Geology (Geol)
Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
Geol 100. The Earth
(3-0) Cr. 3 or (3-1) Cr. 4. F.S.SS. Iverson, Staff. What is the earth made of, and how
does it work? Emphasis on observations and hypotheses used by geologists to determine the
earth's structure and to understand how geologic features change with time. Students who
enroll for the 4 credit option must register for a one hour discussion section. Students
enrolling for either option may also enroll for Geol 100L.
Geol 100L. The Earth: Laboratory
(0-2) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 100. Characterization of rocks and
minerals; interpretation of structures and landforms.
Geol 101. Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis (Same
as Env S 101.)
(3-0) Cr. 3 or (3-1) Cr. 4. F.S. Staff. An introduction to geologic processes and the
consequences of human activity from local to global scales. Discussion of human population
growth, resource depletion, pollution and waste disposal, global warming and ozone
depletion, desertification, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes, landslides,
flooding, and volcanism. Students who enroll for the 4 credit option must register for a
one hour discussion section.
Geol 102. History of the Earth
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 100 or 201. Rankey. The earth's physical and biological
evolution; concepts of global tectonics. Methods used to decipher earth history. Students
majoring in geology must also enroll in Geol 102L.
Geol 102L. History of the Earth: Laboratory
(0-2) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 102. Introduction to the use of
sedimentary rocks and fossils in reconstructing the earth's history.
Geol 110. Orientation in Geology
(1-0) Cr. R. F. Staff. Orientation to the profession of Geology, the geology
curriculum, and departmental activities. Open to first year Geology majors and transfer
students only.
Geol 201. Geology for Engineers and
Environmental Scientists
(2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Windom. Introduction to Earth materials and processes with emphasis
on engineering and environmental applications.
Geol 290. Independent Study
Cr. 2 to 4 each time taken. Prereq: Permission of instructor.
Geol 298. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201, 100L, 102, 102L, and permission of the
department cooperative education coordinator; sophomore classification. Required of all
cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing
the work period.
Geol 302. Summer Field Studies
Cr. 6 to 8. SS. Prereq: 102, 356, 368. Vondra, Rankey. Aerial mapping; structural,
stratigraphic, and geomorphologic analyses. Written reports with appropriate illustrations
required. A 6-week summer field course required of all geology majors. Students who enroll
for the 8 credit option must participate in a two week excursion to selected regions of
the western U.S. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 304I. Regional Geology of Northwest Iowa
(Same as Ia LL 304I.)
See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.
Geol 305. Computer Methods in Geology
(2-4) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 100 or 201. Jacobson. Use of the microcomputer to solve
graphical and computational problems in geology. Includes AutoCAD, spreadsheet, and
graphical applications. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 306. Geology Field Trip
Cr. 2 each time taken. F.S.SS. May be taken more than once. Prereq: 100 or 201,
permission of instructor. Staff. Geology of selected regions studied by correlated
readings followed by a field trip to points of geologic interest. Ten-day field trip
required.
Geol 311. Mineralogy and Earth Materials
(A: 3-6 or B: 2-6) Cr. 4 or 5. S. Prereq: 100 or 201, 305, Chem 163. Spry, Windom.
Introduction to mineral classification, elementary crystal chemistry, crystal morphology,
mineral stability, and associations. Laboratory problems in mineral identification
methods, including hand-specimen identification and x-ray diffraction. 311A includes more
in-depth treatment of crystallography and optical properties of minerals. 311B emphasizes
mineral associations, stability of minerals in the weathering environment, and
environmental mineralogy. Students in the traditional geology option and in earth science
should enroll in 311A. Students in the environmental geology/hydrogeology option should
enroll in 311B. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 356. Structural Geology
(2-4) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 100 or 201, 305; Phys 111 or 221 (preferred), Math 165 or 181.
Jacobson. Principles of stress and strain. Brittle and ductile behavior of rocks.
Description and classification of joints, faults, folds, fractures, foliation, and
lineation. Plate tectonics and regional geology. Laboratory includes application of
geometrical techniques to solve structural problems; emphasizes map interpretation and use
of stereonet and computer methods. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 365. Petrology
(3-4) Cr. 5. F. Prereq: 311. Staff. Nature and origin of igneous, metamorphic, and
sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on important rock-forming environments and processes and their
influence on rock characteristics. Laboratory includes thin section study of rock textures
and mineralogy and the interpretation of these features. Field trips. Nonmajor graduate
credit.
