Below are listings for undergraduate and graduate courses offered through Geology. The authoritative source for course information is the Marshall University Catalog.
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- 100 Level Geology Courses
- 200 Level Geology Courses
- 300 Level Geology Courses
- 400 Level Geology Courses
- 500 Level Geology Courses
- 600 Level Geology Courses
100 Level Geology Courses
GLY 100 – Geologic Hazards and Resources
Introductory course for non-science majors focusing on (i) Earth Hazards; causes and mitigation; (ii) Climate change and its impacts; and (iii) Earth and energy resources; their origin, development, and environmental impacts.
3 Credit Hours
GLY 150 Introductory Oceanography
Origin of the seas and ocean basins. Processes of marine sedimentation and seawater chemistry. Dynamics of air/sea interaction, circulation, waves and tides. Description of coastal and other marine environments. 3 lecture (CR: GLY 150L)
3 Credit Hours
GLY 150L – Introductory Oceanography Laboratory
A complementary laboratory to Introductory Oceanography, GLY 150. A series of exercises relating to bathymetry, acoustic profiling, marine charts, properties of seawater, sea floor sediments, currents, waves and tides. (PR or CR: GLY 150)
1 Credit Hours
200 Level Geology Courses
GLY 200 – Dynamic Earth
An elementary but comprehensive physical geology course that deals with the earth’s origin, composition, structures, tectonics and processes. Intended primarily for, but not limited to, the science major. 3 lecture. Recommended follow-up courses are Geology 201 and 211L.
3 Credit Hours
GLY 201 – Historical Geology
Chronological history and development of the earth, sequence of the geologic ages and rock formations, development and evolution of life as revealed by fossils. (PR: GLY 110 or 200))
3 Credit Hours
GLY 210L – Earth Materials Laboratory
An introduction to laboratory and materials as applied to the identification, classification, recovery and uses of earth resources. 2 lab. (CR: GLY 110 or 200)
1 Credit Hours
GLY 211L – Historical Geology Laboratory
Reconstruction of events in earth history based on physical characteristics and arrangement of rock layers and their fossil content. 2 hr. lab. (PR: 210L; CR: GLY 201)
1 Credit Hours
GLY 212 – Introduction to Field Methods
An introduction to geologic map interpretation, qualitative and quantitative methods of geologic map and cross-section preparation, and basic ArcGIS mapping methods. 2 lecture-1 lab. (Field work). (PR: GLY 110; GLY 200 or 201; and GLY 210L or 211L). Required of majors)
3 Credit Hours
GLY 280-283 – Special Topics
1-4 Credit Hours
300 Level Geology Courses
GLY 313 – Structural Geology
Analysis, classification and origin of depositional and deformational structures common to all classes of rocks, their structural history, relationships, and stresses which caused them. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 200; GLY 212, or consent).
4 Credit Hours
GLY 314 – Mineralogy
Identification, classification, origin, occurrences, and economic uses of minerals and their crystallographic forms. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 100 or 200, CHM 211, or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 320L – Geology Lab Techniques
Techniques of collection, preparation, and analysis of mineral, rock, and water samples and the use of different instruments for obtaining quality data. Will also cover tools used for data interpretation. (CR/PR: GLY100 or GLY 200; GLY210L)
2 Credit Hours
GLY 325 – Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
Formation, organization, sequence, and correlation of sedimentary rocks; study of the origin, transportation and deposition of rock-forming sediments. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 201, 211L)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 330 – Tectonics
Overview of tectonic processes at plate boundaries, orogenic systems, formation of continents and ocean basins, and tectonic analytical methods. (PR: GLY 110 or 200, FLY 201, FLY 210L, and GLY 211L)
3 Credit Hours
400 Level Geology Courses
GLY 418 – Invertebrate Paleontology
Taxonomy, morphology, and paleoecology of body and trace fossils representing the major invertebrate phyla; analysis and interpretation of faunal assemblages; evolution and extinction of species. (PR: GLY 201, 211L)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 420 – Geochemistry
Application of chemical principles to geology. Topics include cosmochemistry; distribution of elements in minerals and rocks; aqueous solutions and water-rock interaction; radiometric age dating; and stable isotope geology. (CR/PR: GLY 314; CHM 211; or consent)
3 Credit Hours
GLY 421 – Petrology
Identification and classification of igneous, and metamorphic rocks, their origin and occurrence; their geologic and economic importance. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 314 or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 423 – Sedimentary Petrography
Megascopic and microscopic identification and a depositional and post depositional interpretation of the sedimentary rocks. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 201)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 426 – Geophysics
