Geology
Charles A. Dana Professor Richard K. Dunn; Associate Professors G. Christopher Koteas (Chair) and Laurie D. Grigg; Lecturer, John Gartner; Research Assistant Professor George E. Springston
The Geology major provides a broad background in the physical sciences, with a strong focus on geology and its pivotal role in understanding our environment. Our graduates enter graduate school for continuing education, or move into the workforce prepared to contribute as leaders addressing the many local and global issues facing society.
The major emphasizes experiential learning through field studies and outdoor education. Courses include real projects and original research participation. The program is enriched through department field trips across New England, eastern Canada, and the western United States. All Geology majors take a pair of capstone courses involving an original research project and a seminar designed to synthesize their education and tie scientific thought to issues in society.
Students majoring in Geology have access to equipment for analyses of ground and surface water, soil, sediment, and rock. This equipment enables terrestrial and lake coring, collection of hydro-geochemical data, determination of sediment characteristics, subsurface studies, geological mapping, and more. Specific analytical tools include X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer. The program also has a range of geophysical exploration equipment, including a gravity meter, seismographs, electromagnetometers, a magnetometer, and ground-penetrating radar instruments.
Goals:
- To provide a Liberal Arts degree program in Geology having a broad background in the physical sciences with a focus on geology and its pivotal role in understanding our environment.
- To provide instruction and experiences with emphasis on field studies, solution of active problems, and communication in a professional format.
Outcomes:
- Know the procedures for identification of rocks, minerals and fossils
- Understand the stresses produced in a dynamic Earth and their resulting products, and know the fundamentals of plate tectonic theory
- Understand the materials and processes involved in the constitution and transformation of the Earth, both on the surface and within
- Know how to define a problem, design a study to acquire data, critically analyze and interpret data, and discuss the implications of results
- Be able to think critically about published professional work, synthesize the content of such work, and present findings at a professional level both in writing and orally
- Meet the University’s General Education Goals
Careers for this Major:
- Graduate school
- State and federal surveys
- Military
- Teaching
- Industry and consulting
Geology (B.S.) – Curriculum Map 2021-2022 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| GL 110 Introduction to Geology (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | GL 156 Introduction to Earth Evolution (General Education Lab Science) | 4 | ||
| CH 103 General Chemistry I | 4 | CH 104 General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| EN 110 Writing and Inquiry in Public Contexts | 3 | EN 111 Writing and Inquiry in Academic Contexts | 3 | ||
| MA 107 Precalculus Mathematics (General Education Math) | 4 | MA 108 Applied Calculus (General Education Math) | 4 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| GL 251 Sophomore Seminar in Geology | 1 | GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | ||
| GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | PS 202 General Physics II | 4 | ||
| PS 201 General Physics I | 4 | General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | ||
| General Education Social Science | 3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 14-15 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | GL 340 Project Development in Geology | 1 | ||
| Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | ||
| MA 232 Elementary Statistics | 3 | GL 200 level Elective 1 | 3-4 | ||
| General Education Ethics | 3 | General Education History | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | ||
| Free Elective | 3-4 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16-17 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 17-20 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| GL 440 Research Project in Geology (General Education Capstone) | 3 | GL 451 Geology Seminar ((General Education Capstone)) | 3 | ||
| GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | GL 460 Project Completion in Geology | 1 | ||
| Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | GL 200 level Elective 1 | 4 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3-4 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 14-17 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 14-16 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 120-130 | |||||
Geology Minor 2021-2022 Catalog
An Environmental Science major is ineligible to declare the minor.
| GL Elective | 3-4 | |
| GL Elective | 3-4 | |
| GL Elective (200 level or higher) | 3-4 | |
| GL Elective (200 level or higher) | 3-4 | |
| GL Elective (200 level or higher) | 3-4 | |
| GL Elective (200 level or higher) | 3-4 | |
| Total Cr. | 18-24 | |
Courses
GL 110 Introduction to Geology 4 Cr.
An introduction to Earth's internal and external physical processes, its materials and landforms, and the connection between natural phenomena and humans. The lab includes field investigation, rock and mineral identification, and geologic data gathering and analysis. 3 Lecture hours and 2 Lab hours. Offered: Fall, Spring.
GL 111 Oceanography 4 Cr.
A basic survey of the physical, chemical, and geologic character of the world's oceans. Topics include patterns of energy exchange, chemical cycles, geological environments within the sea, evolution of ocean basins, and marine environmental issues. 3 Lecture hours and 2 Lab hours. Offered: Spring.
GL 156 Introduction to Earth Evolution 4 Cr.
An introduction to the 4600-million-year history of the evolution of Earth and life. Data and scientific theories for Earth history are presented for major Earth events. The lab focuses on fossil and rock identification, interpretation of ancient environments, and use of the rock record to reconstruct Earth's evolution. 3 Lecture hours and 2 Lab hours. Offered: Spring.
GL 188 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
GL 251 Sophomore Seminar in Geology 1 Cr.
Introduces the fundamentals of scientific investigation and communication. An experimental project introduces the Scientific Method, while scientific literature is introduced and coupled with instruction in and application of technical writing. Students learn to communicate scientific information in poster and oral presentations and they initiate development of their professional portfolio. 1 Lecture hour. May not earn credit for both ES 251 and GL 251. Offered: Fall.
