College of Arts and Sciences
Departments
Geosciences
Geology Courses
- GEOL-G 101 Introduction to Earth Science: Lecture (3 cr.) Origin and classification of minerals and rocks. Gradation processes and landform evolution. Atmosphere and weather. Geologic time and earth history. Earth resources. Two lectures each week. Credit is given for only one of the following: GEOL101, GEOL107. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- GEOL-G 102 Introduction to Earth Science Laboratory (1 cr.) P: GEOL-G101. C: GEOL-G101. This is the laboratory for GEOL-G101 and is designed to be taken concurrently. Classification and identification of minerals, rocks, and fossils. Weather and climates. Map projections, maps, and local topography. One laboratory each week. (Fall, Spring, Occasionally Summer)
- GEOL-G 108 Selected Earth Science Topics (1-3 cr.) Selected topics of general interest in earth science offered as individual units. Consult Schedule of Classes for current offerings. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 114 Dinosaurs and their relatives (3 cr.)
Origin and evolution of vertebrates including dinosaurs and their distant relatives, such as fish, amphibians, birds and mammals. Course will focus on dinosaur evolution, paleobiology, paleoecology, and extinction. The scientific method, and quantitative and qualitative methodologies will be presented. Two lectures and one demonstration each week. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 185 Global Environmental Change (3 cr.) The scientific basis behind natural and human-based global environmental changes. Geological perspective of the formation of the earth. Human activities influencing the natural system, including population, deforestation, water usage, acid rain, ozone depletion, smog and global warming. Subsequent human reactions. (Fall, Summer).
- GEOL-G 209 History of Earth (4 cr.) P: Any GEOL 100-level lecture-based course and GEOL-G 102. Earth history emphasizing physical and biological evolution. Geologic time, stratigraphic correlation, plate tectonics, paleodepositional environments, paleography, and evolution of life. Laboratory, field trip required. (Spring)
- GEOL-G 210 Oceanography (3 cr.) Introduction to the study of the oceans and marine processes. Emphasis on morphology of the ocean floor, life in the ocean, oceanic circulation, and submarine geology. Three lectures or two lectures with occasional laboratory per week. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 220 Regional Geology Field Trip (3 cr.) Field investigation of selected regions of North America. Six to 15 days in the field. Students may receive credit only once each for GEOL-G220 and GEOL-G420. (Spring or Summer alternate years). Please see schedule of classes to confirm class course offerings.
- GEOL-G 221 Introductory Mineralogy (4 cr.) P: any 100-level lecture-based geology course with a laboratory. Crystallography: morphology, classes, twinning habit. Physical and chemical mineralogy. Description, identification, association, occurrence, and use of common and important minerals. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. Required field trip. (Three semester rotation: Spring 2025, Fall 2026, Spring 2028). Please see schedule of classes to confirm course offerings.
- GEOL-G 222 Introduction to Petrology (4 cr.) P: GEOL-G 221, class in collegre algebra or consent of the instructor. Dynamic processes that form igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks: Focus on composition, field occurrence, characteristics, classification, origin, laboratory description, and identification. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. Required field trip. This class meets the intensive writing requirement for the IU Northwest campus. (Three semester rotation: Spring 2024, Fall 2025, Spring 2027, Fall 2028). Please see schedule of classes to confirm class course offerings.
- GEOL-G 308 Paleontology and Geology of Indiana (3 cr.) This course focuses on the geological and evolutionary processes that have shaped our planet and life on it over Phanerozoic (the last 550 million years of Earth's history). Students will learn paleontology and geology of Indiana by studying the sedimentary record, changing paleo-environments, and fossils preserved in rocks. We will study karst landscapes shaped by dissolution of limestone and landforms shaped by Pleistocene glaciers. Indiana's industries related to natural resources of coal and building stone will also be studies in this course. This class does not count toward the Geology or Environmental Science major. (Summer)
- GEOL-G 317 Field and Laboratory Techniques (3-5 cr.) P: 100-level geology course with a lab. Field trips mandatory. A field and laboratory-based course. Content includes map construction, reading, and interpretation, surveying, computer graphics, aerial photography interpretation, lithostratigraphic logging of sediment and bedrock, stream gauging, statistical analysis of geological data, grain size analysis, and an instruction to GIS and remote sensing. (Fall odd years)
- GEOL-G 323 Structural Geology (4 cr.) P: One introductory level geology course with a lab, and a college-level algebra course, or consent of the instructor. Nature and origin of structural features of the earth's crust, with emphasis on mechanics of deformation. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. Required field trip. (Normally a three semester rotation. Fall 2024, Spring 2026, Fall 2027, Spring 2029). Please see schedule of classes to confirm class course offerings.
