GEOL 1000: The Earth (3 cr.)

How does the earth work, what is it made of, and how does it change through time? Plate tectonics, Earth materials, landforms, structures, climate, and natural resources. Emphasis on the observations and hypotheses used to interpret earth system processes.

This is an introductory course in physical geology taught by Swanner, both in person and online.

GEOL 1080: Introduction to Oceanography (3 cr.)

Introduction to the study of oceans and the processes that helped shape them. A major focus is on how the oceans work, with special attention on geological, chemical, and biological processes. Ocean circulation and its influence on climate. Life of the oceans. Use and misuse of ocean resources. Anthropogenic impacts on the oceanic environment.

This is an introductory course in oceanography taught by Swanner online.

GEOL 4060/5060: Geology Field Course “EnvIRONments (1-2 cr.)

The topic is iron-rich lakes, and students will collect field data for a scientific publication. Incorporates perspectives and techniques from aquatic geochemistry, limnology, microbial ecology, and hydrogeology. Geology and Environmental Science students are encouraged to participate.

Students enroll with the instructor’s permission. This is part of Swanner’s NSF CAREER award and was taught in Spring 2022, Fall 2023, and Spring 2023 over two different field areas.

GEOL 4120/5120: Geobiology (3 cr.)

Microbes have a deep evolutionary history on the planet, and their major biological innovations corresponded to key developments in Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Major functional classes of microbes and key phylogenetic groups associated with these innovations will be emphasized. While some microbes fossilize, microbial history is often reconstructed from geochemical and stable-isotope signatures recorded in the rock record. The study of Geobiology necessarily incorporates the investigation of microbial ecology, diversity, and function in modern environments. The laboratory will cover environmental sampling and laboratory analysis of modern microbes and their application to interpreting the geological record.

This course is dual-listed for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. 

GEOL/ENSCI 4190/5190: Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry (3 cr.)

This course addresses the chemical principles underlying the fate of solid, liquid, and gas-phase inorganic and organic contaminants during interaction with natural phases. Laboratory activities are designed to enhance understanding of coursework and expose students to methods in environmental monitoring, analysis, and remediation. Additional topics include terrestrial environments, such as soils and aquifers, as well as an introduction to atmospheric contaminants.

The course is dual-listed for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. It is cross-listed with ENSCI. It is offered in even Spring Semesters and meets T/Th 11-11:50 for lecture and a lab Fr 1:10-3:00.

GEOL/ENSCI 4775/5775X: Global Biogeochemical Cycles (3 cr.)

Elements move through the solid Earth, critical zone, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans in cycles that are driven by physical, chemical, and biological processes. The functioning of these cycles has changed through Earth’s history due to Earth’s secular, tectonic, and biological evolution. Major changes in these processes influence the composition of the atmosphere and oceans and modulate climate.  

As this course integrates perspectives from many sciences and concepts across and earth and/or environmental curriculum, undergraduate students should plan to take it toward the end of their studies.

The course is dual-listed for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students. It is cross-listed with ENSCI. It is offered as a hybrid course in even Fall Semesters and meets Fr 8:50-9:40 am.