GEOL 106. Earthquake Country (3). Understanding and preparing for earthquakes. Causes and effects of earth tremors; mechanics of earthquakes; how quakes are located and measured; earthquake risk and hazards; earthquake potential in California; earthquake prediction. Not intended for geology majors. May require one-day weekend field trip.
Instructor: Dengler, Hemphill-Haley, McPherson, Schwab Offered: each semester
GEOL 108. The Dynamic Earth (3). Survey of general geology for non-science major. Continental drift, earthquakes, volcanism, mountain building, glaciation, landsliding, and other processes which have shaped earth's surface and affect humankind. Lab exercises in map reading, seismology, plate tectonics, environmental hazards, and at least two field trips. Not intended for majors in geology. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab.
Instructor: Cashman, Lehre, Schwab Offered: annually
GEOL 109. General Geology (3). Physical geology. Origin and constitution of the earth, internal and external processes that determine crustal and surficial features, and methods in investigating and interpreting earth history. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab. (CAN GEOL 2)
Instructor: Cashman, Lehre, McPherson, Schwab Offered: each semester
Course Plan
GEOL 300. Geology of California (2). Analyze major geological provinces, lithologic assemblages, and economic resources. Prereq: GEOL 108 or 109. Cannot be counted by geology majors as an upper division geology elective.
Instructor: Aalto, Burke, Cashman Offered: annually
GEOL 300L. Geology of California Field Trip (1). Three weekends, or one five-day field trip, through geologic provinces of northern California: the Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, Cascade Range, Modoc Plateau, northern Sierra Nevada, and Great Valley. Prereq: GEOL 300 (C). Cannot count for geology majors as upper division geology elective.
GEOL 303. Earth Resources & the Environment (3). Origins, occurrence, and limits of important energy, mineral, and water resources that affect society and environmental issues related to their use. Cannot count for geology majors as upper division geology elective. Prereq: GEOL 108 or 109.
Description: This course is a broad overview of the formation, occurrence, and uses of geological materials in society, as well as the environmental impacts of their exploitation and use. This course satisfies three (3) units of upper division Area B general education requirements. In so doing, my goal is to provide you with a foundation for understanding the sources of materials used in modern society and for you to gain a better appreciation and awareness of the complexity and interrelationships between geology, the environment, and society. As the population and our rate of consumption of the Earth’s resources increase, understanding these issues becomes increasingly important for all of us.
Instructor: Schwab Offered: annually
GEOL 305. Fossils, Life & Evolution (3). Origin, evolution, and fate of life on earth; history of evolutionary thought and study of fossils; development of life environments (habitats) and biotic communities; recent theories of evolution and mass extinction from an introductory paleontologic perspective. Cannot count for geology majors as upper division geology elective. May require field trip.
Instructor: Miller Offered: annually
GEOL 308. Natural Disaster on the Pacific Rim (3). Mitigating geologic hazards through technology, cultural adaptation, risk assessment and prediction, and communication of hazard information. Case studies of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and/or floods and landslides in the Pacific Basin. Prereq: upper division standing.
Instructor: Dengler Offered: annually
GEOL 310. Mineralogy & Optical Crystallography (4). Crystal structure, chemistry, and optics of minerals. Minerals identified in hand specimens and under petrographic microscope. Prereqs: GEOL 109 and CHEM 109 (C). Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab.
Description: Minerals form the building blocks of our planet and the solid parts of our universe. Thus, minerals are important to each of us! This course focuses on the formation, occurrence, and classification of minerals in the geologic context. We will undertake a survey of mineralogy from the submicroscopic (atomic) scale to macroscopic (hand sample) scale. We will investigate the chemical and physical controls on the formation and existence of some of the most important (i.e., rock forming) minerals. We will attempt to begin to answer the following questions: What are minerals? How are they constructed? Why are they so cool? Why do they occur? How do they occur? What are the systematics of their classification? What are the optical properties of minerals? How does the geologic environment affect minerals? All of these items relate directly to the study of rocks (petrology) and we will attempt to point out other applications in geology and society as we move along.
Instructor: Schwab Offered: annually (fall)
Course Plan
GEOL 311. Petrography (4). Optical properties of biaxial minerals. Characteristic textures and compositions of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Methods for interpreting them. Compare major petrological theories. Prereq: GEOL 310. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 6 hrs lab/field trip; may require three-day field trip.
