Special topics include plate tectonics, mineral chemistry, the rock cycle, sedimentary processes, metamorphism and geological map reading. The origin and history of the earth as seen in the rocks and their contained life record. GY 305 Geophysics 4 cr Application of classical physics to the study of the earth and the solution of problems in the earth sciences, including analysis of geomagnetics, the earth's gravitational field, and seismic analysis. A spatial perspective on major global environmental problems. A geological applications course designed to familiarize students with techniques used by environmental and engineering geologists in their studies of land use, land development and assessment of geological hazards.
Material is illustrated with case studies from the Mobile area.
GY 332 Introduction to Remote Sensing 4 cr Introduction to the theory and use of remotely sensed data for analysis of earth-surface phenomena. 341 Crystallography 4 cr Introduction to elementary crystallography, crystal chemistry, and atomic structure of minerals. Geologic data will be analyzed using various microcomputer-oriented statistical and graphics packages. 4 cr Identification of common rock-forming minerals and important ore minerals. Includes introduction to determinative techniques involving basic qualitative chemical test.