GEOL 101 4.00 Cr Hrs
Physical Geology Available: fall, spring
This course investigates the composition of the Earth and the external and internal processes that shape it. Within the context of plate tectonics, it explores the origns of rocks and minerals and dynamic processes such as volcanic and magmatic activity, seismicity, and crustal deformation that are driven by the continual release of the Earth's internal heat. It also examines how air, wind, water, and ice move in response to gravity and energy from the Sun, sculpting Earth's surface by eroding, transporting, and depositing rock materials. Lab exercises will include rock/mineral identification, applied geologic problems, and local field trips.
GEOL 102 4.00 Cr Hrs
Historical Geology Available: spring
This course introduces the history of the Earth and that of the life it supports. Major events in Earth and life history are explored including episodes of mountain building, glaciations, extinctions, climate change, and the evolution of species. The tools, techniques, and methods employed by geologists that help decipher the rock and fossil record are also examined. Lab exercises will include sedimentary rock identification and interpretation, stratigraphic and fossil analysis, geologic dating techniques, geologic maps, cross sections, regional geologic history, and local field trips.
GEOL 104 4.00 Cr Hrs
Natural Disasters and Env Geology
This course examines the interaction between modern society and Earth processes and resources. Natural Earth processes which adversely affect humans are considered including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, meteorite impacts, mass wasting, coastal processes, and climate trends. The course also investigates the development of natural resources, pollution and waste disposal, climate change, land use and engineering, and energy resources. Lab exercises will provide real-world problems and will introduce techniques and skills that can be used to address these issues. Field trips are included with the course. Corequisite: GEOL 104L.
GEOL 110 3.00 Cr Hrs
Intro to Geology of Southern Idaho
This course explores the geologic processes that have formed the unique and varied landscape of southern Idaho. The course will examine important events and/or topics related to the geologic development of southern Idaho such as the Yellowstone "hot spot", the 1983 Borah Peak earthquake, recent volcanism in the Snake River Plain, groundwater in southern Idaho, the Bonneville Flood, Ice Age glaciers, and landslides in the Snake River Canyon. The course will include required field trips to local areas of geologic interest.
GEOL 126 3.00 Cr Hrs
Fundamentals of GIS Available: fall, spring
This course provides an in-depth introduction to the basic concepts and uses of geographic information systems (GIS). The course introduces the student to the theory and techniques of GIS including the history of GIS, spatial data models, spatial and tabular data acquisition, spatial data management, spatial data analysis, and cartographic design and display. Emphasis in lab is placed on the hands-on use of ESRI ArcGIS Desktop software and includes exercises that allow the student to develop skills such as building, editing, and querying a GIS database; spatial data acquisition including digitizing and data capture using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; projecting data; basic spatial analysis; displaying spatial data using basic cartographic principles to create maps; and creating metadata. Prerequiste: Successful completion of the Computer Skills Assessment (CSA) or permission of instuctor.
GEOL 155 2.00 Cr Hrs
Introduction to GPS Available: fall
A survey of basic mapping concepts and global positioning systems (GPS). Topics include modeling the earth's surface, topographic maps, aerial photo interpretation, thematic maps, basics of GPS hardware, GPS theory and function, GPS data collection and organization, differential GPS data correction, and importing and manipulating GPS data in a user-friendly GIS application (ArcView).
GEOL 199 1-3 Cr Hrs
Geology Workshop Available: fall, spring, summer
This number is applied to any of the science areas and is indicative of a workshop course that may not transfer to another institution.
GEOL 200I 3.00 Cr Hrs
Geology Independent Study
This is a term-long project. Each credit hour is equivalent to 45 hours of work on the project. Students should make arrangements with instructors in their field of interest. The request form for this project must be filled out and approved by the instructor, department chairman, and Academic Dean and filed in the Records Office. Prerequisite: one lab science course.
GEOL 275 1-4 Cr Hrs
Field Geology Available: spring
This Field-based course is designed for students who have completed prior coursework in geology/earth science and provides a unique opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge by visiting and studying exceptional geologic localities within a specific region. Field trips localities will vary by semester as will trip lengh (1 to 10 days). The class will include preparatory lectures, presentations, and a research project. Prerequisite: instructor approval.
GEOG 100 4.00 Cr Hrs
Physical Geography Available: fall, spring
A study of earth's physical environment including weather, climate, soils, vegetation, landforms and oceans. The interrelationships and interdependencies of each facet of the environment are studied, as well as the physical processes which act on the environment to produce the landscape. The lab provides opportunities to use maps, graphs, weather instruments and other materials used by geographers to study the earth, as well as an opportunity to practice the application of theoretical information learned during the lectures.
GEOG 102 3.00 Cr Hrs
Cultural Geography Available: spring
This course examines the geography of human culture. Topics may include human interaction with the environment, population, mobility, nutrition and disease, race and gender, language, religion, agricultural practices, urbanization, human interaction with the environment, industrial development, and political structures.
GEOG 200 3.00 Cr Hrs
World Regional Geography Available: fall
This course surverys major world regions as bound together by environment, economics, culture, and politics. It Includes consideration of world resource patterns and problems.
