Faculty
Geology is part of the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences.
Link to Department Personnel
Link to Profiles of Full-time Department Faculty
Professors: Abbed Babaei, W.B. Clapham, Jr.; Professor Emeritus: Howard H. Lo; Assistant Professor: Fasong Yuan.
Course Descriptions
GEO 100 Introductory Geology (3-0-3). Corequisite: GEO 101. Basic instruction concerning the composition of the earth, with a detailed discussion of the physical and chemical processes that bring about its continual evolution. Return to top
GEO 101 Introductory Geology Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 100. Selected exercises designed to reinforce some concepts covered in GEO 100. Return to top
GEO 106 Introduction to Meteorology (3-0-3). Introduction to weather and weather systems, with a detailed discussion on the nature of the atmosphere, air motions, precipitation, storms, weather patterns, and weather analysis. Return to top
GEO 124 Beyond Google Earth (The Science of Looking at the Place We Live) (3-1-4). Overview of the imagery and other tools used by geospatial scientists to evaluate the resources and limitations of the earth's surface. These include geographic positioning systems, aerial photography, satellite imaging, and geographic information systems (GIS), as well as their applications. Laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience with these technologies and with the techniques used to extract information and understanding from raw geospatial data. Return to top
GEO 140 Development of Continents and Oceans (3-0-3). Introduction to the structure and history of continents and ocean basins; examination of geological provinces of North America, and the sequence of events through geological time that created and changed the earth.. Return to top
GEO 150 Geological History of the Earth (3-0-3). Introduction to the history of the earth. Examination of the biochemical and geological evidence for the origin of life and the mechanisms and patterns of evolution, evaluating the most significant events in the evolutionary history of plants and animals through geological time. Introduction to the structure and history of continents and ocean basins, concentrating on the events through geological time that created the North American continent. Return to top
GEO 151 Geological History of the Earth Laboratory (0-2-1). Pre- or co-requisite: GEO 150. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts presented in GEO 150, including interpretation of maps and identification of fossils. Return to top
GEO 170 Origin and History of Life (3-0-3). Biochemical and geological evidence relating to the origin of life and the mechanisms and patterns of evolution; significant events in the evolutionary history of plants and animals. Return to top
GEO 202 Principles of Paleontology (3-0-3). Presentation of the underlying principles concerning the preservation, description, classification, paleoecology, evolution, and stratigraphy of fossil organisms. Return to top
GEO 203 Paleontology Laboratory (0-4-2). Systematic survey of invertebrate fossils using preserved specimens. Topics include functional morphology, taxonomy, paleoecology, and geological history. Return to top
GEO 210 The Earth and Human Affairs (3-0-3). Examination of geologic hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, floods, and shoreline erosion, including class discussion of current events of this type; examination of development of society. Return to top
GEO 230 Natural Resources (3-0-3). Examination of our natural resources with emphasis on nonrenewable fossil fuels and mineral resources; discussion of the effect of population growth and technology on rates of consumption, mineral economics, and the concept of "reserves"; the future outlook with regard to alternative sources of energy, substitutes, and recycling. Return to top
GEO 293 Special Topics in Geology (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Topics reflect material of special or timely interest which is not likely to be appropriate for regular, continuing course offerings. May be repeated for up to 16 credits with a change in topic. Return to top
GEO 304 Mineralogy (3-0-3). Prerequisite: GEO 100 and CHM 261, or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: GEO 305. Study of elementary crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineral chemistry, and mineral classification; with emphasis on the identification of important minerals using physical properties. Return to top
GEO 305 Mineralogy Laboratory (0-2-1). Prerequisite: GEO 100 and CHM 261, or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: GEO 304. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 304. Return to top
GEO 306 Petrology (3-0-3). Prerequisites: GEO 100 and GEO 101, or permission of instructor. Corequisite: GEO 307. Study of mineralogical and chemical composition; occurrence; classification; origin of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; emphasis on interpretation of phase diagrams and the application of experimental and field studies to the origin of rocks. Return to top
GEO 307 Petrology Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 306. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 306. Return to top
GEO 312 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (3-0-3). Prerequisites: GEO 100 and GEO 223, which may be taken concurrently with GEO 312, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEO 313. Study of the origin, dispersal, deposition, and lithification of sediments; variation of sedimentary parameters; discussions of facies, correlation, use of sedimentary structures, and paleographic reconstruction; regional stratigraphy of North America. Return to top
GEO 313 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 312. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 312. Return to top
GEO 314 Paleoecology (3-0-3). Environmental reconstruction using fossils; particular attention given to organism-sediment interrelations, organism diversity, distribution adaptive morphology, and community structure. Return to top
GEO 320 Structural Geology (3-0-3). Prerequisites: GEO 100, GEO 101and GEO 223 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEO 321. Study of the forces involved in the deformation of the earth's crust, with emphasis on the recognition, interpretation, and illustration of the resultant geologic structures. Return to top
GEO 321 Structural Geology Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 320. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 320. Return to top
GEO 323 Geospatial Concepts and Tools (1-4-3). Practicum on environmental geography, concentrating on the information, concepts, and tools we use to visualize and analyze the environment. Basic information sources include maps, aerial photographs, and satellite imagery. Analytical tools include direct observation and measurement of these sources, as well as an introduction to the use of geographic information systems and image processing for remote sensing. Intended for majors in biology, environmental science, and geology. Return to top
