Syracuse University

Department of Earth Sciences

Undergraduate Handbook

GOL 101 Introduction to Geology (4)

Chemical, physical, and biological processes and principles affecting the history and development of the Earth. (Students cannot receive credit for more than one of the following: GOL 101, GOL 203, GOL 105.) GOL 101 is the traditional starting course for anyone contemplating a Major or Minor in Earth Sciences. If your interest is in global environmental studies, you may want to consider GOL 203 as an alternative.

GOL 102 History of Earth and Life (3)

Physical and biological history of the Earth. Prereq: GOL 101 or GOL 203. Required of majors.

GOL 203 Earth Science Systems (3)

An integrated view of Earth's systems (lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere) and the scientific evidence for environmental issues including global warming and ozone depletion. Climate change over geologic time as background to future global change. (Students cannot receive credit for more than one of the following: GOL 101, GOL 203, GOL 105.)

GOL 105 Earth Science (3)

Integrated approach to the study of the solid Earth, continental surfaces, atmosphere, and oceans. (Students cannot receive credit for more than one of the following: GOL 101, GOL 203, GOL 105.) Not normally for majors. If you took this as your first course and then decided to major, you should make it approximately equivalent to GOL 101 by later taking GOL 290 (the GOL 101 Lab, as Independent Study).

GOL 106 Environmental Geology (3)

Geologic systems as affected by human manipulation of and intrusion into the geologic environment.

GOL 243 Environmental Geology Laboratory (1)

Topographic maps, rock identification, stratigraphic interpretation, hydraulic head measurements, field geochemistry. One weekend short course in field methods, followed by independent project and presentation of results. Prereq: GOL 242.

GOL 309 Honors Tutorial in Geology (1-6)

Selected topics under guidance of senior staff members. Open only to students in the Honors Program. Prereq: junior standing.

GOL 314 Mineralogy (4)

Composition, crystal chemistry, and occurrence of common rock-forming minerals. Mineral assemblages, composition, and genesis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Prereq: GOL 101 or 105. Coreq: CHE 106/116. This is a fundamental course for students in the Earth Sciences, that should be taken as early as possible.

GOL 325 Introduction to Paleobiology (3)

Patterns and processes of evolution as expressed in the fossil record. Paleoecology, taxonomy, and evolutionary history of major ancient invertebrate phyla. Students may not receive credit for GOL 325 if they have already received credit for GOL 525 or 625. Prereq: GOL 101 and 102, or permission of instructor.

GOL 333 Structural Geology (3)

Concepts of structural analysis of rocks, stress and strain, rock deformation mechanisms, geologic structures, their properties and how they are formed. Three lectures and one laboratory a week, field trips including some weekends. Pre-rereq: GOL 101.

GOL 342/542 Geomorphology (3)

Landscape formation and evolution as a function of hydrogeologic, glacial, eolian, and tectonic processes acting on Earth materials. Prereq: GOL 101 or 242, or permission of instructor. Undergraduates would normally register under the GOL 342 number.

GOL 345/545 Global Change: The Geologic Record (3)

Scientific evidence for anthropogenically induced environmental changes, including global warming and its potential future impacts. Analysis of the near geologic record for evidence of prehistoric natural changes in the global environment and implications for future change. Undergraduates would normally register under the GOL 345 number.

GOL 117 Oceanography (3)

A comprehensive introduction to the geology, physics, chemistry, and biology of the world ocean and its impact on global climate and environmental concerns. Prereq: GOL 101 or 203.

GOL 409 Honors in Geology (1-6)

Special investigative work to introduce methods and techniques of research. Open only to seniors and students with 3.0 or higher GPA. Candidates for Honors in Earth Sciences must complete a satisfactory thesis and pass a comprehensive oral examination on geology and the thesis. Prereq: permission of the Department.

GOL 418 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3)

Applications of empirical high-temperature experimental data to origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Role of volatiles. Thermal and volumetric relations in magmas. High P-T aqueous solutions and crystals. Phase rule and equilibrium. Prereq: GOL 315.

GOL 431/631 Plate Tectonics (3)

Tectonic development of the Earth; definition of plates, their boundaries, motions, and driving forces. Analysis and modeling of plate motions. Prereq: GOL 333. Undergraduates register under the GOL 431 number.

GOL 435/645 Geophysics (3)

Fundamental geophysical parameters; seismology and Earth structure; gravity and magnetic fields, with application of potential theory; terrestrial rotation and shape; heat flow, thermal state, and evolution of the Earth. Undergraduates register under the GOL 435 number.

GOL 477 Geochemistry (3)

Chemistry of Earth processes, including basic thermodynamics, solution chemistry, isotopic chemistry, and kinetics; magmatic crystallization, isotope fractionation, formation of carbonate and evaporite sediment, ion exchange in clays, and cosmochemistry. Prereq: GOL 314; CHE 107/117.

GOL 470 Experience credit: Field Geology

See section: Geology Field Experience.

GOL 490 Independent Study (1-3)

Individual project developed and carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.

GOL 495 Marine Geology (3)

Geology of modern oceans, including physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic controls. History, techniques, structure of ocean basins, geology of continental margins, marine sediments, coastal zones, paleoceanography, and global change. Prereq: GOL 333, 395, 517, or permission of instructor.

GOL 510 Paleolimnology (3)

The record of environmental change contained within lake sediments. Basic background in limnology followed by field/laboratory research projects and presentations. Prereq: Upper division undergraduate science major.

GOL 517 Sedimentary Processes and Systems (3)

Ancient sedimentary rocks and their modern analogs. Physical and chemical aspects of sedimentation and diagenesis. Prereq: GOL 101-102.

GOL 521 Stratigraphy (3)

Basic principles governing the interpretation, correlation, classification, and naming of stratigraphic units. Physical stratigraphy. Prereq: GOL 325, 517, or 525.

GOL 525 Principles of Paleobiology (3)

Paleoecology, relative growth, taxonomy, and evolution. Prereq/coreq: GOL 102.

GOL 541 Hydrogeology (3)

Fundamentals of groundwater hydraulics. Aquifer flow-system analysis and evaluation. Groundwater--surface-water relationships. Groundwater chemistry. Prereq: GOL 101 or 242 or permission of instructor.

GOL 543 Glacial Geology (3)

Glaciers, glacial landforms and stratigraphy, history of glaciation and climate change for the last 2.4 million yrs of Earth history. Prereq: GOL 101 or 242 or permission of instructor.

GOL 544 Quaternary Environmental and Climate Change (3)

Proxy records from marine, lacustrine, glacial, and terrestrial environments for climate and environmental change during the Quaternary. Comparison with numerical models of the atmosphere and oceans. Discussion of current literature and the potential for future global change. Prereq: GOL 542 or glacial geology or permission of instructor.

GOL 555 Environmental Geophysics (3)

Comprehensive introduction to the geophysical methods used for exploring the shallow subsurface, and their application to problems in environmental geology. Prereq: PHY 211-212 or equivalent; MAT 295-296.

modified by Chris Scholz and Stephania Arnold on 11/12/07

modified by Paul Fitzgerald on 11/19/07

web page updated by MMC on 11/20/07