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Department of Geosciences
Chair and Professor: HughesProfessors: Link, McCurry, Nuhfer, Rodgers
Associate Professor: Thackray
Assistant Professors: Kahn, Kruger
Research Assistant Professor: Glenn
Senior Lecturer: Fortsch
Affiliate Faculty: Akersten, Anderson, Cecil, Kuntz, McDonald, R. Smith, R. P. Smith, Stephens, Thomas, Welhan, Winterfeld
Emeritus Faculty: Ore, Strawn
GIS TReC Director: Weber
GIS TReC Associate Director: WindholzThe ISU 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 ISU Geology summer field camp in Copper Basin, central Idaho, is nationally recognized and attended by students from universities nationwide. Numerous evening classes are offered for the general public.
The ISU Geosciences Department offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts Degrees, a Master's Degree in Geology and a Master of Natural Science Degree for teachers who desire more training in up-to-date science methods. M.S. in Geology with an emphasis in Environmental Geoscience is also available. Cooperative agreements with the Geology Departments at Boise State University and the University of Idaho facilitate transfer of undergraduate credits and degrees between the three schools. ISU has a cooperative Master's Degree programs in Geology and Applied Geophysics with Boise State University, and in Hydrogeology with the University of Idaho.
Students who have taken GEOL 100 and GEOL100L, or GEOL 101 and GEOL 101L, and who have decided to major in geology, must take GEOL 110, 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 100, GEOL 100L, GEOL 101, GEOL 101L, GEOL 109, and GEOL 110.
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.The Geology B.A. may be an excellent alternative for students who desire a technical degree that prepares them for the growing field of environmental geology and hydrology, but require less of the strenuous and time-consuming laboratory and field component of the Geology B.S. To this end, students should augment their Geology B.A. curriculum with courses in related sciences. The specific program of study should be designed after consultation with advisors in the Department of Geosciences and other science departments. Possible areas of emphasis include: Chemistry courses in Organic Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis, Mathematics courses through Differential Equations, Engineering Courses in Surveying, Geotechnics, and Fluid Mechanics, Biological Sciences courses in Ecology and Biochemistry, or classes in Health Physics.
Required Courses:
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr GEOL 100/100L Survey of Geology 4 cr GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr OR GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Laboratory 1 cr GEOL 102 Historical Geology 3 cr GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr GEOL 313 Earth Materials I 3 cr GEOL g406 Environmental Geology 3 cr GEOL 421 Structural Geology 4 cr GEOL g415 Quaternary Geology 4 cr OR GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr OR GEOL g430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 cr GEOL g431 Invertebrate Paleontology 4 cr GEOL g452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr GEOL g453 Geology of Southern Idaho 2 cr OR GEOL g458 Geology of North America 3 cr MATH 147 Precalculus 5 cr TOTAL: 33 to 35 geoscience credits plus 5 to 7 other 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 hydrogeology. 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.Required Courses:
MATH 147 Precalculus 5 cr MATH 170 Calculus I 4 cr MATH 175 Calculus II 4 cr CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr PHYS 111*-112* General Physics I and II 6 cr OR PHYS 211*-212* Engineering Physics (recommended) 8 cr GEOL 100/100L Survey of Geology 4 cr OR GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Laboratory 1 cr GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr GEOL 313 Earth Materials I 3 cr GEOL 314 Earth Materials II 3 cr GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr GEOL 421 Structural Geology 4 cr GEOL 450** Field Geology 6 cr GEOL g452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr Plus two of the following three courses: GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr GEOL g431 Invertebrate Paleontology 4 cr GEOL g445 Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 4 cr TOTAL: 38 to 40 required geoscience credits plus at least 8 other optional geoscience credits to equal at least 48 geoscience credits. GEOL g430 is strongly recommended for those considering graduate studies or employment in the field of environmental geoscience. *Optional (May choose these as companions to * courses) PHYS 113-114 General Physics Laboratory 2 cr PHYS 213-214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr **GEOL 450 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 g454 Basic Engineering Geology 3 cr
