Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
How does the earth work, what is it made of, and how does it change through time? Plate tectonics, Earth materials, landforms, structures, climate, and natural resources. Emphasis on the observations and hypotheses used to interpret earth system processes. Students may also enroll in GEOL 1000L. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 2.
Students will gain understanding of how Earth processes affect their lives and how they affect the Earth, and of the complex nature of the Earth and its processes. They will gain a deep knowledge of the methods used to understand the time scales and rates of Earth processes also through an applied research experience on groundwater and surface water. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
(Cross-listed with ENVS 1010).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Exploration of the interactions between humans and the geologic environment, and the consequences of those interactions, on local to global scales. Discussion of water, soil, mineral, and energy resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanism, mass wasting, and flooding. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010
Tectonic, climate, and biological evolution of the Earth. Interactions between the three are emphasized. Students will learn methods used to decipher earth history, including reading papers and maps, introductory computer coding, and using rocks and fossils. Students majoring in geology must also enroll in GEOL 1020L.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Credit or concurrent enrollment in GEOL 1020
Introduction to the tools used to study Earth history. Students will gain familiarity with sketching/drawing, rock/mineral/fossil identification, reading maps, learning about geologic history, and how we use these tools to reconstruct the Earth's history.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Introduction to the diversity of dinosaur species. Discussion of basic evolutionary theory and interpretation of fossil evidence. Overview of Mesozoic Earth history including paleogeographic and paleoclimate reconstructions. Course available via the World Wide Web. (Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Offered in second half of the semester. Introduction to gems and gemstones, physical and optical properties of gems and gemstones, explanation of where gems come from and how they are found, how to distinguish between synthetic and naturally occurring gems, how the value of gems are determined, and the history of famous gems. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Cross-listed with ENVS 1080).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Introduction to the study of oceans and the processes that helped shape them. A major focus is on how the oceans work, with special attention on geological, chemical, and biological processes. Ocean circulation and its influence on climate. Life of the oceans. Use and misuse of ocean resources. Anthropogenic impacts on the oceanic environment. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Cross-listed with ENVS 1110).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Introduction to the catastrophic geologic processes with the potential to devastate human populations that continue to expand into regions at greatest risk from geologic hazards. Selected case studies and discussion of plate tectonics, climate, and earth processes explain the driving forces behind natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and floods. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
(Cross-listed with MTEOR 1120).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Orientation course for students enrolled in the Earth, Wind and Fire Learning Community. Provides an introduction to Iowa State University and meteorology, geology, and Earth science programs for students enrolled in the department's learning community. Activities include academic and social activities, talks and presentations on academic success, resume writing, and study abroad, as well as research talks by faculty members. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Cross-listed with MTEOR 1130).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Spring orientation course for students enrolled in the 'Earth, Wind and Fire' Learning Community. Develop and apply quantitative, data-analysis, management, and communication skills on an authentic research project in a team to focus on professionalism and resilience. Introduction to interview strategies and the importance of creating a professional image on social media. Academic and social events, plus two field trips. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Cross-listed with AGRON 1400/ ENVS 1400/ MTEOR 1400).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
The climate system of our planet. How nature and our actions alter the existing energy balance leading to climate change. Past climates on our planet. The influence of climate on society and resource availability during the Holocene (~ 11,000 years ago to present) with focus on changes post industrial revolution. Significant climate events that have altered our way of life in the past. Projected changes in future climate and potential impacts on society, environment and resources. Adaption to and mitigation of climate change. Meets International Perspectives Requirement. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
(Cross-listed with AGRON 1600/ ENVS 1600/ MTEOR 1600).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Study of the occurrence, history, development, and management of world water resources. Basic hydrologic principles including climate, surface water, groundwater, and water quality. Historical and current perspectives on water policy, use, and the role of water in society and the environment. Meets International Perspectives Requirement. (Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Introduction to Earth materials and processes with emphasis on engineering and environmental applications. (Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Independent study for freshman and sophomore students.
Credits: Required.
Prereq: GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010, GEOL 1000L, GEOL 1020, GEOL 1020L; sophomore classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing the work period.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
Credits: 6.
