Academics | Geological Sciences Courses
GEOL 105 Geologic Hazards and Their Human Impact 3
Geologic processes and events that adversely affect humans and civilization. Methods for predicting and dealing with geological hazards. May be taken with a 1 credit lab, GEOL115.
GEOL 107 General Geology 4
Principles of physical and historical geology and their application in interpreting earth processes and the history of the earth. Laboratory covers identification of earth materials including fossils and the interpretation of topographic and geologic maps.
GEOL 108 Volcanoes and Earthquakes 3
Violent geologic activity, as illustrated by volcanoes and earthquakes. The nature, causes and origins of volcanic and earthquake activity, their interactions with humans, and their potential control.
GEOL 109 Planets, Asteroids, and Impacts 3
Composition, structure, surface features, origin, and evolution of the planets, satellites, asteroids, and comets. Also explores the possible connection between meteorite impacts and mass extinctions. Did an asteroid kill off the dinosaurs?
GEOL 110 Earth History - Evolution, Extinction, and the Geologic Record 3
History of the Earth and its biota. Origins, evolution, and mass extinctions of major groups of organisms as demonstrated by the Earth's fossil record. History of the Pleistocene Ice Age and the evolution of humans.
GEOL 111 The Geology of Delaware and Its Neighbors 3
Introduction to the geologic setting of Delaware and neighboring states. Rocks and fossils of the region. Emphasis on formation and evolution of the region through geologic time. Studies Delaware's coastal zone, and the effect of coastal processes on recent geologic history of Delaware.
GEOL 112 Earth Resources and Public Policy 3
Introduction to the geologic occurrence of Earth resources including water, fuels, metals, and industrial minerals. Discussion of the geology, politics, and economics of resource extraction and utilization. Environmental implications of resource use; methods of estimation of resource availability.
GEOL 113 Earth Science 4
Earth materials, structure and the geologic phenomena that produce them. Physical and temporal aspects of earth history. Laboratory examination of rocks, minerals and fossils. Experiments in geological processes and interpretation of geologic maps.
GEOL 115 Geologic Hazards Laboratory 1
Laboratory investigation of environmental processes and their impact on society: earthquakes, volcanoes, coastal hazards, rivers and streams, groundwater. Identification of earth materials and study of earth processes using topographical, geologic and tectonic maps. Corequisite - GEOL 105.
GEOL 166 Special Problem 1-3
GEOL 266 Special Problem 1-3
GEOL 300 Earth's Materials I - Minerals 4
Systematics, identification, properties, and associations of minerals and other raw materials of the earth. Economically significant minerals, and their uses. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113.
GEOL 302 Earth's Materials II - Rocks 4
Identification, description, occurrences, origins, and uses of rocks and ores. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; GEOL 300.
GEOL 303 Earth's Surface I - Surficial Processes 4
Uplift, weathering, sediment transport, depositional processes and selected depositional environments. Quaternary history and geochronology. Subsurface fluid flow in surficial environments. Environmental and applied aspects of surficial processes. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113.
GEOL 304 Earth's Surface II - Stratigraphy 4
Description and correlation of stratigraphic units; concepts of time and methods of absolute dating; environments of deposition and modern/ancient analogs and facies analysis. Basin analysis. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; GEOL 303.
GEOL 305 Earth's Lithosphere I - Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics 4
The study of geologic structures, geologic stress and the responses of rocks to stress. Examines plate tectonics and the major structural and tectonic relations generated at plate boundaries. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113.
GEOL 306 Earth's Lithosphere II - Field Geology 4
Training and experience in geologic mapping and field methods. Geologic map construction and interpretation. Course will include rock descriptions, stratigraphic analysis and correlation, and structural methods. Emphasis on regional Piedmont and coastal plain geologic settings. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; GEOL 305.
GEOL 307 Earth's History I - Paleobiology 4
Recognition, biology, and paleobiology of major groups of invertebrates. Use of the fossil record in solving environmental and paleoenvironmental problems. Principles of stratigraphy and correlation, and origin and development of the geologic time scale. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113.
GEOL 308 Earth's History II - Earth System Science 4
Interaction and evolution of the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Examination of the geologic record as a test for hypotheses about earth system processes including climate change, paleoceanography, and tectonics. Integrative study of the history of the earth and its inhabitants. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; GEOL 307
GEOL 366 Independent Study 1-3
GEOL 385 Geomorphology 4
Survey of landforms and processes that shape them. Description and classification of landforms, relation to geological and climatic procesess, rates of landform development and change. Laboratory involves map/airphoto interpretation and analysis of digital elevation models. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113, or GEOG 106. May be cross-listed with GEOG 385.
GEOL 405 Introduction to Research 1-3
Undergraduate research carried out under the supervision of the staff. Written report required.
RESTRICTIONS: May be repeated once if project warrants it.
