GEOLOGY (GLG–Arts and Science)

401/501 Global Climate Change (4)

Examines physical factors controlling climate and climate changes throughout geologic time. Interactions of the oceans, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere on our climate in addition to astronomic controls examined. Prerequisite: GLG 244 or WCP 221 or 222 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with WCP 401/501.

402/502 Geomicrobiology (3)

Focuses on mutual interactions between microbial and geological processes. Topics include: role of microorganisms on mineral weathering rates, microbial mediated ore deposit formation, microbe enhanced oil recovery, life in extreme environments, search for bio-signatures in geological records and meteorites and implications for life on Mars, microbial ecology in ocean floor hydrothermal vents. Prerequisite: Any 100-level, 3 credit hour GLG course; CHM 137 or 141, 144; or permission of instructor.

408/508 Introduction to Hydrogeology (4)

Introduction to the physical properties governing groundwater-flow in various geologic media and settings. Methods are explored for determining groundwater-flow directions and velocities and aquifer characteristics and potential. Introduction to groundwater-flow modeling and principles of mass transport and groundwater contamination. Prerequisite: Any 100- level, 3 credit hour GLG course; MTH 151, 153, or 157, or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

411/511 Field Geology (6)

Taught annually during June through July at Miami University Geology Field Station, Dubois, Wyoming. Students identify, classify, and interpret geologic features and synthesize and communicate geologic interpretations. Students work outdoors six to eight hours a day and individually create geologic maps using pace and compass, topographic map base, air photo, and satellite image bases with the assistance of GPS satellite navigation receivers and software. Geologic mapping and rock interpretation techniques are the subject of evening lectures. Prerequisite: GLG 211, 301, 322, and 357 or equivalents or permission of instructor. Summer only.

412/512 Tropical Ecosystems of Costa Rica (5)

Introduces students to the structure and function of neotropical ecosystems, as well as to geological, biological, cultural, and economic forces affecting biodiversity in the tropics. This course is taught on-site in Costa Rica. There are additional costs beyond tuition.

413/513 Tropical Marine Ecology (5)

Investigates aquatic systems (estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons, beaches, intertidal zones, taxonomy of vertebrates and invertebrates of coral reefs, lagoons and tidal flats) paleobiology and global climate change (paleo-reconstruction of past lagoon environments, fossil coral reefs, and land use). Student research questions concerning biological and physical analyses of a select marine habitat are required. The course is taught on-site in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. There are additional costs beyond tuition.

414/514 Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas (5)

Characteristics, spatial and temporal distributions and physical and biologic processes of coastal environments. This field course requires snorkeling and hiking. Class, group, and individual research projects designed, executed and presented. Computers, dataloggers, and modern field instruments are used to augment personal observations. This course is taught on-site in the Bahamas. Prerequisite: Two natural science courses or permission of instructor.

415/515 Coral Reef Ecology (5)

Examines the coral reef environment including its biology, geologic setting, chemical and physical characteristics, and its relation to fossil coral reefs and global climate change. This course is taught on-site in the Bahamas. Prerequisite: SCUBA certification required, previous tropical field course experience or permission of instructor.

416/516 Carbonate Depositional Systems (5)

Modern and ancient corel reefs, lagoons, seagrass beds, beaches, dunes, tidal flats, blue holes, paleosols, and sand shoals are examined and evaluated in the field and in discussions, lectures, and projects. This field course includes trips to rock units in the Midwest and a field trip to the Bahamas. Prerequisite: two previous geoscience courses or permission of instructor.

427/527 Isotope Geology (3)

Natural variations, measurement techniques, and geologic applications of radiogenic and stable isotopes. Prerequisites: GLG 211 and GLG 357.

428/528 Groundwater Flow Modeling (4)

Introduces techniques used in constructing and solving mathematical models of groundwater flow. Emphasis is on solution of groundwater flow problems with the use of digital computers using finite-difference techniques to approximate the groundwater-flow differential governing equations. Develops a familiarity with and applies widely-used packaged models while learning about grid and boundary design, model parameter value selection, and calibration. Prerequisite: GLG 408/508, MTH 151, 153, or 157.

432/532 Clays and Clay Mineralogy (3)

Study of the structure, composition, properties, uses, and environmental significance of clays and clay minerals. Prerequisite: GLG 201 or CHM 158 and CHM 141 or permission of instructor; GLG 211 recommended.

435/535 Soils and Paleosols (3)

Introduces methods of soil morphology, taxonomy, and genesis of modern and fossil soils. Describes how to use fossil soils to infer past environmental conditions. Prerequisite: GLG 301 or GLG 454 or permission of instructor.

436/536 Paleoclimatology (3)

Reviews the forcing mechanisms of climate change over geologic time scales and examines the records of climate change including ice cores, ocean sediment cores, lakes, and seleothems. Prerequisite: GLG 211.