Geol 368. Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
(3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 311. Rankey. Origin of sedimentary rocks and the
characteristics of major depositional systems, geologic time, stratigraphic nomenclature,
methods of correlation, facies and facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy, sedimentary
tectonics and basin analysis. Required field and laboratory-based problem with a
comprehensive written report. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 398. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201, 100L, 102, 102L, and permission of the
department cooperative education coordinator; junior classification. Required of all
cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing
each work period.
Geol 402. Watershed Hydrology and
Surficial Processes (Same as Agron 402, EnSci 402, For 402.)
(3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in EnSci 330 or Geol 100 or 201, Phys 111, 3
credits in biology and 6 credits in chemistry. Burras, Simpkins. Examination of watersheds
as systems wherein biological and physical factors control hydrology, soil formation, and
nutrient transport. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation of watershed-scale
processes. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 403. Environmental Biogeochemistry (Same as
Bot 403, EnSci 403.)
(3-2) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: EnSci 330 or permission of instructor. Raich. Biological,
chemical, and physical phenomena controlling material, energy, and elemental fluxes in the
environment. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 411. Hydrogeology (Dual-listed with 511;
same as EnSci 411.)
(3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 100 or 201, Math 165 or 181; Phys 111 or 221. Simpkins. Physical
principles of groundwater flow, nature and origin of aquifers and confining units, well
hydraulics, and groundwater geochemistry. Introduction to groundwater flow modeling. Lab
emphasizes applied field and laboratory methods for hydrogeological investigations.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 412. Paleontology
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 102. Staff. Interrelationships of biologic
and geologic systems. Nature of the fossilization process; characteristics of fossils;
uses of fossil remains in determining paleoecology, paleogeography, and broad trends in
evolution. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 422. Environmental Geochemistry (Dual-listed
with 522; same as EnSci 422.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 402 or 411 or equivalent, Chem 163 or equivalent background in
chemistry. Staff. Geochemistry of natural waters, including inorganic and organic
constituents and water-rock interactions. Interpretation of water quality data.
Geochemical equilibrium modeling and introduction to kinetics. Laboratory emphasizes
chemical analysis of waters and computer modeling. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 434. Contaminant Hydrogeology (Dual-listed
with 534; same as EnSci 434.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 411 and 422 or their equivalents. Staff. Brief review of organic
and inorganic contaminants in industrial and agricultural settings. Process-oriented
approach to abiotic and biological fate and transport of contaminants. Investigation of
coupled processes (diffusion, advection, dispersion, sorption, and biodegradation) using
computer models. Groundwater remediation strategies. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 451. Applied and Environmental Geophysics
(Dual-listed with 551.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 100 or 201, Math 165 or equivalent experience. Beresnev. Seismic,
gravity, magnetic, resistivity, electromagnetic, and ground-penetrating radar techniques
for shallow subsurface investigations and imaging. Data interpretation methods. Lab
emphasizes computer interpretation packages. Field work with seismic - and
resistivity-imaging systems. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 474. Glacial and Quaternary Geology (Dual-listed
with 574.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 100 or 201 or equivalent experience. Iverson,
Simpkins. The study of the depositional and erosional processes of glaciers using modern
glacier analogs and landforms. Discussion of glaciology, glacier hydrology, Quaternary
history and stratigraphy, paleoclimatology, and causes of glaciation. Laboratory
emphasizes aerial photo and topographic map interpretation and the Quaternary stratigraphy
of Iowa. Two required field trips. Nonmajor graduate credit.
Geol 475. Surficial Processes (Dual-listed with
575, same as EnSci 475.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 100 or 201 or equivalent experience. Iverson. Study of surficial
processes in modern and ancient geological environments. Topics include weathering,
sediment transport, and landform genesis with emphasis on fluvial, glacial, hillslope,
eolian, and coastal processes. Applications to engineering and environmental problems.
Laboratory emphasizes aerial photo and topographic map interpretation. Nonmajor graduate
credit.
Geol 481. Earth Resources and the Environment
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: 365. Spry. Review of major processes which
concentrate economically important materials in the earth. Nature and origin of metallic
and non-metallic ore deposits, petroleum, and coal. Environmental effects of the
production and use of mineral resources, including discussions of acid-mine drainage.