Development of seismic, gravity, magnetism, electrical and thermal methods of studying the structure and dynamics of the earth. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 210L; PHY 201, MTH 229)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 427 – Fossil Fuels
Origin and distribution of coal, oil and gas, and methods of exploration and reserve evaluation. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 313 or permission)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 451 – Geomorphology
Principles of identification and analysis of the world’s surficial features in terms of stratigraphy, structure, processes, tectonics and time. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 110, 200, 210L or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 455 – Hydrogeology
The properties of water, the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on surface and groundwater processes, the uses, needs and problems associated with water resources. 3 lecture. (PR: GLY 110 or 200; MTH 132 or MTH 229; CR: GLY 455L for majors, elective for non-majors)
3 Credit Hours
GLY 455L – Hydrogeology Laboratory
A two-hour laboratory of practical hydrogeologic problem solving. For non-majors, elective. (CR: Geology 455 for majors)
1 Credit Hours
GLY 456 – Environmental Geology
Consideration of risks posed by natural geo-hazards and from physical / chemical contamination of geologic media. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 210L or equivalent; REC: GLY 451)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 457 – Engineering Geology
Consideration of geotechnical problems faced by geologists and engineers. Major topics include mechanics and classification of soil and rock, and geotechnical aspects of groundwater. (PR: GLY 200, GLY 210L; MTH 132 or MTH 229)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 480-483 – Special Topics
1-4 Credit Hours
GLY 485-488 – Independent Study
1-4 Credit Hours
GLY 491-492 – Capstone Experience
An independent study involving a research project or internship; must be approved by geology faculty.
2-4 Credit Hours
500 Level Geology Courses
GLY 518 – Invertebrate Paleontology
Taxonomy, morphology, and paleoecology of body and trace fossils representing the major invertebrate phyla; analysis and interpretation of faunal assemblages; theories on evolution and extinction of species.
4 Credit Hours
GLY 521 – Petrology
Identification and classification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; their origin and occurrence; their geologic and economic
importance. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 200, 314 or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 522 – Economic Geology
Origin, distribution and economics of the metallic and nonmetallic ore deposits. 3 lecture-2 lab. Course taught on a demand basis only. (REC: GLY 201, 314, or equivalent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 523 – Sedimentary Petrography
Megascopic and microscopic identification and a depositional and post-depositional interpretation of the sedimentary rocks. 3 lecture-2 lab (PR: GLY 201 and 314 or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 525 – Geochemistry
Introduction to the principles of geochemistry. The application of chemistry to the study of the Earth and to geologic problems. Laboratory work includes analysis of rocks, soils, and waters. 3 lecture – 2 lab (PR: GLY 200, CHM 211 & 217 or permission)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 526 – Geophysics
Development of seismic, gravity, magnetism, electrical and thermal methods to study the structure and dynamics of the earth. 3 lecture-2 lab. Course taught on a demand basis only. (PR: GLY 200, PHY 201, MTH 229)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 527 – Fossil Fuels
The origin and occurrence of petroleum, coal, and natural gas; the relationships of accumulations to depositional environments and structural history; methods used in exploration, evaluation and recovery. 3 lecture-2 lab. (PR: GLY 313, 325 or consent)
4 Credit Hours
GLY 551 – Principles of Geomorphology
Identification and analysis of the earth’s surficial features in terms of stratigraphy, structure, processes, tectonics, and time. 3 lecture-2 lab.
4 Credit Hours
GLY 555 – Hydrogeology
The properties of water, the hydrologic cycle with emphasis on surface and groundwater processes. The uses, needs and problems associated with water resources. 3 lecture. (PR: GLY 200; CR: GLY 555L for geology majors)
3 Credit Hours
GLY 555L – Hydrogeology Laboratory
A two hour laboratory of practical hydrogeologic problem solving. (PR: GLY 200; CR: GLY 555, required of majors, non-majors elective)
1 Credit Hours
GLY 556 – Environmental Geology
Consideration of risks posed by natural geo-hazards and from physical/chemical contamination of geologic media.
4 Credit Hours
GLY 557 – Engineering Geology
Consideration of geotechnical problems faced by geologists and engineers. Major topics include mechanics and classification of soil and rock, and geotechnical aspects of groundwater.
3 Credit Hours
GLY 585-588 – Independent Study
1-4 Credit Hours
600 Level Geology Courses
GLY 640 – Physical Aspects of Geology
1-4 Credit Hours
GLY 641 – Biological Aspects of Geology
1-4 Credit Hours
GLY 642 – Chemical Aspects of Geology
1-4 Credit Hours
GLY 681 – Thesis
1-6 Credit Hours