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

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

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

Introduces recent geological exploration of recent terrestrial planets and moons, comets and asteroids, focusing on comparisons of composition and tectonics on the solid planets and moons.

3 Credits

Evolution of the earth and its life, including the major physical events and evolutionary changes recorded in the geologic past. Related laboratory, demonstrations and exercises.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C, or instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits

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: Critical Tracking semester 2 or greater.

3 Credits

Introduces the basic disciplines of marine sciences, including geology, chemistry, physics, biology and conservation, with an emphasis on marine research. Includes three mandatory Saturday field trips.

Prerequisite: OCE 1001

3 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

Investigation of the history of life on earth, including aspects of invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology and paleobotany.

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

4 Credits

Principles of physical and historical geology as applied to the geology and mineral resources of Florida.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C, or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Principles of physical and historical geology as applied to the geology and mineral resources of Florida.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C, or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Fundamental concepts, principles and data that pertain to the genesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Emphasizes mineral phase relations, interpretive petrochemistry, magma genesis and tectonic relationships.

Prerequisite: CHM 1025 and GLY 3200C.

4 Credits

Structural features of the earth, their causes, recognition and interpretation; includes the mechanics of folding, faulting, and other deformations of the earth’s crust.

Prerequisite: (GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C) and MAC 1147 and GLY 4552C.

4 Credits

Introduces the basic types of geophysical data used to characterize the subsurface. Learn about seismic refraction and reflection, gravity, magnetics, heat flow, and electromagnetic methods.

Prerequisite: (GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C or GLY 1000) and (MAC 2311 or MAC 2233).

3 Credits

Focuses on chemical properties and processes in the oceans, exploring the links between chemistry, biology, geology, and global change within a marine context. Topics include elemental composition and speciation, biogeochemical cycles, chemical and isotopic tracers, chemistry of marine sediments, and oceanic uptake of anthropogenic carbon.

Prerequisite: CHM 2045 and (OCE 1001 or GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C).

3 Credits

Examines the nature and variety of coastal processes, and the origin and modification of environmental changes along coasts, including human activities in the coastal zone.

Prerequisite: GEO 2200 or GLY 2010C or GLY 2030C.

3 Credits

Introduces the concepts of groundwater flow and its relationship to subsurface geology. Practice in applying groundwater flow concepts and problem solving.

Prerequisite: Any GLY 2000-level course or higher and (MAC 1147 or MAC 2311).

3 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.

0-3 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: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

1 Credit

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

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

This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes of global sea level variations across multiple spatial and temporal scales and the geological and instrumental observations that are employed to decipher and interpret these variations. This course will provide the basis for evaluating the degree to which sea level change during the current Anthropocene epoch may be considered anomalous.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

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

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

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

This course provides an introduction to data science and machine learning methods in Python using examples in the Earth Sciences. This course will introduce students to both the theory as well as implementation considerations when conducting data science analysis in geoscience topics. It is taught in a hybrid format, where the majority of the lectures will be pre-recorded and posted on Canvas. We will meet in person once per week to discuss applications.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

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

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

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. Literature selection will be a group effort; papers for discussion will be read prior to class meetings. Each work selected will then be presented by a student participant, followed by in-depth discussion of new findings and how they relate to established results and past understanding. We will explore a unified and comprehensive view of the structure and dynamics of the Earth, integrating the latest research in both seismology and geodynamics. We will explore how modern seismological techniques are employed to study the Earth’s structure at scales ranging from local to global, offering new insights into the composition and behavior of the Earth’s interior. Additionally, the course will delve into recent advancements in geodynamics, emphasizing the interactions between deep Earth processes and surface phenomena. Through a combination of in-depth reading, presentations, and discussions, students will engage with cutting-edge research that is reshaping our understanding of the Earth’s evolution, from its core to its crust, and the dynamic processes that drive changes in its structure.

Physics of the Earth. Study of gravity and magnetic fields, seismic waves, thermal history, orogenic belts, and plate tectonic theory.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C, 2026C, or 4400C and 1 year of college physics or consent of instructor.

3 Credits

Lecture and discussion of major sedimentary processes active in coastal and continental margin settings, focus on relating processes with sedimentary facies. Class work augmented with frequent field trips.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010 or 2026; 4552.

3 Credits

Principles of ground water geology, with special reference to the Coastal Plain and Florida.

Prerequisite: GLY 2010C, or 2026C.

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

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

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 provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes of global sea level variations across multiple spatial and temporal scales and the geological and instrumental observations that are employed to decipher and interpret these variations. This course will provide the basis for evaluating the degree to which sea level change during the current Anthropocene epoch may be considered anomalous.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

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

This course provides an introduction to data science and machine learning methods in Python using examples in the Earth Sciences. This course will introduce students to both the theory as well as implementation considerations when conducting data science analysis in geoscience topics. It is taught in a hybrid format, where the majority of the lectures will be pre-recorded and posted on Canvas. We will meet in person once per week to discuss applications.

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

Examines the nature and variety of coastal processes, and the origin and modification of environmental changes along coasts, including human activities in the coastal zone.

Prerequisite: None

3 Credits

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

Prerequisite: three courses in geology or instructor permission.

3 Credits

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. Literature selection will be a group effort; papers for discussion will be read prior to class meetings. Each work selected will then be presented by a student participant, followed by in-depth discussion of new findings and how they relate to established results and past understanding. We will explore a unified and comprehensive view of the structure and dynamics of the Earth, integrating the latest research in both seismology and geodynamics. We will explore how modern seismological techniques are employed to study the Earth’s structure at scales ranging from local to global, offering new insights into the composition and behavior of the Earth’s interior. Additionally, the course will delve into recent advancements in geodynamics, emphasizing the interactions between deep Earth processes and surface phenomena. Through a combination of in-depth reading, presentations, and discussions, students will engage with cutting-edge research that is reshaping our understanding of the Earth’s evolution, from its core to its crust, and the dynamic processes that drive changes in its structure.

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

Knowledge of the working of our planet, viewed as a whole system, has never been more important than it is today. Our planet is facing a rapidly expanding human population that is exposed daily to natural hazards such as climate change, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Moreover, human activities are understood to be in increasing competition with global-scale geological cycles on our planet and they are also driving a rapid drop in global biodiversity

Attributes: Quest 2 course requirements, General Education – Physical Science

3 Credits