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Graduate Programs in Geological Sciences with information on degrees, requirements, curriculum and admisions.
Graduate Level Course Descriptions
Graduate Level Tier II Course Descriptions
G513 Seismology I (3 cr.) P: Mathematics M343 or M313; Physics P222. Earthquakes, propagation of elastic waves, interpretation of seismological data, theory of seismological instruments. (Tier II, Solid-Earth Dynamics)
G514 Geophysical Signal Analysis (3 cr.) P: Physics P222; Mathematics M343 or M313. Construction, analysis, and interpretation of geophysical signals. Filter theory, spectral analysis, signal-to-noise enhancement, transform theory, seismic wave propagation, computer applications. (Tier III)
G535 Quaternary Geology (3 cr.) P: G415 or consent of instructor. Characteristics, distribution, and origin of Pleistocene and recent deposits; stratigraphy and chronology; formation of associated landforms, landscapes, paleosols, and soils; Quaternary environments. (Tier II, Environmental Geoscience)
G550 Surface Water Hydrology (3 cr.) P: G451 and M216, or consent of instructor. Mechanics of surface runoff and open channel flow. Rainfall-runoff equations, probability analysis of stream flow, and watershed simulation models. Chemistry of surface waters and stream pollution. (Tier II, Environmental Geoscience)
G551 Advanced Hydrogeology (3 cr.) P: G451. Basic principles and quantitative aspects of physical flow systems and chemistry of ground water and surface water. The relationships between water and geologic materials. (Tier II, Environmental Geoscience)
G553 Gravitational and Magnetic Field Analysis (2 cr.) P: G413; Mathematics M343 or M313; Physics P222. Potential field theory and its application in interpretation of gravity and magnetic fields. (Tier II)
G554 Fundamentals of Plate Tectonics (3 cr.) P: graduate standing in geology or consent of instructor. Synthesis of observations from diverse disciplines of geology leading to the development of modern plate tectonic theory. Applications of plate tectonic principles to fundamental problems of continental and marine geology. (Tier II)
G601 Clay Mineralogy (3 cr.) P: consent of instructor. Composition, structure, properties, methods of identification, and origin and distribution of clay minerals. (Tier II)
Graduate Level Tier III Course Descriptions
G501 Sedimentary Processes and Environments (3 cr.) P: graduate standing. Origin and controls of facies distribution in sedimentary systems. Field study of selected ancient facies systems. (Tier III)
G503 Phase Equilibria (3 cr.) P or concurrent: C360, G406, or consent of instructor. Thermodynamic functions and conditions of equilibria in unary, binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems. Mixing properties of crystalline solutions. Chemical potential and activity diagrams. (Tier III)
G504 Metamorphic Petrology (3 cr.) P: G418, G503. The evolution of mineral assemblages and compositions during prograde metamorphism. Reaction mechanisms. Effect of fluid composition on mineral assemblages. Theoretical basis and description of various projection schemes. Appraisal of selected experimental studies. (Tier III)
G506 Principles of Igneous Petrology (3 cr.) P: G418. Origin, composition, classification, phase relationships, and distribution of igneous rocks; economic considerations. Emphasis on province, associations, and facies type. (Tier III)
G509 Theoretical Geochemistry (4 cr.) P: C360, C361, P340, or G406 or the equivalent; consent of instructor. Thermodynamics and solution chemistry as tools in geochemistry; designed for students planning advanced work or research in geochemistry. (Tier III)
G515 Analysis of Earthquake Seismograms (1 cr.) P: G413. Analysis of local, regional, and teleseismic phases recorded on the Indiana University long- and short-period seismographs. Use of seismic records to determine earthquake source parameters, deep earth structure, and near-station structure. Surface wave dispersion and structure of the lithosphere. (Tier III)
G521 Micropaleontology (3 cr.) P: G404 or G411 or advanced standing in biological sciences. Morphology, biology, ecology, biostratigraphy, and phylogenetic relationships of fossils within the kingdoms Monera and Protista. Course will survey the common fossil groups including cyanobacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates, acritarchs, foraminifera, and radiolaria. Offered in alternate years. (Tier III)
G524 Carbonate Facies and Environments (2 cr.) P: graduate standing. Carbonate environments from modern and ancient examples (including subsurface). Various ramp and platform margin depositional models. Emphasis on types and origin of facies. Current and classical literature on carbonates. (Tier III)
G561 Paleoecology (3 cr.) P: G334 and G404 or G411. Relationships between modern and fossil organisms and their physical, chemical, and biological environments; emphasis on techniques for interpreting past environmental conditions. (Tier III)
G571 Principles of Petroleum Geology (3 cr.) P: G323. Origin, geochemistry, migration, and accumulation of petroleum; reservoir rocks; types of entrapment; exploration procedures and their rationale; methods and devices for data gathering and detection. (Tier III) More Info
G572 Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbons (3 cr.) P: G323 and G334. Modern concepts of tectonics and sedimentary basin analysis. Geologic application of geophysical logs and seismic stratigraphy to basin analysis, facies distribution, and structural style in a variety of basin types with specific examples from around the world. Techniques of hydrocarbon assessment in basinal settings. (Tier III)
G582 Computational Methods in Geology ((3 cr) P: M211-M212 or equivalent. Students will develop numerical solutions to ordinary and partial differential equations which describe a wide variety of geologic processes which could include fluid flow, heat transfer, sediment transport, seismic wave propagation through elastic solids, isotopic fluid-rock interactions.
