Course Descriptions - Through Spring 2009
1101 Physical Geology Laboratory
Hands-on investigations of geologic materials and processes, including minerals, rocks, topographic and geologic maps. Projects will include topics in environmental geology and volcanology. Field trip is required; field trip costs must be paid by each student. GEOS 1407 and 1101 cannot both be taken for credit. Laboratory, 3 hours per week. Corequisite or prerequisite: GEOS 1303 or 1304.
1303 Volcanology
The study of volcanoes with emphasis on volcanic morphology, eruptive mechanisms, rock types, and magmatic properties and processes. Volcanoes will be examined in the context of plate tectonic theory. Natural resources produced by volcanic processes and geologic hazards associated with volcanism will be discussed. Field trip may be required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
1304 Environmental Geology
A study of the environment that humans inhabit on Earth. Topics include geologic hazards such as volcanism, earthquakes, mass wasting and flooding; geologic resources such as soils, groundwater, mineral resources and fossil fuels; and the interaction of human activities with the geologic environment including urban development, flood control, agriculture, and climate change. Field trip is required; field trip costs must be paid by each student. Only one of GEOS 1304 or 1407 may be taken for credit.
1407 Exploring Earth
An inquiry-based introduction to the Earth, geological materials, and processes. Weekly investigations include such topics as crystal structures of minerals, genesis of rocks, geologic maps, earthquake seismograms, satellite remote sensing, and geophysical studies of the subsurface. Two class hours and two laboratory hours each week, plus two all-day field trips. Field trips are required; field trip costs must be paid by each student. Only one of GEOS 1304 or 1407 may be taken for credit. GEOS 1407 and 1101 cannot both be taken for credit.
2401 Earth History
A study of the significance of time as reflected in the rock and fossil record, with emphasis on understanding geological processes within a time framework. An analysis of time concepts, stratigraphic principles, and the fundamentals of sedimentary geology including the historical development of geological concepts and the recognition and reconstruction of ancient environments. Laboratory: study of minerals, rocks, and fossils; interpretation of surface features and time relationships through the use of topographic and geologic maps, cross sections, correlation diagrams, and aerial photos. Three class hours and three laboratory hours a week. Field trips are required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: GEOS 1407, or GEOS 1303 and 1101, or GEOS 1304 and 1101.
2304 Earth Surface Processes
A survey of the important processes that create landforms on the Earth's surface. Emphasis will be on chemical and physical weathering, running water, wind, ice, and the resulting erosional depositional landforms. The laboratory component will emphasize data collection and analysis techniques, including topographic maps, surveying, and field trips. Two class hours and three laboratory hours per week for one semester. Field trips required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: One of GEOS 1303, 1304, or 1407.
3300 Oceanography
A study of the geologic, chemical, physical and biological aspects of the Earth's oceans. Topics include plate tectonics, seawater composition, waves, tides, currents, marine habitats and ecosystems, economic resources, and global climate change. Field trip required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of college-level biology, chemistry, geoscience or physics course.
3308 GIS and Remote Sensing
An introduction to computer based mapping and spatial data analysis used in earth and life sciences and environmental monitoring and management. Topics include: cartographic principles and the use of GPS; data and image storage formats; geostatistics and visualization of geospatial data sets; acquisition and analysis of remote sensing data, including airborne and satellite multispectral and radar data, principal component analysis and classification techniques; raster and vector based Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Prerequisites: Completion of computer skills requirement; completion of at least two college level courses in computer science, biology or geoscience; or consent of instructor.
3309 Tectonics
A study of the tectonic processes of the Earth with emphasis on the historical development of tectonic theory and current research in tectonics. Topics include: geophysical and geochemical characterization of the Earth’s interior, plate kinematics and dynamics, earthquake mechanisms, the nature and origin of continental crust and margins, and the relationship between tectonics and rock-forming processes.
Prerequisites: GEOS 3400.
3400 Earth Materials
An introduction to the origin, classification, and identification of minerals and rocks, including topics related to crystal systems and structures, bonding, mineral chemistry, the nature of magma, solidification of magma, magma genesis and evolution, types of metamorphism, metamorphic mineral reactions, metamorphic zones and facies, determination of metamorphic grade, and the importance of mineral and rock resources to our society. The laboratory will emphasize methodologies and techniques used to identify and classify common minerals and rocks in hand specimen and thin section. Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite: GEOS 1407, or GEOS 1303 and 1101, or GEOS 1304 and 1101.
