Geology

GO 521. HISTORY OF GEOLOGY 2-3 HRS. Prerequisites: ES 110 and ES 111.) The historical development of geology as a scientific discipline from ancient civilizations to the modern space age. Historical context and cultural basis of major geological theories, regarding the origin of the Earth and processes that have influenced the Earth’s development. The lives and contributions of individuals whose ideas have shaped scientific thought and public opinion. Scientific technology, exploration, and the changing role of earth science through time. History of European, North American, and Kansan geology.

GO 533. ECONOMIC GEOLOGY 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, ES 110 and ES 111.) The study of economic mineral deposits with respect to genesis, prospecting techniques, and physical characteristics.

GO 536. OPTICAL MINERALOGY 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, GO 336.) A three-hour lecture-laboratory course designed to acquaint the student with the use of the polarizing microscope and its applications to the study of rocks and minerals in thin section.

GO 547. FIELD GEOLOGY 5 HRS. (Prerequisite, GO 325.) A five-week laboratory and field experience for geologists and earth science teachers designed to acquaint the student with the tools of geology and their application to the solution of geological problems. Offered alternate summers. Permission of instructor required to enroll.

GO 548. FIELD STRATIGRAPHY 2 HRS. (Prerequisites, GO 325.) The identification and interpretation of Upper Paleozoic strata in Eastern Kansas through field experiences. This course requires that the student be free most weekends of early fall.

GO 568. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 3 HRS. (Prerequisites, MA 112 and GO 326.) Structural Geology deals with description and analysis of deformations produced within the Earth on all scales from the microscopic to the global.  Topics investigated include:  behavior of rocks and sediments under stress; nature of earthquakes; origin of mountain belts; and significance of ocean ridges, rifts, fracture zones, and trenches.

GO 569. INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, ES 110 and ES 111, or GB 100 and GB 101, or GB 140 and GB 141.) Attention in this course is focused on the structure and classifications of fossil invertebrate animals.  A studey of the evolutionary trends and geological distribution of these animals also helps to emphasize their stratigraphic usefulness. This is accomplished through one one-hour lecture and two two-hour labs a week. In the lab the student works with actual fossil specimens of the various invertebrate phyla.

GO 570. SEDIMENTATION AND STRATIGRAPHY 3 HRS. (Prerequisites, GO 325 and GO 240.) The origin and interpretation of stratified sequences of ancient sedimentary rocks and modern sediments. Methods used to study sedimentary rocks. Comparison of modern and ancient sedimentary environments. Two lecture hours and two lab hours per week, plus field trips.

GO 571. HYDROGEOLOGY 4 HRS. (Prerequisite, ES 110 and ES 111 or consent of instructor.) Geologic, hydrologic, and chemical factors controlling the distribution, abundance, quality, and development of surface water and groundwater. Surface and groundwater in the central U.S.A. will be emphasized. Two lecture hours per week and two lab hours per week, plus possible field trips.

GO 572.  CONTAMINANT HYDROGEOLOGY 3 HRS.  (Prerequisite, ES 571 and CH 110/111 or CH 123/124.) The distribution, behavior, and fate of contaminants in natural hydrologic systems are addressed as they relate to current environmental practices.  Approaches to characterizing and monitoring contaminated groundwater, and strategies for remediation of contamination are emphasized.

GO 580.  ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS 3 HRS.  (Prerequisite, GO 571 or equivalent.)  This course provides an introduction to various tools and techniques used in the assessment of hydrogeologic investigations.  Through a series of field exercises, students obtain practical "hands-on" experience with tools and equipment used by environmental industry practitioners and researchers.  Data obtained in each exercise are analyzed and evaluated using relevant commercially available software, and presented in technical report-writing sytle.

GO 766. PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY 4 HRS. (Prerequisite, GO 336.) A study of rocks and minerals of Earth's crust as natural chemical systems in which the mineral phases are in dynamic equilibrium with changing temperatures and pressures on and within Earth's crust. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory each week. 4 74 766 1 4006-02

GO 769. VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 3 HRS. (Prerequisite, ZO 214 and ZO 215.) The course will focus on the fossil record and evolution of vertebrate (backboned) animals through geologic time. Origins, adaptive radiations, and extinctions of all major vertebrate groups will be covered, along with the utility of fossil vertebrates in stratigraphic correlations, analysis of depositional environments, paleobiogeography, and questions of evolutionary biology. The course is designed for students in Earth Science and Biology who have an interest in vertebrate evolutionary history. Permission of instructor required to enroll if specified prerequisite is not met.

Last Updated May 21, 2008