CE/GEOL g455 Geologic Data Methods 3 cr
CE/GEOL g475 Essentials of Geomechanics 3 cr
CE/GEOL g476 Engineering Geology Project 1 cr
CE g480 Earthquake Engineering 3 crMinor in Geology
GEOL 100/100L Survey of Geology 4 cr OR GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Lab 1 cr GEOL 102 Historical Geology 3 cr GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr GEOL 313 Earth Materials I 3 cr GEOL g406 Environmental Geology 3 cr IN ADDITION: Geology electives approved by the Department 6 cr TOTAL: 22 Geology credits NOTE: GEOL g452 and g421 are recommended for those pursuing a Geology minor.Minor in GeoTechnology
Core Courses:GEOL g403 Principles of Geographical Information Systems 3 cr GEOL g404 Advanced Geographical Information Systems 3 cr GEOL g407 Global Positioning Applications in Research 3 cr GEOL g408 GeoTechnology Seminar 2 cr GEOL g409 Remote Sensing 3 crElectives (at least 6 credits):
ANTH g482 Independent Problems in Anthropology:
Geographical Information Systems
and Anthropology 3 cr
BIOS g418 Ecological Topics 1 cr
CIS g480 Data Base Management Systems 3 cr
GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 2 cr
GEOL g480 Special Topics in GIS 1-3 cr
GEOL g481 GeoTechnology Internship 1-3 cr
GEOL 488 Independent Problems
and Studies in Geology 1-3 crTOTAL: 19 crAssociate of Science in Geology
Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in Geology must complete the following:General Education Goals for the Bachelor of Science* variable CHEM 111-112 General Chemistry I-II 9 cr PHYS 111 General Physics I 3 cr OR PHYS 211 Engineering Physics I 4 cr MATH 160 Brief Calculus 4 cr OR MATH 170-175 Calculus I and II (recommended) 8 cr GEOL 100/100L Survey of Geology 4 cr OR GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Lab 1 cr GEOL 102 Historical Geology 3 cr GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr GEOL 313 Earth Materials I 3 cr Electives to bring total to 64 cr variable TOTAL: 64 cr * The number of credits required for the General Education requirements varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or placement tests in English, foreign languages, and mathematics.Bachelor's Degrees at Other UniversitiesBachelor of Science in Geophysics (Boise State University)
Bachelor of Science in Geological
Engineering (University of Idaho)
These professionally oriented degrees require several more physics, math, and engineering classes than a B.S. in geology. ISU students interested in these degrees should transfer to Boise State University or the University of Idaho after their sophomore year.
Geology Courses
GEOL 100 Survey of Geology 4 credits. Interaction of humans with the environment. Historical and modern attempts to manage and use earth resources. Water resources, natural and human-caused disasters, energy, waste (including radioactive) management, laboratory exercises, field trips. Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASuGEOL 101 Physical Geology 3 credits. Geological fundamentals: rocks and minerals, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, surface processes, earth resources and climatic change. COREQ: GEOL 101L recommended. Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 101L Physical Geology Laboratory 1 credit. Classification and recognition of minerals and rocks, landforms on topographic maps and air photos. Geology of Pocatello area. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 101. Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 102 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 100 or GEOL 101. F
GEOL 110 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. COREQ: GEOL 101 OR PREREQ: GEOL 100. F, S
GEOL 115 Physical Geography 4 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. Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 122 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 201 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 210 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 110. S
GEOL 313 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 110 and CHEM 111. F
GEOL 314 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 210 and 313. S
GEOL 397 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
GEOL 400 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 210. AF
GEOL g402 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 421. S
GEOL g403 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. F, S, W
GEOL g403L Principles of Geographical Information Systems Laboratory 0 credit.
