GEOLOGY (GEOL)  

L/R 003. (PHYS003) Evolution of the Physical World. (A) Physical World Sector. All classes. Pfefferkorn/Segre.

The big bang, origin of elements, stars, Earth, continents and mountains.

SM 096. Field Approaches to Understanding the Earth & Environmental Science. (A) Scatena. Corequisite(s): GEOL 100 or GEOL 109 highly recommended. This is a field based course.  Weekend fieldtrips are required.

Understanding landscapes and the relationships between the natural world and society is fundamental to the natural sciences, architecture, medicine and public health, real estate and finance, urban studies and a range of other disciplines.  The primary goal of this course is to expose students to the science of reading landscapes and disciplines that are founded in observation and hypothesis testing in the field.  In addition, the course will orient incoming students to the physical environment in which they will be living while they are at Penn.

        The course will be centered around lectures and discussions that are based on ten or more field trips that will take place on weekends and afternoons throughout the semester.  The trips will be led by faculty members and will cover topics of plate tectonics, bedrock and surficial geology, geomorphology, hydrology, environmental geology, pollution and field ecology.

L/R 100. Introduction to Geology. (A) Physical World Sector. All classes. Omar. Field trips required.

An introduction to processes and forces that form the surface and the interior of the Earth.  Topics include, changes in climate, the history of life, as well as earth resources and their uses.

103. Natural Disturbances and Human Disasters. (B) Natural Science & Mathematics Sector. Class of 2010 and beyond. Scatena. Also fulfills General Requirement in Physical World for Class of 2009 and prior.

Natural disturbances play a fundamental role in sculpturing landscapes and structuring natural and human-based ecosystems.  This course explores the natural and social science of disturbances by analyzing their geologic causes, their ecological and social consequences, and the role of human behavior in disaster reduction and mitigation.  Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, droughts, fires, and extraterrestrial impacts are analyzed and compared.

L/L 109. Introduction to Geotechnical Science. (A) Physical World Sector. All classes. Omar.

Open to architectural and engineering majors as well as Ben Franklin Scholars. Field trips.  Relations of rocks, rock structures, soils, ground water, and geologic agents to architectural, engineering, and land-use problems.

111. Geology Laboratory. (C) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 001 or 100, preferably taken concurrently. Field trips required.

Hands-on study of earth materials and processes. Identification and interpretation of rocks, minerals and fossils. Topographic and geologic maps. Evolution of landscapes. Field trips lead to a synthesis of the geologic history of southeastern Pennsylvania.

L/R 125. Earth and Life Through Time. (C) Physical World Sector. All classes. Pfefferkorn.

Origin of Earth, continents, and life.  Continental movements, changing climates, and evolving life.

L/R 130. Oceanography. (B) Natural Science & Mathematics Sector. Class of 2010 and beyond. Horton. Also fulfills General Requirement in Physical World for Class of 2009 and prior.

The oceans cover over 2/3 of the Earth's surface.  This course introduces basic oceanographic concepts such as plate tectonics, marine sediments, physical and chemical properties of seawater, ocean circulation, air-sea interactions, waves, tides, nutrient cycles in the ocean, biology of the oceans, and environmental issues related to the marine environment.

L/L 201. (GEOL521, GEOL531) Mineralogy. (A) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 and CHEM 001 or 101.

Crystallography, representative minerals, their chemical and physical properties.  Use of petrographic microscope in identifying common rock-forming minerals in thin section.

L/L 205. (GEOL406) Paleontology. (B) Living World Sector. All classes. Bordeaux. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or permission of instructor. Two field trips required.

Geologic history of invertebrates and their inferred life habits, paleoecology, and evolution.  Introduction to paleobotany and vertebrate paleontology.

L/L 206. (GEOL506) Stratigraphy. (A) Horton. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or permission of instructor. Two field trips, field project.

Introductory sedimentary concepts, stratigraphic principles, depositional environments, and interpretation of the rock record in a paleoecological setting.

L/L 208. (GEOL630) Structural Geology. (B) Phipps. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 and 111; PHYS 150 strongly recommended. Three field trips required.

Introduction to deformation as a fundamental geologic process.  Stress and strain; rock mechanics.  Definition, measurement, geometrical and statistical analysis, and interpretation of structural features.  Structural problems in the field.  Maps, cross-sections, and three-dimensional visualization; regional structural geology.

299. Independent Study. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): Permission of department. May be repeated for credit.

Directed study for individuals or small groups under close supervision of a faculty member.