Laboratory emphasizes the study of economic minerals from metallic deposits. Nonmajor
graduate credit.
Geol 490. Independent Study
Cr. 2 to 4 each time taken. Prereq: 6 credits in geology and permission of instructor.
No more than 9 credits of Geol 490 may be counted toward graduation.
Geol 498. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Geol 100 or 201, 100L, 102, 102L, and permission of the
department cooperative education coordinator; senior classification. Required of all
cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing
each work period.
Courses Primarily for Graduate
Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
Geol 505. Geology of Mineral Resources
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: Geol 365. Spry. Survey of the occurrence
and the origin of major ore deposits and mineral resources and the effects of mining on
the environment.
Geol 506. Geology Field Trip
Cr. 2 each time taken. May be taken more than once. F.S. Prereq: Graduate
classification. Staff. Geology of selected regions studied by correlated readings,
followed by a field trip to points of geologic interest. Ten-day field trip. Required of
all students in graduate degree programs.
Geol 507. Mineral Resources Field Trip
Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Geol 365. On-site inspection of various coal and ore deposits,
mining operations, and mineral processing plants. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading
basis only.
Geol 510. Field Methods in Hydrogeology
(0-4) Cr. 2. Alt. SS., offered 2003. Simpkins. Prereq: 411 or 511 or C E 473 or 573.
Introduction to field methods used in groundwater investigations. In-field implementation
of pumping tests, slug tests, monitoring well installation and drilling techniques,
geochemical and water quality sampling, seepage meters, minipiezometers, stream gaging,
electronic instrumentation for data collection, and geophysics. Local field trips to
investigate water resource, water quality, and remediation projects. Karst hydrology field
trip to the Big Spring Basin in Northeast Iowa.
Geol 511. Hydrogeology (Dual-listed with 411.)
(3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 100 or 201, Math 165 or 181; Phys 111 or 221. Simpkins. Physical
principles of groundwater flow, nature and origin of aquifers and confining units, well
hydraulics, and groundwater geochemistry. Introduction to groundwater flow modeling. Lab
emphasizes applied field and laboratory methods for hydrogeological investigations.
Geol 522. Environmental Geochemistry (Dual-listed
with 422.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 511 or equivalent, Chem 163 or equivalent background in chemistry.
Staff. Geochemistry of natural waters, including inorganic and organic constituents and
water-rock interactions. Interpretation of water quality data. Geochemical equilibrium
modeling and introduction to kinetics. Laboratory emphasizes chemical analysis of waters
and computer modeling.
Geol 534. Contaminant Hydrogeology (Dual-listed
with 434.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 511 and 522 or their equivalents. Staff. Brief review of organic
and inorganic contaminants in industrial and agricultural settings. Geochemical
interactions with porous media. Process-oriented approach to abiotic and biological fate
and transport of contaminants. Investigation of coupled processes (diffusion, advection,
dispersion, sorption, and biodegradation) using computer models. Groundwater remediation
strategies.
Geol 541. Geochemistry and Mineral Chemistry
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 311, physical chemistry recommended.
Windom. Thermodynamics and kinetic methods for interpreting geochemical processes and
environments, particularly those at elevated temperature and pressure. Emphasis on crystal
chemistry, chemical bonding, phase relations in binary and ternary systems, and
hydrothermal systems.
Geol 542. Optical Mineralogy
(1-2) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 311. Spry. Introduction to using the microscope for mineral
identification. Optical properties of minerals in immersion oils and in thin section.
Research project required.
Geol 543. Microanalysis of Geologic Materials
(1-3) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 541 and permission of instructor. Staff. Theory and operation
of the electron microprobe with emphasis on the analysis of geologic materials. Sample
preparation, data acquisition and data correction schemes utilizing both energy dispersive
and wavelength dispersive x-ray detection systems. Class size strictly limited to 12.
Geol 550. Advanced Structural Geology
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 356. Jacobson. Principles of stress and
strain; folding, faulting, development of schistosity and lineation; deformation
mechanisms and flow laws; development and tectonic implications of crystallographic
preferred orientations. Lab includes descriptive geometry, use of the stereonet, and
computer applications.