Prereq: GEOL 1020, GEOL 3560, and GEOL 3680
Geologic mapping; structural, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, metamorphic, geomorphic, and environmental analyses. Study areas in the Bighorn Basin and Wind River Range and excursions to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. A 6-week summer field course required of all geology majors.
(Typically Offered: Summer)
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Credit or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1630 or CHEM 1670 or CHEM 1770
Introduction to mineral classification, elementary crystal chemistry, crystal growth and morphology, mineral stability, and mineral associations. GEOL 1000 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 2010 or equivalent recommended.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Credit or concurrent enrollment in CHEM 1630 or CHEM 1670 or CHEM 1770
Laboratory problems in mineral-identification methods utilizing optical microscopic techniques. GEOL 1000 or GEOL 1010 or GEOL 2010 or equivalent recommended.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 3240/ ENVS 3240/ MTEOR 3240).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: CHEM 1630, CHEM 1670, or CHEM 1770
Exploration of the origin of Earth's energy resources and the environmental and climatic impacts of energy acquisition and consumption. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources within an Earth-system context. Various environmentally-relevant topics such as water quality and availability, habitat destruction, greenhouse-gas emissions, and health and safety hazards to wildlife and human communities.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 4. Contact Hours: Lecture 3, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: (GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010); PHYS 1310; PHYS 1310L
Principles of stress, strain, and rheology. Brittle and ductile behavior of rocks. Mechanics of formation, description, and classification of fractures, faults, folds, foliation, and lineation. From micro-structures to tectonic processes. Laboratory includes application of learned concepts to real-world scenarios, geometrical techniques to solve structural problems.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 3.
Prereq: (GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010); PHYS 1310; PHYS 1310L
Generation and interpretation of geological maps via a combination of laboratory and field exercises. Developing skills in 3D thinking, cross-section construction, stereonet analysis, field data collection, and communicating scientific results.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: GEOL 3150, GEOL 3150L, and GEOL 3160
Nature and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Emphasis on important rock-forming environments and processes and their influence on rock characteristics. Laboratory includes thin section study of rock textures and mineralogy and the interpretation of these features.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
Credits: 4. Contact Hours: Lecture 3, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: GEOL 1020
Exploration of the interplay between weathering, sedimentation, sea-level change, tectonics, and life through time that creates sedimentary rocks and stratigraphic packages. Understanding of the historical development of sedimentary geology through the development of petrography, paleontology, deep earth sampling, geophysical technologies, and geochemistry. Field and laboratory problem sets illuminate lecture material.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: Required.
Prereq: GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010, GEOL 1000L, GEOL 1020, GEOL 1020L and Junior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5020/ ENSCI 5020/ MTEOR 5020/ NREM 5020).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4020/ MTEOR 4020/ NREM 4020).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes. (Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1-2. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Weekly seminar introduces students to a selected geological region or theme that is visited on a required ten-day field excursion. Introduction to field-safety leadership.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5090/ ENSCI 5090).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4090).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Laboratory 4.
Prereq: GEOL 4020/ENSCI 4020, GEOL 4110/ENSCI 4110 or CE 4730
Introduction to field methods used in groundwater investigations. In-field implementation of pumping tests, slug tests, monitoring well installation and drilling techniques, geochemical and water quality sampling, seepage meters, minipiezometers, stream gaging, and electronic instrumentation for data collection. Field trips to investigate water resource, water quality, and remediation projects. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Summer)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5110/ ENSCI 5110).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4110).
Credits: 4. Contact Hours: Lecture 3, Laboratory 2.
Physical principles of groundwater flow, nature and origin of aquifers and confining units, well hydraulics, groundwater modeling, and contaminant transport. Lab emphasizes applied field and laboratory methods for hydrogeological investigations. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5120).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4120).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: GEOL 1020 and GEOL 1020L
Evolution, identification and utility of major microfossil groups from the Mesozoic to present. Focus on Cenozoic applications including biostratigraphy, paleoclimate, and paleothermometry using assemblages, stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, and molecular fossils. Laboratory includes processing and analysis of specific microfossils. Major groups covered include foraminifera, calcareous nanofossils, sponge spicules, diatoms, radiolarians, and silicoflagellates. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5130/ CE 5130/ ENSCI 5130).