Instructor: Longshore Offered: annually (spring)
Course Plan
GEOL 320. Invertebrate Paleontology (4). Modes of preservation, skeletal anatomy, systematics and taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleobiogeography, and evolutionary history of invertebrate groups of traditional importance to geologists. Recommended preparation: BIOL 105 or introductory course in invertebrate zoology. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab.
Instructor: Miller Offered: annually (spring)
Course Plan
GEOL 322. Stratigraphy & Sedimentation (4). Organization of sediments and sedimentary rocks in modern depositional environments and in the stratigraphic record. Processes of origin and features of sedimentary rocks; correlation and paleogeographic reconstruction methods; relationship of sedimentation and tectonics. Prereq: GEOL 109. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab; may require two weekend field trips.
Instructor: Aalto Offered: annually (fall)
Course Plan
GEOL 330. Structural Geology (4). Describe and analyze structural features of rocks. Interpret the strain significance of structures. Fundamentals of plate tectonics. Tectonic analysis of regional geologic structure. Prereqs: GEOL 322 with grade of C or better, MATH 115, PHYX 106 or 109. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab; one or two all-day field trips.
Instructor: Cashman Offered: annually (spring)
Course Plan
GEOL 350. General Geomorphology (3). Origin and development of landforms, landform classification, and geomorphic processes. Methods of geomorphological analysis, topographic map interpretation, and aerial photo interpretation. Prereq: GEOL 109. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab; may require two weekend field trips.
Instructor: Burke, Hemphill-Haley, Lehre Offered: annually (fall & spring)
Course Plan
GEOL 375. Planet Earth (3). Evolution of earth as habitable planet, from stellar nucleosynthesis to photosynthesis; from inner core magnetism to upper atmosphere ozone. Prereq: GEOL 109, PHYX 106. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab.
Instructor: Cashman Offered: annually
GEOL 399. Supplemental Work in Geology (1-3). Directed study intended for transfer student whose prior course work is not equivalent to corresponding courses at HSU. Rep up to five times. Prereq: approval of department chair.
GEOL 414. Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology (3). Origin and modes of formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Major petrologic theories in light of theoretical, petrographic, and field studies. Mineralogical and textural features of classic terrains. Prereq: GEOL 311. May require two 2-3 day field trips. Weekly: 2hrs lect, 3 hrs. Lab/field trip.
Instructor: Schwab Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 415. Sedimentary Petrology (3). Characteristics, classification, origin, and diagenesis of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Prereqs: GEOL 311 and 322. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/field trip.
Instructor: Aalto Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 422. Paleoecology (1.5). Organism/environment and organism/organism interaction interpreted from fossils. Paleocommunity analysis and temporal dynamics. Fossils in paleoenvironmental reconstructions. Prereqs: GEOL 320 and 322 with grades of C or better. Course in benthic community ecology strongly recommended. Half semester. May require at least one field trip associated with a class research project.
Instructor: Miller Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 423. Biostratigraphy (2). Principles of biostratigraphy applied to problems of spatial and temporal distribution of fossil faunas and floras. Prereq: GEOL 320; GEOL 322 recommended. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/field trip; half semester; two all-day field trips.
Instructor: Miller Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 425. Crustal Evolution & Tectonics (2). Geologic evolution of earth's crust. Emphasis on western North America and the relationship of plate tectonic theory to stratigraphy, structure, and petrogenesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Prereqs: GEOL 311 and 330 (C). May require weekend field trip.
Instructor: Aalto Offered: alt. years/on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 430. Advanced Structural Geology (3). Numerical approaches to analysis of deformed rocks. Strain analysis techniques to solve tectonic problems. Deformation and displacement in orogenic belts. Prereqs: GEOL 330 and MATH 110. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/ field trip; may require weekend field trip.
Instructor: Cashman Offered: alt. years/on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 440. Methods of Air Photo Interpretation (1). Air photo interpretation applied to geologic problems. Black-and-white, color, color infrared, side-looking radar, and satellite imagery. Prereq: GEOL 109. Weekly: 1 hr lect, 3 hrs lab; half semester.
Instructor: Aalto, Burke Offered: alt. years/on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 445. Geochemistry (2). Chemistry of the earth. Processes that determine distribution of elements and isotopes. Prereqs: GEOL 310 and CHEM 109. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab; half semester.
