Geology Course Offerings

101. History of Life w/Lab
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. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year in the fall. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

102. Geology of National Parks w/Lab
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. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year in the spring. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

103. Planet Earth w/Lab
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. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

104. Global Climate Change w/Lab
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. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

105. Geology of Natural Disasters w/Lab
Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods! Although these natural phenomena have occurred throughout much of Earth's history, have their consequences always been disastrous? This course explores the science of disasters as well as our attempts to mitigate their adverse effects. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

131. Earth Systems Science w/Lab
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. Prerequisite: none. This course is typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution and QR distribution requirements.

201. Geomorphology w/Lab
The description and interpretation of the relief features of the earth's continents and ocean basins with a comprehensive study of the basic processes which shape them. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course. Typically offered every other year. 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. Three hours of classroom per week. Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course, ES 131 or ES 132. Typically offered every other year.

205. Mineralogy w/Lab
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. A combined total of six hours of classroom and laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course, CHEM 141, or concurrent registration therein, or permission of the instructor. Typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

206. Petrology w/Lab
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. A combined total of six hours of classroom and laboratory per week. Prerequisite: GEOL 205. Typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

207. Paleontology w/Lab
A systematic study of the invertebrate and vertebrate fossil groups, plants, and their evolution and relationships to living forms. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course or any Biology course numbered between 120 and 128. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

209. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy w/Lab
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 of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any 100-level Geology course. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

220. Environmental Geology w/Lab
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. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any two 100-level Geology courses or ES 131 and 132. This course is cross-listed as ES 220. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

221. Oceanography w/Lab
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 of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. This course is cross-listed as ES 221. Prerequisite: none. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science and QR distribution requirements.

231. Chemistry of Earth Systems w/Lab
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. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 141 and any two 100-level Geology courses. May be counted toward a chemistry major. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

301. Field Geology w/Lab
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. A combined total of six hours of classroom and laboratory per week. Prerequisite: any two 100-level Geology courses. Co-requisite: GEOL 302. Typically offered every year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

302. Structural Geology w/Lab
Tectonics, properties, relationships, and positions of the component rock masses of the earth. A combined total of six hours of classroom and laboratory per week. Co-requisite: GEOL 301. Typically offered every year. 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 and Evolution in the Galápagos, Geology of PA, Origin of Life, Quaternary Geology, and Instrumental Analysis in Geology. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

320. Hydrogeology w/Lab
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. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: GEOL 220, 231, or permission of instructor. This course is cross-listed as ES 320. Typically offered every other year. This course fulfills the Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.

ES 313. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) w/Lab
Involves the collection, analysis, and display of spatially referenced information. It is used in a wide
variety of fields involving the natural and social sciences. This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of computerized geographic information systems. It will combine an overview of the general principles of GIS and spatial data management with training on one of the most widely used GIS software packages, ArcView (Environmental Systems Research Institute). Students will work on independent problem-based projects related to environmental issues throughout the semester. Three hours of classroom and three hours of laboratory per week. Typically offered every year. This Environmental Studies course counts as an elective towards a major or minor in Geology.

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 ancient101. 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 Div. III lab-science distribution requirement.