See Also
Undergraduate Programs in Geological Sciences with information on majors, minors and a sample sequence map.
Undergraduate Major Course Descriptions
G323 Structural Geology (3 cr.) P: G104 or G112. P or C: G222. Geometry and origin of folds, faults, joints, and cleavage. Modes and principles of rock deformation. Regional tectonics of selected fold-mountain systems. Laboratory and field trip. I Sem.
G329 Introductory Field Experience in Environmental Science (1-6 cr.) NMNS P: one course in environmental science, G225. Introduction to field-based scientific investigations. Experience in various environmental sciences including ecology, environmental chemistry, geology, hydrology, and meteorology. Field exercises are carried out within an instrumented demonstration watershed close to the Judson Mead Geologic Field Station in Montana. Course includes visits to several Superfund sites. SS.
G334 Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3 cr.) P: G222. Interrelationship of sedimentation and stratigraphy; processes and factors influencing genesis of sedimentary strata; provenance, depositional environment, sedimentary facies, paleoecology; analytical techniques; application of principles of interpretation of stratigraphic record. Laboratory study of sediments and sedimentary rocks. II Sem.
G399 Reading for Honors (12 cr. max.) P: approval of departmental honors advisor. I Sem., II Sem.
G404 Geobiology (3 cr.) P: G334 and Biology L111 or L112. Application of biological principles and use of fossils in the study of earth history. Origin of life and the early fossil record; evolution; approaches to taxonomy; chemistry of fossils; ecology of ancient life; use of fossils in the solution of geologic problems. I Sem.
G406 Introduction to Geochemistry (3 cr.) P: G222, Mathematics M212 or M216, and Chemistry C106; or consent of instructor. Chemistry in the study of the earth, employing elementary chemical thermodynamics, the phase rule, chemical equilibria, redox reactions, the radioactive decay law, and organic chemistry. II Sem.
G410 Undergraduate Research in Geology (1-6 cr.) P: junior standing and consent of advisor. Field and laboratory research in selected problems in geology. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
G411 Invertebrate Paleontology (3 cr.) P: Biology L111 or L112, and one 300- or 400-level course in biology or geology. Structure, classification, habitats, and geological history and significance of the invertebrate phyla. Laboratory study of fossils. II Sem.
G413 Introduction to Geophysics (3 cr.) P: Physics P202 and P222 and Mathematics M212 or M216. Application of physics in the study of geologic and environmental problems. Theory and application of seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electric methods in exploration of the earth's subsurface, with emphasis on near-surface processes. Two lectures and one laboratory per week. I Sem.
G415 Geomorphology (3 cr.) P: G222; college chemistry and mathematics or consent of instructor. Natural processes that form landscapes, surficial geologic materials and soils. Physics and chemistry of weathering. Dynamics of streams, wind, waves, glacier ice, and mass movement. Interactions of geomorphology and environment. I Sem.
G416 Economic Geology (3 cr.) P: G334; Chemistry C106-C126 or consent of instructor. Geologic occurrence and genesis of economic mineral deposits, including petroleum and coal. Introduction to mining, processing, and exploration methods. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. II Sem.
G417 Optical Mineralogy (3 cr.) P: G222 or G225. Use of crystal optics and the petrographic microscope to identify minerals, textures, rocks, and mineral reactions in thin sections of rock. Two three-hour lecture/lab meetings per week or one lecture and two two-hour lab meetings per week if taught as a 15-week class, or an equivalent schedule if taught as an 8-week class. I or II Sem.
G418 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3 cr.) P: G222 or equivalent. The petrogenesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Both the lecture and laboratory portions of the course stress the application of modern petrographic, mineralogic, geochemical, and phase equilibria techniques to the solution of relevant petrologic problems. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory meeting per week. II Sem.
G423 Methods in Applied Geophysics (4 cr.) P: G413 or equivalent. Application of geophysical principles to field and laboratory experiments, with emphasis on data acquisition, analysis, and geologic interpretation. Experiments include earthquake seismology, electrical resistivity, magnetic and gravity surveys, and reflection and refraction seismology. II Sem.
G427 Introduction to X-ray Mineralogy (3 cr.) P: G221. Theory and practice of X-ray powder diffraction. Measurement and analysis of digital diffractometer data, including profile fitting and Rietveld refinement, with applications to geological, environmental, and structural-chemical problems. Two lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. II Sem.
G429 Field Geology in the Rocky Mountains (5-8 cr.) P: G222, G323. Six weeks, including five weeks at the Geologic Field Station in Montana. Geologic reconnaissance, measurement of stratigraphic sections, mapping on aerial photographs, construction of structure sections. Regional geomorphology, stratigraphy, and structure through South Dakota, the Black Hills, Wyoming, Montana, Yellowstone Park, and Glacier Park. SS.
G451 Principles of Hydrogeology (3 cr.) P: C106, M212 or M216, and consent of instructor. Physical and chemical properties of water; chemical equilibria and stable isotopes in groundwaters; acid drainage, landfills, and agricultural pollution; Darcy's Law, fluid potential, unsaturated flow; fluid and aquifer properties affecting groundwater flow; fluid mass-balance equation and its application; contaminant transport. I Sem.
G490 Undergraduate Seminar (1-2 cr.) Open to junior and senior majors by special permission. Readings and discussion of selected topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
G499 Honors Research in Geology (1-6 cr.) P: approval of departmental honors advisor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
