Courses in Geological Sciences

A Geo 100 Planet Earth (3)

Introduction to the Geological Sciences, including evidence for the major processes and significant events in the origin, history and present condition of the solid Earth. Major topics include geological time, earthquakes, volcanism, plate tectonics and the origin and movement of continents and oceans, mountain building, evidence for past climate change, including glaciation, formation of the earth-moon system, earth resources and geological constraints and consequences of energy use. Emphasis is placed on understanding why we think we know things about the Earth, to enable the student to understand common features of rocks and minerals and the larger-scale solid Earth, and to provide a lifetime background for making informed judgments on increasing number of public issues requiring geological knowledge. Fall and spring semesters. [NS]

A Geo 100F Planet Earth (3)

A Geo 100Z is the writing intensive version of A Geo 100; only one may be taken for credit. Fall semester only. [NS WI]

A Geo 106 Physical Geology Laboratory (1)

Elementary classification of minerals and rocks, and their identification in hand specimen. Introduction to geological maps and sections, both as sources of geological information and as aids in the solution of practical problems. Guided and self-guided field trips to building stones of downtown Albany. This course is required for majors in Geology and Earth Science. One lab each week. Corequisite(s): A Geo 100 or 100Z. Fall and spring semesters.

A Geo 201 (= A Gog 201) Environmental Analysis (3)

Uses laboratory work and local field excursions to give students 'hands-on' experience in physical geography and environmental sciences. Focuses on human impacts on the environment and on problems of environmental contamination. Prerequisite or corequisite: A Gog 101. [NS]

A Geo 210 Earth Materials (3)

Crystal structures and crystal chemistry, with emphasis on the major rock- and soil-forming mineral groups. Selected minerals of commercial importance. Examples of mineral-forming processes, and use of mineral properties as indicators of geological conditions. Three lectures each week. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 100 or 100Z, 106; or permission of instructor. Fall semester only.

A Geo 211 Optical Mineralogy Laboratory (1)

Introduction to the petrographic microscope. Optical properties of minerals and their use for mineral identification. One lab each week. Corequisite(s): A Geo 210 or permission of instructor. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 212 Earth Materials Laboratory (1)

An introduction to the study of minerals. Major topics include the formation, physical properties, structure, symmetry, and classification of minerals with emphasis on rock-forming minerals. In laboratory, students will gain hands-on experience with mineral identification of hand samples and mineral properties. The course also introduces more advanced topics in mineral transformations, crystal chemistry, and crystallography.

A Geo 222 Igneous and Metamorphic Geology (4)

Description, classification, and occurrence of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Introduction to phase diagrams, metamorphic facies, and petrogenetic grids. Laboratory section will involve practical identification of mineralogy and textures in hand specimens and thin sections. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 100 or 100Z, 106, 210, 211; or permission of instructor. Spring semester only. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 230 Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, and the Fossil Record (3)

Stratigraphic principles and correlation, identification and classification of sedimentary rocks, introduction to paleontology and historical geology. Three lectures and one lab each week. Geology BS and Earth Science BS majors must also register concurrently for either A Geo 231 or A Geo 231Z, Field Excursions in Stratigraphy. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 100 or 100Z, 106; or permission of instructor. Fall semester only.

A Geo 231 Field Excursions for Stratigraphy (2)

One lab per week and five full-day weekend field trips to be taken by Geology BS and Earth Science BS majors concurrently with A Geo 230 Stratigraphy. Corequisite(s): A Geo 230 or permission of instructor. Offered fall semester only.

A Geo 231Z Field Excursions for Stratigraphy (2)

One lab per week and five full-day weekend field trips to be taken by Geology and Earth Science BS majors concurrently with A Geo 230 Stratigraphy. Extended written and illustrated reports must be submitted based on the observations made on each trip. A Geo 231Z is the writing intensive version of A Geo 231; only one may be taken for credit. Corequisite(s): A Geo 230 or permission of instructor. [WI]. Offered fall semester only.

A Geo 250 Energy and Resources (3)

Examination of energy production using non-renewable (coal, oil, natural gas, uranium) versus renewable resources (hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal) relative to present and future environmental and societal impacts. Fields trips to energy producing facilities (e.g., Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Plant). Prerequisites; A Geo 100 or A Atm 100; A Chm 120 or 130 or A Phy 105; A Mat 111.

A Geo 260 Earth Surface Processes and Hazards (3)

An aspect of environmental science that includes natural geologic processes potentially harmful to people and human modifications of natural systems that can make them harmful. Includes rivers and flooding, groundwater, severe storms, landslides, soil erosion, acid rain, greenhouse effect, pollution and waste disposal, coastal problems, estuarine and wetland problems, and hazards associated with volcanoes and earthquakes. Prerequisites: A Geo 100.

