Course Listing
GEOLOGY COURSES
Geology Department Course Offerings
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Catalog Entries |
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GY 100 - Studies in Geology |
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Geological topics, such as environmental hazards, plate tectonics, and mineral resources and society, offered in different years. No prior knowledge of geology is assumed. May not be taken for credit after 130. (Only one Geology 100 course unit may be applied toward divisional credit in the natural sciences.) Prerequisite: none Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 101 - Catastrophic Geology: Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters |
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An examination of the nature and causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, and floods through in-depth study of several seminal hazardous events and regions. Unique and occasionally conflicting perspectives from historic/pre-historic records, modern science and present/future economics and politics underscore the slow progress in our understanding of these catastrophes. The events will also be examined within the global framework of plate tectonic theory to enhance understanding of dynamic earth processes. .5 or 1.0 unit. Prerequisite: none Meets the General Education: Scientific Analysis requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 115 - Oceanography |
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An interdisciplinary study of the physical, chemical, biological and geological aspects of the marine environment, from shorelines to the deep sea. The course explores waves, tides, and currents; Earth’s wind patterns and atmospheric events; complex biological systems; the chemistry of oceans; and links between these phenomena. Prerequisite: none. 1 unit |
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GY 140 - Introduction to Earth Systems |
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The fundamentals of physical geology: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; basic mineralogy; structural geology; mapping; and examination of local stratigraphic units. Meets the laboratory/field requirement for the natural sciences. Prerequisite: No credit after Geology 130. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World lab or field requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 150 - Environmental Geology |
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A survey of environmental issues from the geologist's perspective, including such topics as: hazards from volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods, bio-geochemical cycles and atmospheric change, and energy and mineral resources. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 203 - Natural Hazards |
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Laboratory and field investigations of natural hazards including the causes and consequences of landslides, flooding, and volcanoes. Examination of geologic forces that drive natural hazards and disparate impacts of hazards on human groups through regional case studies and research projects. Prerequisite: Geology 140 or Geology 150, 1 unit |
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GY 205 - Earth, Oceans, Climate and Life through Time |
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Historical development of the Earth and life history emphasizing the major tectonic, stratigraphic, climatic and evolutionary patterns and the feedbacks between physical & biological processes that produced them. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 211 - Earth Materials |
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Classroom and laboratory course focused on the elemental, mineralogical, and rock composition of Earth’s lithosphere. Topics include: Chemical and physical processes that form igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; chemical differentiation resulting in elemental and mineral assemblages unique to each rock type; and identification of rock-forming minerals using physical and optical properties. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140; Chemistry 107. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 212 - Investigating Earth as a Physical System |
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Studies of rock deformation, landscape formation and earth structure are used as a framework for developing skills in hypothesis formation, project design, data analysis and scientific writing. These skills serve as a foundation for work in higher-level Geology courses and on independent research projects. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140; Physics 141 or 241 No credit if taken after Geology 210. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 230 - Volcanology |
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Volcanic types, processes and products. Volcanic hazards and prediction. Prerequisite: consent of instructor or Geology 211. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 240 - Plate Tectonics |
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History of Plate Tectonics and its formulation, paleomagnetic record of ocean crust, geodynamics and tectonic theory, active tectonics, current frontiers. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140 and one 200-level Geology course. Meets the Critical Perspectives: Scientific Investigation of the Natural World requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 250 - Studies in Geology |
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Geological topics, such as Advanced Environmental Geology, Hydrology, Mineral Resources Problems and Policies, and Colorado Alpine Environments, offered in different years. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or 140. Meets the General Education: Scientific Analysis requirement. 1 unit |
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GY 300 - Invertebrate Paleontology |
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Microscopic and megascopic study of the significant fossil invertebrate phyla with emphasis on taxonomy, morphology, ecology and evolution. Prerequisite: Geology 130 or Geology 140 and Geology 210 or Geology 212. 1 unit |
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GY 301 - Numerical Modeling in Earth Science |
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Investigation of Earth systems as represented by diffusion and advection equations. Includes training in Python coding language, derivation of heat and mass conservation equations, and applications to earth science, for example: groundwater contamination, glacier flow, geochemistry of volcanic rocks, and soil erosion. Prerequisite: Geology 140 or 150 and Math 126 or higher. 1 unit |