(Cross-listed with CE 4130/ ENSCI 4130).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Seismic, gravity, magnetic, resistivity, electromagnetic, and ground-penetrating radar techniques for shallow subsurface investigations and imaging. Data interpretation methods. Lab emphasizes computer interpretation packages. Field work with seismic - and resistivity-imaging systems and radar. Introductory geology, algebra, and trigonometry recommended. Offered odd-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5140/ ENSCI 5140).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4140).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: (GEOL 4110 or CE 4730); MATH 1650
Introduction to the principles of modeling groundwater flow systems. Finite-difference and analytic-element methods, spreadsheet models, boundary conditions, calibration, sensitivity analysis, parameter estimation, particle tracking, and post-audit analysis. Application of MODFLOW to regional flow-system analysis. Computer laboratory emphasizes assigned problems that illustrate topics discussed in the course. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5150/ ENSCI 5150).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4150).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Introduction to mechanisms that drive climate, including the interplay between oceanic and atmospheric circulation and fluctuation in Earth's orbital parameters. Examination and analysis of past climate records ranging from historical documentation to ecological and geochemical proxies (e.g. tree ring analysis; O and C isotopes of skeletal carbonates and soils). Dating methods used to constrain and correlate climatic periods; utility of computer models to reconstruct past climates and predict future climate change. Emphasis placed on paleoclimatology and paleoecology of the late Quaternary (last ~1 million years). Offered even-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5160/ ENSCI 5160/ MTEOR 5160).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4160/ MTEOR 4160).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Study of the basic principles of hydrologic modeling, including rainfall-runoff analysis, lumped and distributed modeling, conceptual and physical models, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis, input and validation data, uncertainty analysis, and the use of models in surface water hydrology. A range of common models are applied to study hydrologic topics such as flood forecasting and land use change impacts. Previous experience with Matlab or other programming language is needed. Offered odd-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5190/ ENSCI 5190).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4190).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: CHEM 1780, CHEM 1780L and Junior classification
Geochemistry of natural waters and water-rock interactions. Acid-base equilibria, carbonate chemistry and buffer systems, mineral dissolution and precipitation, sorption, ion exchange, and redox reactions. Introduction to thermodynamics and kinetics. Laboratory emphasizes chemical analysis of waters and computer modeling. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5200).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: GEOL 3650
Geology and geochemistry of non-metallic and metallic ore deposits. Major processes that concentrate metals in the Earth. Geochemical conditions of ore formation using stable-isotope and fluid-inclusion studies. Laboratory emphasizes the study of metallic ores. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5260/ ENSCI 5260).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4260).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Introduction to the theory, methods and applications of stable isotopes. Primary focus on the origin, natural abundance, and fractionation of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen isotopes. Applications of isotopic occurrence for elucidation of physical, chemical, biological, and environmental processes. Effects of plant physiology, photosynthesis, trophic structure, diffusion, evaporation, chemical precipitation, soil and atmospheric processes, and environmental factors on isotope abundance. Offered odd-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5390/ CE 5390).
(Cross-listed with CE 4390).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Physics of elastic-wave propagation. Seismic surveys in environmental imaging, engineering, and petroleum exploration. Reflection and refraction techniques. Data collection, processing, and geological interpretation. Field work with state-of-the-art equipment. Introductory geology, algebra, and trigonometry recommended. Offered even-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5440).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
The geoscience and engineering aspects of exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbon resources around the world, as well as the historical and legal frameworks through which the industry has developed. Broader discussions of safety, risk, uncertainty, cost, and integrity as relevant to the petroleum industry. Offered even-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5520/ AGRON 5520/ ENSCI 5520).
(Cross-listed with AGRON 4520/ ENSCI 4520).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) using ArcGIS Pro with particular emphasis on geoscientific data. Teaches typical GIS operations and analyses in the geosciences to prepare students for practical use of GIS in industry and academia. Includes a class project for GEOL 5520. Sophomore classification or above recommended. (Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5680/ ENSCI 5680/ MTEOR 5680).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4680/ MTEOR 4680).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: GEOL 4520; CRP 3510; CRP 4520; (NREM 3450 or NREM 4470)
Introduction to geospatial data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Geospatial techniques including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and global positioning systems (GPS). Study of applied geostatistical analysis (e.g., interpolation and spatial regression). Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5740).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010
The study of glaciers, the landscapes and sediments they create, and their behavior during the Quaternary Period. Discussion of the flow of glaciers, glacial erosion and sediment transport, glacial landforms, Quaternary glacier/climate interactions, and the landscapes of Iowa. Laboratory emphasizes topographic map interpretation and local field trips. An introductory course in geology is recommended as background. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5790/ ENSCI 5790).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4790).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
The study of physical processes that shape Earth's surface. Topics include weathering, sediment transport, and landform genesis with emphasis on fluvial, glacial, hillslope, eolian, and coastal processes. Applications to engineering and environmental problems. Laboratory includes topographic map interpretation and local field trips. An introductory course in geology is recommended as background. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with ENSCI 5830).
