WVU Geology & Geography

GEOL 101. Planet Earth. 3 Hr. Composition and structure of the Earth and the physical processes that change Earth's surface. GEOL 102 not required with GEOL 101. (Accompanied by registration in GEOL 102, class meets requirements for 4 hr. credit in a laboratory science in Geology.) Students cannot receive credit for GEOL 101 and GEOL 110 or GEOG 110.
GEOL 102. Planet Earth Laboratory. 1 Hr. PR or CONC: GEOL 101. Laboratory study of the earth using rocks, minerals and maps. 2 hr. lab. (Students cannot receive credit for GEOL 102 and GEOL 111 or GEOG 111.)
GEOL 103. Earth Through Time. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 or GEOL 110 or GEOG 110. Evolution of the Earth and its inhabitants. (Accompanied by registration in GEOL 104, class meets requirements for 4 hr. credit in a laboratory science in Geology.)
GEOL 104. Earth Through Time Laboratory. 1 Hr. PR or CONC: GEOL 103. Laboratory study of sedimentary rocks, fossils, and geologic maps and their use in interpreting Earth history. 2 hr. lab.
GEOL 110. Environmental Geoscience. 3 Hr. Physical aspects of the Earth with emphasis on natural resources, environmental degradation and hazards. (Accompanied by GEOL 111 meets requirements for a 4 hr. credit in laboratory science.) (Also listed as GEOG 110; students may not receive credit for GEOL 110 and GEOG 111).
GEOL 111. Environmental Geoscience Laboratory. 1 Hr. PR or CONC: GEOL 110 (Also listed as GEOG 110; students may not receive credit for GEOG 111 and GEOL 102).
GEOL 200. Geology for Environmental Scientists. 4 Hr. PR: (Geol 110 and 111 or Geog 110 and 111 or Geol 101 and 102) and (Geol 103 and 104). Fundamentals of mineralogy, sedimentation, stratigraphy, petrology, and structural geology needed by environmental scientists to understand earth materials. (Required field trips partial student expense.) 3 hr. lec., 1 hr. lab.
GEOL 201. Geologic Interpretation. 3 Hr. PR:(GEOL 101 and GEOL 102) or (GEOL 110 and GEOL 111) or (GEOG 110 and GEOG 111.) Interpretation of geology and earth history from topographic maps, geologic maps and remote sensing. 1 hr. lec., 4 hr. lab. (Can only be used as a Geology B.S. elective when taken before GEOL 341.)
GEOL 203. Physical Oceanography. 3 Hr. (Not open to upper division geology majors.) The geography and geology of ocean basins and margins, the chemical and physical properties of sea water, and the examination of the source and location of resources in the sea.
GEOL 230. Fossils and Evolution. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 or BIOL 101. Evolutionary history of plants, marine invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds, and mammals; emphasis on unique contribution of fossil record to evolutionary theory. 2 hr. lec., 1 hr. lab. (Credit cannot be obtained for both GEOL 103 and GEOL 230.)
GEOL 284. Mineralogy. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and GEOL 102 and PR or CONC:CHEM 111 or CHEM 115. Elements of crystallography and the systematic study of minerals, identification of minerals in hand specimens according to physical properties. (Required weekend field trip covered by the lab fee.)
GEOL 285. Introductory Petrology. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 284. Introduction to the study of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, including mineralogy, processes of formation, tectonic setting, and description and identification of rocks in hand specimens. (Required weekend field trip. Students will be required to pay a portion of the expenses.)
GEOL 311. Stratigraphy and Sedimentation. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 103 and GEOL 104 and GEOL 285 and GEOL 321. Study of sediments and sedimentary rocks with an emphasis on the analysis of facies. (Required field trips at student's expense.)
GEOL 321. Geomorphology. 3 Hr. PR:(GEOL 101 and GEOL 102) or (GEOL 110 and GEOL 111) or (GEOG 110 and GEOG 111). An examination of earth-surface processes and landforms, with emphasis on environmental geomorphology, streams, floods, glaciers, and landslides. (Required field trip at student's expense; also listed as GEOG 321.)
GEOL 331. Paleontology. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 103 and GEOL 104 and STAT 211. Uses of paleontologic data in geology; biostratigraphy, paleoecology, evolution, extinction, and biogeography; lab emphasis on identification and utilization of marine invertebrate fossils. (Required weekend field trip at student's expense.)
GEOL 341. Structural Geology. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 103 and GEOL 104 and GEOL 284 and GEOL 285 and PHYS 101. Introduction to rock deformation processes and the interpretation of geologic structure, with applications to the structure and tectonic evolution of the Appalachian Mountains. (Several one-day field trips required.)
