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Fall 2026

Undergraduate Classes

Dr. Jim Vogl

Syllabus

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

Dr. Jim Vogl

Syllabus

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

Dr. Andrew Zimmerman

Syllabus

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

Dr. Anita Marshall

Syllabus

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

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

3 Credits

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Dr. Elyssa Rivera

Syllabus

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

Dr. Matthew Smith

Syllabus

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

Dr. Joseph Meert

Syllabus

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

Dr. William Kenney

Syllabus

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

Dr. Anita Marshall

Syllabus

Uses geologic principles to evaluate earthquake and volcanic hazards. Explores the limits of predictive abilities, the challenges of forecasting weather disasters in a changing climate, and the necessity for decision-making despite scientific uncertainty

Attributes: Quest 2

3 Credits

Dr. Oana Dumitru

Syllabus

Examines the role the oceans play in determining climate and regulating global climate change on a range of timescales from decades to millions of years.

Prerequisite: Minimum 15 credits earned in enrollment, test, or transfer credit.

3 Credits

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Dr. David Foster

Syllabus

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

Dr. Matthew Smith

Syllabus

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

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

STAFF

Syllabus

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

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Dr. Peter Adams

Syllabus

Introduces the processes responsible for the formation and evolution of Earth surface features and landscapes. Emphasizes understanding of how first principles of physics and chemistry can be used to explain landform shaping.

Prerequisite: (GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C) and an additional 3 credits of GLY.

3 Credits

Dr. Courtney Sprain

Syllabus

Methods and techniques used in geological fieldwork.

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

2 Credits

STAFF

Syllabus

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

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Prerequisite: None

0-3 Credits

STAFF

Syllabus

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

Dr. Jason Curtis

Dr. George Kamenov

Dr. Dogancan Yasar

Syllabus

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

Dr. Joseph Meert

Syllabus

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

Dr. Joseph Meert

Syllabus

This one credit course is based on weekly seminars. The seminars take place ‘live” at 3:30 pm on Thursdays. If you are an online student (UFO), no problem. A recorded version of the lecture will be posted under announcements sometime Thursday evening.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

Dr. Stephen Elardo

Syllabus

A seminar-style course examining key scientific papers and ideas regarding the formation and early evolution of crusts on the four terrestrial planets, the Moon, and differentiated asteroids.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. Michal Kowalewski

Syllabus

This course will combine lectures and hands-on lab activities with focus on practical applications of classic statistical methods in natural sciences

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

3 Credits

Dr. Mark Brenner

Syllabus

Biological, chemical, and physical dynamics of inland waters.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. Courtney Sprain

Syllabus

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

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

Dr. Robert Hatfield

Syllabus

Methods in stratigraphy including biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, manetostratigraphy, and cyclostratigraphy and how these tools are integrated to generate geologic timescales in absolute time.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. John Jaeger

Syllabus

The path through graduate school can be challenging; the goal of this course is to provide information on how to deal with those challenges and optimize your graduate experience.

Prerequisite: None

1 Credit

Dr. Emma “Mickey” MacKie

Syllabus

This eight-person course will provide students with a unique research experience in the field of glaciology.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. Alessandro Forte

Dr. Raymond Russo

Syllabus

Current research in solid Earth geophysics regularly yields surprising new results that are changing the way we understand the Earth, its past evolution, and its future. We will survey a wide range of the geophysical literature, targeting both recent developments and key classic papers.

Prerequisite: Instructor Permission

3 Credits

Dr. Steven Manchester

Syllabus

Comparative study of plants through geologic time with attention to morphology and evolution of major groups of land plants, based on the fossil record.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Graduate Classes

Dr. Jason Curtis

Dr. George Kamenov

Dr. Dogancan Yasar

Syllabus

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

Dr. Mark Brenner

Syllabus

Biological, chemical, and physical dynamics of inland waters.

Prerequisite: PCB 4044C, CHM 2046

3 Credits

Dr. Raymond Russo

Syllabus

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

Dr. Robert Hatfield

Syllabus

Methods in stratigraphy including biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, manetostratigraphy, and cyclostratigraphy and how these tools are integrated to generate geologic timescales in absolute time.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. Seonkyoo “Sean” Yoon

Syllabus

Application of computer modeling to hydrogeologic problems through use of analytical and numerical solutions.

Prerequisite: None

3 Credits

STAFF

For work beyond that offered in regular courses.

Prerequisite: None

1-4 Credits, Max 12 credits

Dr. Peter Adams

Syllabus

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

Dr. Mariela Pajuelo

Syllabus

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

Dr. Steven Manchester

Syllabus

Comparative study of plants through geologic time with attention to morphology and evolution of major groups of land plants, based on the fossil record.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Dr. John Jaeger

Syllabus

The path through graduate school can be challenging; the goal of this course is to provide information on how to deal with those challenges and optimize your graduate experience.

Prerequisite: None

1 Credit

Dr. Michal Kowalewski

Syllabus

This course will combine lectures and hands-on lab activities with focus on practical applications of classic statistical methods in natural sciences

Prerequisite: None

3 Credits

Dr. Alessandro Forte

Dr. Raymond Russo

Syllabus

Current research in solid Earth geophysics regularly yields surprising new results that are changing the way we understand the Earth, its past evolution, and its future. We will survey a wide range of the geophysical literature, targeting both recent developments and key classic papers.

Prerequisite: Instructor Permission

3 Credits

Dr. Courtney Sprain

Syllabus

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

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

Dr. Stephen Elardo

Syllabus

A seminar-style course examining key scientific papers and ideas regarding the formation and early evolution of crusts on the four terrestrial planets, the Moon, and differentiated asteroids.

Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor.

3 Credits

STAFF

Research for Master’s Thesis

1-15 Credits Max 6 Credits

STAFF

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

STAFF

Research for Doctoral Dissertation

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

1-12 Credits