160 Introduction to Earth and Sky Sciences--3 hours. A liberal studies foundational course in scientific studies. This course will take students on a scientific expedition to the planet Earth. This course covers a diverse range of topics from the Big Bang to earthquakes, volcanoes, and evolution of life. The course is designed to give students a better understanding of how the Earth works and what methods scientists use to study the planet. Corequisite: enrollment in 160L required. General Education Credits [GE89: A3; GE2000: Scientific and Mathematical Studies-Foundational]

160L Laboratory Studies Earth and Sky--1 hour. One two-hour laboratory per week in Earth and space science that closely parallels the material in 160. Hands-on experiments in geology, astronomy, and oceanography. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in 160. General Education Credits [GE89: A1; GE2000: Scientific and Mathematical Studies-Foundational]

170 Physical Geology--3 hours. Studies of the origin and classification of rocks and minerals, the interior of the Earth, volcanism, diastrophism, basic stratigraphic principles, topographic and geologic maps. General Education Credits [GE89: A3]

270 Historical Geology--3 hours. Physiochemical and biological history of the Earth as interpreted from the rock record. Emphasis on North America. Field trip required. Prerequisite: 170 or equivalent. General Education Credits [GE89: A3; GE2000: Scientific and Mathematical Studies-Elective]

350 Geomorphic Processes--3 hours. Landforms, processes, and interaction of landforms with other physical phenomena, including methods and tools of geomorphology. Prerequisite: 170 or consent of instructor.

361 Oceanography--3 hours. Chemistry and physics of sea water, life of the oceans, circulation of the oceans, marine climate, and marine geology. Prerequisite: two college-level science courses or consent of instructor. General Education Credits [GE89: A3; GE2000: Scientific and Mathematical Studies-Elective]

365 Photogeology--3 hours. Application of image interpretation in geology.  Emphasis is on the role of aerial photographs in geologic mapping, but other types of images such as Landsat, radar, and thermal are discussed.  Prerequisite: 170 or consent of instructor.

380 Mineralogy--3 hours. Study of the major rock forming and economic minerals and the major groups of rocks. Emphasis on hand specimen identification. Prerequisite: 170 or consent of instructor.

381 Geochemistry--3 hours. Fundamentals of high temperature and low temperature geochemistry. Prerequisites: one year of college chemistry and 380, or consent of instructor.

382 Petrology--3 hours. Study of the three rock families, their chemistry, mineral composition, and genesis. Emphasis is placed on hand-specimen identification. Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory weekly. Prerequisite: 380 or consent of instructor.

385 Structural Geology--3 hours. Description, recognition, origin, and economic significance of Earth's crustal structures. Prerequisite: 170.

389 Introduction to Field Geology--1 hour. An introduction to basic geological field techniques. A report will be required. This course is intended to be a primer for 489. Prerequisites: 160 or 170, and 270, 385, and 475 are recommended.

418 Soil Genesis and Classification--3 hours. An analysis of how soils are formed through interactions of climate, vegetation/biotic features, parent material, and slope over time. Classification and distribution of soils are emphasized.  Crosslisted with Geography 418.

452 Quaternary Environments--3 hours. Overview of the origin, regimen, and mechanics of glaciers. Effects of the Pleistocene upon North America. Field trips required. Prerequisite: 170 or consent of instructor.

454 Introduction to Hydrology--3 hours. Study of surface water systems, hydrologic budgets, and hydro-climatology. Emphasis is on techniques and methods used in the collection of hydrologic data. A two-hour lecture and a two-hour laboratory weekly. Field trip and term paper required. Prerequisites: 111 or 160, Mathematics 115, Physics 105; or consent of instructor.

455 Groundwater Hydrology--3 hours. Structure, exploration, availability, and fluid-flow aspects of groundwater. Emphasis is on techniques and methods used in groundwater resource evaluation. Prerequisite: 454 or consent of instructor.

457 Environmental Geology--3 hours. An examination of the nature and management of geological processes and of the interaction between physical and human environments. Includes two half-day field trips. Prerequisite: any introductory-level geology or geography course.

470 Principles of Paleontology--3 hours. Morphology and geologic significance of the most important invertebrate phyla. Field trip required. Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour laboratory weekly. Prerequisite: 270.

475 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation--3 hours. Physical basis of stratigraphy and sedimentation, including processes, environments of deposition, character, relationship, distribution, and origin of sedimentary rocks.

480 Optical Mineralogy--3 hours. Physics of light and its interaction with crystalline materials. Identification of geologic materials by optical methods. One hour of lecture and four hours of laboratory weekly. Prerequisite: 380.

482 Volcanology--3 hours. Process oriented discussions of the spectrum of volcanic phenomena. Prerequisites: 160 or 170, 382, or consent of instructor.

483 Economic Geology--3 hours. Composition, structure, occurrence, and origin of the more important economic deposits, including metallics, nonmetallics, and mineral fuel. Field trip required. Prerequisite: 380 or equivalent.

486 Geophysics--3 hours. Physical properties and history of the Earth, dynamics of our planet, and devices for obtaining information. Field work included. Prerequisite: 270.

488 Computer Methods in Geology--3 hours. The use of computers and computing methods in geology with particular emphasis on the integration of computers in the process of solving geologic and environmental problems.  Prerequisites: 160 or 170; 270 or consent of instructor.

489 Field Geology--6-8 hours. Field geology in the Rocky Mountains. Exposure to all major facets of field geology in an area of excellent geologic exposures. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of geology and consent of the Department Chairperson.

496 Research in Geology--hours arranged. Literature, laboratory, and field research of a selected geologic problem. University Honors students may elect to take this course for Honors credit. Prerequisite: 12 semester hours of geology.

497 Seminar in Advanced Geology--1-3 hours. Department seminar investigating a selected field of advanced geology announced prior to registration. Prerequisite: 9 semester hours of geology or consent of instructor.

499 Senior Seminar and Research--1-3 hours. Seminars on important geologic subjects and in-depth independent research in some area of student interest. University Honors students may elect to take this course for Honors credit. Prerequisites: 170 and consent of instructor.