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Geoscience

Course Code
GEOS 102  Credits
Title Geology in the National Parks 
Lasc Area Goal 3  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Study of the processes that have shaped the Earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, glaciation, sedimentation, structural deformation; and the geologic history of North America, including mountain building and ocean advances and retreats. Focus on the geological features seen in our National Parks. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 110  Credits
Title Introductory Physical Geography 
Lasc Area Goal 3  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Basic elements of geography including weather and climate, vegetation, soils and landforms. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 111  Credits
Title Cultures and Regions 
Lasc Area Goal 7  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course will introduce the foundations for studying the development of cultures and cultural diversity in the world, introduce the foundation concepts of Regional Geography, and study the interrelation between cultures, regions, their environments, and their activities. MnTC Goal 7. 



Course Code
GEOS 115  Credits
Title Physical Geology 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description The nature of the earth, its description and the processes that govern its formation and change; including rocks and minerals that make up the earth, their characteristics and how they form; volcanic eruptions; earthquakes; weathering and the transport and deposition of sediment; mineral and energy resources; and the nature of other planets in our solar system. Must also register for GEOS 115L. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 115L  Credits
Title Physical Geology Lab 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This lab must be taken concurrently with GEOS 115 Physical Geology. 



Course Code
GEOS 116  Credits
Title Historical Geology 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Earth history from its beginning to present, including formation of continents, origin and destruction of mountain ranges, advances and retreats of oceans, processes that formed layers of rock and the principles by which they are "read", and what fossils tell about ancient living communities and the environments they lived in. Lab included. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 117  Credits
Title Water, Land, and People 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Focuses on the most recent changes in the earth and the portion of the earth with which people have the most interaction, including water, soil, air, and landforms developed by rivers, wind, and glaciers, with emphasis on how our environment influences and is influenced by human activity. Concurrent registration in GEOS 117 Lab required. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 117L  Credits
Title Water, Land and People Lab 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This is a zero-credit lab that must be taken concurrently with GEOS 117 Water, Land, and People. MnTC Goal 3. Focuses on the most recent changes in the earth and the portion of the earth with which people have the most interaction, including water, soil, air, and landforms developed by rivers, wind, and glaciers, with emphasis on how our environment influences and is influenced by human activity.  



Course Code
GEOS 170  Credits
Title Earth Science Today 
Lasc Area Goal 3 Lab  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A survey of the components of Earth Science needed for teacher licensure in Minnesota, including aspects of physical geology, historical geology, astronomy, and meteorology. Particular emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of evidence, how we know things in science, what the implications are for our society, and on actual investigation. Topics include volcanoes and earthquakes, the influence of chemical change on natural resources and environment, plate tectonics, planetary science, phases of the Moon, stories told by rocks of the Earth, how weather features form and move, and Earth's climate. Lab included. MnTC Goal 3. 



Course Code
GEOS 190  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Geosciences 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This is a topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes. 



Course Code
GEOS 205  Credits
Title Thinking Spatially 
Lasc Area Goal 3  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course covers the analysis of three dimensional physical and/or social information across landscapes, including dynamic interactions among spatial variables and how they change with time. Students will learn to think spatially at different time and spatial scales, understand spatial terms (e.g., proximity, shape, density, position, adjacency, gradient, and others), translate 3D features from the real world to 2D features on maps, and make inferences about causation based on observed spatial correlations.  



Course Code
GEOS 207  Credits
Title GPS Field Techniques 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course introduces students to Global Positioning System (GPS) data collection techniques commonly used to map point, line, and polygon features in the field. Experience with hand-held GPS units will be complemented by theoretical and background discussions of GPS and techniques for importing and manipulating GPS data in ArcGIS software.  



Course Code
GEOS 210  Credits
Title Cartography 
Lasc Area Goal 5  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course covers elements of map design including projection from globe to map, map composition, graphic tools of mapmaking, and different map types and their origins, uses, and their underlying strengths and limitations. Students will gain experience with map construction from both traditional pen and ink production to the modern output of Geographic Information Systems.  



Course Code
GEOS 235  Credits
Title Geography of Minnesota and North Dakota 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Survey and analysis of the physical and cultural environments of Minnesota and North Dakota. 



Course Code
GEOS 290  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Geosciences 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description A topical course in geosciences which may be repeated when the topic changes. 



Course Code
GEOS 301  Credits
Title Archaeological Prospection 
Prerequisite ANTH 115 GEOS 115 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Examination of geophysical prospecting methods available for archaeological research. Emphasis on the conceptual basis of different prospecting methods and their application in archaeological and geotechnical studies. Hands-on experience with geophysical instruments. Same as ANTH 301 



Course Code
GEOS 302  Credits
Title Mineralogy 
Prerequisite GEOS 115 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course introduces students to the crystal structure, chemistry, physical properties, geological and chemical environments of formation, and natural occurrence of minerals. Understanding of minerals and mineralogy is foundational to geology and it is recommended that this course be taken prior to other upper level geology courses where possible. Lab included. 



Course Code
GEOS 302L  Credits
Title Mineralogy Lab 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This is a mineralogy lab course that must be taken concurrently with GEOS 302



Course Code
GEOS 303  Credits
Title Petrology 
Prerequisite GEOS 115 GEOS 302 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course examines how sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks form, focusing specifically on the chemical and textural information that reveals information about Earth's past and present. Understanding of petrology is foundational to geology and this course is prerequisite for several upper level geology courses. 



Course Code
GEOS 303L  Credits
Title Petrology Lab 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This is a petrology lab course that must be taken concurrently with GEOS 303