G583 Isotope Systematics (3 cr) Introduction to the theory and application of radiogenic and stable isotopes to a variety of subdisciplines in the earth sciences. Topics include geochronology, tracers, mass balance, hydrology and environmental applications, water-rock interaction, and biogeochemical cycles.
G424/G584 Geological Applications of GIS (3 cr.) p: G584. Geologic map reading proficiency; basic computer skills. Concepts and implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies are introduced during intensive laboratory sessions. Field work, conducted in the Griffy Woods Indiana University Research and Teaching Preserve, involves mapping of pertinent features using GPS units followed by additional data collection aimed at attributing specific mapped features. Field work is integrated with existing base data using GIS software; spatial analysis concepts are introduced and used to solve geologic problems. Sem II, Second 8-week intensive session. Meets with G424. (Tier III)
G586 Geochemical Modeling (3 cr) P: C360, C361, P340, or G406 or the equivalent; consent of instructor. Introduces students to the theories and applications of geochemical modelling. Students will have the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience with popular geochemical codes.
G587 Organic Geochemistry (3 cr.) P: consent of instructor. Application of organic geochemical methods in determining origins of fossil fuels and in defining biological and environmental histories of rocks. (Tier III)
G589 Geomicrobiology (3 cr.) P: consent of instructor. (Tier III) Geomicrobiology provides graduate students with an introduction to the diversity and physiology of microbes in soil, sediment, lake, ocean and groundwater environments. Particular attention is given to theories regarding the origin of microbial life on Earth and to studies of adaptations in extreme environments on Earth and potentially on other planetary bodies. The first six week focus on cell structure, metabolic pathways, and genetic classification of microbes in order to build a conceptual framework and technical vocabulary. During the second six weeks, lectures are integrated with group discussion of recently published journal articles. The final two weeks are reserved for student presentations on topics related to their individual research interests.
G591 Physical Sedimentology (3 cr.) P: G415, G501 or equivalent. Dynamics of fluid flow, hydraulics of sediment transport, interaction of physical processes in depositional environments. Field study of selected modern depositional environments. (Tier III)
G592 Chemical Sedimentology (3 cr.) P: G509, G418, or consent of instructor. Study of low-temperature (<300 C) mineral assemblages in order to infer their chemical conditions of formation. (Tier III)
G600 Advanced Techniques (cr. arr.)* P: consent of instructor. Training in special geologic methods such as exploration seismology, experimental petrology, X-ray spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, isotopic and organic mass spectrometry.
G600 Electron Microprobe Analysis (2 cr) Course provides a theoretical background to an understanding of electron microprobe analysis, with emphasis on actual hands-on training for running the SX50 electron microprobe for routine image and chemical analyses of solid geological samples.
G600 Practical Geobiology Practical training in the daily working methods of geobiologists, including processing loans and curatorial duties with official IU Collections specimens, database development, identifying fossils for non-specialists, preparing laboratory sessions utilizing fossils, learning software, instrumentation and equipment, and laboratory processing of specimens.
G612 Inverse Methods in Geophysics (2 cr.) P: Mathematics M301, M303, or equivalent. Mathematical techniques to infer the properties of the deep interior of the earth from geophysical data and to appraise the reliability of the results. Theory of generalized inverses in finite dimensional vector spaces and Hilbert space. Resolving power of data. Nonlinear inverse methods. (Tier III)
G613 Seismology II (3 cr.) P: G513. Theory of wave propagation in layered elastic media: Lamb's problem, Cagnaird's method, and propagator matrices. Body force equivalents and the moment tensor representation of seismic sources. Additional selected topics. (Tier III)
G616 Metalliferous Mineral Deposits (3 cr.) P: G416 and G406, or equivalent. Geological processes controlling ore deposition. Application of stable and radioactive isotopes, fluid inclusions, and thermodynamics to the study of ore deposits. Laboratory study of opaque minerals using reflected light microscopy. (Tier III)
G617 Geochemical Exploration (3 cr.) P: G416. Application of geochemical methods in the search for mineral deposits, including analytical techniques, migration of elements, data interpretation, and field problems. Lecture and laboratory. (Tier III)
G626 Industrial Minerals (3 cr.) P: G416. Origin, mode of occurrence, distribution, and uses of mineral commodities other than ores and fuels. Geology of the rocks and minerals used for building materials, chemical raw materials, refractories, fillers, abrasives, fertilizers, fluxes, insulation, filtering agents, and pigments. (Tier III)
G633 Advanced Geophysics Seminar (1-3 cr.; S-F grading) P: consent of instructor. Selected topics in earth physics. (Tier III)
G637 Seminar in Tectonics (1 cr.) P: consent of instructor. Multidisciplinary seminar focusing on regional-scale deformation of the earth's lithosphere. (Tier III)
G690 Advanced Geology Seminar (cr. arr.; S-F grading) P: consent of instructor.
G700 Geologic Problems (1-5 cr.)* P: consent of instructor. Consideration of special geological problems.
