FACULTY     DEGREE OPTIONS     COURSES     CAREERS     FIELD TRIPS

For their Environmental Geology final project, Kevin Spradley and Robert Fowler (pointing) discuss potential sanitary landfill sites in southern Pope County using criteria covered earlier in the course.

Current ATU Course Catalog

GEOLOGY COURSES OUTLINE SCHEDULE

Besides regular courses, some geology students elect to work on an individual research project (GEOL 4991-2, Special Problems in Geology). Some projects that have been done recently include two students who did geological evaluations of two different sites for coal mining permit applications, two students who analyzed steep slopes for bedrock stability, and two students who worked on a project to evaluate problems with certain aggregate stone in Arkansas.

• GEOL 1004 Essentials of Earth Science

An introduction to the fundamental topics of earth science including physical and historical geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Laboratory exercises include the study of minerals, rocks, fossils, topographic and geologic maps, and oceanographic and meteorological phenomena. Laboratory work will stress the use of the scientific method of problem solving. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $10 laboratory fee. Duplicate credit for GEOL 1004 and GEOL 1014 will not be allowed. Elementary education majors who take both the GEOL 1004 and GEOL 1014 will receive credit for GEOL 1004 only. All other majors who take both GEOL 1004 and GEOL 1014 will receive credit for only GEOL 1014 unless student has selected option (b) for completing the science area of the General Education requirements.
 
• GEOL 1014 Physical Geology

Each semester. A survey of the earth's features and forces which modify its surface and interior. Laboratory exercises include the study of minerals, rocks, and landforms through the use of topographic maps and aerial photography. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $10 laboratory fee. Duplicate credit for GEOL 1014 and GEOL 1004 will not be allowed. Elementary education majors who take both the GEOL 1014 and GEOL 1004 will receive credit for GEOL 1004 only. All other majors who take both GEOL 1004 and GEOL 1014 will receive credit for only GEOL 1014 unless student has selected option (b) for completing the science area of the General Education requirements.
 
• GEOL 2001 Seminar

(See GEOL 3001.)
 
• GEOL 2024 Historical Geology

Spring. Prerequisite: GEOL 1014. A survey of the physical and biological history of the earth. Laboratory exercises include the study of fossils, geologic maps, and cross-sections. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL(BIOL, CHEM) 2111

Environmental Seminar. (See GEOL 4111).
 
• GEOL 3001 Seminar

Fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014 and 2001. Participants will prepare oral and written reports and participate in discussions of the reports. Topics for the seminar will be determined by the instructors but will be subjects which are beyond the scope of other geology courses.
 
• GEOL 3004 Structural Geology

Fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 2024, and MATH 1203 or 1913. A study and analysis of the structural features of the earth's crust. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 3014 Mineralogy

Fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 2024; CHEM 1114 or 2124. A study of crystallography, physical and chemical properties, origin, occurrence, and structure theory of minerals. Lecture two hours, laboratory four hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 3023 Geologic Field Techniques

Fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 2024 and 3004. Interpretation of aerial photographs; mensuration techniques using the Brunton compass, hand level, and Jacob's staff, measurement and description of stratigraphic sections; construction of and geologic maps; collecting, sampling, and collation procedures. Lecture-laboratory four hours. $5 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 3044 Geomorphology

Fall. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 2024, 3004, and 3164. A study of land forms and the processes which shape the earth's surface. Special emphasis will be placed on slope-forming and fluival processes. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 3053 Geology of Energy and Metallic Resources

Upon demand. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 3014, and 3164. A study of the principal earth materials essential to local and national economies. Location, genesis, methods of extraction, and primary utilization and conservation are emphasized. Lecture three hours.
 
• GEOL 3083 Hydrogeology

Prerequisites: MATH 1113 and GEOL 1014 or permission of the instructor. The earth's hydrologic system is studied in terms of both empirical and quantitative aspects of the steady-state condition of groundwater and its interaction with surface water, as well as transient behavior from the influence of wells. Basic water chemistry is also covered along with transport and fate of pollutants in groundwater. Lecture 3 hours.
 
• GEOL(BIOL, CHEM) 3111 Environmental Seminar

(See GEOL 4111.)
 
• GEOL 3124 Invertebrate Paleontology

Spring. Prerequisite: GEOL 2024. A systematic study of invertebrate fossils and their geologic significance. Lecture-laboratory six hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 3153 Environmental Geology

Prerequisite: GEOL 1014. A study of the geological factors which influence the pollution of land, water, and biological resources; the role of rock and soil in the geobiological community; hydrology; land-sliding and faulting in the human environment, natural resource problems; urban and land-use planning based on geological data. Lecture three hours.
 
• GEOL 3164 Petrology

Spring. Prerequisite: GEOL 3014. A study of the classification, origin, geologic occurrence, physical and chemical properties of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $20 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 4001 Seminar

(See GEOL 3001).
 
• GEOL 4006 Field Geology

Each summer by arrangement. Prerequisites: GEOL 1014, 2024, 3004, 3014, 3023, 3124, and 3164. A six-week course of instruction in the use of geologic mapping instruments, interpretation of aerial photographs and their use in the construction of geologic maps, development of techniques necessary in geologic field work, and recognition and interpretation of geologic phenomena. $5 laboratory fee. The course is offered in cooperation with the University of Arkansas and will be taught in the Dillon, Montana region. The fee for room and board is approximately $1,200; cost of tuition and transportation is not included in this amount.
 
• GEOL 4013 Optical Mineralogy

On demand. Prerequisites: PHYS 2024, GEOL 3014, 3164. A study of minerals in thin sections with the petrographic microscope. Lecture-laboratory four hours. $10 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL 4023 Principles of Stratigraphy and Sedimentation

Spring. Prerequisites: GEOL 3124 and 3164. A study of sedimentary rocks and their stratigraphic relationships. Lecture three hours.
 
• GEOL 4034 Subsurface Geology

Upon demand. Prerequisites: GEOL 3004, 3164, 4023, MATH 1113, PHYS 2014, 2024. A study of analytic procedures in selected topics in geophysics, well-logging, and subsurface geological relationships. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours. $10 laboratory fee.
 
• GEOL(BIOL, CHEM) 4111 Environmental Seminar

Spring. A seminar for students pursuing the environmental option of geology, biology, or chemistry and other students interested in environmental sciences.
 
• GEOL 4991-2. Special Problems in Geology
  Upon demand. Open to geology majors with the approval of the department head.