Instructor: Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 457. Engineering Geology (2). Apply geologic methods, principles, and information to engineering and related fields. Analyze earth materials, properties, and processes significant to modern engineering projects. Prereq: GEOL 330 or IA. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/field trip for half semester; may require four-day field trip.
Instructor: Burke, Hemphill-Haley Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 460. Solid Earth Geophysics (3). Principles of seismology, gravity, geodesy, terrestrial heat flow, geomagnetism, and paleomagnetism. Emphasis on earth as a whole: its internal constitution and evolution. Prereqs: MATH 110, PHYX 107 (or 110). GEOL 330 strongly recommended. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3hr lab.
Instructor: Dengler Offered: alt. years
Geology Electives
GEOL 461. Applied Geophysics (3). Apply geophysical methods to mineral exploration, geological engineering, and crustal studies. Seismic reflection, refraction, electrical resistivity, magnetic and gravity surveying. Prereqs: MATH 110, PHYX 107 (or 110), upper division standing in a technical or scientific field. GEOL 330 strongly recommended. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab.
Instructor: Dengler Offered: alt. years
Geology Electives
GEOL 470. Field Methods (3). Principles and methods of field mapping: use of photo imagery; preparing notes, illustrations, and reports; using field instruments. Prereq: GEOL 330 and 350. Three weekend field exercises or one 4- to 7-day field exercise. Field trip fees may be assessed.
Instructor: Aalto, Burke, Hemphill-Haley, Schwab Offered: annually (spring)
Course Plan
FIELD CAMP: Geol 471/472/473 (annually, 6 weeks summer, off campus)
GEOL 471. Field Mapping Techniques (1). Principles and methods for geological mapping of specific areas in the western US. May include preparing maps, cross sections, stratigraphic columns, and reports summarizing results of short field projects. Review geological literature. Take in same academic year as GEOL 472. Prereqs: GEOL 311, 470, and GPA of 2.0 or better for all geology courses.
GEOL 472. Extended Field Mapping (4). Six weeks' supervised field work in the western US. Living expenses and a portion of camp expenses borne by student. May be available only during summer. Take concurrently with GEOL 473. Prereqs: GEOL 311, 470, 471, and GPA of 2.0 or better for all geology courses.
GEOL 473. Geologic Report Writing (1). Supervised report preparation.Based on field studies conducted in GEOL 471 and 472, which must be concurrent. Prereqs: GEOL 311, 470.
Course Plan
GEOL 482. Advanced Instrumental Methods in Geology (1-3). Principles of scanning electron microscope analysis, x-ray fluorescence analysis, or x-ray diffractometry. Sample preparation, instrument operation, and data analysis. Prereqs: PHYX 106-107 or 109-110.
Instructor: Schwab Offered: alt. years/on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 485. Seminar (1). Discuss selected topics; correlated reading and reports. Rep three times. Prereq: senior standing or IC.
Instructor: Offered: annually
Course Plan
GEOL 490 (1), 491 (1), 492 (2). Senior Thesis. Prepare thesis based on field or lab investigation of subject chosen by student and approved by department. Generally undertaken during senior year, but may commence during junior year. Prereqs: GPA of 2.5 or better for all geology courses and consent of department.
Course Plan
GEOL 499. Independent Study (1-5). Possible modes: reading, conference, research. Rep four times. Prereq: department approval.
GEOL 521 / BOT 521 / FOR 521. Paleobotany (3). Principles of reconstructing past terrestrial landscapes, environments, and plant communities. Techniques for finding, analyzing, and interpreting fossil evidence. Prereqs: BOT 105, GEOL 109, and CHEM 105 (with lab), or equivalent; plus at least one of the following: FOR 230, 231, BOT 350, GEOL 322, 350, 423, or IA.
Instructor: Miller Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 524. Methods of Geochronology (1.5). Concepts and principles of geologic time. Absolute and relative dating methods. Apply dating techniques to stratigraphic, structural, and petrological problems. Geological process rates. Prereqs: GEOL 330 and CHEM 110. Weekly: 3 hrs lect; half semester.
Instructor: Offered: on demand
Geology Electives
GEOL 531. Advanced Physical Geology (1-3). Topics may include hydrology, rock deformation, volcanology, regional stratigraphy, geophysics, trace element geochemistry, economic geology, experimental petrology, or western U.S. field excursion. Prereqs: topic-dependent, set by instructor. With consent, Rep up to four times. Field trip fees may be assessed.