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GY 305 - Stratigraphy & Sedimentation |
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Transport and deposition of sediment, modern and ancient depositional systems, basin analysis, and correlation of sedimentary rocks. Field work emphasizes analysis of sedimentary structures and facies models for paleoenvironmental interpretation. Prerequisite: Geology 211. 1 unit |
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GY 307 - Independent Study in Geology |
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Independent research projects based on laboratory, field or library investigations. May be taught in extended format or regular course. Prerequisite: One prior course in the discipline of study, consent of instructor and registration at least 1 block prior. 1 unit |
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GY 310 - Origins & Petrology of Earth’s Crust |
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A lecture and laboratory course focused on the genesis, composition, and petrology of Earth’s crust and mantle. Topics include mass transfer from the mantle, differentiation of silicate melts and their eventual emplacement or eruption, as well as the response of the crust to parameters of pressure and temperature (i.e., metamorphism). Prerequisite: Geology 211. 1 unit |
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GY 313 - Metamorphic Petrology |
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Classification, modes of occurrence and origin of metamorphic rocks. Emphasis is on field relations and thin section work. Prerequisite: Chemistry & Biochemistry 107 and Geology 210 or Geology 211. 1 unit |
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GY 315 - Rock Deformation and the Structure of Mountains |
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The course investigates the origin, geometry, and field expression of Rocky Mountain structures, then examines material properties of rocks, crustal deformation, and mountain building, using the theoretical frameworks of stress and strain. Prerequisite: Geology 212 and Physics 141 or Physics 241. 1 unit |
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GY 316 - Field Analysis of Geological Structures |
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Techniques of field and laboratory analysis of deformed rocks. Geological mapping in metamorphic and sedimentary terrains. Prerequisite: Geology 315. 1 unit |
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GY 320 - Landscape processes and evolution |
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The study of landforms and processes shaping Earth’s surface. Investigates characteristic processes and landforms associated with rivers, glaciers, and active tectonics. Introduces methods such as topographic surveying, GIS, and numerical models. Course involves significant components of laboratory and field work. Prerequisite: Geology 212 1 unit |
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GY 335 - Earth System Chemistry |
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Introduction to Earth systems processes resulting from chemical reactions, and how distributions of major & trace elements, and isotopes of elements, are used to study mass transfers between system components and conditions under which transfers takes place. General concepts are applied to study of soils, waters & climate, and their change in response to anthropogenic/non-anthropogenic forcings. Prerequisite: Geology 211 or COI. 1 unit |
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GY 345 - Regional Studies in Geology |
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An interdisciplinary study of a geological region that requires students to apply fundamental knowledge and investigative skills acquired from core courses and electives. Involves in-depth study of primary rock relationships in a field setting outside Colorado, data acquisition and/or analysis, critical reading of published geological literature, and interpretation and synthesis in oral/written formats. Prerequisite: Geology 211 and Geology 212 and two of: Geology 305, Geology 310, Geology 315, Geology 320 or Geology 335 or COI. 1 unit |
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GY 350 - Analytical methods in Geochronology |
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Introduction to the geochemical principles, analytical methods, and applications of mass spectrometry used to constrain the timing and rates of geologic processes. Topics may include: radioactive decay, isotope fractionation, diffusion, necessary assumptions, and data collection as applied to ages and rates of past and modern-day processes of Earth’s interior and surface. 1 unit. Prerequisite: GY310 and GY335; or COI 1 unit |
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GY 360 - Resource Geology in the Age of Green Energy |
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Geologic occurrence, origins, distribution, and societal uses of ores and minerals, with emphasis on the geochemistry and petrology of critical mineral resources important to the green energy transition that is underway, and for a future with a lower carbon reliance. Additional themes may include intersections of environmental justice, energy and policy, the carbon cycle, and global mineral reserves. Prerequisites: Geology 310 and Geology 335 1 unit |
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GY 370 - Advanced Studies in Geology |
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Advanced geological topics. These courses are aimed at students with considerable background in geology and will generally involve critical reading of current literature. Topics will vary year- to-year.
Prerequisite: depending on topic 1 unit |
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GY 400 - Collaborative Research Seminar |
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Thematic capstone seminar designed to integrate aspects of various geologic disciplines. Emphasis will be placed on emerging issues and hypotheses in the Earth sciences, and will emphasize primary investigations using modern techniques. Topics will vary year-to-year.
Prerequisite: Senior Geology Major or COI 1 unit |
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GY 405 - Research Topics in Geology |
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Student participation in original research. The particular topic, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member, to be included in the course title whenever offered. May be taken either as a block course or as an extended format course with 1/2 unit of credit per semester. 1 unit |
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