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Geological and Environmental Studies Course Offerings

Please see the section on "Course Description Symbols and Terms" in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

Earth materials, processes, and history, and their significance to humankind. No college credit for students who have passed GEOS 102. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: High school chemistry or physics is recommended; students with no previous science courses are advised to enroll in GEOS 101. No college credit for those who have passed GEOS 101.

Physical and chemical processes in the earth, including origin and identification of rocks and minerals; earth's interior; movements and major features of the earth's crust; erosion and sedimentation; geological structures; topographic maps; mineral resources. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. CAN GEOL 2.

Origin and evolution of the universe. Topics include black holes, pulsars, quasars, life in the universe, and interstellar communication. Constellation study in Roth Planetarium and telescope observation of stars and galaxies at Observatory. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course.

A descriptive study of weather processes; winds, circulations and storms; and weather impacts on life, property, crops, water availability, and air quality. Current weather briefings and California weather topics are emphasized.

An introduction to human impact upon planet Earth. Scientific principles applied to air pollution, water pollution, and solid and radioactive waste problems. Population dynamics, world hunger, and environmental issue analysis are also covered. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors in General Education Program.

An introduction to human impact upon planet Earth. Scientific principles applied to air pollution, water pollution, and solid and radioactive waste problems. Population dynamics, world hunger, and environmental issue analysis are also covered. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 110.

Basic concepts of motion, force, energy, chemical change, and their interactions. Intended for Liberal Studies majors. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102.

Principles of historical geology as they relate to rock sequences and geologic maps. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: Prior or concurrent enrollment in MATH 120, or consent of instructor.

Develop skills in applying common computer software, including data analysis, presentation, graphics, and others. Use of this software as applied to selected problems in environmental sciences and geosciences. 2.0 hours activity.

Prerequisites: CHEM 111, PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently).

Survey of the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils in selected environmental processes.

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 of General Education.

Introduction to physical hydrological processes, including precipitation, surface waters, soil and groundwater, and evapotranspiration. California water issues are used to illustrate water movement and storage.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; CHEM 107 or equivalent; PHYS 202A, PHYS 202B.

An intermediate treatment of astronomy, meteorology, and oceanography, with emphasis on climate change and its impacts. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Prerequisites: GEOS 203 or course in Biology.

Study of main groups of invertebrate fossils and their uses in biostratigraphy, paleobiogeography, and paleoecology. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: BIOL 101 or BIOL 108; GEOS 101 or GEOS 102.

Descriptive outline of the history of life as understood from the fossil record. Evolutionary concepts are examined, with emphasis placed upon paleontologic rather than genetic evidence.

Prerequisites: GEOS 105 or GEOS 342.

An intermediate treatment of astronomy from an observational viewpoint. Visual, photographic, and photometric techniques for sun, moon, solar system, and deep-sky observations. Data analysis and methodology. Frequent use of campus observatory. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111 or equivalent; or faculty permission.

Identification and origins of the more common minerals and rocks. 2.0 hours lecture, 6.0 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: GEOS 203 and GEOS 306 (both may be taken concurrently), or faculty permission.

Basic concepts of stratigraphy. Methods of strata description, correlation, mapping, and interpretation. Sedimentary tectonics and lithic associations. Graphic representation of data. 2.0 hours discussion, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 305; GEOS 405 or GEOS 406; faculty permission.

Introduction to planetarium operation, including console operation, sky setting, and use of auxiliary projectors. Study of the use of the planetarium as a teaching tool. Development of planetarium programs, including the integration of Internet Resources displayed with the Roth Planetarium LCD projector. Each student will prepare an original planetarium program and present this program to an audience. 4.0 hours activity.

Prerequisites: A course in geology, physical science, or physics.

Causes and effects of earthquakes; instrumental seismology; interior of the earth, seismology applied to engineering studies; fault creep and earthquake prediction.

Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102. Faculty permission required to take the course a second time for credit.

Generalized field study of geologically noteworthy areas. (Minimum of eight consecutive days in the field during January intersession or spring vacation; and additional work or classroom meetings.) You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 4.0 units. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.

A view of the environment from a chemical perspective. Principles and applications in the context of major natural and anthropogenic processes. Origins, transport, and sinks of organic and inorganic contaminants in the environment.

Recent advances in the major areas of the physical sciences, including the important interdisciplinary fields.

Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C.

Survey of physical and dynamic meteorology. Topics covered include thermodynamics, radiation, clouds and precipitation formation, tropical and extratropical weather systems, forecasting, and climate change. 2.0 hours discussion, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102 or consent of instructor.

Geologic setting of California and historical development of its geologic provinces. The impact of earthquakes, volcanic activity, coastal erosion, and earth resources on California. Field trip required. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of the General Education requirements.