(Cross-listed with BIOL 4830/ ENSCI 4830).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Combined 12 credits in biology, chemistry, and physics
An exploration of biological, physical and geochemical impacts on the structure and function of ecosystems from local to global scales. Emphasis on the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals, and how these have been impacted by human activity. Topics may include biological feedbacks to climate change, microbial physiology and redox reactions, plant/soil feedbacks, terrestrial/aquatic linkages, early Earth processes and the origins of life. Offered odd-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with EEOB 5870/ ENSCI 5870/ GEOL 5870/ MICRO 5870).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 4870/ BIOL 4870/ MICRO 4870).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: 6 credits in Biology and 6 credits in Chemistry
Introduction to major functional groups of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms and their roles in natural and environmental systems. Consequences of microbial activity on water chemistry, weathering, and precipitation/dissolution reactions will be emphasized.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 5880/ AGRON 5880/ ENSCI 5880).
(Cross-listed with AGRON 4880/ ENSCI 4880).
Credits: 3.
GIS course with focus on the spatial analysis and modeling of raster and triangulated irregular network (TIN) data using ArcGIS Pro. Includes practical exercises during lectures, lab exercises, homework assignments, and (for GEOL 5880) a class project. Basic knowledge of ArcGIS Pro is a plus but not required. Course can be taken concurrently to any other Intro GIS course. Sophomore classification or above recommended. Offered odd-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with MTEOR 5890/ EE 5890/ ENSCI 5890/ GEOL 5890/ NREM 5890).
(Cross-listed with EE 4890/ ENSCI 4890/ MTEOR 4890/ NREM 4890).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Electromagnetic-radiation principles, active and passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, imaging radar, SAR, thermal imaging, lidar. Examples of applications. Also offered online S. (Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with MTEOR 5890L/ EE 5890L/ GEOL 5890L/ NREM 5890L).
(Cross-listed with EE 4890L/ MTEOR 4890L/ NREM 4890L).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Completion or concurrent enrollment in MTEOR/GEOL/NREM/EE 4890/5890
Processing and analysis of satellite sensor data (optical and radar). Provides practical applications in an environmental context.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits.
Prereq: 6 credits in geology; Permission of Instructor
Independent study for senior students. Graduation Restriction: No more than 9 credits of GEOL 4900 may be counted toward graduation.
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Prereq: Junior or Senior Classification
Weekly seminar on topics of current research interest. Requires written summaries of three presentations of choice.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: Required.
Prereq: (GEOL 1000 or GEOL 2010); GEOL 1000L; GEOL 1020; GEOL 1020L; Permission of Department Cooperative Education Coordinator; Senior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer)
Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4020/ ENSCI 4020/ MTEOR 4020/ NREM 4020).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5020/ MTEOR 5020/ NREM 5020).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1-2. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Weekly seminar introduces students to a selected geological region or theme that is visited on a required ten-day field excursion. Graduate students are expected to assist in field teaching and safety leadership.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 1.
Repeatable, maximum of 1 credits.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
On-site inspection of various ore deposits, mining operations, and terrains dominated by igneous or metamorphic rocks. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4090/ ENSCI 4090).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5090).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Laboratory 4.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to field methods used in groundwater investigations. In-field implementation of pumping tests, slug tests, monitoring well installation and drilling techniques, geochemical and water quality sampling, seepage meters, minipiezometers, stream gaging, and electronic instrumentation for data collection. Field trips to investigate water resource, water quality, and remediation projects. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Summer)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4110/ ENSCI 4110).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5110).
