COURSES IN GEOLOGY
Courses are designated as GEOL in the class schedule.
101 Physical Geology (3)
Prerequisite: high school chemistry or physics, or equivalent. The physical nature of the planet Earth, the genesis of rocks and minerals, erosion processes and their effects. (101 & 101L=CAN GEOL 2)
101H Physical Geology (Honors) (3)
Prerequisite: high school chemistry or physics, or equivalent. The physical nature of the planet Earth, the genesis of rocks and minerals, erosion processes and their effects. (weekend field trips)
101L Physical Geology Laboratory (1)
Pre- or corequisite: Geological Sciences 101, 110T or 140. Laboratory on minerals, rocks, earthquakes, and map and aerial photographic interpretation. (3 hours laboratory or field trip) (101 & 101L=CAN GEOL 2)
101LH Physical Geology Laboratory (Honors) (1)
Corequisite: Geological Sciences 101 or 101H. Laboratory on minerals, rocks, earthquakes, and map and aerial photographic interpretation. (3 hours laboratory and weekend field trips)
102 Earth and Astronomical Science for Future Elementary Teachers (3)
Designated especially for the prospective elementary school teacher, this activity-based course will examine fundamental Earth/astronomical science concepts and the potential impacts of natural hazards on ecosystems on planet Earth.
105 Field Experiences in California Geology (1)
Pre- or corequisite: Geological Sciences 101 or 110T or 140. Students will participate in three field trips that will examine the rich geology of California. Students will read and discuss topical papers and make presentations on selected topics. Weekend field trips are required. May be repeated once for credit.
110T Topics in Earth Science (4)
Prerequisites: high school chemistry or physics, or equivalent. Focused study of public interest topics in Earth science. Alternating topics include: dinosaur world; earthquakes and volcanoes. Each course will include integrated labs, lectures and field trips that explore mainstream Earth science issues. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, and field trips.)
140 Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans (3)
Prerequisites: high school chemistry or physics, or equivalent. The composition, structure, and circulation of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans with a general focus on their interactions. Interdisciplinary topics that highlight atmosphere-ocean interactions will include global warming, ice ages, El Nino, Southern California storms activity, and Santa Ana winds. (3 hours lecture, field trips)
201 Earth History (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101L. Evolution of Earth as interpreted from rocks, fossils and geologic structures. Plate tectonics provides a unifying theme for consideration of mountain building, evolution of life and ancient environments. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips) (CAN GEOL 4)
201L Earth History Supplemental Lab (1)
Prerequisite: Geological Sciences 101L. Corequisite: Geological Sciences 201. Supervised research on topics related to Earth history. Project will result in a term paper and/or web page. (3 hours laboratory, field trips)
303A Mineralogy and Introduction to Petrology (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101L, Chemistry 120A; Prerequisite or co-requisite: Geological Sciences 201. Crystallography; origin, occurrence, composition and identification of minerals with emphasis on minerals in rocks. (2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory, field trips)
303B Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 120B or 125; Geological Sciences 303A, 380. Description, classification, occurrence and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. (2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory, field trips)
305 Earthquake Impact on Structures (3)
(Same as Civil and Environmental Engineering 305)
310T Topics in California-Related Geology (1-3)
Prerequisites: completion of one course each from General Education Categories III.A.1 and III.A.2. Directed investigations of one aspect of earth science. Alternating topics are: geology of national parks, California geology, ocean off California, California earthquakes, geological hazards of California, and California gems and minerals. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. (3 hours lecture for 5, 10, or 15 weeks; optional field trip)
321 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 201, 303B, and 380. Study of sedimentary rocks including classification, texture, mineralogy and provenance; introduction to sedimentary environments and interpretation of ancient environments in the rock record; study of stratigraphic methods and patterns. (2 hours lecture, 6 hours laboratory, field trips)
322 Paleontology (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 201; Biology 101 or 171 or equivalent. Exploration of paleontology, including evolution, taxonomy, ichnology, biostratigraphy, taphonomy, mass extinctions, and paleoecology. Review of the major fossil groups. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
333 General Oceanography (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101L and upper-division standing. The chemical, physical and geological nature of the oceans. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
335 Hydrology and Surface Processes (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101 or equivalent, or completion of General Education Category III.A.2. This class explores the impact of surface water on the formation of soils, weathering, surface features (rivers) and groundwater. Application of hydrology as a predictive and postdictive tool on geologic, biotic, and engineering problems.