Human impact on life-support systems; use of physical and ecological principles in environmental management and protection; discussion of land use and its environmental impact; and an evaluation of human influence on natural cycles. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: Either CHEM 107 or CHEM 111, one course from Breadth Area B2.

A laboratory designed to complement GEOS 330. Physical, chemical, and ecological concepts as related to the field and laboratory experience in environmental science. 1.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of General Education requirements.

Provides the non-major with a geologic approach to current environmental problems relating to the origin and use of energy, mineral, and water resources, and the causes and mitigations of geologic hazards. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: GEOS 102, GEOS 105, GEOS 203, GEOS 306, GEOS 321.

This course provides students with classroom experience that utilizes a variety of interactive, engaging teaching styles that develop and reinforce skills and concepts through open-ended activities such as direct instruction, discourse, demonstrations, individual and cooperative learning explorations, peer instruction, and student-centered discussion. 1.0 hours lecture, 4.0 hours activity.

Prerequisites: GEOS 141 or faculty permission.

Fundamental concepts in (1) the solar system and the universe, (2) the structure and composition of the solid Earth, and (3) Earth's atmosphere and water. Intended for Liberal Studies majors and students pursuing a single subject teaching credential in science. 1.0 hours lecture, 4.0 hours activity. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: A lab course in the biological sciences and a lab course in the physical sciences.

Study of ocean currents and water masses; nutrient distribution and productivity; morphology and sediment distributions of ocean basins, continental shelves, and shorelines; sea floor spreading; and marine field techniques.

Prerequisites: Completion of the General Education Breadth Areas B1, The Physical Universe, and B2, Life Forms.

A consideration of the scientific principles underlying key scientific and technological occurrences in the United States, and the relationship of these occurrences to other aspects of American life. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: Completion of the General Education Breadth Areas B1, the Physical Universe, and B2, Life Forms.

Major issues in the evolution of science within the development of the United States. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: Completion of the General Education Breadth Area B requirement, PHIL 321.

The process of science and the scientific method. The Darwinian revolution and its social and ethical implications. Proteins and nucleic acids. Technological and ethical issues in biotechnology. Nuclear weapons. Conservation and environmental ethics. This course cannot be used for credit toward a geosciences major or minor. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1 and one course from Breadth Area B2 of General Education requirements.

A discussion of the geologic processes that cause geologic hazards; the methods of measuring their magnitude and frequency; the various ways in which hazards affect humans and their environment; the methods by which geologic hazards can be predicted and mitigated; and the various stages of recovery from catastrophic geologic hazards. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.

Elementary geologic field methods, descriptive geometry, photogeology, and geologic mapping. Ten days in the field during January intersession.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, GEOS 360.

This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Prerequisites: One course from Breadth Area B1.

Analysis of present and long-term global energy crises; coverage of scientific concepts needed to understand energy and its environmental interactions; in-depth examination of alternative energy sources and their environmental impact. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: GEOS 270; PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A (may be taken concurrently).

A survey of the mass transfer processes and storage elements within the hydrologic cycle: precipitation, interception, surface runoff, infiltration, evapo-transpiration, soil water and groundwater. Quantitative methods for estimating flow and storage, use of probability concepts to predict extreme hydrologic events in a time series. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 270 (may be taken concurrently), GEOS 380, GEOS 415, prior hydrology course work, or consent of instructor.

Develops field and related laboratory skills in performing common measurements in all areas of the hydrologic cycle. Students learn to critically evaluate the theoretical basis for field methods and hydrologic characterization approaches. 1.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A.

A survey of the processes governing uplift and denudation of landscapes, including isostasy, chemical and physical weathering, mass movements, surface water erosion, formation of channels, and flow and sediment transport. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: Faculty permission.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: MATH 121; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C. Recommended: GEOS 321.

The physical processes of the atmosphere: atmospheric hydrostatics and thermodynamics; aerosol physics; cloud microphysics and dynamics; radiative transfer. The role of these processes in cloud and storm development is also covered.

Prerequisites: GEOS 306 with grade of C- or better. Must be taken concurrently with GEOS 403.

Theory and practice of identification of minerals with the petrographic microscope. Emphasis on the common rock-forming silicates. 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 306 with grade of C- or better. Must be taken concurrently with GEOS 402.

Physical-chemical development and geotectonic settings of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Analysis of rock thin sections. Field trip required. 3.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: PHYS 202A or equivalent, or faculty permission.

Study of planets, asteroids, meteors, and comets, including the dynamics of their orbits, the geology of their surfaces, and their origin. Study of planetary atmospheres, including their origin, evolution, dynamics and climate. Space colonies and the possible colonization of other planets will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: PHYS 202A, PHYS 202B or equivalents, or faculty permission.

