The University of Texas at Arlington Undergraduate Catalog
|
The Department of Geology offers six programs of study. The Bachelor of Science in Geology has three options:
The Bachelor of Arts in Geology has two options:
Certification in Geographic Information Systems is designed for those in other majors who want to become proficient in spatial data analysis, which is used in business, liberal arts, engineering and architecture disciplines. Requirements for a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Geology Engineering Geology Option Requirements for
a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geology Requirements for Certification in Geographic
Information Systems Department of Geology Faculty Geology (GEOL) 1135. GEOLOGICAL LABORATORY (0-3) 1
hour credit. Experiments and exercises
related to geological principles and problems. Prerequisite: permission
of department. 1425. EARTH SYSTEMS (3-1) 4 hours credit.
An integrated study of the earth, emphasizing interactions between
plate tectonics, the atmosphere, the oceans, the biosphere, and
human activity. 1426. EARTH HISTORY
(3-1) 4 hours credit. History of the earth and evolution
of life emphasizing the co-evolution of the atmosphere, oceans,
and biosphere. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425 or permission of instructor. 1491. COMPUTER LITERACY
(3-1) 4 hours credit. This course is designed to develop
and perfect skills in all aspects of computer use for an undergraduate
education through direct interaction with University facilities
and integrated software. Topics include word processing, spreadsheet,
database, draw and paint graphics, slide presentations, desktop
publishing, electronic mail, Internet services, and online services.
(Skills are developed through the completion of weekly projects).
Assumes no knowledge of computers; satisfies the College of Science
requirement for computer literacy. F, S. 2401. WEATHER AND
CLIMATE (3-1) 4 hours credit. Processes that control weather
and climate. Methods of describing and forecasting weather. Predicting
severe weather, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods. Also listed as
GEOG 2401; credit will not be given for both GEOL 2401 and GEOG
2401. Prerequisites: GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL 1455;
credit will not be granted for both. 2402. GEOSCIENCE AND
GENESIS (3-1) 4 hours credit. The process and methodology
of science; the history of life revealed in the rock record; the
theory of evolution; creationist viewpoints and their Biblical foundations;
objections to evolution; and issues relating to teaching evolution
and creationism in the public schools. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425 or
permission of instructor. 2404. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
(3-1) 4 hours credit. Processes producing earthquakes, floods,
eruptions and landslides, and their effect on people. Prerequisite:
GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL 3304; credit will not be granted
for both. 2405. HISTORY OF LIFE
AND GEOLOGIC TIME (3-1) 4 hours credit. The succession of
life as shown by the fossil record and explained by evolution. Methods
and reliability of determining time and sequence of events. Prerequisite:
GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL 3306; credit will not be granted
for both. 2406. NATURAL RESOURCES
(3-1) 4 hours credit. Origin, occurrence and exploitation
of natural resources such as minerals, energy and building materials.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL 3307; credit
will not be granted for both. 2408. GEOLOGY OF NATIONAL
PARKS AND MONUMENTS (3-1) 4 hours credit. Geological and
geographical evolution of national parks and monuments. Distance
learning sections only. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425. This course replaces
GEOL 3308; credit will not be granted for both. 2409. THE EARTH'S
LANDFORMS (3-1) 4 hours credit. The Earth’s surface
processes which control landforms. Formation and classification
of soils and the effects of human activity on landscape evolution.
Also listed as GEOG 2409; credit will not be given for both GEOL
2409 and GEOG 2409. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425. This course replaces
GEOL 3309; credit will not be granted for both. 2410. PLANETARY GEOLOGY
(3-1) 4 hours credit. The geology, history and landscapes
of the terrestrial planets and satellites of the outer planets.
Composition of the planets as a guide to the origin and evolution
of the solar system. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425. This course replaces
GEOL 3310; credit will not be granted for both. 2411. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES (3-1) 4 hours credit. Global environmental challenges
confronting humanity such as pollution, depletion of natural resources,
ecosystem deterioration, food production and population growth.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL 3311; credit
will not be granted for both. 2412. ENVIRONMENTAL
GEOLOGY OF THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX (3-1) 4 hours credit.
Introduction to geologic features in the Metroplex with emphasis
on environmental problems such as pollution, expansive soils, flooding,
and earthflows. Field trip is required. Prerequisites: GEOL 1425.
