Stephen F. Austin State University

131.

Introductory Geology (GOL 1403) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. Designed for the student with no geology background. Introduction to the study of minerals, rocks and the processes that modify and shape the surface features of the Earth. Focus on energy, mineral and water resources; volcanism; and other practical aspects of geology. Required lab fee.

132.

The Earth Through Time (GOL 1404) - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, two hours laboratory per week. History and development of the continents and ocean basins and the evolution of life on earth. Includes earthquakes and the earth’s interior, mountain building, drifting continents and sea-floor spreading, the ice ages, space science, and oceanography. Required lab fee. Prerequisite: GOL 131.

241.

Mineralogy - Four semester hours, three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Properties of crystals and crystal systems, identification and classification of selected minerals in hand specimen, rock associations and mode of occurrence of minerals, and industrial uses. Prerequisite: GOL 131. Required lab fee.

242.

Petrology - Three lecture hours, three laboratory hours per week. Identification, origin, occurrence and association of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Prerequisites: GOL 131, 132 and 241. Required field trip, field trip fee and lab fee.

303.

Oceanography - Three hours lecture per week. Study of the marine environment with emphasis on the structure, properties, and processes of the ocean and their role in the total environment. Does not count toward meeting major credit for geology majors. Prerequisite: GOL 131.

330.

Geomorphology - Three hours lecture per week. Genesis, characteristics and analysis of land forms based on a consideration of geological processes, stages of development and geological structures. Prerequisite: GOL 131 or GEO 130.

332.

North American Geology - Three hours lecture per week. Study of the geologic evolution, history and framework of the North American continent. Prerequisite: GOL 132.

338.

Structural Geology - Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Genesis, classification and description of structural features resulting from rock deformation. Prerequisites: GOL 242. Required field trips. Required lab fee and field trip fee.

350.

Environmental Geology - Three hours lecture. Study of geological phenomena that are important in man’s effective utilization of his physical environment, including soils, land use and geologic hazards. Prerequisite: GOL 131.

361.

Invertebrate Palaeontology - Four semester hours, three hour lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Morphology, classification, evolutionary history, ecology and geologic significance of the major groups of invertebrate fossils. Prerequisite: GOL 132 or permission of the instructor. Required lab fee.

364.

Field Geology - Six semester hours, summer camp, SSI. Capstone course of the Department of Geology. Required of all geology majors in order to graduate with the B.S. degree in geology. Methods and application of geologic field techniques. Emphasis on reconnaissance and detailed mapping. Prerequisite: GOL 338. Required field trip fee.

406.

Earth Science Activities - Four semester hours. Practical applications of earth science principles from geology, oceanography, astronomy and meteorology; designed for students preparing to become elementary or secondary teachers.

408.

Stratigraphy and Sedimentation - Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week. Study of basic stratigraphic relations and the identification, origin, distribution and correlation of sedimentary rocks. Prerequisite: GOL 242. Required lab fee.

410.

Engineering Geology - Three hours lecture. Application of geology to engineering practice. Topics include soil mechanics, foundations, engineering classification of soils, slope stability, and drainage and storm water management. Prerequisites: GOL 131 and 350.

420.

Geochemistry - Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Applications of chemical laws and methods to the solution of geological problems. Prerequisites: GOL 131; CHE 133 and 134.

435.

Introduction to Geophysics - Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Introduction to the basic theories and methodologies of the major geophysical methods. This course reviews the benefits and limitations of the main geophysical techniques. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

443.

Optical Mineralogy - Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Optical behavior of crystals and identification of rock-forming minerals with the polarizing microscope. Prerequisite: GOL 241. Required lab fee.

449.

Ground Water - Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. Principles of occurrence and movement of water beneath the Earth’s surface and the influence of various geologic situations upon its behavior, depletion, recharge and contamination of ground water supplies. Prerequisites: GOL 131, MTH 138.

450.

Cave and Karst Systems - Three hours lecture. This course will explore the underground world of caves as students are introduced to the complexities of karst systems, including the geologic and hydrologic controls on porosity evolution in soluble rocks. Students will learn characteristics and behavior of fluid flow through multi-permeability systems as it applies to karst aquifers and mineral deposits. Students will be introduced to the unique environmental and engineering concerns associated with karst terrains and groundwater resources. Prerequisites: GOL 131, 132 or permission from faculty.

451.

Hydrogeology Field Techniques - Two hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. This course emphasizes the various techniques utilized in groundwater studies for characterization and monitoring of water resources. Students will learn how to evaluate aquifers, including practical field experience that emphasizes the various requirements and procedures involved in hydrogeologic sampling. Students will conduct field exercises that investigate groundwater, including well design, well installation and aquifer characterization.

471.

Special Topics in Geology - One to four semester hours. Study of specific areas in geology.

475.

Special Problems - One to four semester hours. Individual study in some field of geology, guided through individual conference with professor in charge. May be repeated once. Prerequisites: 18 hours of geology and approval of department chair. Permission of instructor must be obtained prior to enrollment.