Origin of the universe. Formation of galaxies and stars. Recent developments in astronomy: black holes, pulsars, quasars, radio galaxies, etc. Life in the universe. Possibility of interstellar communication with extraterrestrial civilizations.

Prerequisites: High school or college trigonometry; GEOS 203; GEOS 307 with grade of C- or higher.

Behavior of geologic materials. Folds, faults, small-scale structures in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Graphic methods. 2.0 hours lecture, 4.0 hours activity. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: GEOS 380 or prior hydrology course work and consent of instructor.

A survey of the hydrologic processes governing the movement and storage of water at the watershed scale. Emphasis is on computer-based methods for characterizing the physical framework and quantifying the resultant hydrology in terms of its temporal and spatial variability. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 306, MATH 120; either PHYS 202A or PHYS 204A; either GEOS 270 or GEOS 380. Recommended: GEOS 307.

Theory and analysis of groundwater flow, including fluid physics, aquifer properties, soil water, groundwater recharge, hydrogeologic environments, aquifer mechanics, and water quality degradation. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102 and GEOS 306.

Corequisites: GEOS 306.

An introduction to physical processes associated with terrestrial and extraterrestrial volcanoes and their products. Specific topics include volcano monitoring, rheologic properties of magma and volcanic flows, experimental volcanology, theoretical and analog flow modeling, as well as in-depth examination of local volcanoes and various eruptions (past, present, and future). This course includes an extended (4–5 days) field trip, required for all students. Students participate in the field by collecting data for future course projects, presenting prepared information at various field trip stops, or both. Students also complete research projects throughout the semester.

Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.

Evolution of the larger features of the earth; continents, oceans, mountain ranges, and lithospheric plates. Methods of tectonic analysis, including interpretation. Geologic development of the western United States. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; GEOS 330 or GEOS 380.

Water-resources, management plans of world; emphasis on California and Israeli plans. Water plans in primitive, agrarian, and industrial societies. Data gathering and interpretation, regulation of water resources, and control of water pollution.

Prerequisites: GEOS 360, GEOS 361, GEOS 408 (with grade of C- or higher in all courses).

Mapping, recording, and interpreting data in the field; use of Brunton compass and topographic maps emphasized. Reports required. Field work during January Intersession totaling at least 10 days. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Readings, reports, and discussion of topics in the current literature or of special studies in any area of the physical sciences.

Prerequisites: First semester: A total of 9 upper-division units in the major, with at least a B average, and faculty permission. Second semester: A grade of B or higher in the first semester of the course;

An intensive two-semester course in research within a subdiscipline of the physical sciences. Students enroll for 3 units each semester. Open only to students with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major. The course consists of a research project done under the supervision of a faculty member, a formal written paper, and a public presentation. This course may be used to fulfill a maximum of 3 units of the upper-division requirement for the major. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Prerequisites: GEOS 400.

Theory, analysis, and forecasting of intermediate- and large-scale motions in the atmosphere. Topics include the primitive flow equations, planetary boundary layer, synoptic-scale motions, atmospheric oscillations, mesoscale circulations, and the general global circulation. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: CHEM 112, GEOS 321 or GEOS 400, MATH 121, or faculty permission.

Physical meteorological processes relevant to air pollution with a primary focus on the atmospheric boundary layer. Topics include pollutant sources and sinks, visibility, stability, deposition and dispersion, atmospheric turbulence, plume modeling, and the design of air quality monitoring networks.

Prerequisites: CHEM 111. Suggested: CHEM 440.

Fundamentals of processes in environmental aquatic systems emphasizing acid-base and pE-pH relationships, solubility of carbon species in natural waters, and interactions at the solid-liquid interface.

Prerequisites: CHEM 112. Suggested: CHEM 440.

Principles of transport of atmospheric constituents. Kinetics, mechanisms and photochemistry in the troposphere and stratosphere. A survey of atmospheric aerosols.

Prerequisites: CHEM 112; GEOS 330 or faculty permission; MATH 120; either PHYS 202B or PHYS 204C.

Physical principles, theory and analysis techniques for computer modeling in the geosciences. Methods of estimation and error analysis, boundary values and initial conditions, steady-state and time-dependent models. Emphasis on problems relating to air and water pollution and hydrologic cycle.

Prerequisites: GEOS 530.

A continuation of GEOS 530. Application, verification, and modification techniques for time-dependent and multi-dimension models used in the geosciences. Introduction to widely used models and analysis packages. 2.0 hours lecture, 2.0 hours activity.

Prerequisites: Chem 112.

The application of biological, ecological, chemical, and physical sciences to understanding the fate and transport of pollutants through ecosystems.

Prerequisites: BIOL 350.

