GEOLOGY 110B – Introduction to Geology
(4 credits)
Staff
Open to all students, except those who have previously taken Geology 110B-115B, 150B, or 160B. A math placement score of 22 or above is recommended.
This course provides students with a survey of physical geology and how it relates to society. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry as it relates to geological materials, processes, and issues and the methods used to study them. Content areas include but are not limited to minerals and rocks, geologic time, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, streams, and glaciers.
A Math Placement score of 22 or above is strongly recommended, as many lab exercises incorporate basic math skills.
GEOLOGY 110B - Introduction to Geology
(4 credits)
Miller, David
Open to all students, except those who have previously taken Geology 110B-115B, 150B, or
160B. A math placement score of 22 or above is recommended.
This course provides students with a topical view of Physical Geology and how it relates to the human
race. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry, geological processes, and
geological issues. Much of the material we will treat consists of items covered by the media and is
intended to give students practical knowledge that they can apply to everyday life and to other disciplines.
A Math Placement score of 22 or above is strongly recommended, as many lab exercises incorporate
basic math skills. This course has both lecture and lab periods that each student must attend. Note the
required Saturday field trip to Ohio Caverns and Cedar Bog September 25.
GEOLOGY 112B - The Hydrologic Cycle
(4 credits)
Ritter, John
Open to all students, except those who have previously taken Geology 110B-115B, 150B, or 160B. A
math placement score of 22 or above is recommended.
This course will survey the hydrologic cycle, reservoirs, amounts, and pathways of water in it, methods geologists use to study it, its role in shaping earth's landscape, and environmental issues associated with it. The laboratory component of the course will concentrate on methodology, experimentation, and observations used by geologists in attempting to understand the hydrologic cycle and its impact on our earth. Numerous field experiences augment the course. A $5.00 charge for the lab manual will be billed directly.
Geology 113B – Ohio Geology
(4 credits)
Zaleha, Michael
Open to all students, except those who have previously taken Geology 110B-115B, 150B, or 160B.
This General Education course is intended for the non-science major. The course treats the geologic
history of Ohio, fi'oln ancient oceans, rivers, and swamps preserved in sedimentary rocks, to massive
glaciers that sculpted the landscape. In order to understand the geology of Ohio, many fundamentals of
geology, in general, also will be covered. Such topics include the identification and interpretation of
igneous and sedimentary rocks, Earth structure and plate tectonics, paleontology and evolution, geologic
time, and the use of topographic and geologic maps. However, the course format is flexible to allow for
more in-depth exploration of topics that are of most interest to students. Numerous field experiences
augment the course. Lab manual fee of $5 is billed directly.
Geology 150 - Physical Geology
(5 credits)
Zaleha, Michael
Open to all students, except those who have previously taken Geology 110B-115B or 160B.
Geology 150 is a comprehensive introduction to the science of geology and how geology affects our lives everyday. The course is recommended for students who are interested in the possibility of a geology major or minor, other science majors, or anyone who is interested in Earth processes and history. The course treats fundamentals of geology (such as igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic processes and rocks), Earth’s internal structure and processes as they relate to plate tectonics and earthquakes, and Earth’s surface processes (such as landslides, river flooding, coastal erosion, glacial processes, and climate change). Labs include examination of various rock types and use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, and geologic maps to evaluate the geologic history and risks of natural hazards of particular areas. Some field experiences are also included. Lab manual fee of $5 is billed directly.
Geology 151 - Physical Geology Lab Practicum
(1 credit)
Zaleha, Michael
Prerequisites: Geology 160 or one course from the Geol ll0B-115B Series and permission of the
Department Chair.
This course is the lab portion of Geology 150. It is available for students who have completed a course in
the Geology 110 series (Geol 110-115) and wish to take advanced geology courses or major in Geology
or Earth Science. Students who have completed Geology 160 and wish to major in Geology or Earth Science are also required to take this course. Will meet for one 3-hour lab per week.
Geology 230 - Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy
(5 credits)
Bladh, Katherine and
Bladh, Kenneth
Prerequisites: Geology 150 OR one course from the Geology 110B-115B Series plus Geology 151
OR Geology 160 plus Geology 151
No college-level knowledge of chemistry is assumed. Relevant foundational concepts from chemistry
and physics are developed by the instructors.
Geology 230 is an introduction to advanced techniques of mineral identification using stereoscopic and
polarized-light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The first half of the course introduces
students to crystallography, mineral physical properties and classification, crystal chemistry, and
geological implications of crystal growth theory. The second half of the course introduces students to
mineral identification using polarized-light microscopy. Mineral identification is then applied to the
classification and textures of igneous rocks. This, together with relevant phase diagrams, is then used to
interpret processes involved in igneous rock formation.
The laboratory provides hands-on experience applying advanced identification techniques to geologically
important minerals
Geology 270 - Field Seminar - Missouri
(3 credits)
Ritter, John
Zaleha, Michael
Prerequisites: Geology ll0B-115B, or 150, or 160
This course provides practical experience examining a wide variety of lithologies, landforms and
geologic relations, such as unconformities, erosional surfaces, faults and folds in natural settings.
Problem-solving exercises emphasize basic principles of geologic science. Students keep a daily
field notebook during the trip and present a final report at the Fall Student Research Poster
Session. Transportation, camping fees and tents are provided. Enrollment priority given to
Geology majors; open to Geology minors and others as space permits. Will be graded CR/NC
only. Requires a 6 day absence from campus.
Geology 492 - Senior Seminar
(1 credit)
Zaleha, Michael
Prerequisites: Open only to senior geology or earth science majors.
Required of all Geology majors during their senior year. Each student works on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The project culminates in a written thesis, a public poster presentation, and a public oral presentation. Each student registers for this course during both semesters, 0 credits in the fall and 1 credit in the spring. Taught every year.
