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Geology and Geophysics GEO Course Descriptions |
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University of Utah General Catalog 2001-2002
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| College of Mines and
Earth Sciences
Department Office: 719 William Browning Building, 581-6553 Department Chair, Ronald L. Bruhn, Ph.D. Faculty Professors. J. Bartley, J. Bowman, F. Brown, R. Bruhn, T. Cerling, M. Chan, D. Chapman, A. Ekdale, W. Nash, W. Parry, M. Picard, P. Roth, G. Schuster, R. Smith, M. Zhdanov. Associate Professors. S. Halgedahl, R. Jarrard, P. Jewell, E. Petersen, D. Solomon. Assistant Professors. W. Johnson, S. Sampson. Assistant Professor (Instructor). R. Harris. Research Professors. W. Arabasz. Research Associate Professors. C. Forster, J. Pechmann, A. Tripp. Research Assistant Professors. D. Dinter, C. Meertens, D. Moser, M. Perkins, P. Wilson, J. Wiskins. Adjunct Professors. J. Harris, B. McFadden, M. Oristaglio, W. Pariseau, J. Sass, P. Wannamaker, J. Welsh. Adjunct Associate Professors. H. Benz, S. Brown, E. Cherkaeva. Adjunct Assistant Professors. R. Adams, G. Moline. Advisers. Undergraduate Adviser, Erich U. Petersen, 518 W. B. Browning Building; Administrative Assistant for Advising, Kim Atwater, 714 W. B. Browning Building, (801) 581-6553 The department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in geology, geological engineering, and geophysics; M.E. degree in geological engineering; M.E., M.S., and Ph.D. in environmental engineering; and B.S. degree in environmental earth science. The department also offers double majors in geology- geophysics, mathematics-geophysics, physics-geophysics, and biology-geology. Undergraduate study and additional work leading to the M.S. degree prepare students for employment by industry or for entry into Ph.D. programs. Our four undergraduate majors in the earth sciences include geology (study of the Earth and its history), geophysics (physical methods applied to study of the Earth), geological engineering (technological applications of geological knowledge), and environmental earth science (study of the Earth environment and man's effects on it). Earth scientists apply the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to elucidate the composition, structure, and history of the Earth, and the processes that govern them. Earth science investigations encompass field work, laboratory analyses, and theoretical studies. Research objectives include advancing fundamental understanding of how the Earth works and how it has evolved through time, and applications of such understanding to societal needs and problems such as locating and characterizing mineral, energy, and groundwater resources, assessing earthquake and other geologic hazards, and evaluating and remediating environmental contamination. Specialized facilities include computer laboratories for teaching and research, laboratories for chemical and physical characterization of rocks and minerals, and laboratory and field equipment for geological engineering studies. Research is carried out in mineralogy; igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary petrology; structural geology, economic geology, stratigraphy, paleontology, marine geology, isotope geology, geochemistry, exploration and earthquake seismology, hydrogeology, paleomagnetism, electromagnetics, gravity, remote sensing, and thermal studies. The department has extensive research and teaching collections of rocks, minerals, and fossils. Digital data from a regional earthquake network and extensive seismic reflection and refraction data are also available. A seismic modeling laboratory with SUN workstations focuses on synthetic seismogram and seismic data processing. Laboratories for the study of rocks and minerals are equipped with microscopes, XRD and XRF equipment, cathode luminoscope, fluid-inclusion apparatus, electron microprobe, atomic absorption equipment, carbon determinator, scanning electron microscope, radiography unit, and light stable-isotope mass spectrometers. Specialized geophysical instrumentation includes GPS receivers; gravimeters; electromagnetic, resistivity, ground-penetrating radar, and induced-polarization equipment; magnetometers; portable seismographs; 48-channel seismic recording equipment; thermal-gradient and rock-conductivity apparatus; and state-of-the-art computer clusters for extremely fast, parallel processing and modeling of geophysical data. Undergraduate Program Degree. B.S. in geology, geological engineering, geophysics, environmental earth science, or in one of four double majors. To complete a degree program in four years, students beginning any of the department's majors should take MATH 1210 and CHEM 1210 during the first semester. Only strong training in math and science in high school will assure that freshmen are able to begin with these courses. Students who do not take MATH 1210 and CHEM 1210 during the first semester may require more than four years to earn the degree. The student who needs preparatory courses may be able to complete the degree requirements in four years by taking heavier loads or by attending summer sessions. It is important that GEO 1110, 1111, 1220 PHYCS 2210, 2220, 2219, 2229; CHEM 1210,1220, 1230, 1240 and MATH 1210, 1220, 2210 sequences be completed early, because these courses are prerequisites for subsequent courses in the department. Following is a suggested schedule incorporating the core course requirements, the