Examination of the mechanisms, directions, and magnitude of an organism's or ecosystem's response to human perturbation.

Prerequisites: BIOL 350, GEOS 270 or GEOS 380, or instructor consent.

The study of linkages between hydrologic processes and ecosystem functions; field methods for data gathering; hydrologic transport of nutrients and pollutants through ecosystems; case studies of problems in ecohydrology.

Prerequisites: One year of physics, GEOS 102, or faculty permission.

Introduction to solid-earth geophysical exploration techniques and data analysis. Includes electrical, electromagnetic, gravimetric, and seismic surveying, and wireline well logging. Concentration on problems in environmental science, hydrology, mineral prospecting, and oil exploration.

Prerequisites: GEOS 306, GEOS 307.

The integrative course dealing with origins and occurrences of metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits, including factors in their use.

Prerequisites: GEOS 307, GEOS 403.

Study of the paleographic evolution of sedimentary basins. Includes stratigraphic and paleontologic correlation, facies analysis, sedimentary petrology, depositional systems, and the tectonic framework of sedimentary basins. 2.0 hours lecture, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: CHEM 111, GEOS 102. Recommended: GEOS 306.

Investigation of the chemistry of minerals, rocks, and natural waters. Provides students with interests in geology, hydrology, environmental science, and other disciplines a background on the chemical compositions of rocks, minerals, and natural waters; chemical processes in the formation of rocks and waters; principles of reaction chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics applied to geochemical systems; and migration of chemical contaminants in the environment.

Prerequisites: GEOS 102, GEOS 203, GEOS 306. For majors in related sciences and technical fields, GEOS 102.

Practical application of techniques to solve geological engineering and environmental problems. Techniques of surface investigations and remote sensing; borehole and surface geophysics; soil descriptions and properties; landslide mapping, mechanics and remediation, subsurface investigation of rock masses; mapping of discontinuities, establishing rock quality, tunneling techniques. Seismic studies; surface and trench mapping of faults, seismic risk analysis. Ground water monitoring, site assessment, techniques of hazardous waste cleanup, state and federal regulations on hazardous waste, siting of landfills.

Prerequisites: GEOS 403, GEOS 471.

Independent geologic mapping of a difficult area. Report required. Field work on weekends or during spring recess, totaling at least 10 days. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Prerequisites: Senior standing in Hydrology or Environmental Science Options.

Independent application of current standard field and laboratory methods to environmental analysis. Analysis and presentation of an individual environmental project. 1.0 hours discussion, 3.0 hours laboratory.

Prerequisites: GEOS 555, senior standing in Geology major, or faculty permission.

Group study of topics related to the geological evolution of North America. Student presentations and group discussion will focus on common themes or geologic regions.

Presentation and discussion of reports on current literature and special studies in geosciences.

Presentation and discussion of reports on current literature and special studies in geosciences.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Discussions and library research into selected topics; may include some lab or field work. Different topics presented each semester. May be repeated for credit, with permission of instructor.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Discussions and library research into selected topics; may include some lab work. Different topics presented each semester. May be repeated for credit, with permission of instructor.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Discussions and library research into selected topics; may include some lab work. Different topics presented each semester. May be repeated for credit, with permission of instructor.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Discussions and library research into selected topics; may include some lab work. Different topics presented each semester. May be repeated for credit, with permission of instructor.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Discussions and library research into selected topics; may include some lab work. Different topics presented each semester. May be repeated for credit, with permission of instructor.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Geological and geophysical characteristics of the geomorphic provinces of California. Formation of surficial features, such as mountain ranges, drainage networks, and valleys as a response to active tectonic processes. Detailed geologic and physiographic framework of Northern California as a setting for field-based studies in the geosciences.

Prerequisites: CHEM 111, CHEM 112. Recommended: GEOS 565.

Origins and sources of chemical constituents of natural waters, including water-rock interactions, equilibrium aqueous speciation, reaction-path modeling, oxidation-reduction reactions, mineral solubility relations, geochemical transport, reaction kinetics, and aqueous isotopic systems.

Prerequisites: CHEM 425 is recommended.

Survey of environmental monitoring for air quality, water quality, pollution, waste disposal, environmental resources, etc., including field and laboratory observations and exercises. An individual term project in environmental monitoring is required and may involve collection of field data, interpretation of field data, development of analytical capabilities, or other subjects pertinent to the student's research interests. 1.0 hours discussion, 3.0 hours laboratory. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: MATH 120.

Survey and implementation of common numerical techniques in use in geoscientific data analysis, including multivariate data analysis, geostatistics, finite difference and finite element analyses, time-series analysis, and fractal geometry.

This course is a graduate-level independent study offered for 1.0–4.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

This course is a master's thesis offered for 1.0–6.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.