Skip to main content
College of Natural Science and Mathematics »

Geological Sciences

Information » Programs » GEOL Courses »

Courses - GEOL Graduate Level

500. Introductory Graduate Seminar (1)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Introduction to graduate policies and faculty research in Geological Sciences. Abstracts on faculty presentation required of all students.
Course cannot be counted for program requirements for the M.S degree in Geology. Credit/No Credit grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 units. (Seminar 1 hr.)

510. Biogeochemical Cycles (3)

Study of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, and sulfur cycles among the bio-, hydro-, and geospheres with an emphasis on transfer rates, mass balance, and residence times. Evaluation of processes and interactions among key ecosystems (wetlands, rivers, ocean, lakes, estuaries).
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs.)

524. Sedimentary Petrology (4)

Prerequisites: GEOL 322 and GEOL 443.
Microscopic and macroscopic study of the origin and diagenesis of sedimentary rocks. Identification of grain types, textures, structures, and cements emphasizing provenance, paleotectonics, paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and post-depositional alteration.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)

530. Seminar in Structural Geology and Tectonics (3)

Prerequisite: GEOL 433.
Review of analysis, interpretation and origin of geologic structures, mechanics of rock deformation and of large scale crustal deformation.
(Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.; field trips.)

531. Tectonic Geomorphology (4)

Prerequisite: GEOL 433.
Observation and analysis of Earth surface processes, and development of landforms and landscape. Interaction between surficial processes and tectonic, biologic, hydrologic, climatic, and atmospheric processes. Tectonic generated landforms, earthquake hazards evaluated, and geomorphic assessment. Assessing problems including landforms and environmental hazards.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs., field trips).

537. California Geology (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL 433, GEOL 450.
Examination of recent theories concerning evolution of California's geological provinces; geological, geochemical, and geophysical evidence for these theories.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs., field trips.)

541. Seminar on Mass Extinctions (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL 341, 443, 461.
Study of the nature, causes, and stratigraphic record of mass extinction events in Earth history.
Letter grade only (A-F). (seminar 3 hrs.)

543. Seminar on Integrated Stratigraphy (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL 341, 443, 461.
Study of all stratigraphic subdisciplines and their integrated use for effecting high-resolution stratigraphic correlations.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)

554. Environmental Geochemistry (3)

Prerequisites: CHEM 111B and consent of instructor.
Geochemical cycles. Human interference with cycles. Trace elements, health and agriculture. Clay mineral reactions. Groundwater chemistry. Reading and discussion of research articles; projects in environmental geochemistry.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs., field trips)

555. Stable Isotopes (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL102, CHEM 111B.
Fractionation of stable isotopes, mass spectrometry, application of stable isotopes to geologic, ecologic, and archaeological studies such as paleoclimatology, petrologic studies, paleodiet analysis.
Letter grade only (A-F). Lecture 3 hrs.

570. Special Topics in Geology (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Investigation of selected topics in geology. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units toward any single degree with different topics. Seminars with field trips as appropriate.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar, 3 hrs.) May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units with different topics in different semesters.

571. Contaminant Hydrogeology (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL 102, GEOL 104, GEOL 477/577; CHEM 111B; PHYS 152; MATH 123.
Study and prediction of groundwater pollution transport, reaction, and remediation.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)

574./474. Physical Hydrology (3)

Prerequisites: GEOL 102, MATH 122; PHYS 151. (Undergraduates enroll in GEOL 474; graduates enroll in GEOL 574.)
Quantitative study of the terrestrial water cycle; prediction and measurement of precipitation, surface water, soil water, and ground water.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs, lab/field trips 3 hrs)

575. Advanced Topics in Sedimentology (3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Investigation of topics in sedimentology such as depositional facies analysis, basin evolution, coastal processes, fluvial processes, advanced stratigraphic analysis, and tectonics and sedimentation.
Content varies form year to year. May be repeated to a maximum of 9 units toward any single degree with different topics in different semesters. Letter grade (A-F). Seminars with field trips as appropriate. (Seminar 3 hrs.)

577./477. Hydrogeology (4)

Prerequisites: GEOL 102, GEOL 104; CHEM 111B; PHYS 152; MATH 123. (Undergraduates enroll in GEOL 477; graduates enroll in GEOL 577.)
Groundwater flow, occurrence, development, chemistry, and contamination. Elementary groundwater flow theory. Well hydraulics.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)

579. Applied Groundwater Modeling (4)

Prerequisites: GEOL 102, GEOL 104, GEOL 477/577; PHYS 152; MATH 123. Recommended: MATH 370A.
Numerical modeling of groundwater flow and mass transport. Emphasis is on creation of numerical models from conceptual models of geology derived from geologic mapping and sampling.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)

582. Petroleum Geology and Well Log Analysis (4)

Prerequisites: GEOL 240, GEOL 443.
Geological application in exploration and production of petroleum, including uses of surface and subsurface techniques. Basic well logging techniques employed, including data collection, reduction, interpretation, and integration among various logging methods as well as with surface geology and geophysical data.
(Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 6 hrs., field trips.)

586. Engineering Geophysics (3)

Prerequisite/Corequisite: GEOL 460.
Applying geophysical techniques to geology and hydrogeology problems. Geophysical techniques, and identification and utilization of specialized techniques. Case histories in site evaluations, subsiding areas, basement topography mapping, seawater problems, water table mapping, groundwater contamination, and subsurface cavities detection.
Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.; field trips.) Course fee may be required. Information on fees related to this course can be found here.

695. Directed Reading (1-3)

Survey of information in published or unpublished geological literature or databases on a designated topic, under the direction of a faculty member. Written reports prepared from these readings.
May be repeated to a maximum of 4 units toward any single degree with different topics in different semesters. Limited to 3 units per semester. Letter grade only (A-F).

697. Directed Research (1-3)

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Research on a specific subject in geology. Topic for study to be approved and directed by a faculty member in geological sciences.
Letter grade only (A-F).

698. Thesis (1-6)

Prerequisites: Advanced to candidacy for M.S. in Geology, consent of Graduate Committee and graduate advisor.
Either laboratory or field investigations, or both, for a total of six semester units to culminate in an approved thesis.
Letter grade only (A-F).


College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
University Course Listings
PDF Document IconPrint (PDF) Versions of the Catalog