Formation, morphology, and distribution of soils, including developments in soil classification. PREREQ: GEOL 1100, GEOL 1101 or GEOL 1115, or permission of instructor. S
GEOL 4420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 credits. Chemistry of the earth; discussion of factors controlling abundance, distribution, and migration of chemical elements within the earth. PREREQ: GEOL 3313, CHEM 1112, and CHEM 1112L, or permission of instructor. S
GEOL 4421
Structural Geology 4 credits. Structure
of the earth's crust. Investigation of behavior of materials;
identification and interpretation of earth structures. PREREQ: MATH
1147
or equivalent
and GEOL 4452. S
GEOL 4421L
Structural Geology Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply
principles in GEOL 4421. S
GEOL 4422 Planetary Geology 3 credits. Formation of planetary bodies (planets, moons, asteroids and comets), internal and surficial processes, tectonics, and planetary exploration. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101 or permission of instructor. D, W
GEOL 4427 Information Technology for GIS 3 credits. Study of servers, networks, system administration, relational database design and management, spatial database engines, and serving maps on the internet. The course uses traditional lectures along with demonstrations and hands-on exercises. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L or instructor approval. F
GEOL 4428 Programming for GIS 3 credits. Course introduces students Visual Basic programming for GIS. Students will learn the fundamentals of object oriented programming, rapid application development, basic coding, help documentation, and compiling. Students will complete a project where they develop a GIS utility of their choice. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L and instructor approval. F
GEOL 4430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 credits. Surface and groundwater occurrence, movement and recovery, water quality and pollution, well construction principles, and computer modeling. PREREQ: MATH 1147; and GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101 or permission of instructor. F
GEOL 4431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 credits. Principles of biology and geology applied to the study of fossil invertebrates. Consideration is given to morphology, classification, evolution, paleoecology, and the stratigraphic significance of fossils. PREREQ: Permission of instructor; GEOL 2202 recommended. F
GEOL 4431L Geobiology and the History of Life Laboratory 0 credit.
GEOL 4435 Vertebrate Paleontology 4 credits. Phylogenetic history of the vertebrates outlined in the light of morphology, classification, evolution, paleoecology, and the significance of fossils. Field trips. Equvalent to BIOL 4435. PREREQ: GEOL 4431 or (BIOL 3304 and BIOL 3304L) or equivalent. F
GEOL 4439 Principles of Taphonomy 3 credits. Effects of processes which modify organisms between death and the time the usually fossilized remains are studied. Emphasis on vertebrates. Crosslisted as ANTH 4439, BIOL 4439. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. AS
GEOL 4440 Ore Deposits 3 credits. Nature, mode of occurrence, origin of ores with each type related to a given rock association and as the product of a particular environment. PREREQ: GEOL 3314, GEOL 4452 (recommended), or GEOL 4421. AF
GEOL 4451 Field Methods in Environmental Sciences 3 credits. Practical application of field methods with an Earth systems focus. Analysis of topographic and vegetational data, hydrologic methods, riverine processes and habitat, and soil characteristics, emphasizing use of GIS, GPS, remote sensing and other geotechnologies. Two-week summer course at Lost River Field Station. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L, either GEOL 4415 or GEOL 4416, and BIOL 2209. Su
GEOL 4452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 credits. Principles of sedimentation from source to diagenesis. The basis of stratigraphic nomenclature, classification, and correlation of rock units. Laboratory covers unconsolidated sediment, hand specimens, and field techniques. PREREQ: GEOL 2210 and ENGL 1102 or permission of instructor. PREREQ OR COREQ: CHEM 1111 and CHEM 1111L. COREQ: GEOL 4452L. F
GEOL 4452L Sedimentation-Stratigraphy Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles in GEOL 4452. COREQ: GEOL 4452. F
GEOL 4454 Basic Engineering Geology 3 credits.Geology applied to civil engineering projects; rock engineering classification systems and geotechnical parameters such as joint set orientation, ground behavior and underground construction. Preparation of baseline geotechnical reports. Equvalent to CE 4454. COREQ: GEOL 3314 or CE 3332. D
GEOL 4455 Geologic Data Methods 3 credits. Geotechnical investigations for civil works projects; geologic mapping for civil engineering purposes; development of engineering geologic profiles; core logging; preparation of Geotechnical Data Reports for civil works projects. Equvalent to CE 4455. PREREQ: CE 4454.D
GEOL 4456 Geology of Idaho 2 credits. Geologic provinces and plate tectonic history of Idaho. Topics include basement, Belt Supergroup, Phanerozoic passive margin, Cordilleran orogen, accreted terranes, Idaho batholith, Challis volcanics, Idaho mineral deposits, Basin and Range, Snake River Plain and Pleistocene floods. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or GEOL 1101.
GEOL 4458 Geology of North America 3 credits. Regional stratigraphy and tectonics of North America emphasizing National Parks and the Intermountain West. Graduate students will do extensive additional reading in current literature. PREREQ: GEOL 1100 or 1101. AS
GEOL 4465 Subsurface Geology 3 credits. Principles of well log interpretation and correlation, core and cuttings description, cross section and subsurface map creation. Environmental geology, hydrogeology, mining, geological engineering, and petroleum applications. PREREQ: GEOL 2210 or permission of instructor. AF
GEOL 4471 Historical Geography of Idaho 3 credits. Influences of geography and geology on Idaho's economic, political and cultural history. May be team taught and include field trips and discussion sections. Equvalent to HIST 4471 and POLS 4471. AS
GEOL 4475 Essentials of Geomechanics 3 credits. Essentials of rock fracture relevant to geological engineering including stress and strain, properties and classification of rock masses, rock fracture mechanisms. Equvalent to CE 4475. PREREQ: GEOL 4421 or CE/ENGR/ME 3350. D
GEOL 4476 Engineering Geology Project 1 credit. Team projects studying actual problems in engineering geology. Equvalent to CE 4476. PREREQ: GEOL 4454 or CE 4454. D
GEOL 4480
Special Topics in GIS 1-3
credits. Visual Basic programming for GIS. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and
GEOL 4403L and
permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL 4481 GeoTechnology Internship 1-3 credits. Choose a project with either Natural Resource or municipal GIS emphasis and work with real-world data at the Internship's off-campus location. Projects focus on using/creating geotechnical data. PREREQ: GEOL 4403 and GEOL 4403L or permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL 4482
Independent Problems and Studies
in Geology 1-3 credits. Investigation of a geologic problem chosen
by
the student and approved by the staff. May be repeated for up to 6
credits. D
GEOL 4483 Earthquake Engineering 3 credits. Topics include: mechanism and characterization of earthquakes; seismic risk analysis; site and structural response; applications from points of view of engineer and geologist. Equivalent to CE 4480. PREREQ: GEOL 3313 or CE 3332, or permission of instructor. D
GEOL 4491 Seminar 1 credit. Field trip or discussion of current geologic literature and geologic problems. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. Graded S/U. F, S
GEOL 4493 Senior Thesis 1-4 credits. This is a course supervised by a committee of at least two faculty members, approved by the chairperson(s) of the department(s) involved. The thesis topic may be interdisciplinary, with credits conferred by one or more departments. PREREQ: 90 credits and invitation by (or permission of) department chairperson(s). F, S
GEOL 4497 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. D
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IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY Academic Information Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: March 2012 |