Active Course List

An integrated, multi-disciplinary study of the Earth and the solar system. The course builds on basic concepts of astronomy, chemistry and geology to give students an enhanced understanding of the nature and relationship among the forces that control the Earth's evolution. Learning outcomes partially fulfill licensure requirements for secondary science educators.

Prerequisites:

AST 101, CHEM 201, GEOL 121

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science Teaching (5-12) (BS)

Focused studies of the origins and processes of transportation, deposition, burial, and diagenesis of sedimentary materials. Lab assignments focus on sedimentary material identification and analysis. Field trips required.

Prerequisites:

Select one course: GEOL 100, GEOL 107, GEOL 121

Graduation Requirements:

Writing Intensive

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Geoarcheology (CERT) | Geology (BS) | Geology Minor | Geomorphology and Earth Surface Processes (CERT)

Study of the processes and results of rock deformation at scales ranging from microscopic to plate tectonic, and at conditions ranging from the Earth's surface to the deep interior.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Geology (BS) | Geology Minor

This course is devoted to the study and practice of geological field investigations. Students will first learn basic field investigative methods. Students will then be appropriately versed in the geological history and importance of a region selected for in-depth study. Finally, students will participate in a field trip to a regional site of geologic importance over an extended weekend (4-6 days). Potential study sites may include Minnesota's North Shore and Iron Range, the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, the Ozarks, or the Rocky Mountains.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 121 and GEOL 122

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Geology Minor

Study of the origin, composition, texture, morphology, and stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Topics include the geologic record of glaciation, techniques used to reconstruct histories of glaciation, glacial depositional systems, provenance of glacial sediments, influence of glaciation on soil texture, and interpretation of glacial geologic maps. Emphasis will be placed on description and interpretation of glacial features in southern Minnesota. Field trips required.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Geology Minor

Comprehensive survey of geophysical methods utilized in geologic resource exploration, and basic principles of applied seismology in industry.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 121, GEOL 201, GEOL 122

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Geology Minor

Geologic field mapping and interpretation in diverse settings. Course is offered by universities throughout the U.S. and elsewhere.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 121, GEOL 122, GEOL 201, GEOL 320W, GEOL 330

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Geology (BS)

The application of geologic data and principles to problems created by human occupancy and use of the physical environment. Lecture and laboratory topics include soil classification and conservation, hazardous waste site evaluation and remediation, and living with geologic hazards.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 GEOL 104 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Agribusiness and Food Innovation (BS) | Agricultural Sciences (BS) | Agriculture Minor | Earth Science (BS) | Environmental Geology (CERT) | Geology Minor

This course introduces physical and chemical studies of hydrogeology. The main areas of discussion will include the physical and chemical attributes of aquifers, movement of ground-water and solute through soils and rocks, and reactions between earth materials and pollutants in ground-water systems. The class includes extensive use of MODFLOW and MT3D, the two most commonly usedgroundwater modeling programs currently available.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Environmental Geology (CERT) | Geology Minor

Biogeochemical processes specific to soil and engineered sediments, including applications of solubility, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, alkalinity. Discussion of problems related to environmental degradation, plant nutrition, soil genesis, and element cycling (e.g. P, N, C). Structural chemistry, origin/identification of crystalline soil clay minerals, and soil organic matter will be covered in context with the mechanisms for reactivity in the soil environment. Prerequisites or instructor consent.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 104, and CHEM 191 or CHEM 201

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Agribusiness and Food Innovation (BS)

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Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Selection of geoscience topics relevant to regional applications and current research. Activities may include guest speakers, student research presentations, directed readings in peer-reviewed literature, career panels, and job application development.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 201

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Internships allow students to apply knowledge and skills learned through undergraduate geoscience classes to real-world problems. Students will work with faculty to secure suitable employment and when finished, students will develop a written report of professional practicum that explores the relationships that exist among collegiate lessons and workplace tasks. Evaluation will be based on the content and presentation of the report as well as consultations with the internship supervisor.

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science (BS) | Geology (BS)

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Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

Earth Science Teaching (5-12) (BS) | Geology (BS) | Geology Minor

This course is devoted to the study and practice of geological field investigations. Students will first learn basic field investigative methods. Students will then be appropriately versed in the geological history and importance of a region selected for in-depth study. Finally, students will participate in a field trip to a regional site of geological importance over an extended weekend (4-6 days). Potential study sites may include Minnesota's North Shore and Iron Range, the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, the Ozarks, or the Rocky Mountains.

Study of the origin, composition, texture, morphology, and stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Topics include the geologic record of glaciation, techniques used to reconstruct histories of glaciation, glacial depositional systems, provenance of glacial sediments, influence of glaciation on soil texture, and interpretation of glacial geologic maps. Emphasis will be placed on description and interpretation of glacial features in southern Minnesota. Field trips required.

Comprehensive survey of ore deposit and petroleum geology, including exploration and production technologies. Course emphasizes projects using industry data.

The application of geoscience data and principles to problems created by human occupancy and use of the biogeochemical-physical environment. Areas of study include pedogenesis, hydrology, hydraulics and surface water quality, watershed analysis, regulatory practices, site evaluation and remediation.

This course introduces physical and chemical studies of hydrogeology. The main area of discussion will include the physical and chemical attributes of aquifiers, movement of groundwater and solute through soils and rocks, and reactions between earth materials and pollutants in groundwater systems. The class includes extensive use of MODFLOW and MT3D, the two most commonly used groundwater modeling programs currently available.

Biogeochemical processes specific to soil and engineered sediments, including applications of solubility, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, alkalinity. Discussion of problems related to environmental degradation, plant nutrition, soil genesis, and element cycling (e.g. P, N, C). Structural chemistry, origin/identification of crystalline soil clay minerals, and soil organic matter will be covered in context with the mechanisms for reactivity in the soil environment. Students will contextualize soil processes and differentiate between chemical species in natural, agricultural, and contaminated systems.

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A course designed to upgrade the qualifications of a person on the job. Content is variable. The course can be repeated for credit.

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Introduction to German for students with little or no language experience.

Graduation Requirements:

Goal Area 8 - Global Perspective

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

German (BA)

Prereq: GER 101 or equivalent

Prerequisites:

GER 101 or equivalent

Graduation Requirements:

Goal Area 8 - Global Perspective

Areas of Interest:

Education and Training

Programs:

German (BA)