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Additional Information
Jeffrey W. Niemitz, Professor of Geology, Chair Marcus M. Key, Jr., Professor of Geology (Director of the Dickinson Science Program in England, 2008-10)Benjamin R. Edwards, Associate Professor of Geology (On leave Fall 2008)Peter B. Sak, Assistant Professor of GeologyLara C. Storm Hitchcock, Visiting Assistant Professor of GeologyTen courses in Geology including no more than two 100-level courses, 205, 206, 209, 231, 301, 302 and in the senior year, at least a one semester independent research or internship. In addition, CHEM 141 is required.
Six courses including two 100-level courses.
First Year: Two 100-level Geology courses
Second Year: 205, 206, 209, 231, CHEM 141
Third Year: 301, 302; upper level electives
Fourth Year: Other courses, special-topics course, Internships and Independent Study or Research
Electives: ENST 313 will count as one of the electives for the major.
Note of Caution: Off-campus study is encouraged. However, students who contemplate off-campus study should discuss their plans with one or more of the Department faculty early.
By completing a minimum number of courses outside the department and the professional semester in the Department of Education, students may be certified for secondary school teaching in Earth and Space Science. See any member of the Department of Geology or the Director of Teacher Education. For additional information, visit the
Education Department web site.
Many majors do an Independent Study or Research project during their Junior or Senior year. Students may ask any faculty member in the department to supervise a project. Ideally, the faculty member should be contacted during the previous semester to make arrangements for advising.
An Independent Research project may be considered for departmental honors if it demonstrates superior quality of work. Such theses are read by all members of the departmental faculty as well as an evaluator from outside the department, selected by the project advisor for their knowledge of that specific field. Oral defense of the thesis is required, and final revisions to the written thesis are made based on the comments of the readers. Students who successfully complete the defense will be named in the Commencement Program as having achieved honors.
Students who think that their project is potentially worthy of honors should indicate that with a short written proposal to their research adviser by the end of the fall semester of their senior year. This provides an occasion for the faculty advisor to give feedback to the student on the worthiness of the project and to plan the second semester in order to assure the quality of the project. This conversation helps the faculty to consider potential outside reviewers and schedule oral defenses, and also solidifies in the student's mind the need for progress and ultimate goal of the project.
A first draft of the paper should be turned in to your advisor no later than April to allow revisions so that a final draft will be ready for delivery to the research advisor, the other faculty, and the outside reader by mid-April. The oral defense usually will be scheduled on or about the last day of classes. Defenses are open to other majors, interested friends, faculty, and other guests. After the defense, the faculty and outside reader will vote in private, based on careful consideration of the quality of the paper and defense, and of the academic maturity of the student during the project year.
Several have been done in the department. Although specific arrangements would need to be made, it is possible to arrange internships with state and federal geologic agencies in Harrisburg. Students have also done internships with local consulting companies. See any member of the department faculty for possible arrangements.
Recommended off-campus study programs include the Dickinson Science Program at the University of East Anglia, England. Other suggested programs are the Marine Science Program in the Bahamas every other January and a one-semester program at the University of Otago, New Zealand. The on-campus coordinators should be contacted for information.
101 The History of Life An overview of life from its origin on this planet to its present diversity of species. Topics will include the origin of life, evolutionary processes, the expansion of biodiversity, the radiation of organisms in the oceans, the conquest of land, mass extinctions, dinosaurs, and the rise of humans. Various hypotheses concerning the history of the biosphere will be tested using data collected in lab and on field trips.
This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.102 Geology of National Parks An introduction to the fundamental principles and processes of geology using America's national parks as examples. Topics include geologic time (e.g., relative and absolute age dating techniques), earth materials (e.g., air, water, rocks, minerals), plate tectonics, and the processes that form landscapes (e.g., mountain building, volcanism, deposition, erosion). Examples of national parks that are used include Hawaii Volcanoes, Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone, Mammoth Cave, and Great Smokey Mountains. Lecture discussions will be augmented with labs and field trips to local parks of geologic interest.
