An introduction to the physical and biological development of the Earth from its cosmic beginning to the present, with emphasis on reconstruction sedimentary environments, tectonic processes, and life forms represented in selected regions of North America. Topics covered include families of rocks, principles and concepts of geologic time, origin and interpretation of sedimentary rocks, evolution, plate tectonics, origin of the solar system, and a survey of Earth History through time. GEOL 3010 - Environmental Geology . The physical, chemical, geological, and biological characteristics of the ocean and the interactions between the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. An introduction to mineral and rock identifications, and the study of the genesis, occurrence, and uses of common minerals and rocks.
Laboratory consists of identification of common rocks and minerals.
GEOL 3101 - Mineralogy . GEOL 3102 - Petrology and Petrography . Genesis classification, and properties of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Laboratory includes the use of analytical methods, hand specimens, thin-section study with the petrographic microscope, and the megascopic and microscopic properties of important rock types. GEOL 3200 - History of Life .