450/550 Sedimentary Basin Analysis (3)

Evaluation of the physical mechanisms of sedimentary basin formation including isostasy; flexure, thinning and thermal contraction of the lithosphere; subsidence analysis; sequence straitgraphy; paleocurrents and sediment provenance; and tectonics of sedimentary basins. Prerequisite: GLG 301 and GLG 322.

454/554 Geomorphology (4)

Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on fluvial systems. Process and response systems. Corequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 424/524. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

461/561 Geophysics (3)

Active learning course on solid earth geophysics, covering theory and application. Techniques include seismology, GPS, gravity, magnetics, and mineral physics. Application will focus on large-scale tectonics and the Earth’s interior, but will also include some exploration geophysics. Prerequisite: MTH 151, 153 or 157; PHY 171 or 181, 183.

482/582 Contaminant Hydrogeology (4)

Introduces the theory of mass transport in groundwater and soil systems and examines sources, fate and cleanup of groundwater and soil contamination. Chemical reactions and their effects on transport will be examined for both inorganic and organic contaminants. Multiphase flow will also be investigated as will strategies for acquifer and soil remediation. Prerequisite: GLG 408/508, MTH 151, 153, or 157.

484/584 X-ray Diffractometry (2)

Principles of X-ray diffraction as applied to geological materials. Utilization of powder goniometer and single-crystal cameras and goniometer. Prerequisite: GLG 201 or permission of instructor. 2 Lec 1 Lab. Offered infrequently.

491/591 Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3)

Explores the range of geochemical reactions governing water-rock interaction. Includes discussions of thermodynamics, kinetics, acid/base reactions, mineral equilibria, absorption/desorption, oxidation-reduction, organic geochemistry, and geochemical modeling. Prerequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor.

492/592 Global Tectonics (4)

Fundamentals of the theory of plate tectonics and its applications to regional geology. Physical processes and kinematics of plate motions, geology and geophysics of modern and ancient plate boundaries, and plate tectonic evolution of major orogenic belts examined. Prerequisite: GLG 322, 357, or permission of instructor.

496/596 Isotopes in Environmental Processes (3)

Focuses on applications of isotopes to environmental processes. Topics include introduction to environmental isotopes and basics of isotope fractionation, isotopes used as tracers in the hydrological cycle to identify and quantify reaction pathways for both clean and contaminated landscapes, dating of modern and paleo-groundwaters. The emphasis is given to the role of isotopes to trace sources, reactions and pathways of various contaminents in the environment. Prerequisites: GLG 211 or permission of instructor.

617 Chemistry of Earth’s Interior (3)

Geochemical evolution of the Earth. Formation and differentiation of the Earth, composition of the core, mantle and crust, mass fluxes between major Earth reservoirs. Prerequisites: GLG 527 or permission of instructor. Offered alternate years.

630 Mineral Surface Geochemistry (3)

A study of the structure, composition, and reactivity of crystalline surfaces in aqueous environments. Prerequisite: GLG 201; CHM 137 or 141, 144 and permission of instructor.

633 Extensional Tectonics (3)

An evaluation of the geodynamic, structural, and sedimentary processes associated with extensional deformation of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

643 Introduction to the Advanced Study of Mineralogy and Geochemistry (4)

Introduction to mineralogy, high and low temperature geochemistry, and isotope systematics for first-year graduate students. Direct application of principles through laboratory investigations. Prerequisite: CHM 141, 142, 144, 145, and GLG 201. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered infrequently.

646 Igneous Petrology (3)

Theoretical and laboratory treatment of modern petrologic and geochemical problems and concepts with special emphasis on phase petrology, magmatic differentiation, computer modeling and petrography. Prerequisite: GLG 643 or permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

671 Introduction to Geology for Teachers I (4)

Origin, evolution, structure, and composition of Earth. Credit may not be used toward M.A. or M.S. degree in geology. Prerequisite: at least 12 semester hours in college chemistry, physics, or biology. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.

700 Research for Master’s Thesis (1-12; minimum 6, maximum 12)

710 Geology Seminar (1-3; maximum 12)

Open to students who have completed a year of graduate study. Offered infrequently.

720 Advanced Mineralogy (1-3, maximum 3)

Single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies; study of crystal structure and comparative crystal chemistry of various mineral groups. Prerequisite: GLG 484/584, 643, or equivalent work in another graduate program. Offered infrequently.

730 Advanced Igneous Petrology (1-3, maximum 3)

Experimental igneous petrology, and complex magma systems. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

750 Advanced Studies in Crust and Mantle Development (1-3, maximum 3)

Geochemical and tectonic development of continental crust, and evolution of the mantle. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

760 Advanced Carbonate Sedimentology (1-3; maximum 12)

Selected topics of sedimentology and geochemistry of carbonate sediments and rocks. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

770 Advanced Topics in Isotope Geochemistry (1-3; 12 maximum)

Current topics in isotope geochemistry. Recent analytical advances and results of current research. Prerequisite: GLG 527.

790 Research in Geology (1-4; maximum 12)

850 Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1-16; minimum 16, maximum 60)