University's Intellectual Exploration requirements and writing courses required of all majors in the department. (Note: Some undergraduate courses and degree requirements are currently under revision. Please consult department). Environmental Earth Science Major. The rigorous, interdisciplinary requirements for a B.S. in environmental earth science consist of courses in geology and geophysics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, meteorology, geography, and computer science. Note: The schedule shown below is only an example. Students may opt to take some classes during the summer session in order to facilitate scheduling and lighter credit hour loads. All students are urged to see a departmental academic adviser for program consultation. Students should consult their adviser concerning electives. Those planning to declare a double major should consult the Courses section of this catalog for information about biology, mathematics, and physics courses. Geological Engineering Degree. The undergraduate program in geological engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. The goal of the undergraduate program is to produce graduates who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination and who are able to competently apply scientific principles of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to the design of practical solutions to engineering problems, such as those associated with natural resource location and development, geological hazards, and environmental contamination. Engineering design experience is introduced early in the geological engineering curriculum and is integrated with topical content throughout the program. Undergraduate Counseling. To help students maintain high scholastic standards, the department has appointed advisers to consult with them about their academic progress. The student is assigned an adviser in the selected degree field upon declaring a major. We recommend that students consult their advisers at least twice each year. Scholastic Standards. The B.S. degree requires a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 and a GPA of 2.25 in departmental required and elective courses. Grades of Credit or those of less than C- are not acceptable in departmental or required courses. Grades of D and Credit are accepted only in General Education courses or in electives outside the department. Students who drop below the minimum GPAs are put on departmental probation until grades rise above the minimums. Students who drop below 2.0 overall or 2.25 in the major may be asked to leave the department. Students who repeat any course more than once or who find it necessary to repeat or withdraw from several courses will be asked to give valid reasons for their actions. Scholarships. Many scholarships or other forms of financial aid are available to undergraduate students. Application for departmental scholarships should be made to the department applications for all other scholarships or financial aid should be made directly to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. Double Majors. Four double majors are available, including geology-geophysics, geology-biology, geology-chemistry, and geology-physics. Students interested in the latter three double majors should begin by consulting the undergraduate advisers of both departments involved. Double majors receive two B.S. degrees and must complete the core curricula and requirements of both majors. These majors are unrestricted upon entry, but majors must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better and earn at least a C- grade in all courses required for the major. Special Opportunities. Majors in geology and geophysics are encouraged during the junior and/or senior year to undertake an undergraduate research project under the supervision of a faculty member. In some cases, such research may be financially supported by a grant to the faculty supervisor; small research grants to students are available through the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Students may also gain work experience by participating in an internship program. Environmental Earth Science Requirements for the Major Required Departmental Courses
Choose at least three credits from each of the following groups for a total of 8-12 credits: I.
II.
Other Required Courses
Grand Total Major Credits 100-105 University Requirements: 24 Grand Total Hours: 124-129 Model Program of Study Freshman Year
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Spring Semester
Junior Year
Spring Semester
Summer Term
Senior Year
Spring Semester
Geological Engineering Requirements for the Major (111-113 hours) Required Departmental Courses
Other Required Courses CVEEN 2110 Statics (3) CVEEN 2130 Engineering Economics (3) CVEEN 2160 Dynamics (2) or ME EN 2410 Particle Dynamics (2) CVEEN 3310 Geotechnical Engineering I (3) CVEEN 3320 Geotechnical Engineering II (3) or MG EN 5160 Rock Mechanics Applications (3) MG EN 1400 Introduction to Surveying (3) or CVEEN 2150 Surveying (3) MG EN 5150 Mechanics of Materials (3) CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4) CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4) CHEM 1230 General Chemistry Lab I (1) CHEM 1240 General Chemistry Lab II (1) CP SC 1000 Engineering Computing (3) or GEO 3400 Computational Field Methods in Applied Geology (3) MATH 1210 Calculus I (4) MATH 1220 Calculus II (4) MATH 2210 Calculus III (3) MATH 2250 ODE and Linear Algebra (3) MATH 3150 PDE's for Engineers (2) PHYCS 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2219 General Physics Lab (1) PHYCS 2229 General Physics Lab (1) Total Hours: 60-61 Grand Total Major Credits: 111-113 University Requirements: 24 Grand Total: 135-137 Model Program of Study Freshman Year
