Geological Sciences

Course Descriptions Menu

Katharine V. Cashman, Department Head

(541) 346-4573

GEOL 101 Earth’s Dynamic Interior (4) June 23–July 18. Volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain building, generation of the earth’s crust, plate tectonics. Internal structure and processes responsible for these phenomena. Comparison with other planets in the solar system. Required one-day, weekend field trip; transportation fee. Blackwell.

GEOL 102 Environmental Geology and Landform Development (4) July 21–August 15. Surface materials, landforms, and processes. Rocks and minerals; weathering, erosion, sedimentation; ground water, streams, glaciers, deserts, oceans, and coastlines. Required one-day, weekend field trip; transportation fee. Owen.

GEOL 103 The Evolving Earth (4) July 21–August 15. Origin and early history of the earth; time scales; fossilization; correlation; sedimentary environments; seafloor spreading; orogenesis; stratigraphic history of America; evolution of plants and animals. Required one-day, weekend field trip; transportation fee. Baxter.

GEOL 198 Laboratory Projects: [Topic] (1–5R)

GEOL 213 Geology of National Parks (4) June 23–July 18. Examines selected geologic features in United States national parks and the processes that form them. Focus is parks in the western states. Required one-day field trip; transportation fee. Owen.

GEOL 307 Oceanography (4) July 21–August 15. Characteristics and physical, chemical, and biological processes of the world’s oceans, plate tectonics, and human use and misuse of oceans. Required one- or two-day field trip; transportation fee. Baxter.

GEOL 308 Geology of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest (4) June 23–July 18. The region’s geologic and tectonic history and the plate tectonic processes responsible for its evolution. Required one- or two-day field trip; transportation fee. Blackwell.

GEOL 401 Research: [Topic] (1–21R)

GEOL 403 Thesis (3R)

GEOL 405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

GEOL 406 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–6R)

GEOL 408 Laboratory Projects: [Topic] (1–6R)

GEOL 409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–6R)

GEOL 450 Field Geology (10) June 16–July 27. Geological fieldwork in selected parts of Oregon; emphasizes mapping at several scales in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic areas. Mapping on topographic and air-photo bases. Meets in the field for six weeks immediately after spring term. Fee of $1,300, payable to the Department of Geological Sciences, covers board and transportation in the field; a $100 deposit is due by February 8. Information available from the department includes description and application form. Prereq: GEOL 318, 334, 350. A course in mineralogy and lithology recommended. Dorsey, Miller, Weldon.

GEOL 503 Thesis (1–16R)

GEOL 601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

GEOL 603 Dissertation (1–16R)

GEOL 605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

GEOL 606 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–3R) Geologic fieldwork principally in connection with graduate thesis or dissertation. Emphasis on individual problems. Prereq: graduate standing; thesis or dissertation adviser’s consent.

GEOL 608 Laboratory Projects: [Topic] (1–3R)

GEOL 609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–3R