Department of Geosciences
Chair and Professor: Rodgers
Professors: Hughes, Link, McCurry, Thackray
Assistant Professors: Ames, Crosby, Leif Tapanila
Research Associate Professor: Glenn
Research Assistant Professor: Said
Lecturer: Lori Tapanila
Affiliate Faculty: Akersten, Cecil, Dehler, Hertzog, Kuntz, Mahar, McGinnis, Panda, Plummer, Sherwin, Smith, Stephens, Thomas, Welhan, Winterfeld
GIS TReC Affiliate: Weber
Research Associates: Aly, Streutker, Wang
Emeriti: Blount, Fortsch, Ore
See Faculty Information
See Department Web Page
See Departmental Goals
See Admmittance Information
See Degrees
Emphasis in Engineering Geology
See Minors
See 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. Numerous evening classes are offered for the general public.
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. Additional cooperative degrees are offered through agreements with Geoscience departments at Boise State University and the University of Idaho, which facilitate the transfer of undergraduate credits between the three institutions.
Students who have taken GEOL 100 and GEOL 100L, 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, and GEOL 110.
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 100 or 101 (3 cr.)
- Earn a grade of "C" or better in GEOL 110 (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
Associate of Science in Geology
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 fields 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
MATH 147 Precalculus 5 cr
GEOL 100,100L The Dynamic Earth, and Lab 4 cr
OR
GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 110 Physical Geology for
Scientists Laboratory 1 cr
GEOL 202 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 g431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 cr
GEOL g452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
GEOL g456 Geology of Idaho 2 cr
OR
GEOL g458 Geology of North America 3 cr
Plus one of the following four courses:
GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr
GEOL g415 Quaternary Global Change 3 cr
GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
GEOL g430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 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 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.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 The Dynamic Earth, and Lab 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
OR
GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr
OR
GEOL g415 Quaternary Global Change 3 cr
GEOL 421 Structural Geology 4 cr
GEOL g430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 cr
OR
GEOL g431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 cr
GEOL 450** Field Geology 6 cr
GEOL g452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
Plus one of the following three courses:
GEOL g403 Principles of Geographical
Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL g407 GPS Applications in Research 3 cr
GEOL g409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
TOTAL: 36 to 38 required geoscience credits plus at least 10 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 the following optional courses 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 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 emphasis area 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 128-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 128 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 101,101L Biology I, and Lab 4 cr
BIOL 102,102L Biology II, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr
BIOL 209 General Ecology 4 cr
MATH 147 Pre-Calculus (B.A.) 5 cr
MATH 160 Applied Calculus (B.S) 3 cr
MATH 170 Calculus I (B.S.) 4 cr
MATH 153 Introduction to Statistics 3 cr
or another approved statistics course
HIST g430 Environmental History 3 cr
POLS g455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
SOC 335 Population and Environment 3 cr
GEOL/HIST 471 Idaho Historical Geography 3 cr
ENGL 307 Technical Writing 3 cr
PHYS 211 Engineering Physics (B.S.) 4 cr
GEOL 115,115L Physical Geography, and Lab 4 cr
GEOL 110 Physical Geology
for Scientists Laboratory 1 cr
GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL g406 Environmental Geology 3 cr
GEOL g415 Past Global Change 3 cr
GEOL g416 Global Environmental Change 3 cr
GEOL 403 Principles of Geographic
Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL 404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL 407 Global Positioning
Applications in Research 3 cr
GEOL 409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
GEOL 313 Earth Materials I 3 cr
GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr
GEOL g403 Principles of Geographic
Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL g404 Advanced Geographic
Information Systems 3 cr
GEOL g405 Volcanology 3 cr
GEOL g407 Global Positioning Applications
in Research 3 cr
GEOL g409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
GEOL g410 Science in American Society 2 cr
GEOL g417 General Soils 3 cr
GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
GEOL g421 Structural Geology 4 cr
GEOL g430 Principles of Hydrogeology 3 cr
GEOL g431 Geobiology and the History of Life 3 cr
GEOL g452 Sedimentation-Stratigraphy 4 cr
GEOL g456 Geology of Idaho 3 cr
OR
GEOL g458 Geology of North America 3 cr
GEOL 450 Field Geology 6 cr
GEOL 451 Field Methods in
EnvironmentalSciences 3 cr
GEOL 482 Independent Problems
and Studies in Geology 3 cr
BIOL g416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
BIOL g462 Freshwater Ecology 4 cr
BIOL g489 Field Ecology 3 cr
BIOL 213 Fall Flora 2 cr
BIOL 214 Spring Flora 2 cr
BIOL g426 Herpetology 3 cr
BIOL g427 Ichthyology 3 cr
BIOL g438 Ornithology 3 cr
BIOL g431 Entomology 3 cr
BIOL g441 Mammology 3 cr
SOC 335 Population and Environment 3 cr
BIOL 315 Introduction to Biometry 3 cr
BIOL 337 Conservation of Natural Resources 3 cr
BIOL g476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
HIST g430 Environmental History 3 cr
ENVE g404 Environmental Risk Analysis 3 cr
GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr
GEOL/HIST g471 Idaho Historical Geography 3 cr
GEOL g451 Field Methods
in Environmental Sciences 3 cr
GEOL g420 Principles of Geochemistry 3 cr
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr
CHEM 211 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 cr
CHEM 301,303 Organic Chemistry I, and Lab 4 cr
ENVE g410 Introduction to
Environmental Engineering 3 cr
BIOL g432 Biochemistry 3 cr
BIOL 221,221L Introductory Microbiology, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 232,234 Quantitative Analysis, and Lab 4 cr
CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry* 3 cr
CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry* 3 cr
CHEM g435 Environmental Chemistry 2 cr
ENVE g404 Environmental Risk Analysis 3 cr
BIOL g476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
GEOL g451 Field Methods
in Environmental Sciences 3 cr
BIOL 221,221L Introductory Microbiology, and Lab 4 cr
BIOL g476 Ecology of Water Pollution 3 cr
ANTH 230 Introduction to Biological
Anthropology and Lab 4 cr
H E 442 Environmental Health
and Health Education 2 cr
H E 383 Epidemiology 3 cr
SOC 206 Sociological Methods 3 cr
SOC 207 Social Statistics 3 cr
SOC 330 Sociology of Health and Illness 3 cr
SOC 335 Population and Environment 3 cr
ANTH g408 Special Topics in Medical Anthropology 3 cr
BIOL/PHIL 230 Bioethics 3 cr
BIOL 315 Introduction to Biometry 3 cr
BIOL g423 General Parasitology 3 cr
MATH g459 Applied Multivariate Analysis 3 cr
GEOL/HIST g471 Idaho Historical Geography 3 cr
MGT g462 Issues in Business and Society 3 cr
POLS g455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
POLS g453 Public Policy Analysis 3 cr
ECON 352 Environmental Economics 3 cr
BIOL g416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomic 3 cr
ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics 3 cr
ECON g411 Political Economy 3 cr
ECON g433 Economic Development 3 cr
POLS g405 Administrative Process 3 cr
POLS g409 Community and Regional Planning 3 cr
HIST g430 Environmental History 3 cr
COMM g452 Conflict Management 3 cr
PHIL g430 Philosophy of Science 3 cr
SPCH 208 Group Communication 3 cr
ENGL 307 Technical Writing 3 cr
ENGL 308 Business Communications 3 cr
MGT 216 Business Statistics 3 cr
MGT 217 Advanced Business Statistics 3 cr
GEOL g410 Science in American Society 2 cr
GEOL/HIST g471 Idaho Historical Geography 3 cr
GEOL g402 Geomorphology 4 cr
ANTH g402 Ecological Anthropology 3 cr
BIOL g416 Population and Community Ecology 3 cr
GEOL g404 Advanced Geographic Information Systems 3 cr
SOC 335 Population and Environment 3 cr
PHYS 325 Introduction to Weather and Climate 3 cr
POLS g453 Public Policy Analysis 3 cr
POLS g455 Environmental Politics and Policy 3 cr
ANTH 250 Introduction to Sociocultural
Anthropology 3 cr
ANTH g493 Indigenous Conservation 3 cr
HIST g430 Environmental History 3 cr
SOC 206 Sociological Methods 3 cr
SOC 207 Social Statistics 3 cr
BIOL 337 Conservation of Natural Resources 3 cr
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 Applied Calculus 3 cr
OR
MATH 170,175 Calculus I and II (recommended) 8 cr
GEOL 100 The Dynamic Earth, and Lab 4 cr
OR
GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Lab 1 cr
GEOL 202 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 variableTOTAL: 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.