3401 Structural Geology
A study of the mechanics of crustal deformation in the context of plate tectonics. An introduction to the descriptive, kinematic, and dynamic analysis of structures such as folds, faults, joint systems, and foliation. Emphasis on the application of structural cross-sections, stereonet analysis, graphical techniques, and computer applications to problems involving stress and strain of earth materials. Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week. Field trips required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: GEOS 2401.
3402 Paleontology
A study of invertebrate fossils, their classification, morphology, and geologic history. Also included will be an introduction to the principles of paleontologic investigation and their application to the study of geology. Three class hours and three laboratory hours a week.
Prerequisites: GEOS 2401, or consent of instructor.
3405 Field Methods in Quaternary Geology
A study of the tectonic and climatic controls on long-term landscape evolution. Emphasis will be on field and laboratory techniques for describing Quaternary landforms and deposits. Three class hours per week and an all-day field trip every other Saturday for one semester. Field trips required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: GEOS 2304.
3411 Hydrology
A description of the terrestrial hydrologic cycle and its fundamental components including precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, hillslope hydrology, runoff, flood hydrology, and groundwater flow. Emphasis will be placed on physical principles governing the movement of water across and through the Earth's surface. Human interaction with all aspects of the hydrologic cycle will be addressed. The laboratory component of the course will focus on data collection, analysis and manipulation, and involve a significant field component. Three class hours and three laboratory hours a week. Field trips are required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisites: GEOS 2304; PHYS 1309/1111 or PHYS 1311/1111 or equivalent.
3312 Geophysics
Introduction to the use of physical principles and measurements in the study of the Earth. Topics include Fourier transforms, seismic waves in elastic media, exploration and earthquake seismology, gravity, magnetics, and heat flow. Computer modeling of geophysical processes and field work with geophysical instruments. Same as PHYS 3312. Field trips are required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: PHYS 1310 or 1312 (may be taken concurrently).
3120 Majors' Field Trip
Field study of selected areas in Texas and surrounding regions: emphasis on developing observational and interpretative skills in the field. May only be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. Field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisite: Departmental major or by invitation of the department.
3321 Geochemistry
A study of geochemical principles and their application in solving geologic problems. Emphasis is placed on topics in inorganic geochemistry, including phase equilibria, isotopes and trace elements.
Prerequisites: GEOS 3400 and MATH 1311 or consent of instructor.
3422 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
The identification, description, and interpretation of sediments, sedimentary rocks, and sedimentary strata; an introduction to the principles of stratigraphy and of sedimentary processes as they relate to modern depositional systems and their ancient analogs. Emphasis will be placed on the interpretation of depositional systems and sequence stratigraphy. Three class hours and three laboratory hours a week. Field trips are required; field trip costs must be paid by each student.
Prerequisites: GEOS 2401 and 3400.
3-90 Directed Studies - Junior Level
Individual work under supervision. Credit may vary.
Prerequisites: Major or minor standing and consent of project supervisor.
3-91 Special Topics
An in-depth study of a topic in geosciences that is otherwise not covered in existing courses. May be repeated for credit on different topics.
Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.
4301 Senior Seminar in Earth Systems
An in-depth synthesis of selected topics from the earth systems curriculum, with application to current environmental problems. This course fulfills the Senior Experience requirement of the Common Curriculum.
Prerequisites: GEOS 2410, 2304 and Senior standing.
4395 Thesis Research
Student research conducted under the supervision of a Trinity University faculty member leading to written communication of the research in thesis format. Course enrollement requires planning with the thesis director during the Junior year. A written thesis proposal must be submitted to the department.
Prerequisites: Senior standing and acceptance by a thesis director.
4396 Thesis Research and Presentation
A continuation of student project begun in GEOS 4395. Students are required to write and defend their theses according to University guidelines set forth in this Bulletin. An oral presentation of the thesis will be made to the students and faculty of the department.
Prerequisite: GEOS 4395.
4-90 Directed Studies - Senior Level
Individual work under supervision. Credit may vary.
Prerequisites: Major or minor standing and consent of project supervisor.
| 