Geol 551. Applied and Environmental Geophysics
(Dual-listed with 451.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 100 or 201, Math 165 or equivalent experience. Beresnev. Seismic,
gravity, magnetic, resistivity, electromagnetic, and ground-penetrating radar techniques
for shallow subsurface investigations and imaging. Data interpretation methods. Lab
emphasizes computer interpretation packages. Field work with seismic-and
resistivity-imaging systems.
Geol 553. Computer Mapping
(2-4) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: Geol 305. Jacobson. Preparation of digital
geologic maps, contour maps, and related drawings using AutoCAD and GIS software. Includes
the techniques for plotting and analyzing spatial data associated with maps.
Geol 555. Soil Clay Mineralogy (Same as Agron
555.)
See Agronomy.
Geol 555L. Soil Clay Mineralogy Laboratory (Same
as Agron 555L.)
See Agronomy.
Geol 562. Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
(3-3) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: 365. Windom, Jacobson. Origin and
evolution of crystalline rocks. Nature of crustal and mantle magma source regions;
chemical and physical changes accompanying crystallization; heterogeneous phase
equilibria; mineral assemblages and textures of contact, dynamic, and regionally
metamorphosed rocks; processes of recrystallization and deformation; regional patterns of
metamorphic belts. Laboratory involves microscopic examination of crystalline rocks in
thin section and computer applications.
Geol 571. Principles of Stratigraphy
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 412. Rankey. Basic concepts in
stratigraphy, stratigraphic subdivision and nomenclature, correlation, facies and facies
analysis, sedimentary tectonics, and basin analysis.
Geol 574. Glacial and Quaternary Geology
(Dual-listed with 474.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 100 or 201. Iverson, Simpkins. The study of
the depositional and erosional processes of glaciers using modern glacier analogs and
landforms. Discussion of glaciology, glacier hydrology, Quaternary history and
stratigraphy, paleoclimatology, and causes of glaciation. Laboratory emphasizes aerial
photo and topographic map interpretation and the Quaternary stratigraphy of Iowa. Two
required field trips.
Geol 575. Surficial Processes (Dual-listed with
475.)
(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 100 or 201 or equivalent experience. Study of surficial processes
in modern and ancient geological environments. Topics include weathering, sediment
transport, and landform genesis with emphasis on fluvial, glacial, hillslope, eolian, and
coastal processes. Applications to engineering and environmental problems. Laboratory
emphasizes aerial photo and topographic map interpretation.
Geol 576. Advanced Sedimentation
(2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 368, 571. Rankey. Interpretation of
clastic and chemical sediments to infer processes, environments, and the tectonic settings
in which they were formed. Survey of the origin of recent and ancient chemical sedimentary
rocks, including carbonates and evaporites. Field trips.
Geol 582. Economic Geology
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 365. Spry. Major processes which
concentrate economically important materials in the earth, particularly the nature and
origin of metallic ore deposits. Geochemical conditions of ore formation using stable
isotopes, fluid inclusions, and sulfide stability studies. Laboratory emphasizes the study
of economic minerals from metallic deposits.
Geol 590. Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. Prereq: Permission of instructor
A. Surficial Processes
B. Stratigraphy
C. Sedimentation
D. Paleontology
E. Petrology
F. Structural Geology
G. Geochemistry
H. Hydrogeology
I. Earth Science
J. Mineral Resources
K. Geophysics
L. Mineralogy
M. Tectonics
Geol 595. Graduate Seminar
Cr. R. F.S. Prereq: Senior or graduate classification. Weekly seminar on topics of
current research interest. All students seeking a graduate degree in geology must enroll
during each semester of residence. Students pursuing a non-thesis option for the M.S. in
Earth Science must enroll for one semester.
Geol 599. Creative Component
Cr. var.
Courses for Graduate Students
Geol 610. Advanced Seminar
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Graduate standing and permission of
instructor.
A. Earth Materials
B. Economic Geology
C. Environmental Geochemistry
D. Geophysics
E. Geotectonics
F. Hydrogeology
G. Surficial Processes
H. Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
Geol 699. Research
Cr. var.
A. Surficial Processes
B. Stratigraphy
C. Sedimentation
D. Paleontology
E. Petrology
F. Structural Geology
G. Geochemistry
H. Hydrogeology
I. Earth Science
J. Mineral Resources
K. Geophysics
L. Mineralogy
M. Tectonics