L/L 317. Petrology and Petrography. (B) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 201. Two field trips.

Occurrences and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks; phase equilibria in heterogeneous systems. Laboratory study of rocks and thin sections as a tool in interpretation of petrogenesis.

SM 390. Geology Field Work. (C) Giegengack. 4-8 weeks, usually during the summer.

401. Environmental Geology. (M) Willig.

The purpose of this course is to better understand the interactions of humans and the environment through an examination of geologic processes and features as they influence, and are influenced, by human activities. the ultimate goal of such study is to make better land use decisions.  Following a review of some basic geologic concepts, we will study hazardous geologic processes including; volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, river floding, coastal flooding and erosion, landslides, and subsidence.  Next, we will discuss environmental impacts associated with the use of fossil fuels, water, and soils.  The course will conclude with student presentations of selected topics in environmental geology.

SM 405. Paleoecology. (M) Bordeaux. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 205 or permission of instructor.

Relationship of fossil assemblages to life assemblages; structure of ancient communities, and interaction of organisms with each other and with the physical environment; evolution of communities.

L/L 415. Paleobotany. (M) Pfefferkorn. Prerequisite(s): Basic course in Geology or Biology or permission of instructor. Two field trips.

Fossil record and evolution of plants. Methods and application of paleobotanical research.

L/L 417. Advanced Petrology. (A) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 317.

Chemistry, physics, phase equilibria, microscope study in igneous and metamorphic petrology.

418. Geochemistry. (M) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 201.  May be taken concurrently.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to theory and applications of chemistry in the earth and environmental sciences.  Theory covered will include nucleosynthesis, atomic structure, acid-base equilibrium, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction reactions.  Applications will emphasize oceanography, atmospheric sciences and environmental chemistry, as well as other topics depending on the interests of the class.  Although we will review the basics, this course is intended to supplement, rather than to replace, courses offered in the department of Chemistry.  It is appropriate for advanced undergraduate as well as graduate students in Geology, Environmental Science, Chemistry and other sciences, who wish to have a better understanding of these important chemical processes

420. Introduction to Geophysics. (M) Doheny. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or 109, two semesters Math and Physics, and/or instructor's permission.

This course will cover the application of geophysical investigation techniques to problems of the earth's plantary structure, local subsurface structure and mineral prospecting.  The topics will include principles of geophysical measurements and interpretation with emphasis on gravity measurement, isostasy, geomagnitism, sesmic refraction and reflection,electrical prospecting, electromagnetics and groung radar.

428. Introduction to Isotope Geochemistry. (A) Omar.

This course is for advanced undergraduate students interested in learning about or pursuing applications of isotope geochemistry, with an emphasis on biological and climatic processes (e.g. plant physiology, soils, nutrient cycling, and atmospheric chemistry).

SM 480. Senior Seminar. (M) Giegengack.

Discussion of major current issues in geology.

499. Senior Thesis. (F) Giegengack.

Students write a thesis on a geologic topic.  Students work with an advisor in their discipline.

501. Pleistocene Geology. (M) Giegengack. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or equivalent.

Origin, extent in space and time, and effect on geologic processes of Late Cenozoic climatic change; Pleistocene stratigraphy in different parts of the world.

L/L 502. Data Analysis and Computer Modeling in Geology. (M) Phipps. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or 109 and the instructor's permission.

Data analysis from simple parametric statistics to multivariate statistics, including cluster and factor analysis.  Additional topics include: Bootstrapping, Markov chains, runs tests, spectral analysis, and other general techniques to analyze data sequences and time-series.  Map studies include: analysis of distributions of points and lines, directional data, spherical distributions, shape and trends surfaces.

511. Geology of Soils. (A) Johnson. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 or equivalent. Field trips.

Nature, properties, genesis, and classification of soils; soils of the United States.

515. Evolution/Revolution of Land Ecosystems. (M) Dimichele/Wing. Permission of instructor needed.

Origin and diversification of land ecosystems.  Interaction between plants and animals.  Effects of past climatic change and other external factors.  The importance of past changes in land ecosystems to our understanding of current global change.

517. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. (M) Omar.

520. Nuclear Geology. (M) Omar. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100, and permission of instructor.

Natural radioactivity, Earth's heat, nuclear age determination, geochemistry of stable isotopes, and geological applications of nuclear technology.

L/L 521. (GEOL201, GEOL531) Mineralogy of Rock Preservation. (A) Omar. Graduate School of Fine Arts students only.

