University of Delaware
Graduate Catalog 1995-1996
College of Arts and Science
Department of Geology
Course Descriptions
GEOL 501 Environmental Geology 3
Fundamental geological concepts and principles. Earth materials, natural
processes, and geologic hazards. Mineral and water resources, energy,
and the environment. Human interaction with the environment. Global
change, land use,and decision making.
PREREQ: GEOL107.
RESTRICTIONS: Open only to environmental science graduate students.
GEOL 603 Regional Geology of North America 3
Stratigraphic, structural and petrologic features of the geologic
provinces of North America. Generalized geologic evolution of each
region. Major geologic features of other selected continents.
GEOL 607 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 3
Mineralogic, thermochemical and genetic principles of interpretation of
crystalline rocks. Major variables governing generation and evolution of
igneous and metamorphic conditions. Petrographic examination of
representative rock suites.
GEOL 609 Dynamic Processes in Sedimentation 3
Introduction to open channel hydraulics, wave theory and sediment
transport. Origin and hydrodynamic interpretation of sedimentary
structures and bedforms. Paleohydrology and digital simulation of
sedimentary systems.
GEOL 610 Introduction to Groundwater Modeling 3
Principles of numerical modeling of groundwater flow and contaminant
transport. Applications and limitations of commonly used computer
models.
PREREQ: GEOL428 or GEOL628.
GEOL 611 Quantitative Geomorphology 3
An analysis of geomorphic processes and landforms using a quantitative
approach. Topics include fluvial processes and morphology, evolution and
morphometry of drainage basins, slope development, coastal landforms and
beach processes.
GEOL 612 Geological Approaches to Archaeology and History 3
Geological techniques in interpretation of archaeological sites and
their surrounding geographic terrain; paleogeographies of archaeological
settings; and uses of geology for interpretations of history.
GEOL 613 Fundamentals of Well Logging 3
Theory and interpretation of most commonly used geophysical logs;
description of logging tools; and their uses and limitations. Emphasis
on groundwater exploration and well development; calculation and use of
formation factor in determining water quality.
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 615 General Geomorphology 3
Description and classification of landforms, their relationships to
geologic structures and processes, and their histories and rates of
change.
GEOL 620 Petroleum Geology 3
The origin and distribution of the world's petroleum resources.
Geological and geophysical techniques applied to the search for oil.
GEOL 621 Environmental and Applied Geology 3
The application of geologic principles 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 the geologist and
the educated citizen.
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 MAST631.
GEOL 632 Recent Sedimentary Environments 3
Recent environments of deposition in the Delaware coastal area; emphasis
on field and laboratory techniques applied to sedimentation processes,
the classification of sediments and their structures, and sediment
facies patterns. May be cross-listed with MAST625.
RESTRICTIONS: Course taught at Lewes.
GEOL 634 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; and mineral stabilities at high
temperature and pressure. Radioisotopes and methods of geochronology.
The geochemical history of the earth.
GEOL 650 Clay Mineralogy 3
See MAST650 for course description.
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 657 Statistics for Earth Sciences 3
See STAT657 for course description.
GEOL 805 Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks 3
Genesis, classification, interpretation and significance of sedimentary
rocks.
GEOL 806 Micropaleontology 3
Paleontology and paleoecology of major groups of microfossils with
emphasis on Foraminifera and Ostracoda. Application of micropaleontology
to stratigraphic problems, environmental analysis and paleoclimatic
changes.
GEOL 811 Stratigraphy 3
The nature of geologic time and its record; the interpretation of the
time relationships of rock masses.
GEOL 812 Geodynamics 1
Study of the dynamic processes within the earth, including studies in
mountain building, rock mechanics and deformation, rifting, sedimentary
basin formation, heat flow and mantle convection.
GEOL 813 Plate Tectonics 1
Study of the fundamental theory underlying modern geology and
geophysics. Areas of interest addressed may include the historical
development of plate tectonic theory, the kinematics and driving forces
of plate motion and the geomorphology and structure of plate boundaries.
GEOL 814 Geochemical Stratigraphy 1
Studies in correlation and age assignment using chemical, elemental and
isotopic analysis of sediments, rocks and fossils.
GEOL 815 Holocene Epoch Geomorphologies 1
Sedimentologic and stratigraphic principles applied to the determination
of paleogeographies of historical and archaeological landscapes.
GEOL 816 Analytical Mineralogy 1
Use of such techniques as TEM, XRD, SEM, microprobe, and computer
modelling and refinement in current mineralogical research, with
examples.
GEOL 817 Impact Events and Stratigraphy 1
Impact cratering and shock metamorphism. Recognition of impact ejecta in
the stratigraphic section based on shock metamorphic effects and
geochemical anomalies. Possible correlations between major impact events
and climatic changes, extinctions and geomagnetic reversals as recorded
in the rock record.
GEOL 818 Topics in Paleobiology 1
Fields of active ("cutting edge") research in paleobiology; topics vary
according to instructor preference.
GEOL 819 Tectonic Framework of North America 1
Major theories of the evolution of North America, and examination of the
evidence for and against them.
GEOL 820 Topics in Geomorphology 1
Detailed analysis of the origin of specific landforms.
GEOL 821 Geology and Public Policy 1
Roles of geology and geologists in matters of public policy. Case
histories and current events illustrating interactions of science and
government.
GEOL 831 Tectonics of the World's Ocean Basins 3
Geologic evolution of the ocean basins; study of the geophysical
parameters, dimension and processes of mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea
trenches and continental margins; and deduction as to origin of ocean
basin features.
GEOL 832 Coastal Seminar 1
Analysis of modern concepts of coastal research and their applications
to studies of the evolution of coastal sedimentary environmental
systems.
GEOL 868 Research 1-9
Enables students to begin planning work and research before admission to
dissertation candidacy and GEOL969.
GEOL 869 Master's Thesis 1-6
GEOL 872 Advanced Micropaleontology 3
Taxonomy, morphology and biostratigraphy of selected phyla of
microfossils.
PREREQ: GEOL806.
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
UNIV 899 Master's Sustaining: Thesis 0 PF
UNIV 999 Doctoral Sustaining 0 PF