GEOL 407 Petrology 3
Petrography, chemistry, origin and tectonic significance of the major classes of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks. Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 411 Fluvial Geomorphology 3
Hydrologic and sediment transport processes in rivers and watersheds. Morphology and evolution of rivers and watersheds. Depositional processes and evolution of floodplains. Structure and interpretation of fluvial deposits in the geologic record. Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308). May be cross-listed with GEOG 411.
GEOL 412 Geological Approaches to Archaeology and History 3
Geological techniques in interpretation of archaeological sites and their surrounding geographic terrain; paleogeographies of archaeological settings; and use of geology for interpretations of history. Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 414 Quaternary Geology and Geochronology 3
Survey of the stratigraphy and chronology of marine and terrestrial records and theories of climatic change. Studies of the stratigraphy of significant Quaternary successions throughout the world and their correlation and absolute dating.
Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 416 Paleoecology 3
Paleoenvironmental and stratigraphic interpretation of sediments and fossils. Basic statistics, bioturbation models, well-logging, and sequence stratigraphy. Application to geology problems. Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 421 Environmental and Applied Geology 3
The application of geologic principle to matters of environmental concern. Discussion, examples, techniques and case histories in water supply, waste disposal, zoning and land use, mining, legislation, regulation and professionalism emphasizing the role of geologist and the educated citizen.
Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 422 OSHA Safety Training 3
OSHA 40-Hour Safety Training Certification Hazardous Waste Operations Health and Safety Training Program. Includes material from environmental regulations, hazard recognition, toxicology, environmental monitoring, personal protective equipment, site characterization and analysis, site zone and control, health and safety plans, decontamination, and spill response recovery. Restrictions: GEOL 422 cannot be applied toward the 9 credits of 400-level Geology electives required of B.S. Geology majors.
GEOL 428 Hydrogeology 3
Principles of groundwater flow and water chemistry in varied geologic media. Evaluation of groundwater resources and assessment of environmental problems associated with groundwater use.
Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequences (GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 431 Marine Geology 3
Geology of the ocean basins and their continental margins; sedimentation within the marine environment and its uses in interpreting geologic history and paleoecology.
Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 434 The Geology of Coasts 3
Erosional, depositional and tectonic processes; morphology and classification, and geologic history of the coastal areas of the world.
Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308).
GEOL 446 General Geochemistry 3
Chemical principles applied to geologic processes and environments. Thermochemistry of mineral equilibria; mineral stabilities at high temperature and pressure. Radioisotopes and methods of geochronology. The geochemical history of the earth.
Prerequisite: GEOL 107 and CHEM 103.
GEOL 453 Elementary Geophysics I 3
Fundamental theory of seismology, ray theory, refraction and reflection of seismic waves. Seismic exploration techniques and interpretations. Heat flow measurements and data, and interpretations of the thermal history of the earth.
Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; MATH242, PHYS 201 and PHYS 202.
GEOL 454 Elementary Geophysics II 3
Gravity and the shape of the earth, and theories of isostasy. Geomagnetism, magnetization of rocks and paleomagnetism. Gravity, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic methods and interpretations. Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 115, or GEOL 107, or GEOL 113; MATH 242, PHYS 201 and PHYS 202.
GEOL 466 Independent Study 1-3
GEOL 482 Physical Geography of Cold Environments
Survey and analysis of land surface processes in polar and mountain environments. Emphasis on the ground thermal regime, permafrost, periglacial (cold climate, nonglacial) landforms, and environmental problems in cold regions. Prerequisite: Completion of any one-year core course sequence (e.g., GEOL 300-302, 303-304, 305-306, 307-308). May be cross-listed with GEOG 482.
GEOL 601 Geosciences at Delaware 1
Overview of the graduate program in geology at the University of Delaware. Research opportunities and current activities. Orientation in department practices and procedures. Guidelines for preparation of research proposals. Professional activities and career options.
GEOL 602 Case Studies of Near Surface Geologic Systems 3
A broad overview of the history and processes of selected near surface geologic systems. Environmental and applied aspects of near surface geologic systems. Restrictions: Graduate students only.
GEOL 603 Numerical Modeling of Near Geologic Systems 3
Computer simulation of selected geologic processes. Numerical solution of partial differential equations with applications in geomorphology, hydrogeology, stratigraphy, and geophysics. Signals and time series. (Prerequisite: Geography 250 or equivalent, or permission of instructor). Restrictions: Graduate students only.
GEOL 604 Field Methods - Near Surface Geologic Systems
Training and experience in obtaining and interpreting surface and shallow subsurface data. Emphasis on the correlation and interpretation of morphostratigraphic relationships and history. Field methods to be employed include: augering and coring, shallow geophysical methods, and modern surveying techniques. Restrictions: Graduate students only.