Advanced crystallography, representative minerals, their chemical and physical properties, with emphasis on building stone preservation.  Use of petrographic microscope in identifying common rock-forming minerals in thin section.

525. Plant Paleoecology. (M) Pfefferkorn.

Deciphering the ecology of fossil plants, ecosystems, and landscapes through quantitative and qualitative methods.

528. Aqueous Geochemistry. (M) Johnson. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100 and 511 and permission of instructor.

Chemical composition and interactions of soils and soil water with applications to current problems.

530. Hydrogeology. (B) Mastropaolo.

Flow of water (and associated contaminants) in natural porous media.

L/L 531. (GEOL201, GEOL521) Advanced Mineralogy. (A) Omar.

Advanced crystallography, representative minerals, their chemical and physical properties.  Use of petrographic microscope in identifying common rock-forming minerals in thin section.

540. Geotectonics. (M) Phipps. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 205, 206, 208, 317 and 420, or permission of instructor. Field trip.

Bulk structure of the Earth.  Plate tectonics and plate boundaries.  Plumes, rifting, and intraplate tectonics.  Geotectonics and seismicity.

SM 546. Basin Analysis. (M) Phipps/Scatena. Undergrads need permission of instructor.

An in-depth study of selected depositional basins using petrologic, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and seismic techniques.  Aspects of the depositional processes and basin architecture will be considered in light of the tectonic regime associated with basin formation.

SM 555. Problems in the Early Evolution of Vertebrates. (M) Staff. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 100, GEOL 205. Short paper based on fossil vertebrate materials.

An analysis of key problems in the paleontology and evolutionary biology of early vertebrates, including: origins of chordates, origins of bone and other hard tissues, organization of the vertebrate head, origins of the major vertebrate classes, environmental contexts of key vertebrate transitions, diversifications of Paleozoic fishes, origin and diversifications of tetrapods, extinctions.

599. Independent Study. (C) Staff.

Directed study for individuals or small groups under supervision of a faculty member.

602. Geotechnics: Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering. (B) Doheny. Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor.

The course begins with a study of the Earth's composition, the formation of soil materials by the weathering process (Physical and Chemical), and a discussion of soil mineralogy, with particular emphasis on the clay minerals. Following this introduction, soil classification systems and physical properties of soils will be presented, as well as the State of Stress in a Soil Mass together with Seepage Theory and Groundwater Flow.  The technical portion of the course will conclude with the development of Consolidation Theory and Analyses, Shear Strength Theory, Lateral Earth Pressure Theory and Application, and Slope Stability Analysis.

        The course will conclude with the presentation of two Case History Sessions, presenting applications of Geotechnical Engineereing Practice and the influence of the Geologic setting.

604. Geostatistical Analysis. (A) Vann. Prerequisite(s): Bio 446 or equivalent statistics course; Bio 556 suggested or other Inferential Statistics courses, covering uni- and multi-variate techniques.

Univariate and multivariate approaches to the analysis of spatial correlation and variability.  Many disciplines, including geology, ecology and the environmental sciences regularly need to analyze and make predictions from data that is spatially autocorrelated.  Mine reserve estimation, pollutant dispersal and the use of randomization tests in ecology are examples of where spatial statistics may be applied.

SM 606. Topics in Sedimentary Petrology and Stratigraphy. (M) Pfefferkorn. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 205, 206, 706 or permission of instructor.

Analysis of selected paleoenvironmental, stratigraphic, and sedimentological problems in the field and laboratory.

        ADVANCED STRATIGRAPHY: In-depth study of sedimentology, stratigraphic principles, and paleoecological interpretation based on the rock record.

        SEDIMENTARY PETROLOGY: Interpretation of rocks using microscopic techniques. Students will make thin-sections of various sedimentary rock types collected from regional depositional basins (Geol 706).  Diagenetic, syn- and post-depositional processes will be investigated.

SM 611. Field Study of Soils. (B) Johnson. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 511 or permission of instructor. All day field trips.

Processes of soil development in a variety of temperate environments.  Effects of lithology and climate on soil properties.

613. (LARP513) Hydrology. (M) Johnson.

Emphasis on basic concepts and principles of hydrology.  Framework will be the concept of the continuous natural movement of water in the hydrological cycle.

SM 615. Advanced Vertebrate Paleontology Seminar. (C) Dodson. May be repeated for credit.

Topics in vertebrate paleontology and paleoecology.

616. Geology of the Carboniferous Period. (M) Pfefferkorn.

Paleogeography, biogeography, stratigraphy, paleoclimatology, flora, and fauna of the Carboniferous Period.