GEO 350 Introduction to Oceanography (3-0-3). Prerequisites: Minimum of two science courses. Examination of the interrelated physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes operating in sea water and ocean basins; selected topics relating to the geologic interpretation of the marine rock record, factors regulating growth and environmental habitat of organisms, and the geophysics of ocean basins. Return to top
GEO 354 Geochemistry (4-0-4). Prerequisites: GEO 100 and GEO 101, or permission of instructor. Study of geochemical principles and their application to geologic processes. Topics include radiometric dating, element abundance, water chemistry, sedimentary geochemistry, and the geochemistry of invertebrate skeletons, particularly their isotopic and trace element compositions. Return to top
GEO 358 Field Geology of the Cleveland Area (2-0-2). Prerequisites: Two courses in science or permission of instructor. Corequisite: GEO 359. This course describes the geological history of the Cleveland area and illustrates its relation to the physical, economic, and social development of Cleveland. The course will include laboratory exercises but will emphasize field trip studies. Return to top
GEO 359 Field Geology of the Cleveland Area Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 358. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 358. Return to top
GEO 404 Environmental Science for Teachers (3-0-3). Prerequisites: At least three courses in the College of Education at the 300-level or above, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Application of environmental science to the classroom. Substantive materials from geology, biology, chemistry, and other sciences will be integrated to create a coherent picture of the functioning of the complex systems underpinning the natural world and human society; and the ability for students to understand how society can manage these systems. This course is intended for students working toward school certification. A significant part of the course will be the development of curricular materials based on course content for use in participants' own classes. Return to top
GEO 408 Environmental Geology for Teachers (3-0-3). Prerequisites: At least three courses in the College of Education at the 300-level or above, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor. Detailed examination of geologic hazards and the constraints placed by regional geology and geography on the problems facing modern, urban industrial societies. This course is intended for students working toward school certification. A significant part of the course will be the development of curricular materials based on course content for use in participants' own classes. Return to top
GEO 410 Geological History of the Cleveland Area (3-0-3). Prerequisites: At least three courses in the College of Education at the 300-level or above, or equivalent, or permission of the instructor. This course provides a basis of illustrating the relation of regional geology to the physical, economic, and social development of the Cleveland area. The course will emphasize laboratory experimentation and field trip studies. Return to top
GEO 420 Rivers and Watersheds of Northeast Ohio (2-0-2). Prerequisite: GEO 223 or permission of instructor. Corequisite: GEO 421. Introduction to the study of watersheds. This course no longer offered as of Spring 2006. See EVS 472. Return to top
GEO 421 Rivers and Watersheds Laboratory (0-4-2). Corequisite: GEO 420. Students will examine chemical, biological, and habitat aspects of area streams; study the watersheds of those streams; and carry out limited watershed-modeling exercises designed to help understand the dynamics of watersheds and the streams that drain them. This course no longer offered as of Spring 2006. See EVS 473. Return to top
GEO 425 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (2-4-4). Prerequisite: GEO 223. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and the use of computerized techniques for assessing geographically distributed data. The course will include the use of GIS techniques to analyze data and present those analyses. It will concentrate on the use of satellite imagery and aerial photography, as well as standardized data sets available from commercial sources and the World Wide Web. Laboratory is selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in lecture. Return to top
GEO 427 Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (1-6-4). Prerequisite: GEO 425. Intensive investigation of the techniques and problems associated with using remote-sensed data for Geographic Information Systems-based analyses in geology, biology, and environmental science. Return to top
GEO 444 Hydrogeology (3-0-3). Prerequisite: At least one course at the 300-level or higher in Geology (excluding GEO 404, 408, and 410). Corequisite: GEO 445. Study of the concepts and principles of ground-water flow in rocks, sediments, and soils. The course will deal with flow in both saturated and unsaturated zones, and will include issues related to ground-water use, pollution, and ground-water monitoring both for quality and quantity. Laboratory exercises will cover mathematical and computer solutions to equations and real life situations. Some field work will be required. Return to top
GEO 445 Hydrogeology Laboratory (0-2-1). Corequisite: GEO 444. Selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in GEO 444. Return to top
GEO 451 Field Geology (Minimum of 4 credits). Geological mapping using aerial photographs and topographic maps; solution of field problems in stratigraphy, structure, and paleontology; written report required. Offered in summer at selected universities. Return to top
GEO 460 Geomorphology (3-2-4). Prerequisite: GEO 223 or permission of instructor. Study of the surface forms of the earth, with emphasis on erosional or depositional processes in different climates and the forms they produce. Laboratory is selected exercises designed to reinforce concepts covered in lecture. Return to top
GEO 490 Internship in Geology (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Independent study related to work experience for majors in Geology and Environmental Sciences. Return to top
GEO 493 Special Topics in Geology (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Topics to reflect material of special or timely interest which is not likely to be appropriate for regular, continuing course offerings. Return to top
GEO 496 Independent Study in Geology (1 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Independent study of material of special or timely interest which is not likely to be appropriate for or covered in regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Return to top
GEO 497 Research in Geology (1 to 12 credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Undergraduate research carried out by special arrangement. The student may work independently or as an assistant to a faculty investigator. May be repeated for up to 16 credit hours. Return to top
GEO 499 Exit Evaluation (0-1-0). Prerequisite: Senior standing. Final exit examination and outcomes assessment evaluation required of all graduating seniors. Graded S/U. Return to top