Courses

GEOL B101 How the Earth Works

Fall 2025

An introduction to the study of planet Earth-the materials of which it is made, the forces that shape its surface and interior, the relationship of geological processes to people, and the application of geological knowledge to the search for useful materials. Laboratory and fieldwork focus on learning the tools for geological investigations and applying them to the local area and selected areas around the world. Three lectures and one afternoon of laboratory or fieldwork a week.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies.

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GEOL B107 Geology of Coal, Oil, and Nuclear Energy

Not offered 2025-26

This course covers the fundamentals of coal, oil, and nuclear, with an emphasis on their environmental and climate impacts. Concepts to be developed include the geologic formation of these materials, their relationships with the biosphere and geochemistry, and the long-term environmental consequences of their extractions. Students will conduct specimen and data analysis, field sampling, and lab work in order to examine local environmental impacts related to mining and drilling, as well as global impacts related to climate change. Emphasis will be placed on the scientific process, and how scientists obtain, process, and interpret data. No previous scientific training is required; however, a basic proficiency with data analysis in Excel or R is beneficial, as this course will rely heavily on data analysis.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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GEOL B108 Earth's Oceans: Past, Present, and Future

Spring 2026

This course is designed to expose students to the fundamentals of oceanography with an emphasis on how Earth's oceans are tied to life and climate and how we study these links in the present and in the fossil record. We will spend much time understanding how the modern ocean works and how biogeochemical cycles interact with it. A major focus will be how we can use the ocean's past and present to make predictions about its future. This is a flipped course in which students study pre-recorded presentations outside of class. Class time is devoted to labs, demonstrations, and other activities.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies.

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GEOL B112 Geology in Film

Fall 2025

Geologic processes make for great film storylines, but filmmakers take great liberty with how they depict scientific "facts" and scientists. We will explore how and why filmmakers choose to deviate from science reality. We will study and view one film per week and discuss its issues from a geologist's perspective.

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Film Studies.

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GEOL B202 Mineralogy and Crystal Chemistry

Fall 2025

The crystal chemistry of representative minerals as well as the relationship between the physical properties of minerals and their structures and chemical compositions. Emphasis is placed on mineral identification and interpretation. The occurrence and petrography of typical mineral associations and rocks is also covered. Lecture three hours, laboratory at least three hours a week. One required field trip on a weekend. Prerequisite: GEOL B101, or GEOL B108 or GEOL B209. This course fulfills a Writing Attentive requirement.

Writing Attentive

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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GEOL B203 Biosphere Through Time

Fall 2025

We will explore how the Earth-life system has evolved through time by studying the interactions between life, climate, and tectonic processes. During the lab component of the course, we will study important fossil groups to better understand their paleoecology and roles in the Earth-life system. Prerequisite: GEOL B101, GEOL B108, or GEOL B209.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies; Environmental Studies.

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GEOL B204 Structural Geology

Spring 2026

An introduction to the study of rock deformation in the Earth's lithosphere viewed from all scales - from the microscopic (atomic scale) to the macroscopic (continental scale). This class focuses on building a foundation of knowledge and understanding that will allow students to broaden their appreciation and understanding of the complexity of the Earth system and the links between geologic structures at all scales and plate tectonics. Three lectures and three hours of laboratory a week, plus a required multi-day, weekend field trip. Prerequisite: : introductory geology (GEOL B101, GEOL B108, or GEOL B209) and MATH 101. This course fulfills a Writing Attentive requirement.

Writing Attentive

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

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GEOL B205 Sedimentary Materials and Environments

Spring 2026

An introduction to sediment transport, depositional processes, and stratigraphy, with emphasis on interpretation of sedimentary sequences and the reconstruction of past environments. Three lectures and one lab a week, plus a one-day field trip on a weekend. Prerequisite: GEOL B101 or B108 or or GEOL B108, or GEOL B209, or instructor permission. Recommended: GEOL B202 and B203. This course fulfills a Writing Attentive requirement.

Writing Attentive

Course does not meet an Approach

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GEOL B206 Energy Resources and Sustainability

Not offered 2025-26

An examination of issues concerning the supply of energy required by humanity. This includes an investigation of the geological framework that determines resource availability, aspects of energy production and resource development and the science of global climate change. Two 90-minute lectures a week. Suggested preparation: one year of college science.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies; Environmental Studies.

