Fall 2025

Geologic structure and evolution of planet earth. Principles ofplate tectonics, rocks and minerals, processes of mountainbuilding, continent and ocean formation, earthquakes, volcanism,development of landforms by running water and glaciers. Lecture, 3hours; laboratory, 2 hours. One all-day or two-day field triprequired.

Physical, chemical, and geological character of the oceans andocean basins. Origin of the oceans. Ocean processes and agents.Economic value of the oceans. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. One all-day field trip required.

Exploration of factors that influence climate and the scientific basis for concern about rising greenhouse gases, the threat to human society know as global warming.

Survey of natural geological/ environmental processes (systems) and variability active near the earth's surface in the region that houses most life (the biosphere).

Causes of earthquakes and nature of large faults; earthquake hazard and risk; world's great earthquakes; understanding the Richter scale. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours; one fieldtrip required.

Laboratory component for GEOL 105Lg, 107Lxg, 108Lg, 125Lxg, 130Lxg, 150Lxg, or 240Lxg for students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution.

Processes of erosion, sediment transport, and deposition that shape the land surface; landscape response to tectonism; recognition and interpretation of depositional environments in the stratigraphic record.

Introduction to mathematical methods giving insight into Earth and Environmental data. Topics include: probability and statistics, timeseries analysis, spectral analysis, inverse theory, interpolation. Recommended preparation: MATH 126, familiarity with matrix algebra.

Introduction to field techniques used in a variety of Earth Science disciplines. Field and digital techniques for map making including use of GIS, GPS, and digital tablets. Field analyses of rocks and rock structures. Map interpretation and digital processing of field data. Includes weekly labs and some weekend field trips.

Concepts in hydrogeology and application to environmental problems. Topics include groundwater and surface water hydrology, chemistry, and contamination. Includes labs, guest lectures, and field trips. Recommended preparation: GEOL 105, GEOL 160, or equivalent.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Writing of a thesis under individual faculty supervision. Not available for graduate credit.

Concepts and methods for functional morphologic analysis of fossil marine invertebrates. Systematics theory and methodology, macroevolution, and broad biotic trends in the Phanerozoic. Prerequisite: 333L recommended. Recommended preparation: GEOL-333L

Principles of physical, chemical, and geological oceanography including discussions of air-sea interaction, biogeochemical cycling and the role of the ocean in modulating climate and atmospheric composition; discussion section will cover formulation of basic calculations that illustrate these principles.

In-depth review of carbonate chemistry, aqueous and solid phase; speciation, calculations of carbonate parameters, carbonate biogeochemistry, sedimentary diagenesis and sedimentary records.

Short review of probability theory, and extensive coverage of linear inverse theory, including seismic imaging. Non-linear inverse problems and factor analysis. Recommended preparation: GEOL-425L

Variations in the isotopic composition of elements in the earth's crust with applications to geological problems, including geochronology, geothermometry, ore genesis, and crustal evolution.

Current topics in geochemistry.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within college disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College.

Credit on acceptance of Thesis.

Credit on acceptance of Thesis.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Exploration of prominent topics at the frontiers of research in the geosciences, through weekly talks presented by leading researchers in the field. Specific topics vary by semester.

Current research on the physics governing earthquakes and faults, including results from continuum and fracture mechanics, statistical physics, lab experiments and seismological observations.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.