GL 253 Geomorphology 4 Cr.
Examines the origin and evolution of Earth’s surface features by geological processes acting upon various Earth materials and geological structures. 2 Lecture hours and 4 Lab and/or field hours. Prerequisite: GL 110. Offered: Fall, odd years.
GL 255 Hydrogeology 3 Cr.
Provides examination of the basic principles of groundwater, including its occurrence, flow and development, the assessment and remediation of groundwater contamination, and the protection of groundwater as a natural resource. 3 Lecture hours. Prerequisite: MA 107, EG 109 or GL 110 or GL 156. Offered: Spring.
GL 257 Sedimentology 4 Cr.
A course that provides the analysis and interpretation of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary processes and environments of deposition. 3 Lecture hours and 4 Lab and/or field hours. Prerequisite: GL 110, GL 111 or GL 156. Offered: Fall, even years.
GL 258 Stratigraphy and Tectonics 4 Cr.
Introduces the fundamentals of stratigraphy and the sedimentary record of regional geological evolution. Principle topics include: regional correlation, hydrocarbon exploration geology, and the sedimentary record of oogenesis. The stratigraphy of Vermont and elsewhere is used, in light of tectonics, to reconstruct continent and basin evolution. 3 Lecture hours and 3 Lab hours. Prerequisite: GL 110. Offered: Spring, odd years.
GL 260 Project in Geology 1-4 Cr.
Students conduct an independent study on a geological field or laboratory project. Topic chosen by mutual consent of the student and the instructor. A written report is required. Cannot earn credit in ES 260 and GL 260 under the same topic. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: GL 110 or GL 111 or GL 156 and Permission of Department Chair. Offered: Occasionally.
GL 261 Field Geology 4 Cr.
A study of the techniques used in the measurement of large and small scale geologic structures. Emphasis is placed on field recognition of features such as bedding, cleavage, folds, faults and their use in geologic mapping. 3 Lecture hours and 4 Lab hours. Prerequisite: GL 110 or GL 156 or Permission of Instructor. Offered: Fall, even years.
GL 262 Structural Geology 4 Cr.
Students study the analysis and interpretation of patterns in the structural features of the Earth's crust. Topics include the genesis of tectonic features, analysis of strain in rocks, the interpretation of multiply-deformed rocks, and modeling of faults and fractures. 3 Lecture hours and 3 Lab hours. Prerequisite: GL 261 or Permission of Instructor. Offered: Spring, odd years.
GL 265 Glacial Geology and Paleoclimate 4 Cr.
This course covers glaciology and glacial deposits and landforms, with a strong focus on field investigation, as well as presenting the data and hypotheses on Quaternary climate change, including traditional glacial chronology and marine and ice core data and resultant chronology. Global climate change, both past and present, is a central theme of the course. 3 Lecture hours and 4 Lab hours. Prerequisite: GL 110. Offered: Fall, odd years.
GL 267 Earth Materials 4 Cr.
Earth Materials is the study of the physical and chemical properties of the fundamental building blocks of crystalline rocks. Topics include environments of mineral formation and the pressure, temperature, time and depth conditions where rocks and their component minerals may metamorphose and deform. Course topics include: foundational mineral structure and crystal chemistry, global ore mineral distribution, crystalline rock stability, linking rock and mineral evolution to tectonic processes and the fundamental techniques of rock and mineral indentification via qualitative description, geochemical analysis and quantification of crystalline structures. Prerequisites: GL 110 or GL 111 or GL 156. Offered: Spring, odd years.
GL 288 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
GL 290 Internship in Geology 1-4 Cr.
A course for geology internships on a topic chosen by mutual consent of the student and the instructor. A written report is required. May be repeated one time for credit. Prerequisite: GL 110 or GL 111 or GL 156, 2.0 Cumulative GPA and Permission of Department Chair. Offered: Occasionally.
GL 340 Project Development in Geology 1 Cr.
Develops the skills for designing and executing an original scientific research project. Topics include research plan development, literature research to inform methodology, generation of site maps and protocols for collecting field and laboratory data, and generation of a properly formatted research proposal. 1 Lecture hour. Prerequisite: Geology or Environmental Science major, Junior or higher and Permission of Instructor. Offered: Spring.
GL 388 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.
GL 440 Research Project in Geology 3 Cr.
A capstone original research project under the direction of a faculty member in coordination with others taking this course. Field and laboratory work will generate new data on an expanding base; after analysis and interpretation, data will be presented in a technical format. All aspects of the project will be interpreted in the context of the literature. May be repeated twice under different projects. Prerequisite: GL 340. May not receive credit for both ES 440 this course and GL 440. Offered: Fall.
GL 451 Geology Seminar 3 Cr.
A capstone seminar experience integrating reading, writing, and group participation focused on Earth and environmental issues. Discussions explore links between society and global systems. 3 Lecture hours. Credit cannot be received for this course and ES 451. Prerequisite: Geology majors and Senior standing. Offered: Spring.
GL 460 Project Completion in Geology 1 Cr.
Follows work in GL 440. Students integrate the body of scientific knowledge into a professional and technical report. Students work collaboratively with their research advisor. 1 Lecture hour. May be repeated twice under different projects. Prerequisite: GL 440. Offered: Spring.
GL 488 No Norwich Equivalent 6 Cr.