This course replaces GEOL 3312; credit will not be granted for both. 2445. MINERALOGY (3-4)
4 hours credit (GEOL 2409). Elementary crystallography, mineral
identification, mineral occurrences, mineral usage, and an introduction
to optical mineralogy. Prerequisite: CHEM 1301. F. 2446. IGNEOUS AND
METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY (3-2) 4 hours credit.
Hand-specimen and microscope study of igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Rock origins, tectonic controls, rock description, and interpretation
of rock textures and structures. Prerequisite: GEOL 2445. S. 3100. GEOSCIENCE PROFESSIONAL
ORIENTATION (1-0) 1 hour credit. Review of various careers
in the Geosciences, and how to prepare a resume, network, and interview.
Principles to follow for on-the-job success. Class will involve
field trips and guest lectures. No prerequisites. 3184. OCEANOGRAPHY
LABORATORY (0-2) 1 hour credit. Laboratory for students seeking
elementary certification in life-earth (Option III). Prerequisites:
concurrent registration in GEOL 3301 or permission of instructor.
I. 3185. METEOROLOGY
LABORATORY (0-2) 1 hour credit. Laboratory for students seeking
secondary certification in life-earth or earth science programs.
Prerequisite: concurrent registration in GEOL 3305 or permission
of instructor. I. 3301. INTRODUCTION
TO OCEANOGRAPHY (3-0) 3 hours credit. The many aspects of
oceanography with special emphasis on physical oceanography and
marine geology. Prerequisites: six hours of science and junior standing,
or permission of the instructor. I. 3305. INTRODUCTION
TO METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Dynamics
of the atmosphere: examination of processes that control weather;
long-term climatic cycles and geological record of global climate
change; atmospheric pollution and its effects on climate. Prerequisites:
six hours of science and junior standing, or permission of the instructor.
Also listed as GEOG 3305. Credit will be granted for only one of
GEOL 3305, GEOG 3305, and GEOL 4405. I. 3313. OUTDOOR GEOLOGY
(0-3) Geologic features measured and observed in the field,
at locations to be announced, but normally in Texas and surrounding
states. Emphasis will be on mapping geologic relationships and understanding
regional geologic history. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425, 1435 or permission
of instructor. Special fee covering the cost of transportation,
food and lodging. 3387. FIELD GEOLOGY I. 3 hours credit. Stratigraphic
and structural mapping and analysis of data collected in the field.
Taught for three weeks only in the summer session. Prerequisites:
GEOL 2446, 3442, 3443. Special fee covering the cost of transportation,
room and board while in the field. SSI. 3388. FIELD GEOLOGY
II. (3-0) 3 hours credit. Mapping and analysis of igneous
and metamorphic rock data as well as hydrologic, geochemical and
mass wasting data collected in the field. Taught for three weeks
after GEOL 3387 only in the summer session. Prerequisites: GEOL
2446, 3442, 3443, and 3387. Special fee covering the cost of transportation,
room and board while in the field. SSI. 3402. DINOSAURS (3-1)
4 hours credit. Review of the evolution, environment and
fossil record of dinosaurs and other extinct vertebrates. Field
trip required. Prerequisites: GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL
3302; credit will not be granted for both. 3403. VOLCANOES AND
VOLCANIC PROCESSES (3-1) 4 hours credit. Overview of volcanic
eruptions on Earth and other planets. Emphasis on activity from
prehistoric to recent time and the effect on human populations and
climate change. Prerequisites: GEOL 1425. This course replaces GEOL
3303; credit will not be granted for both. 3441. PALEONTOLOGY
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Biology, morphology, and taxonomy of
fossil invertebrates. Prerequisites: GEOL 1436; BIOL 1442 and 3455.
F. 3442. STRATIGRAPHY
AND SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY (3-3) 4 hours credit.
An introduction to the description, origin, and historical
interpretation of stratified rocks. Prerequisites: GEOL 2446 (or
concurrent enrollment) and 3441 or permission of the instructor.