SM 617. Topics in Sedimentology. (M) Prerequisite(s): GEOL 206 or permission of instructor.

CLIMATE CHANGES THRU TIME: Issues of anthropologenically-induced climate changes are hotly debated.  However, it is not possible to make meaningful predictions of future climates without understanding the forces that have controlled past climates.  This course will review the geologic evidence for past climate changes and discuss processes that affect global climate changes. It will involve analysis and modeling of various sedimentary environments, systems, and processes.

        ANCIENT TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS: Multi-disciplinary approaches and techniques that enable the extraction of comprehensive information (weathering, deposition, diagenisis, tectonics) from ancient continental deposits.  The goal is the reconstruction of integrated environmental, geographic, and climatic conditions for selected time slices.

SM 618. Geochemistry Seminar. (M) Staff.

Topics in geochemistry.

SM 620. Geophysics Seminar. (M) Staff.

Topics in solid Earth geophysics.

SM 625. Advanced Paleobotany Seminar. (M) Pfefferkorn. May be repeated for credit.

Topics in paleobotany, paleoecology and evolution.

SM 628. Seminar in Isotope Geochemistry. (M) Staff. Prerequisite(s): Intermediate background in chemistry, physics, biology, or geology.

This course is for advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested in learning about or pursuing applications of isotope geochemistry, with an emphasis on biological and climatic processes (e.g. plant physiology, soils, nutrient cycling, and atmospheric chemistry).We will meet to discuss readings both from the literature and textbook chapters where necessary for backround. Grading will be on the basis of class participation and short weekly writing assignments.  The latter will be completed prior to the class by both students and professor to ensure thorough discussion of each topic.

SM 630. (GEOL208) Advanced Structural Geology Seminar. (M) Phipps. May be repeated for credit.  Four-day field trip.

Topics in tectonophysics and/or regional structural geology.

636. Quantitative Paleoclimatology. (M) Staff.

This course provides a comprehensive, rigorous survey of our knowledge of the Earth's climate system from ancient to modern.Topics to be covered will include geological evidence for past climate changes, with an emphasis on quantitative methods using geochemistry and geophysics; the basis of earth system modeling; statistical climatology; climate change detection; time-series analysis in climatology.

SM 637. Recent Climate Change. (A) Staff.

Increases in "greenhouse gases" produced through human activity appear to be affecting the Earth's climate.  This course will examine climate change over the last 500 years.  We will examine the available instrumental records over this time period as well as proxy climate records such as ice core, tree ring, sediment cores, coral cores and others.  Students will research individual topics and present them regularly, review published articles, and attend some seminars.

SM 639. Isotopes in Paleoclimatology. (A) Staff .

Isotope records in tree rings, ice cores, corals, and sediments can be used to reconstruct past climate variables such as temperature, salinity, atmospheric CO2, El Nino events, cloud cover and precipitation.  This course focuses on isotope techniques and applications in paleoclimatology.  Special emphasis will be placed on stable carbon, stable oxygen and radiocarbon.  This course is suitable for upper level undergraduates and graduate students.

SM 640. Digital Mapping. (M) Scatena.

Global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) have greatly changed the way cartographic data is collected and analyzed.  This course will discuss design strategies for mapping projects involving GPS, differential GPS, and GIS, and provide a hands-on introduction to the use of these technologies.  The principal emphasis of the course will be on learning to choose appropriate and efficient data acquisition techniques and to develop data collection protocols suited to the aims of any given project.  Though the mechanics of importing digital data into GIS will be discussed, and the analytical capabilities of GIS will be an important factor in project design, actual data analysis through GIS will not be taught.

SM 646. First Billion Years: The Early History of Earth and Life. (A) Phipps.

The course will cover the origin of the Earth.  Topics will range constituent atoms to planetesimals; the formation of the Earth including its accretion and differentiation; the early bombardment history of the earth and the formation of the Moon; the cooling of the Earth and the origins of continents and oceans. additionally variour theries for origin of life will be covered including the Archean world, tectonics, the evolution of the atmosphere and oceans, and early life.

651. Geocomputations I. (M) Mastropaola. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

Review and applications of selected methods from differential equations, advanced engineering mathematics and geostatistics to problems encountered in geology, engineering geology, geophysics and hydrology.

652. Physical Geology for Environmental Professionals. (A) Doheny. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

Study of the genesis and properties of earth materials (minerals,rocks,soil, water); consideration of volcanic,erosional, glacial, and earthquake processes along with the characterization of the earth's deep interior crustal and near-surface structure.Classroom study of minerals, crystals, fossils, and rocks as time permits.