Geology Electives
GEOL 531L. Advanced Physical Geology Lab (.5-1). When offered, take concurrently with 531. May involve weekend or week-long field trip(s).
Geology Electives
GEOL 550. Fluvial Processes (3). Quantitative and qualitative description of river processes. Mechanics of flow and sediment transport in open channels, adjustments of channel form and pattern, fluvial sediment budgets, and techniques for field measurement. Prereqs: GEOL 350, MATH 110, PHYX 107 (or 110); or IA. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, one 3-hr lab; may require one-day weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Lehre Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 551. Hillslope Processes (3). Quantitative and qualitative description of the mechanics of erosion and deposition on hillslopes. Develop and apply sediment budgets. Hillslope hydrology, weathering, mass movement, slope stability, sheet and rill erosion, slope development models, and techniques for field measurement of slope processes. Prereqs: GEOL 350, MATH 110, PHYX 107 (or 110), or IA. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, one 3-hr lab; may require one-day weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Lehre Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 553. Quaternary Stratigraphy (4). Concepts, theory, and methods of Quaternary geology; soil stratigraphy, climate changes; glacial and periglacial processes and patterns. Prereq: GEOL 350. Weekly: 3 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/field trip; may require extended weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Hemphill-Haley Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 554. Quaternary Geology Field Trip (2). Week-long trip to study Quaternary stratigraphic and tectonic problems in the western US. Rep twice. Some field trip fees may be assessed.
Instructor: Burke, Hemphill-Haley, Longshore, Schwab Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 555. Quaternary Tectonics (3). Critical review of Quaternary crustal deformation. Mechanics, rates and distribution of faulting, folding, uplift, subsidence. Methods of measuring and analyzing Quaternary and active tectonic processes. Prereqs: GEOL 330 and 350. Weekly: 2 hrs lect, 3 hrs lab/field trip; may require extended weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Hemphill-Haley Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 556. Hydrogeology (2.5). Geologic factors controlling nature, occurrence, and flow of groundwater. Physics of saturated and unsaturated groundwater flow. Geologic and environmental factors affecting groundwater quality and contaminant transport. Physical/geological insight into modeling and solution of groundwater problems. Prereqs: GEOL 350, MATH 110, PHYX 107 (or 110); MATH 210 recommended. Weekly: 2 hrs lecture; 3-hr lab every other week; may require 1-day weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Lehre Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 558. Geomorphology of Soils (3). Physical and chemical weathering mechanisms; climosequences, toposequences, chronosequences; relation of soils to erosional and depositional processes; interpretation of paleosols; use of soils in relative dating of geologic deposits. Prereqs: GEOL 350 and CHEM 110, or IA. May require weekend field trip(s).
Instructor: Burke Offered: annually
Geology Electives
GEOL 685. Seminar in Applied Geology (1). Review and report on current literature and problems in applied geology. Rep twice. Prereq: graduate standing.
GEOL 690. Thesis (1-6). Conduct research and prepare written thesis as required for graduate degree. Prereq: IA.
GEOL 699. Independent Study (1-5). Possible modes: reading, conference, research. Rep five times. Prereqs: grad standing, DA.
GEOL 700. In-Service Professional Development in Geology (1-3). Directed studies for geology professionals desiring advanced or specialized instruction, especially that leading to credentialing and certification of teachers. May require 1-day weekend field trip(s). Rep five times. Prereq: IA.
Topics: Earthquake Education, Finding Faults, Geology of Patricks Point, Landslides, Rocks and Minerals
Instructors: Aalto, Cashman, Dengler, Hemphill-Haley, Lehre, Schwab Offered: annually
activ = activity section
(C) = may be concurrent
CAN = California articulation number (for a more complete explanation, see section 3 under Transfer Requirements).
coreq = corequisite(s)
CR/NC = credit/no credit grading
DA = department approval
DCG = diversity & common ground elective course
disc = discussion section
F, S, Su = fall, spring, summer. To help in long-range academic planning, these letters signify that a course is regularly offered in a fall, spring, or summer term.
GE = general education elective course
IA = instructor approval
lect = lecture section
prereq = prerequisite(s)
rep = may be repeated