- GEOL-G 334 Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4 cr.) P: Introductory level geology course with lab or consent of instructor. Interrelationship of sedimentation and stratigraphy; process and factors influencing genesis of sedimentary strata; provenance, depositional environment, sedimentary facies, paleoecology; analytical techniques; application of principles to interpretation of stratigraphic record. Required field trip. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. This class satisfies the intensive writing requirement for the IU Northwest campus. (Fall; even years)
- GEOL-G 406 Introduction to Geochemistry (3 cr.) P: CHEM C106, MATH M127, or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Application of chemical principles in study of the earth from primarily dynamic approach. Two lectures each week. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 407 Senior Geosciences Projects I (4 cr.) P: Senior standing in geosciences. Field and/or laboratory research project in geosciences, under faculty or faculty committee supervision. A preliminary report must be submitted at the end of the first semester, and a final report at the end of the second. Each must be written in proper scientific form. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II)
- GEOL-G 408 Senior Geosciences Projects II (4 cr.) P: Senior standing in geosciences. Field and/or laboratory research project in geosciences, under faculty or faculty committee supervision. A preliminary report must be submitted at the end of the first semester, and a final report at the end of the second. Each must be written in proper scientific form. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II)
- GEOL-G 410 Undergraduate Research in Geology (1-4 cr.) P: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Field and laboratory research in selected problems in geology. Total of 6 credit hours may be counted toward the degree in geology. (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II)
- GEOL-G 413 Introduction to Earth Physics (3 cr.) P: PHYS P201 or 221. P or C: MATH M216 or consent of instructor. Physics in the study of the earth: its origin, history, internal constitution, structure, and mineral resources. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 415 Geomorphology (4 cr.) P: Introductory level geology course with a lab or consent of instructor. Geomorphic processes, evolution and classification of landforms. Laboratory: topographic, geologic, and soil maps; aerial photographs. Required field trip. Two lectures and one laboratory each week. This class satisfies the intensive writing requirement for the IU Northwest campus. (Fall odd years)
- GEOL-G 420 Regional Geology Field Trip (1-3 cr.) P: 10 credit hours of geology and consent of instructor. Field investigations of selected regions of North America for study of mineralogic, lithologic, stratigraphic, structural, paleontologic, geomorphic, or other geological relationships. Six to 15 days in the field. May be repeated. Usually follows spring semester. Students may receive credit only once each for GEOL-G220 and GEOL-G420. (Spring or Summer, Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 435 Glacial and Quaternary Geology (3-4 cr.) Topics include glacier processes, glacial sediments, glacial landforms, glacial history, and interpretations of climate change from the glacial record. The focus is on glaciation during the Quaternary Period with specific emphasis on glacial history and landforms of Northwest Indiana. Two lectures and one laboratory are required each week. (Occasionally)
- GEOL-G 451 Principles of Hydrogeology (4 cr.) P: GEOL G334 or consent of instructor. Water resources: occurrence, regulation, and management of water; hydrologic cycle, water movement, well hydraulics; water quality and pollution; surface and subsurface investigations; basin-wide development of water resources; legal aspects; relationship of hydrogeology to engineering geology. Two lectures and one laboratory are required each week. This class satisfies the intensive writing requirement for the IU Northwest campus. (Spring odd years)
- GEOL-G 460 Internship in Geology (3 cr.) P: Geology major with senior standing and approval from the chair. Industrial or similar experiences in geologically oriented employment. Projects jointly arranged, coordinated, and evaluated by faculty and industrial/ governmental supervisors. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
- GEOL-G 490 Undergraduate Seminar (1-2 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Open to junior and senior majors by special permission. Readings and discussion of selected topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours. (Occasionally). See schedule of classes for offerings.
- GEOL-F 116 First Year Seminar-Hoosiers Rock! (3-4 cr.) This class is an introduction to life at Indiana University Northwest, the value of a college degree, and succeeding as a college student. In this class, students engage in discussions with the instructor, fellow students, and visitors from key campus support offices/support structures. Students develop academic skills, and a sense of purpose, belonging, and growth. Students conduct research, present their findings, and communicate findings through writing. They spend time reflecting on what they have learned and how they can apply it to their career at IU Northwest. THe special topic of this First-Year Seminar is "Hoosiers Rock!" In this class, students learn about local geology, the geology of Indiana, and how geology has shaped life in our region and on our campus. Students learn through short lectures, collaborative work, field trips, and project-based assignments. Variable credit (3-4 cr.)/ Students who complete STEM-based Summer-Bridge may enroll for 4-credits, applying it towards 1 course-credit. (Fall)
- GEOL-G 476 Climate Change Science (3 cr.) Evidence for and theories of climate change over a range of time scales. Sources of natural climate forcing are presented, historical evolution of climate change is quantified, and model tools and climate projections are presented along with analyses of climate change impacts. (Summer)
- GEOL-G 110 How the Earth Works (3 cr.) Introduction to processes within and at the surface of the earth. Description, classification, and origin of minerals and rocks. The rock cycle. Internal processes: volcanism, earthquakes, crystal formation, mountain building, plate tectonics. External processes: weathering, mass wasting, streams, glaciers, ground water, deserts, coasts. With laboratory GEOL-G120 (Occasionally. See schedule of classes for offerings)