653. Introduction to Hydrology. (A) Conaboy. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

Introcudction to the basic principles of the hydrologic cycle and water budgets, precipitation and infiltration, evaporation and transpiration, stream flow, hydrograph analysis (floods), subsurface and groundwater flow, well hydraulics, water quality, and frequency analysis.

SM 654. Geomechanics. (A) Duda. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

Mechanical properties of solid and fluid earth materials, stress and strain, earth pressures in soil and rock, tunnels, piles, and piers; flow through gates, wiers, spillways and culverts, hydraulics, seepage and Darcy's law as applied to the hydrologic sciences.

655. Engineering Geology I. (B) Calabria. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

Engineering properties of earth materials; engineering testing, classification and use of earth materials; geologic and geophysical investigations and monitoring; geologic hazards; planning and use of the geologic environment.

656. Fate and Transport of Pollutants. (A) Ruga.

This course covers basic groundwater flow and solute transport modeling in one-,two- and three-dimensions.  After first reviewing the principles of modeling, the student will gain hands-on experience by conducting simulations on the computer.  The modeling programs used in the course are MODFLOW (USGS), MT3D, and the US Army Corps of Engineers GMS (Groundwater Modeling System).

657. Field Geophysics. (B) Doheny. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 420: Introduction to Geophysics.

Use of geophysics field equipment (gravity, magnetic, seismic, electrical,electromagnetic, and radar) to collect geologic site investigation data.  Theoretical analysis of collected geophysical and geological data to interpret subsurface conditions.

SM 658. Geostatistics. (C) Mastropaolo.

Statistical analysis of data from geological, geotechnical, and geohydrologic sources.

659. Surface Water Hydrology. (B) Conaboy.

This course will focus on various aspects of surface water hydrology.  Topics covered include: study of all aspects of precipitation and runoff; study of the natural occurrences of floods and droughts; the establishment of design floods; methods of preventing or alleviating damages due to floods; water losses through evaporation, transpiration, and infiltration; storm water management; and hydrologic considerations in environmental issues.

661. Environmental Groundwater Hydrology. (B) Mastropaola.

This course is designed to introduce the major definitions and concepts regarding groundwater flow and contaminant transport.  The theory underlying concepts, including mathematical derivations of governing equations used to model groundwater flow and contaminant transport, will be discussed and applications to environmental problems addressed.

663. Groundwater Modeling. (B) Doheny / Freed. Offered through CGS - See current timetable.

665. Engineering Geology & Geotechnics. (A) Hunt. Engineering Geology I is NOT a prerequiste for this course.

Based on numerous case histories, the theme of this course is characterization of the geologic environment for engineering and environmental investigations. Covered are the various exploration tools and methods, including interpretation of remotely sensed imagery; field and laboratory measurments of material properties; and instrumentation monitoring.  Rock masses and the significance of discontinuities are discussed as are soil formations in terms of occurrence and mode of deposition, and their typical physical properties. The latter half of the course is dedicated to the geologic hazards; i.e. ground subsidence and collapse, landslides and earthquakes, with emphasis on prediction, prevention and damage control.

666. Geology Field Work. (C) Giegengack. 4-8 weeks during the summer.

SM 677. Seminar in Environmental Geology. (M) Giegengack.

706. Topics in Regional Geology. (M) Phipps. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 208 &/or 206, preferably both; GEOL 390. Field Trips required.

Topics in sedimentology, stratigraphy, petrology, and/or structural geology of selected regions.  Regional geologic synthesis and tectonics.

        FORELAND BASINS: Structure, sedimentology, and biology/paleobiology of forelandbasins, based on the study of modern and ancient examples.  These will include the modern Persian Gulf region, and the ancient Carboniferous Appalachian basin.  There will be at least one field trip.

        DEPOSITIONAL BASINS: Investigation and interpretation of a number of different tectonically-controlled basins throughout the region.  Field work essential. All-day and weekend field trips required.  Students will integrate stratigraphic, sedimentological, structural, and tectonic principles within various basinal settings.

SM 715. Paleobiology Seminar. (M) Staff.

SM 777. Seminar in Quaternary Environments. (M) Giegengack.

Interdisciplinary approach to selected environmental problems of the Pleistocene.

999. Independent Study and Research. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): Permission of departmental committee. Hours and credits to be arranged.

Directed study for individuals or small groups under supervision of a faculty member.