S. 3443. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
(3-3) 4 hours credit. The genesis, classification, and description
of structural features resulting from deformation of the earth’s
crust. Prerequisites: GEOL 2446, 3442 (or concurrent enrollment),
and a course in physics, or permission of the instructor. F. 3491. DATA ANALYSIS
AND STATISTICS IN THE SCIENCES (3-3) 4 hours credit. This
course is designed to introduce science students to a variety of
programs and techniques available for statistical analysis, display
of data, and presentation of data common to the physical sciences
in commercial and educational settings. Topics include: data collection,
hypothesis testing, basic parametric statistics (through regression),
nonparametric testing, time series analysis, and multivariate techniques
(both for classifying and confirming hypotheses). Prerequisites:
GEOL 1491, MATH 1423 or equivalent, six hours of science, and junior
standing. I. 4189. PROBLEMS IN
GEOLOGY (0-3) 1 hour credit. Supervised undergraduate research
in any one of the various fields of geology. May be repeated but
will not meet the requirements of nine hours of 4000 courses as
listed in the requirements for a B.S. degree in geology. Prerequisite:
senior standing and permission of the instructor. F, S, SSI, SSII. 4190. GEOSCIENCE INTERNSHIP
(0-1). Work in geoscience for a commercial concern at least
20 hours per week for three months. Requirements include: writing
a resume, learning how to interview and function on the job, and
a report describing the work. Prerequisite: 16 hours of geology.
4289. PROBLEMS IN
GEOLOGY (0-6) 2 hours credit. Supervised undergraduate research
in any one of the various fields of geology. May be repeated but
will not meet the requirement of nine hours of 4000 courses as listed
above. Prerequisites: senior standing in geology and permission
of the instructor. F, S, SSI, SSII. 4302. PLATE TECTONICS
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Understanding our dynamic Earth through
the study of seafloor spreading, subduction and continental collision.
This course will examine the geophysical evidence for plate tectonics:
magnetism, gravity, and heat flow; and will review the history of
plate motions and their effect on climate, evolution, and the formation
of natural resources. Prerequisites: GEOL 1491 and 3443. I. 4303. GEOARCHAEOLOGY
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Geological, geochemical and geophysical
techniques employed in the study of archaeological sties and materials.
Also listed as ANTH 4303. Prerequisites: GEOL 1435 or ANTH 2339
and junior standing. S. 4305. SELECTED TOPICS
IN GEOLOGY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Geological topics not treated
in the regular curriculum. Topic, format, and prerequisites to be
determined by the instructor. May be repeated for geology elective
credit as different topics are offered. I. 4310. INTRODUCTION
TO GEOCHEMISTRY (3-0) 3 hours credit. Geochemistry of the
elements, processes governing distribution of elements within the
earth, and chemical processes in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous
environments. Prerequisite: GEOL 2446 and 3442 (or concurrent enrollment),
or CHEM 3322, or permission of the instructor. S. 4315. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-MINERAL
DEPOSITS (3-0) 3 hours credit. The occurrences, origin, classification,
and utilization of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits. Prerequisite:
GEOL 3443. S. 4320. HYDROGEOLOGY
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Applied hydrogeology. Discussions of
the hydrologic cycle, principles of groundwater flow including the
mathematical approaches to groundwater flow modeling, relationships
between geology and groundwater flow, groundwater chemistry, and
groundwater exploration and development. Prerequisites: GEOL 3443
and MATH 2325 or permission of the instructor. I. 4325. PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
(3-0) 3 hours credit. The physical basis of the climate system,
climatic fluctuations and change, records of past climates, and
the use of models in studying past climates. Specific examples from
earth history will be included. Prerequisites: GEOL 1446 (or GEOL
1435 or 1465), and MATH 1426, and senior standing, or permission
of the instructor. I. 4330. UNDERSTANDING
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (2-1) 3 hours credit. A practical
introduction to GIS technology and methods of creating, maintaining
and displaying spatial data using the ArcView software. Prerequisite:
GEOL 1425, junior standing. This course replaces GEOL 4352; credit
will not be granted for both. 4331. ANALYSIS OF
SPATIAL DATA (2-1) 3 hours credit. Analyzing spatial data
using ArcInfo; topological and object-based data structures; surface
analysis and modeling; 3-D visualization and viewscapes; spatial
statistics and data quality management. Prerequisite: GEOL 4330;
MATH 3316. 4332. GLOBAL POSITIONING
SYSTEMS (2-1) 3 hours credit. Local and global coordinate
systems; the GPS satellite constellation; GPS signal characteristics;
static and kinematic positioning; error analysis; surveying techniques;
operation of hand-held GPS receivers. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425, junior
standing. 4333. ACQUISITION
AND ANALYSIS OF REMOTELY SENSED DATA (2-1) 3 hours credit.