A Geo 317 (= A Gog 317) Geomorphology (3)

A systematic introduction to the study of landforms and the processes that shape them. Laboratory work and field trips are part of the course. Prerequisite(s): A Gog 101; A Geo 100 or 100Z; or permission of instructor. Fall semester only. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 330 Structural Geology I (3)

Descriptive structural geology, with emphasis on features seen at outcrop and map scales. Selected examples of rock microstructures and their interpretation. Three lectures each week. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 100 or 100Z, 106. Spring semester only. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 331 Field Excursions for Structural Geology I (1)

Five full-day weekend field trips to be taken by Geology and Earth Science BS majors concurrently with Structural Geology I. Several written and illustrated reports must be submitted based on the observations made. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor; corequisite: A Geo 330. Offered spring semester only. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 332 Structural Geology Laboratory (1)

Structures on maps, on images, and in rock specimens; computer-based presentation of data. One lab each week. Corequisite(s): A Geo 330. Spring semester only. May not be offered in 2005-2006.

A Geo 350 (formerly A Geo 415) Environmental Geochemistry (4)

Contemporary topics are used to develop concepts of geochemical processes operating in Earth's environmental system. These topics (a) PCBs in the Upper Hudson River, (b) biogeochemical cycles in the global climate system, and (c) geochemical constraints on long-term disposal of high-level, nuclear wastes. 3 hours per week in classroom setting + 2 hours per week of oral presentations by students. [OD]

A Geo 395Z Writing in the Geological Sciences (1)

May be taken with any Geo course at the 300 or 400 level to fulfill a writing intensive version of that course. Students will have an opportunity for assistance during writing and revision of written material with the help of editorial assignments from the instructor. Corequisite(s): any A Geo 300 or 400 level course. Fall and spring semesters. [WI]

A Geo 400 Field Mapping (4)

Supervised geological mapping. Three weeks of field work (off campus) followed by independent study and laboratory sessions for preparation of report (in Albany). Field work starts in early August; laboratory sessions once a week in first quarter of fall semester. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 230, 330; or permission of instructor.

A Geo 420 Instrumental Analysis in Environmental Science (3)

A hands-on introduction to instrumental analysis in earth science. Lecture topics include basic principles of spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, sampling methods, and error estimation with specific applications to environmental science and geology. In laboratory, students will gain hands-on experience with ion chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometry, carbon analysis, and other methods. Provides a foundation for research projects in the senior year. Two hours lecture/2 hours laboratory each week. Prerequisite(s): A Mat 108 and A Geo 350 or permission of the instructor. S/U graded.

A Geo 435 Geohydrology (3)

Introduction to surface water hydrology and ground water hydrogeology. Topics to be covered include, stream hydrograph analysis, flood plain determination, drainage basin analysis, aquifer characterization, pump test analysis, groundwater chemistry and tracers, contaminant hydrogeology, regulatory policy, and introduction to groundwater modeling. . Prerequisite(s): A Mat 112, A Chm 120 or 130 or permission of instructor. Spring semester only.

A Geo 450 Climate Change (4)

Introduction to the field of Paleoclimatology. Focus will be on the use of sediments and other biological and geological archives to reconstruct environmental, climatic, and oceanographic change over a range of time scales. Lecture will also provide an introduction to the fields of climatology, age dating techniques, climatic/ environmental proxies (tracers), micropaleontology, and time-series analysis. In addition to lectures, the class will involve review of current scientific studies, class presentations by each student, and a review paper on a relevant topic of choice. 3 lectures each week and 2 hours each week of oral presentations by students; Prerequisites: A Chm 120 or 130, A Mat 108, or permission of the instructor. This course satisfies the General Education requirement in Oral Discourse. Fall semester only.

A Geo 455 Special Topics (2-3)

A structured program of reading and seminars leading to an in-depth understanding of a chosen topic in geology. Prerequisite(s) A Geo 210, 230, or 230Z; and permission of instructor. Students may repeat course once for an additional two or three credits. Fall or Spring semester.

A Geo 466 Marine/Estuary Systems (3)

Interdisciplinary study of marine and estuary systems with a focus on marine/estuary sedimentology and biogeochemistry. Additional study of lacustrine systems will be integrated into the class. In addition to lectures, the class will involve review of current scientific studies, a class presentation by each student, and a review paper on a relevant topic of choice. 3 lectures each week. Prerequisites: A Geo 100, A Chm 120 or 130, A Geo210, or permission of the instructor.

A Geo 470 Tectonics (4)

Seismologic basis for plate tectonics, kinematics of plate motions, paleomagnetism. Study of modern mid-ocean ridges, magmatic arcs, transforms, and collisional belts. Three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite(s): A Geo 230, 330; or permission of instructor. Fall semester only.

A Geo 497 Independent Study (1-3)

Field or laboratory investigation of a chosen geologic problem, including the writing of a research report to be undertaken during the senior year. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor. Students may repeat this course once for additional credits. Fall or spring semesters.

A Geo 498 Undergraduate Honors Research (3)

Supervised research for undergraduates admitted to the Department Honors Program. To be taken summer and/or fall semester at beginning of senior year. Written proposal for research must be approved no later than end of spring semester of junior year. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor and chair. Fall and spring semesters.

A Geo 499 Seminar in Geology (1)

Oral presentation by students of a research topic: attendance at weekly seminar given by other students in this course, and A Geo 500, and regular attendance at geological science seminars given by outside speakers [approximately once weekly in semester]. Students admitted to the Departmental Honors Program must take this course in the last three semesters of their degree program. Fall and spring semesters. May be repeated up to 3 credits.