GEOL g404 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 g403 or permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL g405 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: ONE OF: GEOL 314, GEOL g402, GEOL 421 or GEOL g452. AF
GEOL g406 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 100 or GEOL 101. F, W
GEOL g407 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 g408 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 g403 or permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL g409 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. F
GEOL g410 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. Cross-listed as PHYS g410. PREREQ: 58 credits and permission of instructor. AF
GEOL g411 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 314. AF
GEOL g412 Petrology Laboratory 2 credits. Microscopic identification of igneous and metamorphic minerals and rocks. PREREQ: GEOL 313 and 211; COREQ: GEOL g411. AF
GEOL 413 Sedimentary Rocks in Thin Section 2 credits. A variety of terrigenous, volcaniclastic, and carbonate rocks will be studied. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL g411. AF
GEOL g415 Quaternary Geology 4 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 g415L Quaternary Geology Laboratory 0 credit.
GEOL g417 General Soils 3 credits. Formation, morphology, and distribution of soils, including developments in soil classification. PREREQ: GEOL 100, GEOL 101 or GEOL 115, or permission of instructor. S
GEOL g420 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 211 and CHEM 112, or permission of instructor. S
GEOL 421 Structural Geology 4 credits. Structure of the earth's crust. Investigation of behavior of materials; identification and interpretation of earth structures. PREREQ: MATH 147 or equivalent and GEOL g452. S
GEOL g422 Planetary Geology for Teachers 3 credits. K-12 teachers and M.N.S. candidates. Formation of planetary bodies (planets, moons, asteroids and comets), internal and surficial processes, tectonics, and planetary exploration. Internet http://wapi.isu.edu. PREREQ: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101 or permission of instructor. W
GEOL g430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 credits. Surface and groundwater occurrence, movement and recovery, water quality and pollution, well construction principles, and computer modeling. PREREQ: GEOL 100 OR 101 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F
GEOL g431 Invertebrate Paleontology 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. F
GEOL g435 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. Cross-listed as BIOS g435. PREREQ: GEOL g431 or BIOS 314 or equivalent. AS
GEOL g439 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 g439, BIOS g439. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. AS
GEOL g440 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: ONE OF: GEOL 314, g452 (recommended) OR 421. AF
GEOL g445 Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 4 credits. Geophysical applications to environmental and geological engineering problems. Includes seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical, and electromagnetic methods. (Includes lab.) PREREQ: MATH 144 or MATH 147, and GEOL 100 or GEOL 101, or permission of instructor. AF
GEOL 450 Field Geology 6 credits. Five - week summer field camp, applying standard geologic field instruments and geologic concepts to a series of field problems. PREREQ: GEOL 421 and GEOL g452. Su
GEOL g452 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 210 and ENGL 102 or equivalent. F
GEOL g453 Geology of Southern Idaho 2 credits. A study of the geology of Southern Idaho, including stratigraphy, thrust belt structure, Idaho batholith, core complexes, Challis volcanic episode, Snake River Plain, Basin and Range, and Lake Bonneville. PREREQ: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101. AS
GEOL g454 Basic Engineering Geology 3 credits. Geology applied to engineering projects; geotechnical problems in civil projects; site methods. Subsurface investigations including scope, logging, and in situ and geophysical methods. Cross-listed as CE g454. PREREQ: GEOL 314 or CE 332. D
GEOL g455 Geologic Data Methods 3 credits. Classification of geotechnical projects. Geologic mapping for civil engineering purposes. Development of engineering geologic profiles. Pre-bid geotechnical investigations and field instrumentation for civil works projects. Cross-listed as CE g455. PREREQ: GEOL 450. D
GEOL g458 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 100 or 101. AS
GEOL g465 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 210 or permission of instructor. AF
GEOL g471 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, discussion sections. Cross-listed as HIST g471 and POLS g471. AS
GEOL g475 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. Cross-listed as CE g475. PREREQ: GEOL 421 or ENGR 350. D
GEOL g476 Engineering Geology Project 1 credit. Team projects studying actual problems in engineering geology. Cross-listed as CE g476. PREREQ: GEOL g454 or CE g454. D
GEOL g480 Special Topics in GIS 1-3 credits. Visual Basic programming for GIS. PREREQ: GEOL g403 and permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL g481 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 g403 or permission of instructor. F, S
GEOL 482 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 until 6 credits are earned. D
GEOL g491 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 493 Senior Thesis 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
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IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY
Academic Information Contact: webmaster@isu.edu Revised: June 2002 |