GEOL 1200L. Physical Geology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1200. Experimental study and investigation of the basic geological principles and processes in earth science; minerals, rocks, earth materials, and landforms. One lab period of three hours per week. Off-campus field trip required. (Fall, Spring, Summer) (Evenings) 

Note:  Although the laboratory and lecture sections of GEOL 1200 are taught as separate courses it is recommended that students take  GEOL 1200L concurrently with GEOL 1200. Students with scheduling problems or students not fulfilling the UNC Charlotte science and technology requirements may take the lecture without the laboratory. Students fulfilling the UNC Charlotte science and technology requirement must either: (a) take GEOL 1200 and GEOL 1200L concurrently or (b) take GEOL 1200L in a semester subsequent to taking GEOL 1200.  

GEOL 1210. Earth History. (3) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200. The origin and evolution of the earth's major features: the beginnings and changes of the earth's continents, atmosphere, oceans, and  life forms, set in the vast context of geologic time. Three hours of lecture. (Fall, Spring) 

GEOL 1210L. Earth History Lab. (1) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200, 1200L.  Additional prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 1210. Learn the basic techniques used by geologists to interpret the history of life, changing surface environments and habitats, plate tectonic movement, mountain building events, and climate changes.  Hands-on investigation of rocks, fossils, geologic maps, and more.  One lab period of three hours per week.  Off campus field trip required. (Fall, Spring) 

GEOL 2000.  Topics in Geology.  (1-4)  Treatment of major topical issues in Geology.  May be repeated for credit as topics vary.  (On demand)

GEOL 2100. The Violent Earth. (3) Volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other catastrophic natural phenomena with emphasis on causes, effects and human adjustments. (On demand) 

GEOL 3000.  Selected Topics in Geology.  (1-4) Prerequisite: GEOL 1200-1200L, or permission of the instructor.  Treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of geology.  May be repeated for credit as topics vary.  (On demand) 

GEOL 3110.  Minerals and Rocks.  (3) Prerequisites or corequisites: GEOL 1200 and 1200L.  Formation processes, composition and identification of rocks and minerals in the earth’s crust with important abundance or special use.  (On demand) 

GEOL 3115. Mineralogy. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 1200-1200L. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 1251-1251L or consent of the instructor. Identification, classification and description of minerals based on physical properties, crystallography, and chemical composition. Includes diagnostic techniques for identification of common ore and rock forming minerals. Three hours of lecture and one three‑hour lab per week. (Spring) 

GEOL 3120.  Geochemistry.  (3) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200-1200L and Chemistry 1251-1251L, or consent of instructor.  Geochemical survey of origin, evolution and present composition of the earth.  (Alternate years) 

GEOL 3120L.  Geochemistry Laboratory.  (1) Prerequisiteor corequisite: GEOL 3120 or consent of instructor.  Analytical methods and sample preparation techniques used by geochemists.  One three hour meeting per week.  (On demand) 

GEOL 3124. Sedimentology. (4) (W) Prerequisites: GEOL 1210-1210L, GEOL 3115 or consent of instructor. Examination of sedimentary rock features and compositions as related to origin, dispersion, deposition, diagenesis, classification and general distribution of sedimentary materials. Three hours of lecture and one three‑hour lab per week. (Fall) 

GEOL 3130. Structural Geology. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3115 or consent of the instructor. A systematic examination of the structures and processes of rock deformation. Three lecture hours, one three‑hour lab per week. (Fall) 

GEOL 3140.  Paleontology.  (3) Prerequisite: GEOL 1200, 1200L and GEOL 1210, 1210L or permission of the instructor.  Nature of fossils, analysis of growth and variation in fossil assemblages, reconstruction of the modes of life of extinct organisms, paleobiogeography, biostratigraphy, and the fossil record of evolutionary pattern and processes.  (On demand) 

GEOL 3190. Environmental Geology. (3) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200, 1200L. Aspects of geology with direct or indirect impact on society. Topics include slope stability, earthquake hazards, solid waste disposal, flooding, ground water problems, soil loss, sediment pollution, watershed dynamics, water and soil pollution, and radioactive waste disposal. (Spring) 

GEOL 3190L. Environmental Geology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 3190. Investigation of the causes, consequences, and mitigation of natural hazards and disasters. One three-hour lab per week. (On demand) 

GEOL 4000.  Selected Topics in Geology.  (1-4) Prerequisites: ESCI 1101-1101L, GEOL 1200-1200L, or permission of the instructor.  In-depth treatment of specific topics selected from one of the fields of geology.  May be repeated for credit as topics vary.  (On demand) 

GEOL 4100. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3115. Classification, mineralogy and chemical properties of igneous and metamorphic rocks including the tectonic processes by which they formed. Lab emphasizes hand specimen and petrographic description and interpretation of rocks in thin sections. (Alternate years) 

