Emphasis is on the distribution, evolution and extinction of major groups. Laboratories primarily deal with the classification of significant invertebrate fossil groups. Laboratories are devoted to studies of the contained flora, fauna, and principles of correlation. This course is designed to give students an in-depth knowledge of the origin of major landforms. A detailed study will be made of the physiographic provinces of the United Sates to illustrate their history, geological structures and landform evolution.
Laboratories are devoted to landform interpretation from topographic maps and aerial photographs.
It also focuses on training to develop improved techniques in the observation, description and interpretation of geological features in the field, including the use of appropriate equipment and technology. This course examines the formation and evolution of the ocean basins and adjacent coastlines. Further the geologic processes that formed the features of ocean basins, beaches, and coastlines are examined in light of the theories currently developed to explain the evolution of planet Earth. A continuation of Geoscience 340 with emphasis on aquifer hydraulics including principles of groundwater flow, geology of groundwater occurrence, regional groundwater flow, well hydraulics, groundwater quality and groundwater contamination, field methods and groundwater modeling techniques. Regulatory applications to groundwater will also be studied.