Credits: 4. Contact Hours: Lecture 3, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Physical principles of groundwater flow, nature and origin of aquifers and confining units, well hydraulics, groundwater modeling, and contaminant transport. Lab emphasizes applied field and laboratory methods for hydrogeological investigations.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4120).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5120).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Evolution, identification and utility of major microfossil groups from the Mesozoic to present. Focus on Cenozoic applications including biostratigraphy, paleoclimate, and paleothermometry using assemblages, stable isotopes, Mg/Ca, and molecular fossils. Laboratory includes processing and analysis of specific microfossils. Major groups covered include foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, sponge spicules, diatoms, radiolarians, and silicoflagellates. Offered even-numbered years. (Typically Offered: Fall).
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4130/ CE 4130/ ENSCI 4130).
(Cross-listed with CE 5130/ ENSCI 5130).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Seismic, gravity, magnetic, resistivity, electromagnetic, and ground-penetrating radar techniques for shallow subsurface investigations and imaging. Data interpretation methods. Lab emphasizes computer interpretation packages. Field work with seismic - and resistivity-imaging systems and radar. Introductory geology, algebra, and trigonometry recommended. Offered odd-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4140/ ENSCI 4140).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5140).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to the principles of modeling groundwater flow systems. Finite-difference and analytic-element methods, spreadsheet models, boundary conditions, calibration, sensitivity analysis, parameter estimation, particle tracking, and post-audit analysis. Application of MODFLOW to regional flow-system analysis. Computer laboratory emphasizes assigned problems that illustrate topics discussed in the course. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4150/ ENSCI 4150).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5150).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to mechanisms that drive climate, including the interplay between oceanic and atmospheric circulation and fluctuation in Earth's orbital parameters. Examination and analysis of past climate records ranging from historical documentation to ecological and geochemical proxies (e.g. tree ring analysis; O and C isotopes of skeletal carbonates and soils). Dating methods used to constrain and correlate climatic periods; utility of computer models to reconstruct past climates and predict future climate change. Emphasis placed on paleoclimatology and paleoecology of the late Quaternary (last ~1 million years). Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4160/ ENSCI 4160/ MTEOR 4160).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5160/ MTEOR 5160).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Study of the basic principles of hydrologic modeling, including rainfall-runoff analysis, lumped and distributed modeling, conceptual and physical models, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis, input and validation data, uncertainty analysis, and the use of models in surface water hydrology. A range of common models are applied to study hydrologic topics such as flood forecasting and land use change impacts. Previous experience with Matlab or other programming language is needed. Offered odd-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4190/ ENSCI 4190).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5190).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Geochemistry of natural waters and water-rock interactions. Acid-base equilibria, carbonate chemistry and buffer systems, mineral dissolution and precipitation, sorption, ion exchange, and redox reactions. Introduction to thermodynamics and kinetics. Laboratory emphasizes chemical analysis of waters and computer modeling. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4200).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Geology and geochemistry of non-metallic and metallic ore deposits. Major processes that concentrate metals in the Earth. Geochemical conditions of ore formation using stable-isotope and fluid-inclusion studies. Laboratory emphasizes the study of metallic ores. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4260/ ENSCI 4260).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5260).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to the theory, methods and applications of stable isotopes. Primary focus on the origin, natural abundance, and fractionation of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen isotopes. Applications of isotopic occurrence for elucidation of physical, chemical, biological, and environmental processes. Effects of plant physiology, photosynthesis, trophic structure, diffusion, evaporation, chemical precipitation, soil and atmospheric processes, and environmental factors on isotope abundance. Offered odd-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4390/ CE 4390).
(Cross-listed with CE 5390).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Physics of elastic-wave propagation. Seismic surveys in environmental imaging, engineering, and petroleum exploration. Reflection and refraction techniques. Data collection, processing, and geological interpretation. Field work with state-of-the-art equipment. Introductory geology, algebra, and trigonometry recommended. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4440).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
The geoscience and engineering aspects of exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbon resources around the world, as well as the historical and legal frameworks through which the industry has developed. Broader discussions of safety, risk, uncertainty, cost, and integrity as relevant to the petroleum industry. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4520/ AGRON 4520/ ENSCI 4520).