355 Earth’s Interior (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101; Mathematics 150A; Physics 225, 225L or 211, 211L; Chemistry 120A or equivalent. Geophysical, geochemical properties of mantle and core. Data collection techniques. Impact of internal processes on crustal/surface phenomena.
360 Structural Geology (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 380; Mathematics 125. Faults, folds, mechanics of rock deformation, and elementary tectonics; solution of problems by geometric, trigonometric and stereographic analysis. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
376 Engineering Geology (3)
Prerequisites: Mathematics 130 or 150A; Geological Sciences 380 or EGCE 214 and 214L. Geology applied to engineering works. Earth materials, processes; site evaluation techniques; geologic hazard analysis; case histories. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
380 Geologic Field Techniques (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 201; English 101; Mathematics 115 or 125 or equivalent. Use of basic geologic field equipment including the Brunton compass and GPS. In-class and weekend field projects will include: basic geologic mapping on topographic maps and aerial photographs; note taking methods in the field; field data interpretation; preparation of geologic maps for reports; preparing stratigraphic columns and geologic cross-sections; and technical report writing.(2 hours lecture, 6 hours field, weekends)
404 Optical Mineralogy and Petrography (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 303B. Principles of optical mineralogy. Use of petrographic microscope to analyze minerals and textures of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. (1 hour lecture, 6 hours laboratory, field trip)
406 Geochemistry (3)
Pre or corequisites: Geological Sciences 303B, Chemistry 120B or 125, Mathematics 130 or 150A. Basic chemical and thermodynamic principles applied to the origin and alteration of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and economic mineral deposits.
410 Physical Science Concepts (3)
Prerequisite: completion of general education natural science requirements or consent of instructor. For elementary school teachers. Major concepts in the physical sciences. Observing, classifying, recognizing space-time relations, measuring, inferring, formulating hypotheses, controlling variables and interpreting data. (2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity)
420 Earth Science for Science Teachers (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101 and 101L plus upper-division standing or science teaching credential. Major concepts of the earth sciences with primary emphasis on physical and planetary geology and secondary emphasis on meteorology and oceanography. (3 hours of lecture, 3 hours of laboratory, field trips)
436 Hydrogeology (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101L and 335 or equivalent; Mathematics 130 or 150A. Occurrence, movement and utilization of groundwater resources; geological, geophysical and hydrological methods for groundwater exploration and development. Well hydraulics and ground-water contamination. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
455 Earthquake Seismology (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101; Physics 225, 225L or 211, 211L, Mathematics 130 or 150A. Seismic waves, their recording and measurement. Estimation of earthquake source strength, location and mechanism. Introduction to seismic risk and strong motion studies. (3 hours lecture, field trips)
456 Geophysics (3)
Prerequisites: Mathematics 150B or 337 or 338; Physics 225, 225L or 211, 211L; Physics 226, 226L or 212, 212L recommended. Seismic refraction, gravity, magnetic and electrical techniques and fundamentals as applied to determination of subsurface structure, groundwater and location of mineral resources. (2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, field trips)
470 Environmental Geology & Planning (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 101L or 420. Geologic processes, hazards, mineral and energy resources and their interaction with planning and environmental regulations. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips)
475 Quaternary Tectonics (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 360 and 380. Study of the processes and products of relatively young Quaternary tectonics. Evaluation of surface tectonic features, their ages, deformation styles, and structural regimes. Assessment of past and contemporary deformation rates. (2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity, field trips)
481A Geology Field Camp I (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 303B, 321, 360, and 380. Advanced geologic mapping in a variety of geologic settings. Field report, map and cross-sections required. Instructional fee required. (45 hours per week for four weeks during intersession or summer)
481B Geology Field Camp II (3)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 380 and consent of instructor. Advanced geologic field work in a variety of geologic settings. Field report, map and cross-sections required. Instructional fee required. (45 hours a week for three weeks during summer)
481C Hydrology and Engineering Geology Field Camp (4)
Prerequisites: Geological Sciences 376, 380 and 436. Geologic mapping and hydrologic mapping and techniques applied to integrated hydro-geologic model for selected areas. Field report(s), map(s), cross-sections required. Instructional fee required. (45 hours per week for three weeks during summer)
493 Directed Studies (1-3)
Prerequisites: upper-division standing and consent of instructor. Directed studies in specialized areas of the geological sciences, such as petroleum geology, sedimentology, optical and instrumentation techniques. Library research and written reports required. May be repeated once with a different topic. Not available for M.S. Geology graduate credit.