GEOL 100, 100L The Dynamic Earth, and Lab 4 cr
OR
GEOL 101 Physical Geology (recommended) 3 cr
GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Lab 1 cr
GEOL 202 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
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
OR
BIOL g418 Ecological Topics/GIS Applications 1 cr
GEOL g409 Remote Sensing 3 cr
ANTH g482 Independent Problems in
Anthropology/GIS and Anthropology 1-3 cr
BIOL g482 Independent Problems in Biology/GIS
and Biology 1-4 cr
CIS g480 Data Base Management Systems 3 cr
GEOL 210 Earth in Space and Time 3 cr
GEOL g427 Information Technology for GIS 3 cr
GEOL g428 Programming for GIS 2 cr
GEOL g480 Special Topics in GIS 1-3 cr
GEOL g481 GeoTechnology Internship 1-3 cr
GEOL 482 Independent Problems and Studies
in Geology 1-3 cr
TOTAL: 19 cr
GEOL 101 Physical Geology 3 credits. Geological fundamentals: rocks and minerals, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, surface processes, earth resources and climatic change. With GEOL 101L or GEOL 110, Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 101L 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 101. With GEOL 101, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
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. May be taken in place of GEOL 100L or 101L. PREREQ OR COREQ: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101.With GEOL 100 or 101, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S
GEOL 115 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 115L. With GEOL 115L, satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. F, S, ASu
GEOL 115L 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 115. With GEOL 115, 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 202 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 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 OR COREQ: GEOL 110. S
GEOL 282 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 100 or GEOL 101. Graded S/U. F, S, Su
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 GEOL 313. S
GEOL 315 Evolution of the Earth's Surface 4 credits.
How has the Earth’s surface evolved in recent geologic time, and
what physical and climatic processes have governed those changes? Examine landforms and landscapes to interpret Ice Age environments and modern Earth surface processes. Lectures, discussions, laboratory exercises, and field trips. PREREQ: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101, and GEOL 110. S
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 313, GEOL 315, or consent of instructor. COREQ: GEOL 402L. F
GEOL g402L Geomorphology Lab 0 credit.
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. PREREQ: CIS 101 or permission of instructor.F, S, W
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: 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: Junior standing 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 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 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 313 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 421L
Structural Geology Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply
principles in GEOL 421. S
GEOL g422 Planetary Geology 3 credits. Formation of planetary bodies (planets, moons, asteroids and comets), internal and surficial processes, tectonics, and planetary exploration. PREREQ: GEOL 100 or GEOL 101 or permission of instructor. D, W
GEOL g427 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 g403 or instructor approval. S
GEOL g428 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: g403 and instructor approval. S
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: MATH 147; and GEOL 100 or GEOL 101 or permission of instructor. F
GEOL g431 Geobiology and the History of Life 4 credits. 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; GEOL 202 recommended. F
GEOL g431L Geobiology and the History of Life Laboratory 0 credit.
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 BIOL g435. PREREQ: GEOL g431 or BIOL 314 or equivalent. F
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, BIOL 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: GEOL 314, GEOL g452 (recommended), or GEOL 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 g445L
Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 0 credits. Assignments
to apply principles in GEOL g445. COREQ: GEOL g445. 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 314 (recommended) or GEOL g420; 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 permission of
instructor. PREREQ OR COREQ: CHEM 111. COREQ: GEOL g452L. F
GEOL g452L Sedimentation-Stratigraphy Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles in GEOL g452. COREQ: GEOL g452. F
GEOL g454 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. Cross-listed as CE g454. COREQ: GEOL 314 or CE 332. D
GEOL g455 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. Cross-listed as CE g455. PREREQ: CE g454.D
GEOL g456 Geology of Idaho 2
credits. Geologic provinces and plate tectonic history of
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 for up tol 6
credits. D
GEOL g483 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. PREREQ: GEOL 313 or CE 332, or permission of instructor. 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 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 497 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: July 2007 |