(Cross-listed with AGRON 5520/ ENSCI 5520).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) using ArcGIS Pro with particular emphasis on geoscientific data. Teaches typical GIS operations and analyses in the geosciences to prepare students for practical use of GIS in industry and academia. Includes a class project for GEOL 5520. Sophomore classification or above recommended.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 4. Contact Hours: Lecture 3, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Analysis of geologic data on applied and quantitative basis using MATLAB. Introduction to basic programming with special focus to applied geoscience problems such as stress and strain analysis, particle tracking for fracture propagation and strain field visualization, basic tectonic modeling, red noise filtering. Toolkit development for effective handling of large data sets and picture analysis.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4680/ ENSCI 4680/ MTEOR 4680).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5680/ MTEOR 5680).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to geospatial data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Geospatial techniques including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and global positioning systems (GPS). Study of applied geostatistical analysis (e.g., interpolation and spatial regression). Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4740).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 2.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
The study of glaciers, the landscapes and sediments they create, and their behavior during the Quaternary Period. Discussion of the flow of glaciers, glacial erosion and sediment transport, glacial landforms, Quaternary glacier/climate interactions, and the landscapes of Iowa. Laboratory emphasizes topographic map interpretation and local field trips. An introductory course in geology and is recommended as background. Offered even-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4790/ ENSCI 4790).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5790).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 2, Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
The study of physical processes that shape Earth's surface. Topics include weathering, sediment transport, and landform genesis with emphasis on fluvial, glacial, hillslope, eolian, and coastal processes. Applications to engineering and environmental problems. Laboratory includes topographic map interpretation and local field trips. An introductory course in geology is recommended as background.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with BIOL 4870/ ENSCI 4870/ GEOL 4870/ MICRO 4870).
(Cross-listed with ENSCI 5870/ EEOB 5870/ MICRO 5870).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Introduction to major functional groups of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms and their roles in natural and environmental systems. Consequences of microbial activity on water chemistry, weathering, and precipitation/dissolution reactions will be emphasized.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with GEOL 4880/ AGRON 4880/ ENSCI 4880).
(Cross-listed with AGRON 5880/ ENSCI 5880).
Credits: 3.
Prereq: (GEOL 4520; CRP 4510; CRP 4520; NREM 3450; NREM 4460; AE 4080) or graduate standing
GIS course with focus on the spatial analysis and modeling of raster and triangulated irregular network (TIN) data using ArcGIS Pro. Includes practical exercises during lectures, lab exercises, homework assignments, and (for GEOL 5880) a class project. Basic knowledge of ArcGIS Pro is a plus but not required. Course can be taken concurrently to any other Intro GIS course. Sophomore classification or above recommended. Offered odd-numbered years.
(Typically Offered: Spring)
(Dual-listed with MTEOR 4890/ EE 4890/ ENSCI 4890/ GEOL 4890/ NREM 4890).
(Cross-listed with EE 5890/ ENSCI 5890/ MTEOR 5890/ NREM 5890).
Credits: 3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Electromagnetic-radiation principles, active and passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, imaging radar, SAR, thermal imaging, lidar. Examples of applications. Also offered online S.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
(Dual-listed with MTEOR 4890L/ EE 4890L/ GEOL 4890L/ NREM 4890L).
(Cross-listed with EE 5890L/ MTEOR 5890L/ NREM 5890L).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Laboratory 3.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Processing and analysis of satellite sensor data (optical and radar). Provides practical applications in an environmental context.
(Typically Offered: Fall)
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-3. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
(Cross-listed with MTEOR 5950A).
Credits: 1. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Weekly seminar on topics of current research interest. All students seeking a graduate degree must enroll during each semester of residence. Students pursuing a non-thesis option for the M.S. in Earth Science must enroll for one semester. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
(Cross-listed with MTEOR 5950B).
Credits: Required. Contact Hours: Lecture 1.
Repeatable.
Prereq: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Attendance only. Weekly seminar on topics of current research interest. All students seeking a graduate degree must enroll during each semester of residence. Students pursuing a non-thesis option for the M.S. in Earth Science must enroll for one semester. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Courses for graduate students:
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-3. Contact Hours: Lecture 3.
Repeatable.
(Typically Offered: Fall, Spring)
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course
Credits: 1-30. Repeatable.
Prereq: Instructor Permission for Course