GEOL 342. Structural Geology for Engineers. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and GEOL 102 and PHYS 111. Introduction to rock deformation processes and the development and interpretation of geologic structures. (Several one-day field trips required.)
GEOL 351. Geomathematics. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and (MATH 150 or MATH 155). Mathematical methods and applications in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and environmental science. Review of integral calculus, differential equations, and non-linear systems. Use of computers as geological problem-solving tools.
GEOL 365. Environmental Geology. 3 Hr. PR or CONC:GEOL 321. Principles, practice, and case histories in application of earth science to environmental problems. Includes: water quality; landslides; subsidence; waste disposal; legal aspects; and geological aspects of land-use planning. (Field trips and independent field project required.)
GEOL 401. Physical Geology for Teachers. 3 Hr. PR:High school teaching certificate and Consent. (Credit cannot be obtained for both GEOL 401 and GEOL 101.) Composition and structure of earth and the geologic processes which shape its surface.
GEOL 404. Geology Field Camp. S. 6 Hr. PR:GEOL 285 and GEOL 341 and GEOL 311 and Consent. Practical experience in detailed geological field procedures and mapping. (Living expense in addition to tuition must be paid at time of registration.)
GEOL 411. Carbonate Sedimentation of Florida. 2 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and GEOL 102 and Consent. Field trip to the Florida Keys to study origin and development of coral reefs and related carbonate sediments.(Transportation, room and board, boat charter, and other misc. costs at student's expense.)
GEOL 435. Introductory Paleobotany. 4 Hr. PR:GEOL 103. (Required Saturday field trips at student's expense.) Resume of development of principal plant groups through the ages, present distribution, mode of occurrence and index species, methods of collection.
GEOL 452. Geographic Information Science: Applications. 3 Hr. PR:GEOG 350. Operational and management issues in planning management analysis, locational decision making, and design implementation of GIS. Lab project emphasizes student's specialization. 2 hr. lec., 2 hr. lab. (Alternate years; also listed as GEOG 452.)
GEOL 454. Environmental and Exploration of Geophysics 1. 3 Hr. PR:PHYS 102 and (MATH 156 or GEOL 351). Basic theory, computer modeling, and use of gravitational, magnetic, resistivity, and electromagnetic methods in the evaluation of shallow targets of interest to environmental, hydrological, and hazardous waste site investigations.
GEOL 455. Introduction to Remote Sensing. 3 Hr. Theory, technology and applications of photo-interpretation and digital image analysis of aerial photography and multispectral images. 2 hr. lec., 1 hr. lab. (Also listed as GEOG 455.)
GEOL 463. Physical Hydrogeology. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and MATH 126. Principles of ground-water hydrology, emphasizing the physical occurrence and movement of ground water. Topics include aquifer properties, flow net analysis, and hydraulic aquifer testing.
GEOL 469. Applied Hydrogeology Seminar. 1 Hr. A review of professional practices and opportunities in hydrogeology. Seminar talks by hydrogeological professionals from WVU, industry, and government agencies. Field trips to examine hydrogeological practices and techniques.
GEOL 470. Mineral Resources. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 101 and GEOL 284. Description, mode of occurrence, and principles governing the formation of ore deposits.
GEOL 472. Petroleum Geology. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 341 or GEOL 342. Origin, geologic distribution, methods of exploration and exploitation, uses and future reserves of petroleum and natural gas in the world.
GEOL 473. Petroleum Geology Laboratory. 1 Hr. PR:GEOL 341 or GEOL 342. Well sample description, correlation, and interpretation. Construction and interpretation of subsurface maps used in exploration for hydrocarbons.
GEOL 488. Environmental Geochemistry. 3 Hr. PR:GEOL 351 and CHEM 116. Basic review of physical and aqueous chemistry, discussion of basic geochemical processes; calcium carbonate chemistry, diagenetic processes, weathering, the silicate and iron system.
GEOL 490. Teaching Practicum. 1-3 Hr. PR:Consent. Teaching practice as a tutor or assistant.
GEOL 491. Professional Field Experience. 1-18 Hr. PR:Consent. (May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.
GEOL 492. Directed Study. 1-6 Hr.
GEOL 493 (A-Z). Special Topics. 1-6 Hr. PR:Consent. Investigation of topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.
GEOL 494. Seminar. 1-6 Hr. Seminars arranged for advanced undergraduate students.
GEOL 495. Independent Study. 1-6 Hr. Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings.
GEOL 496. Senior Thesis. 1-3 Hr. PR:Consent.
GEOL 498. Honors. 1-3 Hr. PR:Students in Honors Program and Consent by the Honors Director. Independent reading, study or research.

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