Geology

Course Descriptions

GEOL 1100
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Designed to acquaint the student with earth materials and processes including formation of minerals, rocks, mountains, glaciers, and various landscapes, as well as erosional problems, continental drift, earthquakes, and geology of the nearest planets. Laboratory includes rocks and mineral identification, map use and interpretation.
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite Lab required

GEOL 1200
HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
This course deals with the concept of time and sequence of events forming the present crustal rocks and land surface. Origin and evolution of life as revealed through fossils and map interpretations.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1100 or Instructor Permission
Corequisite Lab required

GEOL 2080
GENERAL FIELD GEOLOGY
Four field trips totaling 70 hours of direct field experience in geology will expose the students to the variety of geological processes and examples in western Wyoming. These include study of the rocks and landscapes of the Teton, Wind River, ad Uinta Ranges and their formation, structural relations, erosion, and glacial processes. The Green River Basin, its formation, sediments, trona, coal, oil and gas deposits, and erosional history make up over half of the course. Some fossil collections may be made. Other field trips may substitute for one or more of those listed.
Prerequisites: Previous or concurrent enrollment in GEOL 1100, 1200, 2150, or Instructor Permission

GEOL 2150
GEOMORPHOLOGY
Designed to acquaint the student with the breadth of geologic processes that shape the earth’s surface and produce the major topographic features. Studied in depth are the processes, effects, and results of streams, rivers, landslides, weathering, glaciers, deserts, shorelines, oceans, and volcanism. Some emphasis is placed on the relationship of various engineering and construction projects to the mechanics of the surfaces on which they are built.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1100 or Instructor Permission
Corequisite Lab required