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Catalog 2003-2004 |
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College of Mines and Earth Sciences Department Office: 719 William Browning Building, 581-6553 Department Chair, Marjorie A. Chan, Ph.D. Faculty Distinguished Professors. F.Brown, T. Cerling Professors. J. Bartley, J. Bowman, R. Bruhn, M. Chan, D. Chapman, A. Ekdale, R. Jarrard, B. Nash, P. Roth, G. Schuster, R. Smith, M. Zhdanov. Associate Professors. S. Halgedahl, P. Jewell, W. Johnson, E. Petersen, D. Solomon. Assistant Professors. C. Johnson, S. Sampson, F. Tonon Assistant Professor (Lecturer).D. Dinter, R. Harris. Research Professors. W. Arabasz. Research Associate Professors. C. Forster, J. Pechmann, V. Sisson, A. Tripp. Research Assistant Professors. L. Ayliffe, N. Golubev, R. Harris, C. Meertens, D. Moser, M. Perkins. Adjunct Professors. R. Allis, L. Baumgartner, J. Harris, B. McFadden, M. Mikulich, W. Pariseau, J. Sass, P. Wannamaker. Adjunct Associate Professors. H. Benz, S. Brown, J. Kirkland. Adjunct Assistant Professors. R. Adams. Advisers. Undergraduate Adviser, Barbara P. Nash 506 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's environment and the effects humans have upon 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, geomechanics, environmental remediation, 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, scanning electron microscope, 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; 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 - Premedical Option. Students enrolled in a premedical program may elect this option which has a significant biological emphasis and includes those courses required for application to medical school. Interested students should consult the department advisor for the Environmental Earth Science degree program regarding the course requirements and suggested course schedule for this option. Geological Engineering Degree. The undergraduate program in geological engineering is reviewed and accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. This degree program is designed for students who have the aptitude to master engineering fundamentals, but who also have the curiosity to apply their engineering training in context of the physical earth. The mission of the geological engineering program is to educate and train through teaching, research, and service the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for students and faculty to contribute to the solutions to difficult engineering problems within the context of the natural earth. The program objectives are as follows: (1) The students will be capable of utilizing
their backgrounds in engineering and earth science to contribute to solutions
to difficult engineering problems within the context of the natural
world. Students will be able to analyze problems, design experiments,
evaluate information, and communicate results both individually and as part
of a team. Design experiences aimed at incorporating real-world constraints into solutions to engineering problems are integrated into the curriculum at various stages, culminating in two capstone engineering design experiences taught within the context of groundwater remediation and geological hazards. Program graduates will have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, thereby allowing them to immediately begin training for Professional Engineering licensure upon graduation. Earth Science Teaching Major. This major meets state requirements for Earth Science, Integrated Science, and Physical Science teaching endorsements. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to teach Earth Science, Physical Science and Integrated Science. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to build upon the curricula described by the Utah State Office of Education for the above programs. It provides students with the knowledge of math, chemistry, physics, and biology required to understand the earth sciences. Earth Science Minor. The minor provides students with a broad introduction to geology and associated sciences. You may satisfy general education physical and life science, quantitative intensive, and upper division communication requirements. A minor in Earth Science provides a way to diversify your background and apply fundamental scientific principles in an interdisciplinary way. 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. Students in Geological Engineering must consult their advisor at least once each year. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the degree program. 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 Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. 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
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 (112-113 hours) Required Departmental Courses
Grand Total Major Credits: 112-113 Model Program of Study Freshman Year Spring Semester Sophomore Year Spring Semester Junior Year Spring Semester Summer Term Senior Year Spring Semester Undergraduate counseling. To help students maintain high scholastic standards, the department requires all Geological Engineering majors see a Geological Engineering faculty advisor at least ONE time per academic year. Failure to do so may cause dismissal from the Geological Engineering program.
Requirements for the Major (93-94 hours) Required Departmental Courses
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 (103-105 hours) Required Departmental Courses
PHYCS 3730 Introduction to Computing in Physics (3) Model Program of Study Freshman Year Spring Semester Sophomore Year Spring Semester Junior Year Spring Semester Summer Term Senior Year Spring Semester Teaching Major Certification. Please refer to Education in the Colleges section for information on Earth Science Composite teaching major requirements and state secondary teacher certification. Requirements for the Earth Science Minor Requirements GEO 1110 or 1000, GEO 1111, 1220 Electives Six credit hours from GEO 1000-level courses Six credit hours from GEO 3000-level courses A grade of C- or better is required for all courses in the minor Graduate Program Degrees. M.S. and Ph.D. in geology, geophysics, and geological engineering; and M.E. in geological engineering. In addition, students may elect to obtain an interdisciplinary M.E., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Environmental Engineering through the Department Geology and Geophysics. Admissions and degree requirements for the Environmental Engineering Gradate Program are specific to that program. Please contact the Environmental Engineering Graduate Program administrator for details (see catalog description under 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; geomechanics, geohydrology; surface and groundwater hydrology. Admission Requirements. Applications must be submitted by January 15 (Domestic), November 1 (International) 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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