GEOL 4105. Geomorphology. (3) Prerequisites: ESCI 1101-1101L or GEOL 1200-1200L.  Surficial processes and landform development as controlled by climate, tectonics, rock characteristics and time with emphasis on plate tectonic, weathering, erosion, mass wasting, surface water, groundwater, glacial, wind and coastal processes and climate change in landscape development. (Fall) 

GEOL 4105L. Gemorphology Laboratory. (1) Prerequisite or corequisite: GEOL 4105.  Analysis of landforms and the surficial processes responsible for landform development.  One lab period of 3 hours per week. (Fall)(On demand) 

GEOL 4110. Stratigraphy. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 1210-1210L and GEOL3124, or permission of instructor.  Vertical and horizontal relationships of layered earth materials as a key to understanding basin history, past depositional environments, and their transformation through time. Three lecture hours, three lab hours per week. (Spring)  

GEOL 4115. Applied Geophysics. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 3115, GEOL 3130, and introductory physics or consent of instructor.  Instrumental analysis of the earth's physical parameters.  Study of human‑induced seismic and electrical signals, and natural magnetic and gravitational fields for the purposes of locating faults, ore bodies, ground water, and other earth hazards or resources.  Three hours of lecture and one three‑hour lab per week. (On demand) 

GEOL 4120. Geologic Mapping and Interpretation. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 3130 and GEOL 4100 or consent of instructor. Field and lab oriented study using principles of mineralogy, petrology and structural geology. Involves collection and resolution of field data, techniques of presenting data, development of geologic maps, and critical reviews of existing literature. Two hours of lecture, four hours of lab/field work per week. (Alternate years) 

GEOL 4125. Geologic Summer Field Camp. (6) Prerequisite: junior standing and consent of instructor. Concentrated field investigation of geologic features. Data collection in the field, geologic mapping, report and map preparation and time management. Location of field camp will be specified each time course is offered. (Summer) 

GEOL 4130. Optical Mineralogy. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3115. Light optics theory, the behavior of plane polarized light in a solid medium. The laboratory emphasizes the use of petrographic microscope oil immersion techniques and identification of the common rock forming minerals. Three hours of lecture and one three‑hour lab per week. (On demand) 

GEOL 4135. Tectonics. (4) Prerequisite: GEOL 3130 or consent of the instructor. A systematic examination of the evolution and dynamics of the earth from the perspective of plate tectonics theory. Three lecture hours, and one three‑hour lab per week. (Alternate years) 

GEOL 4145. Fundamentals of Hydrogeology. (4) Prerequisites: GEOL 1200-1200L, MATH 1241, CHEM 1251-1251L, or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of groundwater hydrology.  Principles of flow and transport in groundwater aquifers and the vadose zone.  Topics include: storage compressibility, capillarity, Darcy’s Law, aquifer parameters, steady and transient flow equations, well hydraulics, geological controls on groundwater flow, and transport of non-reactive chemical species by advection, diffusion and dispersion in porous media, together with applied problems.  Three hours of lecture, and three hours of lab per week with occasional field trips. (Fall) 

GEOL 4165. Aqueous Geochemistry. (4) Prerequisite: Prerequisites: CHEM 1251-1251L, CHEM 1252-1252L and GEOL 3115, or consent of instructor.  Interaction of rocks, minerals, and gases with water under natural conditions, including an overview of the compositions of natural waters from a variety of environmental and geologic settings emphasizing a rigorous thermodynamic approach to understanding water-rock interactions.  Three hours of lecture, and three hours of lab per week. (On demand) 

GEOL 4185.  Mineralogy, Economics, and the Environment.  (3)  Prerequisites:  GEOL 3115 Mineralogy or consent of instructor. This course will focus on the origin, distribution, and consumption rate of the Earth’s mineral resources.  Lectures and assignments are intended to promote understanding of the geologic, engineering, and economic factors that govern mineral exploration and production.  Environmental impacts of the mining industry are also discussed.  (On demand) 

GEOL 4400.  Internship in Geology.  (3-6) Prerequisite: Consent of the Department.  Research and/or work experience designed to be a logical extension of a student’s academic program.  The student must apply to the Department for an internship by submitting a proposal which specifies the type of work/research experience preferred and how the internship will complement his or her academic program.  The student can receive three to six hours credit depending on the nature and extent of the internship assignment.  (On demand) 

GEOL 4410.  Applied Soil Science.  (4)  Prerequisites:  GEOL 3115, GEOL 3124, ESCI 4210 or permission of the instructor.  Students will read and discuss current literature pertaining to the application of soils to various fields of research such as surficial processes, active tectonics, ecology, stratigraphy, archeology, and environmental assessment.  Topics covered will vary depending on the interests of the students.  Students will create and execute a semester-long soils-based field or laboratory research project of their choosing.  Three hours seminar, three hours field or lab each week.  (Spring)