This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.103 Planet Earth A study of plate tectonics with emphasis on ancient and modern geological processes associated with mountain building. The course builds knowledge through field and classroom studies of Appalachian geology, and by comparison of the Appalachians with active mountain belts in South America, Indonesia, and Asia. The course also develops a geologic understanding of the seismic and volcanic hazards associated with mountain building. The overall aim of the course is to illustrate the historical, predictive, and practical aspects of geologic principles and reasoning in scientific and societal contexts.
This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.104 Global Climate Change An overview of our present understanding of atmospheric processes and their interaction with the land, oceans and biosphere leading to an in-depth study of ancient climates and climate change in earth history. Topics include the tools used to decipher ancient climate change on various time scales, major climate events such as the ice ages, and the causes of climate change. Past and present knowledge will be used to explore the potential for future climate change and its socioeconomic and political implications. The laboratory component will use climate data and field experiences to interpret climate change over the past 3 billion years in the context of earth materials and plate tectonics.
This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.105 Geology of Disasters An introduction to the fundamental principles and processes of geology using a variety of natural examples that are commonly referred to as "disastrous" when they affect areas inhabited by people, including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, mass movements (avalanches, debris flows), meteoroid impacts, and other weather-related phenomena (e.g. hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, long-term climate change). The course will give an overview of the physical controls on the processes as well as methods used to predict the events, assess possible hazards, and mitigate negative consequences. Lecture discussions will be augmented with labs and field trips (e.g., Johnstown, PA; Centralia, PA).
This course will fulfill either the lab science or QR distribution requirement.131 Earth Systems Science Examines our dynamic, ever-changing planet past and present through the theory of plate tectonics, and the physical processes that transform the earth's surface including weathering and erosion, flooding, and landslides. Groundwater, volcanoes, and earthquakes are discussed. The nature of geologic materials and structure of the earth are also examined using continental wanderings, mountain building, ocean basin evolution, and climate changes as context. The geology of the local area is examined through numerous field trips.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.201 Geomorphology with Lab Description, origin, development, and classification of landforms. Relationships of soils, surficial materials, and landforms to rocks, structures, climate, processes, and time. Topics will include interpretation of maps and aerial photographs of landscapes produced in tectonic, volcanic, fluvial, glacial, periglacial, coastal, karst, and eolian environments. Exercises will include: photo-geologic interpretation, surficial mapping, and classification of soils. Lectures, discussions, laboratories, and field trip(s).
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: any two 100-level Geology courses, or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.202 Energy Resources The study of the origin, geologic occurrence, and distribution of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and uranium. Discussions include the evaluation and exploitation, economics, law, and the environmental impact of these resources and their alternatives, including geothermal, wind, solar, tidal, and ocean thermal power.
Prerequisites: any 100-level Geology course, ENST 131 or ENST 132. Offered every other year.205 Mineralogy A study of minerals with emphasis on their crystal structure, chemical composition, geologic occurrence, and physical and optical properties. The course focuses on observing and understanding minerals at the macroscopic, microscopic, and sub-microscopic levels. Emphasis is on inquiry and active learning in a laboratory setting.
Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course, or permission of the instructor. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.206 Petrology A study of the solid-earth with emphasis on the processes that have shaped the large-scale evolution of the earth from its origin to the present. Lecture topics include meteorites and formation of the terrestrial planets, origin of the moon, the deep earth, chemical equilibria in magmatic systems, geochemical cycling in the solid earth, and isotope dating. The important magmatic and metamorphic systems of the earth are presented in a plate tectonic context.
Prerequisite: 205, or concurrent enrollment. NOTE: Completion of both 206 and 209 fulfills the WR requirement. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.207 Paleontology A systematic study of the invertebrate and vertebrate fossil groups, plants, and their evolution and relationships to living forms. Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week.
Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course or any Biology course numbered between 120 and 129. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.209 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy A study of the processes and patterns of sedimentation as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of rock strata. This includes the origin, transportation, deposition, lithification, and diagenesis of sediments. Lithology, geochemistry, paleontology, geochronology, and seismology will be used to understand the history of rock strata. Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week.
Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course. NOTE: Completion of both 206 and 209 fulfills the WR requirement. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.220 Environmental Geology A survey of humankind's interaction with the physical environment focusing on geologic processes. The importance of geologic materials such as soils, sediments and bedrock, and natural resources will be discussed in the context of world population. Natural hazards (floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, coastal erosion, and landslides) will be studied to understand how we can minimize their threat. Land use and abuse including natural resource exploitation and pollution will be discussed in the context of geologic information for proper land-use planning. Labs will emphasize field study of environmental problems in the Cumberland Valley.
Prerequisite: Two 100-level Geology courses OR ENST 131and 132. This course is cross-listed as Environmental Studies 220. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.221 Oceanography An interdisciplinary introduction to the marine environment, including the chemistry of seawater, the physics of currents, water masses and waves, the geology of ocean basins, marine sediments and coastal features, and the biology of marine ecosystems. Topics include the theory of plate tectonics as an explanation for ocean basins, mid-ocean ridges, trenches, and island arcs. The interaction of man as exploiter and polluter in the marine environment is also considered.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory per week. This course is cross-listed as Environmental Studies 221. Offered every other year. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.231 Chemistry of Earth Systems An introduction to the origin, distribution, and behavior of elements in the geochemical cycles and processes of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Topics include the chemistry of magma, hydrothermal fluids, weathering, fresh and ocean waters, sediment digenesis, hydrocarbons, and metamorphism. Includes radiometric dating and stable isotope applications. Lab will focus on sampling, instrumental analysis, and data interpretation of earth materials.
Prerequisite: CHEM 141, any two 100-level Geology courses. May be counted toward a chemistry major. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.301 Field Geology A course in some of the basic geological field techniques, with the preparation of topographic and geologic maps and reports from data obtained by the student in the field.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week. Prerequisite: any two 100-level Geology courses. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.302 Structural Geology The description and analysis of intermediate- to large-scale rock structures. Topics include the analysis and graphical representation of stress and strain in rocks, deformation mechanisms and fabric development, the geometry and mechanics of folding and faulting, and structures related to intrusive bodies. Geologic map interpretation and cross-section construction are used to analyze the structural geology of selected regions.
Three hours classroom and three hours laboratory a week; field trip(s). Prerequisite: any two 100-level Geology courses. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.311 Special Topics In-depth studies in special geological topics to be offered on the basis of need and demand. Recent topics have included Geology of PA, Origin of Life, Quaternary Geology, and Instrumental Analysis in Geology.
Prerequisite dependent upon topic.320 Hydrogeology An in-depth study of the interrelationships of geologic materials and processes with the occurrence, distribution, movement, and chemistry of water on and near the earth's surface. Topics include the hydrologic cycle; recharge, flow, and discharge of groundwater in aquifers; groundwater quality, contamination, development, management, and remediation. Practical experience will be gained in siting, drilling, testing, and monitoring water wells at the college's water well field laboratory.
Prerequisite: 220, 231 or permission of instructor. This course is cross-listed as ENST 320. Offered every two years. This course fulfills the lab-science distribution requirement.Following course is offered in January term:
304 Field Study of Marine Carbonate Environments An intensive off-campus field course examining the biological, chemical, geological, and physical processes and patterns in modern and ancient tropical marine carbonate environments. Human impact on these fragile environments will also be considered. An in-depth examination of all major sub-environments on San Salvador Island, Bahamas will be followed by independent study research projects.
Prerequisites: GEOL/ENST 221, BIOL 314, BIOL 321, GEOL 209, ENST 335 or ENST 340 and permission of the instructor. This course is cross-listed as Environmental Studies 304 and Biology 304. Offered every other year.
