100-Level Courses
GEOL 101 : Introduction to Geology.
(3:2:1)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| OFFERED: | Honors also. |
| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Cultural focus on physical and environmental geology for nonscience majors; rocks and minerals. Field trips. |
| NOTE: | This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information. |
GEOL 102 : Geological Field Studies.
(3:6:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Summer On Demand |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Outdoor examination of geological processes via afternoon canyon hikes and other hands-on activities. |
| NOTE: | For nonscience majors. This course is part of a GE Mosaic. See ge.byu.edu/mosaic-list for more information. |
GEOL 108 : Climate and the Earth System.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter On Demand |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Chemical, physical, and biological processes shaping the Earth's surface and climate, emphasizing quantitative methods for measuring and evaluating contemporary climate and environmental changes relative to the last several thousand years. |
GEOL 109 : Geology of the Planets.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Origins and distinctive histories of the planets in our solar system as revealed by study of their surface features. |
| NOTE: | For nonscience and science majors. |
GEOL 110 : Geological Science Laboratory.
(1:0:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 101 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Minerals, rocks, and landforms; the use of topographic and geologic maps; the interpretation of aerial photos. |
GEOL 111 : Physical Geology.
(4:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall; Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Materials, structure, and surface features of the earth and the geologic processes involved in their development. Field trips and lab studies, use of aerial photos. |
GEOL 112 : Historical Geology.
(4:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Developmental history of the earth, its landforms, and life forms, emphasizing the North American continent. Field trips and lab studies. |
200-Level Courses
GEOL 210 : Field Studies.
(3:0:9)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 & GEOL 112 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Procedures in observing, collecting, and recording field data concerning properties of rock units. |
| NOTE: | Contact Geological Sciences Department before April 15 for dates of upcoming August trip. |
GEOL 230 : Geological Communications.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall, On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111; Geol 210 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Introduction to writing within the discipline and designing and creating publishable geologic maps and illustrations. Tools include ArcGIS, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop. Student portfolio initiated. |
300-Level Courses
GEOL 351 : Mineralogy.
(4:2:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | MATH 112; Chem 105 or 111 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles of crystallography and crystal chemistry. Physical, chemical, and crystallographic properties of minerals. |
GEOL 352 : Petrology.
(3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 210 & GEOL 351 & CHEM 105; or GEOL 210 & GEOL 351 & CHEM 111 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Compositions, fabrics, and field relations of igneous and metamorphic rocks; behavior of rock-forming systems. Field trips. |
GEOL 370 : Sedimentology and Stratigraphy.
(3:3:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 & GEOL 112 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Erosion; sediment entrainment, transport, and deposition; depositional systems and facies analysis; principles of stratigraphy. Field trips. |
GEOL 375 : Structural Geology.
(3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 & GEOL 112 & GEOL 351 & GEOL 352; Phscs 105 or concurrent enrollment. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Geometric, kinematic, and dynamic analysis of tectonic features. Practical exercises. Using aerial photos. Field trips. |
400-Level Courses
GEOL 410 : Geological Field Methods.
(6:0:46)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | ; Spring |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 352 & GEOL 370 & GEOL 375 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Methods used to observe, collect, and interpret field data in geologic and environmental investigations. |
| NOTE: | Fee. |
GEOL 411 : Geomorphology and Remote Sensing.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Interpretive analysis of landforms and their geologic significance. Use of aerial/satellite images of Earth and other planets, topographic/bathymetric maps, multi-wavelength image data. Field trips. |
GEOL 430 : Senior Thesis.
(3:ARR:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand; Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111 & GEOL 112 & GEOL 210 & GEOL 351 & GEOL 352 & GEOL 370 & GEOL 375 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Faculty-supervised research on a project of limited scope. Project is chosen and completed by the student. Written and oral presentation of findings required. |
GEOL 435 : Introduction to Groundwater.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 111; or GEOL 330; Math 110 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Introduction to the occurrence, movement, and properties of subsurface water; surface and groundwater relationships. |
GEOL 440 : Solid Earth Geophysics.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | PHSCS 106 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Physics of the earth, including earthquake seismology. Gravity, seismic, magnetic, electrical, and heat flow properties and methods. |
GEOL 445 : Geochemistry.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | CHEM 106 & CHEM 107 & GEOL 352; or CHEM 112 & GEOL 352 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Applying elementary chemical principles to understand geologic processes and materials. |
GEOL 446 : Applied Geochemical Studies.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 445 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Applied problem solving through development of geochemical modes. Using mass balance, equilibrium thermodynamics, and kinetic processes to understand environmental systems. |
GEOL 451 : Optical Mineralogy.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 351 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Interaction of light with crystalline material; using petrographic microscope; optical spectrometry. |
GEOL 460 : Economic and Resource Geology.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Even Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 352 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Nature and genesis of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits, including laboratory study of economic minerals. Field trips. |
GEOL 476 : Introduction to Seismic Interpretation.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On DemandFall |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 370 & GEOL 375 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Fundamental techniques; analyzing seismic reflection data. Reviewing fundamentals of seismic trace and geologic implications. Basic mapping of subsurface structure and stratigraphy. |
GEOL 480 : Paleontology.
(3:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall Even Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | GEOL 112 |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Distribution, morphology, paleoecology, evolution, and stratigraphic significance of organisms in the geologic record. Field trips. |
GEOL 490R : Short Courses.