GEOL 605 Stratigraphy 3
The principles of stratigraphy and application of stratigraphic methods (e.g., lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, and magnetic stratigraphy) for basin analysis. Interpretation of sedimentary facies. Application of sequence stratigraphy to the Quaternary Period. Restrictions: Graduate students only.
GEOL 607 Petrology 3
Petrography, chemistry, origin and tectonic significance of the major classes of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks.
GEOL 611 Fluvial Geomorphology 3
Hydrologic and sediment transport processes in rivers and watersheds. Morphology and evolution of rivers and watersheds. Depositional processes and evolution of floodplains. Structure and interpretation of fluvial deposits in the geologic record. May be cross-listed with GEOG 611
GEOL 612 Geological Approaches to Archaeology & History 3
Geological techniques in interpretation of archaeological sites and their surrounding geographic terrain; paleogeographies of archaeological settings; and use of geology for interpretations of history.
GEOL 614 Quaternary Geology and Geochronology 3
Survey of the stratigraphy and chronology of marine and terrestrial records and theories of climatic change. Studies of the stratigraphy of significant Quaternary successions throughout the world and their correlation and absolute dating.
GEOL 616 Paleoecology 3
Paleoenvironmental and stratigraphic interpretation of sediments and fossils. Basic statistics, bioturbation models, well-logging, and sequence stratigraphy. Application to geological problems.
GEOL 621 Environmental and Applied Geology 3
The application of geologic principle to matters of environmental concern. Discussion, examples, techniques and case histories in water supply, waste disposal, zoning and land use, mining legislation, regulation and professionalism emphasizing the role of geologist and the educated citizen.
GEOL 622 OSHA Safety Training 3
OSHA 40-Hour Safety Training Certification hazardous waste Operations Health and Safety Training Program. Includes material from Environmental Regulations, hazard recognition, toxicology, environmental monitoring, personal protective equipment, site characterization and analysis, site zone and control, health and safety plans, decontamination, and spill response recovery
GEOL 628 Hydrogeology 3
Principles of groundwater flow and water chemistry in varied geologic media. Evaluation of groundwater resources and assessment of environmental problems associated with groundwater use.
GEOL 631 Marine Geology 3
The geology of the ocean basins and their continental margins; sedimentation within the marine environment and its uses in interpreting geologic history and paleoecology. May be cross-listed with MAST 631.
GEOL 634 The Geology of Coasts 3
Erosional, depositional and tectonic processes; morphology and classification, and geologic history of the coastal areas of the world.
GEOL 646 General Geochemistry 3
Chemical principles applied to geologic processes and environments. Thermochemistry of mineral equilibria; mineral stabilities at high temperature and pressure. Radioisotopes and methods of geochronology. The geochemical history of the earth.
GEOL 653 Elementary Geophysics I 3
Fundamental theory of seismology, ray theory, refraction and reflection of seismic waves. Seismic exploration techniques and interpretations. Heat flow measurements and data, and interpretations of the thermal history of the earth.
GEOL 654 Elementary Geophysics II 3
Gravity and the shape of the earth, theories of isostasy. Geomagnetism, magnetization of rocks and paleomagnetism. Gravity and magnetic surveys and interpretations. Electrical and radioactive surveying and well logging.
GEOL 666 Special Problem 1-3
GEOL 682 Physical Geography of Cold Environments 3
Survey and analysis of land surface processes in polar and mountain environments. Emphasis on the ground thermal regime, permafrost, periglacial (cold climate, nonglacial) landforms, and environmental problems in cold regions. May be cross-listed with GEOG 682.
GEOL 801 Topics in Planetology 1
Selected topics in Planetology. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 802 Topics in Geophysics 2
Selected topics in Geophysics. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 803 Topics in Geomorphology 3
Selected topics in Geomorphology. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit. (May be cross listed with Geography 803)
GEOL 804 Topics in Geochemistry 1-3
Selected topics in Geochemistry. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 807 Topics in Mineralogy and Petrology 1-3
Selected topics in Mineralogy and Petrology. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 808 Topics in Structural Geology 1-3
Selected topics in Structural Geology. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 809 Topics in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 1-3
Selected topics in Sedimentology and Stratigraphy. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 818 Topics in Paleobiology 1-3
Selected topics in Paleobiology. Topics vary according to instructor preference. May be taken more than once for graduate credit.
GEOL 866 Special Problem 1-3
GEOL 868 Research 1-9
Enables students to begin planning work and research before admission to dissertation candidacy and GEOL 969
GEOL 869 Master's Thesis 1-3
GEOL 964 Pre-Candidacy Study 3-12 PF
Research and readings in preparation of dissertation topic and/or qualifying examinations for doctoral students before admission to candidacy but after completion of all required course work.
RESTRICTIONS: Not open to students who have been admitted to candidacy.
GEOL 969 Doctoral Dissertation 1-12 PF