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GEOL B209 Natural Hazards

Spring 2026

A quantitative approach to understanding Earth processes that impact human societies. We will examine earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, storms, and floods and explore the risks that they pose to communities. Course emphases include the fundamental physical principles and processes that govern natural hazards, approaches to mitigating the effects of natural disasters and responding in their aftermath, and examples of natural disasters from the recent and historical past. Lecture three hours a week.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies; Environmental Studies; Growth and Structure of Cities.

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GEOL B299 Geology Field Short Course

Not offered 2025-26

Geology majors choosing to participate in the annual Fall- or Spring-Break Geology Department Field Trip must enroll in GEOL B299. Enrollment in this class does not guarantee a spot on the field trip. Several pre-trip class meetings help maximize student engagement on the trip by providing a forum for discussing the assigned readings. During the week-long field trip, students are exposed to geologic field methods while visiting sites that exemplify different geology from that at sites near campus. Geologic methods introduced may include proper field notetaking, mapping and measuring geologic structures, and interpreting geologic history. Culminating work introduces students to geologic illustration and report writing. A passing grade requires full participation and engagement by the student before, during and after the field trip. At least one post-trip meeting is held on campus to synthesize the material covered, and to go over students' final reports. Prerequisite: an introductory geology course (either GEOL B101, GEOL B108, or GEOLB 209); and a major course (either GEOL B202, or B203, or B204 or B205).

Scientific Investigation (SI)

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GEOL B310 Introduction to Geophysics

Spring 2026

An overview covering how geophysical observations of the Earth's magnetic field, gravity field, heat flow, radioactivity, and seismic waves provide a means to study plate tectonics and the earth's interior. Three class hours a week with weekly problem sets. Prerequisite: one year of college physics or with permission of professor.

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GEOL B314 Marine Geology

Fall 2025

This course covers the physical, chemical and biological factors that shape marine environments, with emphasis on coastal ecosystems and landforms, and the implications of climate change for humans in the coastal zone. Meets twice weekly for a combination of lecture and discussion. Includes a mandatory day-long field trip to the Mid-Atlantic US coast. Prerequisite: two GEOL or BIOL courses, or ENVS H201 plus one course in GEOL or BIOL.

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Environmental Studies.

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GEOL B350 Advanced Topics in Geology

Section 001 (Spring 2026): Carbonate Environments

Spring 2026

This is a topics course. Course content varies. Recent topics include Geology and Colonialism, Carbonate Petrology, Appalachian Geology, Advanced Evolution, The Snowball Controversy, and Climate Change.

Course does not meet an Approach

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GEOL B399 Senior Capstone Seminar

A capstone seminar course required for all Geology majors. All Geology seniors will be required to participate in this two-semester seminar that meets bi-weekly for 2 hours for a total of 1.0 credit (0.5 credits per semester). Enrollment required in two half-credit courses, one in the fall and one in the spring semester of the senior year. The focus of the capstone seminar is to reinforce students' ability to address geoscience questions and to communicate their findings orally and in writing. Students and faculty will meet once every other week to help students develop the skills necessary to complete their independent projects, discuss topics related to scientific literacy and practice, and prepare students for the next step in their careers.

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GEOL B400 Senior Thesis

Rising seniors will undertake an independent project in addition to mandatory full participation in the senior capstone seminar. This student project is conducted under the supervision of a faculty advisor(s). The project plan is initially developed and agreed upon by conference between the supervising faculty member(s) and the student. Most of the research is conducted independently by the student. The advisor serves as a source of ideas concerning scientific literature, methodologies, and financial support. The advisor may visit and inspect the research sites, laboratory or model, and offer advice on how the research should be conducted or modified.

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GEOL B403 Supervised Research

Optional laboratory or field research on a wide variety of topics, open to junior or senior majors. Interested students must consult with department faculty members as early as possible, preferably before the start of the semester, in order to choose a faculty supervisor. The student and faculty supervisor meet early in the semester to plan the research and discuss gradable outcomes (e.g., final research paper). Requires permission of the instructor and the major advisor.

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GEOL B415 Teaching Assistant

Course does not meet an Approach

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BIOL B236 Evolution

Spring 2026

A lecture/discussion course on evolutionary biology. This course will cover the history of evolutionary theory, population genetics, molecular and developmental evolution, paleontology, and phylogenetic analysis. Lecture three hours a week.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Anthropology; Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Geology.

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