This is an ongoing research seminar for Geoscience majors. It also discusses, in depth, the processes that generate and are recorded by mineral associations and their relationship to plate tectonics. Laboratory studies are designed to clarify and elaborate important concepts and analytical techniques related to the recognition and interpretation of individual minerals, their structure and composition as well as their association within the Earth. Laboratories are devoted to learning a variety of microscopic techniques in order to identify mineral samples using light-transmitting properties. 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.