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Spring Semester
Junior Year
Spring Semester
Summer Term
Senior Year
Spring Semester
Geology Requirements for the Major (93-94 hours) Required Departmental Courses
Other Required Courses CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4) CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4) CHEM 1230 General Chemistry Lab I (1) CHEM 1240 General Chemistry Lab II (1) CP SC 1000 Engineering Computing (3) or GEO 3400 Computational and Field Methods in Applied Geology (3) MATH 1210 Calculus I (4) MATH 1220 Calculus II (4) MATH 2210 Calculus III (3) MATH 2250 ODE and Linear Algebra (3) MET EN 3070 Statistical Methods (3) or MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4) PHYCS 2210 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2219 General Physics Lab (1) PHYCS 2229 General Physics Lab (1) Total Hours: 41-42 Total Technical Credits: 92-93 University Requirements: 24 Grand Total: 117-118 Model Program of Study Freshman Year
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Spring Semester
Junior Year
Spring Semester
Summer Term
Senior Year
Spring Semester
Geophysics Requirements for the Major (108 hours) Required Departmental Courses
Other Required Courses CHEM 1210 General Chemistry I (4) CHEM 1220 General Chemistry II (4) CHEM 1230 General Chemistry Lab I (1) CHEM 1240 General Chemistry Lab II (1) CP SC 1000 Engineering Computing (3) or CP SC 1020 Introduction to Programming C++ (3) PHYCS 5720 Introduction to Computing in Physics (4) MATH 1210 Calculus I (4) MATH 1220 Calculus II (4) MATH 2210 Calculus III (3) MATH 2250 ODE and Linear Algebra (3) MATH 3150 Partial Differential Equations (2) MATH 5600 Survey of Numerical Analysis (4) or GEO 5500 Numerical Methods in Geosciences (3) MET E 3070 Statistical Methods (3) or MATH 3070 Applied Statistics (4) PHYCS 2210 physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2220 Physics for Scientists and Engineers (4) PHYCS 2219 General Physics Lab (1) PHYCS 2229 General Physics Lab (1) PHYCS 5010 Theoretical Physics: Mechanics (3) Total Hours: 53 Total Major Credits: 108 University Requirements: 24 Grand Total: 132 Model Program of Study Freshman Year
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Spring Semester
Junior Year
Spring Semester
Summer Term
Senior Year
Spring Semester
Teaching Major, Minor, Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on teaching major and minor course requirements and state secondary teacher certification. Graduate Program Degrees. M.S. and Ph.D. in geology, geophysics, and geological engineering; M.E. in geological engineering; and M.E., M.S., and Ph.D. in environmental engineering. For additional information, see the Graduate Information section of this catalog. Admissions and degree requirements for the environmental engineering program are specific to that program. Entry into the environmental engineering program may be gained through Geology and Geophysics or one of the four other participating departments. Please contact the Environmental Engineering program administrator for details. Areas of Specialization. Applied electrical methods; thermal fields; seismology; economic geology; low-and medium-temperature geochemistry; isotope geochemistry; geochronology; sedimentology; invertebrate paleontology; micropaleontology; igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic petrology; structural geology and tectonics; rock magnetism; borehole geophysics; geohydrology; surface and groundwater hydrology. Admission Requirements. Applications must be submitted by January 15 for Fall Semester admission. Admission as a matriculated student normally requires a GPA of 3.25, three letters of recommendation, and a combined score in the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections of the GRE above 1,800. Degree Requirements. Graduate students from other colleges and universities that do not require the core undergraduate courses of this department are expected to make up such deficiencies at their own expense. All geophysics graduate students normally take (or have taken) Structure and Tectonics, Inversion Theory, and Survey of Numerical Analysis. They also should satisfy the geophysics B.S. elective requirements. M.S. Requirements. A master's committee is appointed to supervise the work of acceptable candidates on an individual basis in accordance with Graduate School requirements. Candidates for the master's degree must earn a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in approved graduate courses and thesis research, and must pass the departmental master's qualifying examination. Ph.D. Requirements. The program is determined by the student and a supervisory committee in accordance with Graduate School requirements. The Ph.D. degree requires three or more years of approved graduate study characterized by high scholarly achievement and independent research. Three years of full-time study beyond the B.S. degree normally represent about 70 semester credit hours, approximately 24 of which are research hours for the dissertation. Financial Assistance. Contact the Department of Geology and Geophysics for information about departmental financial assistance. |
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