This course covers the formation and internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, earthquakes,volcanism, minerals, and rocks.

Formation and internal structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanism, minerals and rocks. Includes a laboratory component.

This course focuses on Earth surface and sedimentary environments, hydrologic cycle, environmental geology, energy resources, geologic time, evolution and the fossil record, and the geology of Georgia and North America.

Earth surface and sedimentary environments, hydrologic cycle, environmental geology, energy resources, geologic time, evolution and the fossil record, geology of Georgia and North America. Includes a laboratory component.

Three lecture hours a week. The origin, distribution, and consequences of consuming the Earth’s resources (metallic, non-metallic, soil, and groundwater). Topics include fossil fuels, nuclear energy, alternative energy sources, uses of minerals, waste disposal, and contaminants in the environment.

Three lecture hours a week. Theoretical aspects of aquatic chemistry with applications to natural water systems. Major topics include thermodynamic theory, sorption systematics, oxidation-reduction reactions, mineral-water interaction, and isotope geochemistry applied to hydrogeology.

Geology of Georgia, a study of the influence of geology and geologic history on biology and biodiversity, is an intense field trip-based laboratory science course designed for science majors and minors and for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who have a natural science background.

Properties of sediments; origin, classification, and description of sedimentary rocks; principles of stratigraphy; analysis of sedimentary facies and environments of deposition. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week, plus field trips.

Overview of the principles of hydrogeology and their application, including the hydrological cycle, geology of groundwater occurrence, mathematical development of flow equations, surface-groundwater interaction, flow to wells, and advection-dispersion theory.

Formation and analysis of rock fracture and its relationship to hydraulic properties of shallow dual porosity aquifers, flow equations in fractured rock, hydraulic testing of fractured rock, role of fracture in karstification, methods of detection and analysis of fractured aquifers.

Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week. An introduction to the principles of paleontology including taphonomy, taxonomy, evolution, and extinction by examination of the fossil record. Study of commonly preserved organisms and their use in paleoecology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, biostratigraphic correlation, and conservation paleobiology will be stressed as well. This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Introduction to the principles of structural geology including theories and methods of analysis of stress, strain, rheology, fractures, folding, faulting, foliation, and lineation. The study of geologic maps and cross sections. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week.

Principles of crystallography and optical mineralogy. Laboratory study of minerals using the polarizing microscope. Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week.

Three lecture and three laboratory hours a week. Nature, distribution, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks in relation to tectonic setting and experimental studies. Laboratory study of igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and thin section.

Application of geological and geochemical concepts to the study of Earth’s near surface environment. Topics may include water supply and pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, soil contamination, natural disasters, mineral resources, environmental management, and selected regulations. Quantitative treatment of population growth and water resources. Global Perspectives Course.

Weathering, transport, deposition, and diagenesis of continental sediments. Selected examples of fluvial, lacustrine, volcaniclastic, and/or eolian sedimentation and facies models. Stable and radiogenic isotopes and geochronology in continental sediment. Sedimentary, mineralogical, and geochemical records of tectonics and paleoclimate.

Theoretical and practical aspects of analytical instrumentations and methodologies used for modern-day analysis of environmental samples (water, soils, sediments, biological tissues, etc.) including the basis for each analysis, limitations and potential sources of errors.

One lecture hour per week. Current research topics in geosciences. May be repeated once.

One to three lecture hours a week. Detailed presentation of a selected topic in geological sciences. May be repeated for credit for a maximum of six credit hours if topic is different.

Six laboratory hours a week. It is normal for the research to span more than one semester.

Nine hours a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Introduction to field geology in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, with emphasis on basic concepts and field methods. Construction of simple geologic maps, cross sections, and stratigraphic columns, using topographic maps and aerial photographs in the field. Includes a seven-day excursion to geologically interesting areas of the Western U.S.
This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Nine hours a day, six days a week for three weeks. Intensive geologic mapping and interpretation in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, with particular emphasis on complexly deformed areas. Includes mapping in folded and faulted sedimentary rocks, intrusive and volcanic igneous rocks, and high-grade metamorphic basement terrain. Construction of multiple cross sections for complex structures and advanced interpretation of geologic history of complex areas. Involves extensive, rough, off-trail hiking. This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Fundamentals of geoscience knowledge representation applying Semantic Web technologies of OWL, RDF, and RDFS. Design and development of spatial and process ontologies, data analytics, design of relational database, Python and data science.

This course introduces the environmental context, principles, and approaches to water quality and treatment. The course includes multi-disciplinary perspectives on water and wastewater, including biology, chemistry, engineering, hydraulics, and quantitative methods. Students will be able to identify the major processes of treatment systems, factors that influence their efficacy, and methods of collection, conveyance, and analysis.

Development of fieldwork skills in the geosciences, including project design, data collection, and analysis and presentation. Fieldwork projects are designed to aid in the development of future research projects, including senior papers, practicums, and theses. Extensive travel may be required. This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Philosophical foundations of geography, contemporary problems and issues, and traditional research skills. Data acquisition and processing, analysis, writing, and presentation of research findings. Intended to serve as a capstone to the undergraduate curriculum. This course is only offered during the fall semester and should be completed in the fall prior to graduation. Serves as the Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) course required of all geosciences majors.

Readings or research preparatory to honors thesis project. This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Writing or production of honors thesis or project. This course may include a Signature Experience component.

Directed Readings designed for Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies students. This course may satisfy the junior and/or senior-level Critical Thinking Through Writing requirements.