Topics chosen to reflect interest in specific areas or to address current topics not covered in traditional courses. It includes recent discoveries in geophysics, oceanography and astronomy along with interpretation of data and graphic analysis. Examines the formation of different types of minerals, past and present mineral extraction methods, and impact of resources on past and present civilizations. The major geologic cycles and processes operating on the earth, geologic formations, earth history, earth's materials, and the interrelationships of geologic processes with man's activities. Study of land forms and physical processes affecting their development.
Lab includes interpretation of topographic maps and aerial photos.
Origin, recognition, and interpretation of earth's primary and secondary structures with application to earth history, exploration and development of mineral resources. Laboratory includes projections, analysis of structural contours, cross sections, block diagrams and graphical solutions to structural problems. Survey of sediments including origins, classification, transportation, deposition, composition, structures, and diagenesis. Grain size, morphology, mineralogy, structures, and field practicum will be included in lab instruction. Crystallography including external form and internal order.