(.5-3:ARR:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On DemandFall; Winter; Spring; Summer |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Short, undergraduate-level courses and extended field trips offered on an irregular basis. |
| NOTE: | Fee. |
GEOL 497R : Geological Research.
(.5-4:Arr.:Arr.)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Supervisor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Conducting original research under faculty supervision. Project must be approved before registration or starting project. |
500-Level Graduate Courses (available to advanced undergraduates)
GEOL 500 : (Geol-Chem-C S-Math-MthEd-Phscs-Stat) Business Practices for Science and Mathematics Majors.
(1.5:1.5:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Introduction to budgeting, project planning, oral business presentation, technology readiness, teaming, product liability. Specifically for science and math majors. |
GEOL 504 : Global Geology Field Studies.
(1-3:Arr.:Arr.)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Any senior-level geology course; instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | In-depth study of classic geologic localities, such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, and the Appalachians, preliminary to on-site field study. |
GEOL 521 : Borehole Geophysics and Geology.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Odd Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| RECOMMENDED: | Phscs 105, 106, Geol 351, 370; or equivalents. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Applied well log analysis, including conventional and new techniques. Subsurface geology and lithology determined from many logs. Determining porosity, permeability, and fluid saturation with hydrology, and hydrocarbon applications. |
GEOL 525 : Petroleum Systems Analysis.
(4:4:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall Even Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 370 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Properties of petroleum; exploration methods; generation and migration of hydrocarbons, reservoirs, traps, and seals; sedimentary basin classification; energy resources. Extended field trip required. |
GEOL 530 : Geological Communications Laboratory.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent; graduate status. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Designing and creating a variety of student-selected geological illustrations emphasizing maps and cross-sections. |
GEOL 535 : Contaminant Hydrogeology.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Even Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geology 435 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles, tools, and applications used to solve heavy metal, organic, and radionuclide groundwater contamination problems. Topics include regulations, mass transport, multiphase flow, transformation, retardation, and attenuation. |
GEOL 540 : Principles of Glaciology.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Odd Yrs. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Geophysical problems involving ice in the environment and its role in global change. Topics include atmospheric ice, snow pack, glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and ice age theories. |
GEOL 545 : Isotope Geochemistry.
(3:1:4)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall Odd Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 352 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Use of stable and radioactive isotope systematics in geochronology and investigation of origins of rocks and waters. |
GEOL 550 : Environmental Soil Chemistry.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Chem 105, 106, 107; or equivalents. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Chemistry of soil systems at macroscopic and microscopic scales, examined from the perspective of scientists interested in environmental assessment and remediation. |
GEOL 551 : Advanced Mineralogy.
(3:2:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 351 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Crystallography, structure, and crystal chemistry of major silicate mineral groups. |
GEOL 552 : Igneous Petrology.
(3:4:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall Even Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 352 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Origin and evolution of magmas, emphasizing trace element and isotopic compositions and intensive properties as calculated from mineral compositions. |
GEOL 555 : Volcanism and Ore Deposits.
(1-3:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 352 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Field examination of active mafic and silicic volcanism (Hawaii and Yellowstone) and discussion of magmatic volatiles' role in ore deposits. |
GEOL 560 : Reflection Seismology Theory
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| RECOMMENDED: | Geol 375, Phscs 105, 106; or equivalents. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Principles, tools, and methods used in seismic geophysics, with exploration, engineering, environmental, and hydrological applications. |
GEOL 561 : Applied Exploration Seismology.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| RECOMMENDED: | Geol 375, Phscs 105, 106; or equivalents. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Seismic acquisition processing and computer-assisted interpretation, emphasizing field deployment techniques, use of commercial data processing, and visualization software. |
GEOL 565R : Special Topics in Geology.
(.5-4:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | The following topics may be offered on demand: geology for teachers, ore deposits, solid-water interface chemistry, X-ray crystallography. |
GEOL 571 : Sedimentology and Ecology of Modern Carbonate Systems.
(1-3:Arr:Arr)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 370 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Field course in the Caribbean emphasizing factors that produce carbonate sediments. Investigation of tidal flat to off-shore barrier reef environments and Pleistocene outcrops. |
GEOL 574 : Advanced Stratigraphy.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter Odd Yrs. |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 370 or equivalent. |
| RECOMMENDED: | Geol 480. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Studying the stratigraphic record through modern methods of correlating stratal packages, emphasizing concepts of sequence and seismic stratigraphy, and utilizing methods of chronostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy, and absolute dating. Extended field trip required. |
GEOL 575 : Advanced Structural Geology.
(3:2:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 375, 410; or equivalents. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | In-depth discussions of a variety of topics in structural geology, emphasizing current literature and problems. |
GEOL 576 : Three-Dimensional Subsurface Mapping and Evaluation.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 476 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Advanced interpretation of 3D seismic reflection data. Integrating well and seismic data to interpret complex geologic systems. Implications for understanding hydrocarbon reservoirs. |
GEOL 580 : Principles of Paleontology.
(3:3:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Geol 480 or equivalent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | Modern approaches to fossil study applied to areas of evolution, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy. |
GEOL 586 : Vertebrate Paleontology.
(4:3:2)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)| WHEN TAUGHT: | Fall On Demand; Winter On Demand |
| PREREQUISITE: | Instructor's consent. |
| DESCRIPTION:  | History of vertebrate fossils. Field trips required. Credit applies in either zoology or geology. Lab studies. |