Interaction of the electromagnetic spectrum with earth’s surface;
satellite data acquisition; image processing, analysis and interpretation;
integration with other data using GIS. Prerequisite: GEOL 1425,
junior standing. 4334. GEOGRAPHIC DATA
ANALYSIS (1-2) 3 hours credit. Acquisition, processing and
analysis of a set of spatial data selected by the student with approval
of an advisor. A written report of the results is required. Prerequisite:
GEOL 4330, 4331, 4332, 4333. 4342. THE CORRELATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS (2-3) 3 hours credit. The methods used to differentiate and correlate intra- and inter-basinal rock units. Graphic correlation, isotopic techniques, magnetic properties, seismic stratigraphy, significant macro and micro fossil groups during the Phanerozoic. Prerequisites: GEOL 3441, 3442, and 3491 (or concurrent enrollment) or permission of instructor. S. 4345. OPTICAL MINERALOGY
(2-4) 3 hours credit. Principles
of optical crystallography and mineral identification. The relationships
of optical characteristics to the structure and chemistry of minerals.
Prerequisite: GEOL 2445. F. 4346. BASIN ANALYSIS
(3-0) 3 hours credit. Formation of
sedimentary basins and evaluation of their economic potential in
context of plate tectonics; paleogeography and paleoclimatology.
I. 4350. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY-ENERGY
RESOURCES (2-3) 3 hours credit. Provides
a background in energy resource exploration, development, and evaluation,
with special emphasis on petroleum, natural gas, and coal resources.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3443. I. 4353. VOLCANOLOGY
(3-0) 3 hours credit. A broad survey
of volcanic rocks, landforms, products, minerals, volatiles, and
processes at a generally descriptive to semi-quantitative level.
Introduces areas of interface with other branches of geology and
with socioeconomic interest. Prerequisite: GEOL. 3442. I. 4360. GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES
OF OCEANS (3-0) 3 hours credit. Sedimentation
in the oceans, chemistry of seawater, geochemical cycles in the
oceans, and physical and biological processes that relate to sediment
production, origin of seafloor topography, and seafloor spreading.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3442 or permission of instructor. It is recommended
that GEOL 3184 be taken concurrently. I. 4393. HONORS THESIS/SENIOR
PROJECT (3-0) 3 hours credit. Required
of all students in the University Honors College. During the senior
year, the student must complete a thesis or project under the direction
of a faculty member in the major department. I. 4402. COMPUTER MODELING
IN EARTH SCIENCE (3-3) 4 hours credit. Computer
modeling and visualization techniques applied to the earth sciences,
including structural geology, stratigraphy, geophysics, climatology,
paleontology, and environmental geology. Prerequisite: GEOL 3443.
I. 4405. METEOROLOGY
AND CLIMATOLOGY (3-3) 4 hours credit.
For science and engineering majors. A quantitative approach to the
study of the structure, energy, and motions of the atmosphere. Prerequisite:
MATH 2325, six hours of science or engineering, junior standing,
or permission of instructor. Credit will be granted for only one
of GEOL 3305, GEOG 3305, and GEOL 4405. I. 4408. ENVIRONMENTAL
GEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOPHYSICS (3-3) 4 hours credit.
The geochemical and geophysical techniques applied to selected problems
in environmental geology. Prerequisites: GEOL 2445 and 3443, CHEM
1301, and PHYS 1442 (or 1444 or 1448), or permission of instructor.
F. 4409. APPLIED GEOPHYSICS
(3-3) 4 hours credit. Geophysical
techniques including seismology, seismic stratigraphy, gravity,
magnetic and electrical methods used to investigate selected geological
problems. Prerequisites: GEOL 1491, 3443 or 3491, 3442. I. 4443. SEDIMENTOLOGY
(3-1) 4 hours credit. Analysis of
sedimentary rocks. Focus on petrography, sedimentary structures,
their interpretation, and recognition of sedimentary facies. Covers
physical, chemical, and biological processes of sedimentation, as
well as origin of sediments. Prerequisites: GEOL 3442. 4446. ADVANCED IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY (3-3) 4 hours credit. Hand specimen and thin section study of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Emphasis on theoretical principles governing the origin and evolution of crustal rocks. Prerequisite: GEOL 2446 or permission of the instructor. I. --- |