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Geoscience
| Course Code |
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| Title |
Economic and Environmental Geology |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 115 GEOS 302 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This course introduces students to aspects of geology important in understanding earth's energy and mineral resources and how human activities in extracting and using those resources affect our environment. Key topics covered include an introduction to water movements on and in the ground (hydrology), how pollutants move in that water, the geochemical interactions among earth, water, and air, ore-forming and oil-forming processes, economic considerations important in the use of natural resources, and environmental laws. |
| Course Code |
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| Title |
Principles of Geomorphology & Hydrology |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 110 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is an interdisciplinary course designed for students with an interest in Environmental Science with a moderate background in the physical sciences. It will include the following major topics: 1) The Earth’s dynamic surface and major processes that influence the landscape types and evolution, 2) Landscape systems and types (soils, fluvial systems and drainage basins, glacial and periglacial landscapes, aeolian systems, and tectonic landscapes), 3) The influence of climate and humans on landscape types and evolution, 4) The principles of surface and groundwater hydrology, and 5) Water quality and the impact of humans on water resources. Upon completion of this course, students will have an appreciation and understanding of the geological influences on landscape and water resources, the human impact and influence on landscapes and water resources, and the influence of landscapes and water resources on society. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Geoarchaeology |
| Prerequisite |
ANTH 115 or GEOS 115 or GEOS 117 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Examines the application of Geoscience methods and techniques to archaeological deposits and materials. Emphasizes foundational concepts in Geoarchaeology, the role of Geoarchaeology in contemporary archaeology, and the application of geoarchaeological knowledge and skills to inform archaeological interpretation. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Planetary Science |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 3 Lab |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
A synthesis of current knowledge of the members of the solar system and the origin and evolution of planetary systems. Lab included. MnTC Goal 3. |
| Course Code |
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| Title |
Planetary Science Laboratory |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is a planetary science lab course that must be taken concurrently with GEOS 360. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Problems in Planetary Science |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 109 or 209L |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This independent study self-learning module provides a guided opportunity to practice applying concepts from GEOS 360 (Planetary Science ) through science reasoning challenges, real-world problems, and self-guided labs, with particular focus on selected astronomy issues required for Earth Science Teaching licensure in Minnesota. Concepts addressed include planetary processes, age dating, geochemical evidence for formation of the Earth and Moon, seasons, phases of the Moon, stellar evolution, galactic evolution, Kepler's Law, and measuring distances in space. Pre-requisite = GEOS 109 or 209L, or other college-level science course. Co-enrollment in GEOS 360 Planetary Science recommended. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Structural Geology and Mapping |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 115 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This course covers key aspects of structural geology including deformational structures, deformational styles, and material properties. The lab focuses on mapping skills such as interpretation of geological maps and inferring cross-sectional view based on map views. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Structural Geology and Mapping Lab |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is a structural geology and mapping lab course that must be taken concurrently with GEOS 370. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Topics in Geosciences |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is a topical course and may be repeated when the course topic changes. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Research in Geosciences |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Individual research in collaboration with instructor. Product may be a written report, publication, or report at a professional meeting. Project and its format must be accepted by research advisor before registration. May be repeated for different research projects. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Research in Geosciences |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Individual research in collaboration with instructor. Product may be a written report, publication, or report at a professional meeting. Project and its format must be accepted by research advisor before registration. May be repeated for different research projects. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Introduction to Remote Sensing |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 205
|
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This course provides an introduction to the use of remotely sensed data in environmental research. Remote sensing is the science of acquiring data using the measurement of electromagnetic radiation by techniques that do not require actual contact with the object or area being observed. Most environmental applications of remote sensing use instruments carried on satellites. The different sensors used to collect this information, and the interpretation techniques vary quite widely, and are being developed at an astounding rate. In this course, we will focus on the interpretation and applications of data from space-borne imaging systems (eg: Landsat MSS, Landsat TM, Landsat ETM+, Quickbird, IKONOS, MODIS, ASTER, AVHRR). |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Spatial Analysis |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 307 and GEOS 205 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Students will use advanced GIS techniques to spatially adjust, extend, modify, integrate, analyze, visualize, and correlate digital spatial data (both rasters and vectors) across space and time using ESRI’s ArcGIS extensions (especially 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst) and customized toolboxes in ArcGIS. This course builds on concepts introduced in the Thinking Spatially (GEOS 207) and Introduction to GIS (GEOS 307) courses and applies them to physical and social data in a GIS. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Eastern Europe and Russia |
| Lasc Area |
Goal 8 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This course is a regional study of Eastern Europe and Russia which will focus on the global importance of the nations of this region, and the origins of their influence. An understanding of the physical and cultural characteristics of the region will provide a foundation for the understanding of the events of recent history, and the geographic significance of the nation-states of the region. MnTC Goal 8. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Reading Geochemical Fingerprints |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 115 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This course addresses the geochemical processes by which the Earth has become chemically differentiated, the impact of that differentiation on humans past and present, and the ways by which chemical fingerprints can be used to understand past human activities. Students can expect to learn about ore and soil-forming processes, processes for chemical and isotopic differentiation in the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, statistical methodologies for studying chemical differences, analytical methods for measuring chemical and isotopic properties of earth materials, influence of geographic distribution of resources on human occupation, and the use of chemical information in archaeological studies. Students will participate in solving geochemical and archaeological puzzles using chemical, mineralogical and textural information. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Paleontology |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 102 OR GEOS 115 OR GEOS 116 OR BIOL 111 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
An introduction to the history of life on Earth. Lectures focus on concepts in paleontology including origin of life; evolution; ecology; and use of fossils in the solution of geologic problems. Characteristics of common fossils will be the focus of the laboratory. Two lectures and one one-hour lab per week. One field trip is required; up to two optional field trips possible (fee will be required to cover travel cost of trips). |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Problems in Geochemistry |
| Prerequisite |
GEOS 109, or GEOS 209L, or CHEM 150 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This independent study self-learning module provides a guided opportunity to practice applying concepts from GEOS 415 (Reading Geochemical Fingerprints) through science reasoning challenges, real-world geology problems, and self-guided labs. Problems include applying geochemical principles to interpretation of archaeological and environmental data with consideration of statistics, analytical methods, phase chemistry, isotopes, and chemical partitioning. Pre-requisite = GEOS 109 or 209L, co-enrollment in GEOS 415 Reading Geochemical Fingerprints recommended. |
| Course Code |
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| Title |
Field Methods in Geoarchaeology |
| Prerequisite |
ANTH 115 |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
Provides field experience with a variety of geoarchaeological techniques applied within the context of an interdisciplinary research program. Research design and the research process will also be emphasized. In addition to the listed pre-requisite, students must have taken at least one entry level geology course. Same as ANTH 455. |
| Course Code |
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| Title |
Internship |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
A supervised, practical experience in the field, with report, journal, or other synthesis done in consultation with an MSUM advisor. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree. |
| Course Code |
|
| Title |
Topics in Geosciences |
| Course Outline |
Course Outline |
| Description |
This is a topical course and may be repeated when the course topic changes. |
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