495 Geological Sciences Internship (3)
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in geological sciences. Geological sciences work experience, salaried or volunteer, with industry, government or private agencies. Student intern will be supervised by faculty adviser and employer. (1 hour of seminar per week plus a total of 120-150 hours of work experience)
496L Geological Sciences Tutorial (2)
Prerequisite: 20 units in geological sciences. Supervised experience in geological sciences teaching through tutoring or assisting in laboratory or field classes.
498 Undergraduate Thesis (3)
Prerequisite: submission of a thesis proposal, signed by thesis advisor. Developed as an extension of an advanced course, conducted independently by the student under faculty supervision, culminating in a paper of professional quality. Two units maximum credit permitted.
499L Independent Study (1-3)
Independent study of a topic selected in consultation with and completed under the supervision of the instructor.
500 Advanced Concepts in Geology (3)
Current advances in geological concepts with emphasis on Southern California geology. Concepts include: plate tectonics; igneous processes; sedimentary record; surficial processes; water resources. (2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity, field trips)
501 Research Methods in Geology (1)
Prerequisite: Geological Sciences 500. Introduction to research planning: choosing a thesis topic; bibliographic search; research design (laboratory and field); research proposal preparation. (2 hours activity)
506T Advanced Topics in Geochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Geological Sciences 406 or consent of instructor. Special topics on modern techniques and recent advances in geochemistry such as geochronology and environmental isotope geochemistry. May be repeated once for credit with a different topic. (3 hours lecture; field trips)
510T Advanced Topics in Geology (3)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Modern techniques and recent advances in geology such as basin analysis, igneous petrology, tectonics, and paleoclimatology. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. (3 hours lecture; field trips)
535T Advanced Topics in Hydrogeology (3)
Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Modern techniques and recent advances in hydrogeology such as groundwater modeling, well hydraulics and aquifer analysis, contaminant hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, and environmental sampling and protocols. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. (3 hours lecture; field trips)
555T Advanced Topics in Geophysics (3)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Study of selected topics in geophysics. Evaluation of whole-Earth geodynamics; geophysical evidence of large-scale Earth properties; links between earthquakes and plate tectonics. (3 hours lecture/discussion, field trips.) May be repeated for credit once with different topic.
575T Advanced Topics in Engineering Geology (3)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Modern techniques and recent advances in engineering geology such as quaternary geology, landslide analysis, and paleoseismology. May be repeated for credit with a different topic. (3 hours lecture; field trips)
590 Geoscience Seminar (1)
Attendance at departmental and other seminars. Discussion and/or written assignments based on seminar topics required. Must be repeated at least once.
593 Directed Graduate Studies in the Geosciences (1-3)
Prerequisites: Postbaccalaureate standing and consent of instructor. Directed studies of specialized geoscience topics not covered by existing courses and tailored to individual student interest. Literature research, recitations and written reports required. May be repeated for a total of 3 units.
598 Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: approval of adviser and completion of M.S. thesis proposal that is approved by the Department Graduate Committee. Design, analysis, and presentation of a research problem culminating in a thesis for the master’s degree. May be repeated once.
599 Independent Graduate Research (1-3)
Prerequisites: approval of adviser and Department Graduate Committee. Independent research on an approved topic. May be repeated for up to 3 units maximum.
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