Geological Sciences

Using the scientific method, critical thinking skills, and data analysis, this course will examine the fundamental processes of the earth system, composed of an atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and exosphere, through time. The course will also explore interactions between these spheres, including critical analysis of scientific theories and emphasize Earth’s connections with humans.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Using the scientific method, critical thinking skills, and data analysis, this course will examine the fundamental processes of the earth system, composed of an atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and exosphere, through time. The course will also explore interactions between these spheres, including critical analysis of scientific theories and emphasize Earth’s connections with humans.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Examination of unique episodes in the physical and biological history of the earth.

Attributes: General Education – Biological Science, General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Laboratory provides a basic understanding of Florida’s geology, geologic history, geologic resources and geologically related environmental problems.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

1 Credit

Overview of important topics in Earth science through the examination of hazards, ranging from earthquakes and volcanoes to global warming and impacts from space. For those who are not majoring in science.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Using the scientific method, critical thinking skills, and data analysis, this course will examine the fundamental processes of the earth system, composed of an atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and exosphere through time. The course will also explore interactions between these spheres, including critical analysis of scientific theories and emphasize lithospheric connections with humanity.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

4 Credits

Hazardous geologic processes and current environmental concerns are related to the earth, the forces acting upon it and the resulting surface features and materials. Human interaction with the environment is illustrated using modern case studies.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Introduces planet Earth as a dynamic and complex global system which has changed due to human interaction. Course materials demonstrate physical and chemical links between the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere that directly impact the sustainability of human lifestyles at a variety of timescales.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Advanced examination of the geologic history of planet earth with an emphasis on North America.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

4 Credits

Introduces geological concepts in the context of selected US national parks. Relates geology to the cultural aspects of these parks and present-day environmental concerns.

Prerequisite: Critical Tracking semester 2 or greater.

3 Credits

Concepts of crystallography, crystal chemistry, physical properties of minerals, mineral genesis and systematic study of the rock-forming or otherwise important minerals including the theory and use of the petrographic microscope for study and identification of these minerals in thin section.

Prerequisite: CHM 1030 or CHM 1025, and GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C.

4 Credits

Overview of the origin and occurrence of earth materials with a particular emphasis on the identification and classification of minerals and rocks. Activities involve lecture and a fully integrated laboratory component where students learn to identify and classify minerals and rocks through both macroscopic and microscopic investigation.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of GLY, ESC or OCE courses.

3 Credits

Insight into current scientific, political, legal, social, and economic aspects of hydrogeology.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

Basic disciplines important in understanding the origin and classification of sedimentary rocks including sedimentary petrology, sedimentology, and stratigraphy.

Prerequisite: (GLY 2100C or GLY 3105C) and GLY 3200C.

4 Credits

Methods and techniques used in geological fieldwork.

Prerequisite: GLY 3105C or GLY 2100C, or instructor permission.

2 Credits

For work in addition to that offered in regular courses in mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and structural geology.

Prerequisite: 15 credits of geology and instructor permission.

1-3 Credits

Provides firsthand, supervised research in geology. Projects may involve inquiry, design, investigation, scholarship, discovery or application in geology.

Prerequisite: None

0-3 Credits

Lecture, conferences or laboratory sessions covering selected topics of current interest in modern geology.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1-3 Credits

The abundance and distribution of the elements and their behavior during various geological processes.

Prerequisite: CHM 2046, GLY 2010C

3 Credits

This one credit course is based on weekly seminars. The seminars take place ‘live” at 3:30 pm on Thursdays.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

Understand basic practices for laboratory safety and various sample preparation techniques used in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Learn basic operations of different analytical instruments (SEM, XRF, XRD, Noble Gas MS, IRMS, ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS, Laser Ablation) utilized for elemental, isotopic, and geochronological analyses in the Earth and Environmental Sciences

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

This course will give you an overview of careers in the geosciences and the skills regularly used by professional geologists. The purpose of this course is to explore geoscience careers, get some experience in project management, learn about the geologic underpinnings of various jobs/job sites, and to build your professional toolkit with industry professionals serving as guest instructors. Guided activities using real datasets will provide experiential learning with real-world applications.

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

3 Credits

Evolution and formation of mid-ocean ridges, seamounts, hot spots, island arcs, back-arc basins, passive margins, and mountain chains.

Prerequisite: GLY 4400C

3 Credits

Compositional variability, phase relations, and petrogenetic history of igneous rocks, volcanic
regions, and mantle. Theories of petrotectonic associations and magmagenesis.

Prerequisite: GLY 4310C or equivalent

3 Credits

Examines the origins, fates, and distribution of organic compounds in contemporary aquatic waters as well as in recent and ancient sediments.

Prerequisite: OCE 1001

3 Credits

Come help us dig up fossils! This Special Topics course is designed to provide an overview of Florida fossil vertebrates through lectures and discussions plus direct experience with vertebrate paleontology fieldwork in Florida. We will be especially focused on digging at a late Miocene fossil vertebrate locality close to Williston, Florida.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Objectives of the class this semester will be to continue developing peer-reviewed papers derived from presentations made at the AGU meeting,

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

The abundance and distribution of the elements and their behavior during various geological processes.

Prerequisite: CHM 2046, GLY 2010C

3 Credits

Compositional variability, phase relations, and petrogenetic history of igneous rocks, volcanic regions, and mantle. Theories of petrotectonic associations and magmagenesis.

Prerequisite: GLY 4310C or equivalent

3 Credits

Evolution of the Earth’s climate through geologic time, including discussion of modern climatology and methods of paleoclimate interpretations.

Prerequisite: GLY 4552C

3 Credits

Examines the origins, fates, and distribution of organic compounds in contemporary
aquatic waters as well as in recent and ancient sediments.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Oceanography for undergraduates.

3 Credits

Evolution and formation of mid-ocean ridges, seamounts, hot spots, island arcs, back-arc basins, passive margins,
and mountain chains.

Prerequisite: GLY 4400C

3 Credits

For work beyond that offered in regular courses.

Prerequisite: None

1-4 Credits, Max 12 credits

This one credit course is based on weekly seminars. The seminars take place ‘live” at 3:30 pm on Thursdays.

Prerequisite: None

1 Credit

This course explores how lake and wetland sediment cores are used to understand Earth System processes. Paleolimnology is interdisciplinary and incorporates aspects of geology, pedology, hydrology, climatology, chemistry, physics, and biology. Its temporal component provides an historical perspective on natural and anthropogenic changes in watersheds and lakes, including climate change, erosion and deposition, deforestation, lake acidification, eutrophication, and contaminant pollution.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Understand basic practices for laboratory safety and various sample preparation techniques used in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Learn basic operations of different analytical instruments (SEM, XRF, XRD, Noble Gas MS, IRMS, ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS, Laser Ablation) utilized for elemental, isotopic, and geochronological analyses in the Earth and Environmental Sciences

Prerequisite: None

1 Credit

This course will give you an overview of careers in the geosciences and the skills regularly used by professional geologists. The purpose of this course is to explore geoscience careers, get some experience in project management, learn about the geologic underpinnings of various jobs/job sites, and to build your professional toolkit with industry professionals serving as guest instructors. Guided activities using real datasets will provide experiential learning with real-world applications.

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

3 Credits

Come help us dig up fossils! This Special Topics course is designed to provide an overview of Florida fossil vertebrates through lectures and discussions plus direct experience with vertebrate paleontology fieldwork in Florida. We will be especially focused on digging at a late Miocene fossil vertebrate locality close to Williston, Florida.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Explores ways in which scientists can increase impacts to society and emphasize the relevance of scientific work. Topics include broadening scientific impacts through exhibits, working with teachers, social media, serving underrepresented groups, and more.

Prerequisite: None

2 Credits

Come help us dig up fossils! This Special Topics course is designed to provide an overview of Florida fossil vertebrates through lectures and discussions plus direct experience with vertebrate paleontology fieldwork in Florida. We will be especially focused on digging at a late Miocene fossil vertebrate locality close to Williston, Florida.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Objectives of the class this semester will be to continue developing peer-reviewed papers derived from presentations made at the AGU meeting,

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

Research for Master’s Thesis.

1-15 Credits Max 6 Credits

Research for doctoral students before admission to candidacy. Designed for students with a master’s degree in the field of study or for students who have been accepted for a doctoral program.

Not appropriate for students who have been admitted to candidacy.

1-12 Credits

Research for Doctoral Dissertation

Not appropriate for students who have not been admitted to candidacy.

1-12 Credits

Using the scientific method, critical thinking skills, and data analysis, this course will examine the fundamental processes of the ocean system, composed of an atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, through time. The course will also explore interactions between these spheres, including critical analysis of scientific theories and emphasize oceanic connections with humanity.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits