Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition
Department of Geological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Chair: A. Leroy Odom; Professors: Dudley, Hu, Odom, Salters, Tull, Wise; Associate Professors: Donoghue, Humayun, Kish, Parker, Wang; Assistant Professors: Georgen, Ye; Professors Emeriti: Cowart, DeVore, Loper
The Department of Geological Sciences offers undergraduate work for both majors and minors leading to the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Emphasis is on fundamental applications of chemistry, physics, biology, and the scientific method in the study of the earth; field experience is also stressed. Faculty members offer course work in many areas of surficial, tectonic, and stratigraphic geology and geochemistry.
The major program is intended to provide a well-rounded introduction to the study of the earth as well as to prepare the student for more advanced study in the fields of natural resources, environmental planning, oceanography, geophysics, and other earth science specialties.
Various scholarships are offered (and part-time work is available) within the Department of Geological Sciences, with the Florida Geological Survey of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (located next door), and with other agencies of the state and federal governments.
Honors in the major can be earned by talented juniors and seniors by engaging in an independent project ending in an honors thesis. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Computer Skills Competency
All undergraduates at Florida State University must demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. As necessary computer competency skills vary from discipline to discipline, each major determines the courses needed to satisfy this requirement. Undergraduate majors in geological sciences satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of "C"– or higher in CGS 2060 or CGS 2064.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites
The State of Florida has identified common course prerequisites for this University degree program. These prerequisites are lower-level courses that are required for preparation for the University major prior to a student receiving a baccalaureate degree from Florida State University. They may be taken either at a community college or in a university lower-division program. It is preferred that these common course prerequisites be completed in the freshman and sophomore years.
The following lists the common course prerequisites or approved substitutions necessary for this degree program:
- CHM X045/X045L, or CHM X040 and CHM X041, or CHM X045C, or CHM X045E
- CHM X046/X046L, or CHM X046C, or CHM X046E
- GLY X010C
- MAC X311
- PHY X048C or PHY X048/X048L*
- PHY X049C or PHY X049/X049L*
- PHY X053C*
- PHY X054C
A course in historical geology is strongly recommended.
Note: (*) The choice of physics sequence depends on the area of geology specialization. Contact department for details.
Requirements
Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized in the "College of Arts and Sciences" chapter of this General Bulletin.
Major
A minimum of thirty-eight (38) semester hours of geology, as specified below and including an elective course chosen from among senior-level and graduate-level geology courses. A major will also include one year each of chemistry with labs, physics and labs, and calculus. No geology or required chemistry, physics, or mathematics course with a grade below "C–" will apply. Based on the recommended series of chemistry, physics, and calculus courses, a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science (BS) in geology is required to successfully complete the following courses in addition to other coursework required by the College of Arts and Sciences:
MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)
MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4)
CHM 1045 General Chemistry I (3)
CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHM 1046 General Chemistry II (3)
CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Laboratory (2)
PHY 2048C General Physics A with Laboratory (5)
PHY 2049C General Physics B with Laboratory (5)
GLY 2010C Physical Geology (4)
GLY 2100 Historical Geology (3)
GLY 2100L Historical Geology Laboratory (1)
GLY 3200C Mineralogy and Crystallography (3)
GLY 3220C Optical Mineralogy (2)
GLY 3310C Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3)
GLY 3340C Sedimentary Petrography (2)
GLY 3400C Structural Geology (4)
GLY 3610C Paleontology (4)
GLY 4511 Principles of Stratigraphy (3)
GLY 4750 Geological Field Methods (1)
GLY 4790 Field Course (6)
GLY 4XXX Geological Elective (2)
GLY 4790 requires the expenditure of approximately $1,400 by each student to cover the cost of travel and subsistence in the field. This amount excludes tuition. Students are expected to participate in field assignments that may require occasional physically strenuous effort.
It is recommended that students intending to transfer to Florida State University for their junior and senior years' work in geology complete one year of college chemistry before transferring in order to avoid delays in their program of studies.
Minor
The required chemistry-mathematics combination may constitute a minor, or the student may select any other approved minor.
Requirements for a Minor in Geological Sciences
A minor in geological sciences requires a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours, including: GLY 1000 and GLY 1000L or GLY 2010C; GLY 2100; GLY2100L. At least four (4) semester hours must be at the GLY 3000 level or above.
Definition of Prefixes
ESC—Earth Science
GLY—Geology
Undergraduate Courses
ESC 2200C. Earth Science for EC/EE Teachers (4).
ISC 2937. Natural Science Honors Seminar (3).
ISC 3121. Science, Technology, and Society (3).
SCE 4939r. Seminar in Contemporary Science, Mathematics, and Science Education (1).
Note: For complete descriptions of the above courses, see listings within the appropriate departmental chapters of this General Bulletin.
GLY 1000. Dynamic Earth (3). Introduction to geology as the study of planet Earth, its internal dynamics, and its surficial weathering, erosion, and sedimentary processes. Course credit may not be received for this course and also GLY 1030 or 2010C.
GLY 1000L. Dynamic Earth Laboratory (1). Prerequisite or corequisite: GLY 1000 or GLY 1030. Laboratory study of minerals, rocks, maps.
GLY 1030. Environmental Issues in Geology (3). Environmental issues as they relate to geological phenomena, which include volcanic and earthquake hazards, resource and land-use planning, air and water pollution, waste disposal, glaciation and sea-level change, landslides, flooding, shoreline erosion, and global change issues. Course credit may not be received for this course and also GLY 1000 or 2010C. Credit can be received for taking GLY 1000L.
GLY 1042. Planetary Geology (3). Introduction to the basic geological processes that apply to the planets and moons of the solar system. Observational evidence from spacecraft and earth-based sensors of the surfaces, dynamics, structures, and geologic evolution. The Earth-moon system is presented as a basis for comparison.
GLY 1070. Living on the Water Planet (3). This course provides students with an overview of the basic physics and chemistry of water and the processes that control water supply to natural ecosystems and to human civilization. It covers the hydrologic cycle, floods, drought, groundwater, patterns of water use, threats to water quality, the effects of global climate change on future water supplies, and water issues facing the state of Florida.
GLY 1102. Dinosaurs and Disasters on an Evolving Earth (3). History of Earth and its organisms as recorded in the fossil and rock record; principles of geological and paleontological research; evolution of the dinosaurs, mass extinctions, and effects of past continental movements on the diversity of life. Course credit may not be received for this course and also GLY 2100. GLY 2100L recommended.
GLY 2010C. Physical Geology (4). For majors in geology and natural sciences. Two (2) hour laboratory required. Introduction to surficial and internal processes affecting a dynamic planet Earth. Course credit may not be received for this course and also GLY 1000 or GLY 1030.
GLY 2022C. Geology for Pre-service and In-service Teachers (4). Introduction to geology with emphasis on adapting techniques, skills, and technologies learned in classes/labs for use in the secondary/elementary classroom. Topics include environmental geology, planetary geology, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, natural resources, the geology of Florida, plus the evolution of the planet and life on it.
GLY 2100. Historical Geology (3). History of Earth and introduction to the fossil record. Course credit may not be received for this course and also GLY 1102.
GLY 2100L. Historical Geology Laboratory (1). Prerequisite or corequisite: GLY 1102 or GLY 2100. Laboratory study of the physical and biological evidence for the known history of the earth.
GLY 3200C. Mineralogy and Crystallography (3). Prerequisite or corequisite: Chemistry and physical geology. Three (3) hour laboratory required. Introduction to mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and crystallography.
GLY 3220C. Optical Mineralogy (2). Corequisite: GLY 3200C. Three (3) hour laboratory required. The optical properties of crystals and mineral identification by use of the polarizing microscope.
GLY 3310C. Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (3). Prerequisite: GLY 3220C. Three (3) hour laboratory required. Classification, description, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks; relation of these rocks to tectonic processes.
GLY 3340C. Sedimentary Petrography (2). Prerequisite: GLY 3220C. Survey of sedimentary rock types, principles of description and classification, sediment genesis and transport, distribution and origin of sedimentary deposits.
GLY 3400C. Structural Geology (4). Prerequisites: GLY 2100, GLY 2100L, and GLY 3200C. Field trip is required. Theory, processes, mechanics of rock deformation and the deformation of Earth's crust.
GLY 3610C. Paleontology (4). Prerequisites: GLY 2100, 2100L. Review of invertebrate biology, with emphasis on hard-part nomenclature; the occurrence, distribution, evolution, and ecology of fossil invertebrates.
GLY 4240. Principles of Geochemistry (2). Prerequisites: GLY 2010C and basic chemistry. Crystal chemistry of silicates and other minerals; chemical principles applied to igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments and processes; chemistry of natural aqueous systems; chemical equilibria of geologic systems.
GLY 4451. Introduction to Geophysics (3). Prerequisites: MAP 2302 and PHY 2049 or instructor permission. Plate tectonics and earth structure. Current methods of probing the interior: seismology and seismic tomography, geomagnetics, geoid and gravity, geochemistry and geochronology, heat flow, mantle convection, core convection and the geodynamo.
GLY 4511. Principles of Stratigraphy (3). Prerequisite: GLY 3340C. Analysis and synthesis of stratigraphic sequences. Depositional systems; physical and biostratigraphy; geochronology and chronostratigraphy; magnetic, seismic, and sequence stratigraphy; tectonic vs. climatic controls. Term paper required.
GLY 4551. Sedimentology (2). Prerequisite: GLY 3200C. Study of modern and ancient sedimentary deposits, measurement of sediment parameters, analysis of sediment transport modes, classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, statistical reduction of sedimentologic data. Field trip required. Students concentrating in sedimentary geology are strongly urged to take the laboratory GLY 4551L concurrently.
GLY 4551L. Laboratory Methods in Sedimentology (1). Laboratory in standard sedimentologic methods, including textural analysis, heavy mineral separation and identification, carbonate staining, X-ray diffractometry, and statistical reduction of sedimentologic data. May be taken separately, but students concentrating in sedimentary geology should take GLY 4551L concurrently with 4551.
GLY 4700C. Geomorphology (3). Prerequisite: Senior standing. An introduction to the description of landforms and landscapes on Earth's surface. Emphasis is placed on the basic mechanisms that govern landform evolution, and on the history of geomorphic study. Several field trips are required.
GLY 4730. Marine Geology (3). Shoreline, shelf and deep ocean processes; marine sediment types and sedimentary environments; plate tectonics; origin of the ocean; paleoceanography; marine mineral resources. Includes research methods cruise for familiarization with marine geologic sampling and sensing devices. Credit received for GLY 4730 precludes credit being received for GLY 5736 or OCG 5050.
GLY 4750. Geological Field Methods (1). (S/U grade only.) Corequisite: GLY 3400C. Provides a working knowledge and some experience of techniques, procedures, and tools that are essential to geological field research, the professional geologist, and the required summer field course.
GLY 4751C. Introduction to Remote Sensing, Air Photo Interpretation and GIS for the Earth Sciences (3). Prerequisites: GLY 3400C and PHY 2049. Course covers an introduction to the study of the earth using photographic and electronic imaging acquired from aircraft and satellites; physics of the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and materials of Earth's surface and hydrosphere; principles of electronic and microwave imaging; and use of digital image analysis and GIS in the study of earth resources and global change.
GLY 4780. Environmental Field Problems (4). Prerequisites: GLY 2010C, GLY 3200, or GLY 3231. This course emphasizes the use of field-related observations in the study of environmental problems. Fieldwork includes the study of soils, surface waters and groundwater, erosion and mass wasting, and the chemical contamination of soils and surface waters. Evaluation of student performance in the course is based upon a series of written reports.
GLY 4790. Field Course (6). Prerequisites: GLY 3400C and GLY 4750. Series of field problems based largely on exposures of strata and structures. Preparation of geologic maps, sections, and reports. Six weeks in May and June.
GLY 4812C. Ore Deposits (3). Prerequisites: GLY 3310C and GLY 3400C. An introduction to the study of metallic ore deposits. Laboratory studies of ores using the reflected light microscope and economic evaluation of ore deposits.
GLY 4820. Principles of Hydrology (3). Prerequisites: CHM 1046 and PHY 2049C. Fundamentals of hydrogeology with an emphasis on groundwater flow and hydrochemistry. Both theory and applications are addressed.
GLY 4884. Environmental Geology I (3). The application of geologic and geochemical principles to environmental issues. Topics include: an evaluation of contaminants in surface water; hydrocarbon geochemistry and petroleum storage tank problems; air quality issues including radon and asbestos; geologic hazards in upland and coastal areas; environmental geologic methods and instrumentation; quality assurance and quality control in environmental analysis; principles of toxicology; risk assessment and risk management; and environmental assessments.
GLY 4905r. Directed Individual Study (3). May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
GLY 4915r. Undergraduate Research (2–8). (S/U grade only.) Projects in geological science arranged in advance between the student and a member of the teaching faculty of the department. May not be used to fulfill senior elective requirement. May be repeated to a maximum of eight (8) semester hours.
GLY 4917. Senior Thesis (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: GLY 4915r. A written report and an oral presentation discussing research work done under GLY 4915r. The grade is assigned by a committee of three faculty members.
GLY 4989r. Honors Work (1–6). May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
Graduate Courses
ESC 5211r. Current Topics in Earth Science (3).
ESC 5215r. Current Topics in Earth Science (3).
GLY 5135. Quaternary Geology (3).
GLY 5265. Nuclear Geology (3).
GLY 5267. Stable Isotopic Tracers in the Environment (3).
GLY 5297r. Advanced Topics in Geochemistry (1–3).
GLY 5395r. Advanced Topics in Petrology (1–3).
GLY 5425. Tectonics (3).
GLY 5455. Introduction to Geophysics (3).
GLY 5465. Geomechanics (3).
GLY 5495. Advanced Topics in Geophysics (3).
GLY 5497r. Advanced Topics in Structural Geology (1–3).
GLY 5516. Stratigraphy and Sequence Analysis (3).
GLY 5556. Hydrodynamics (3).
GLY 5573. Fluvial Processes (3).
GLY 5575. Coastal Geology (3).
GLY 5576. Stratigraphy and Sediments of Transitional Marine Environments (3).
GLY 5577. Sedimentary Basin Analysis (3).
GLY 5595r. Advanced Topics in Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (1–3).
GLY 5624C. Introduction to Micropaleontology (3).
GLY 5625C. Advanced Micropaleontology (3).
GLY 5695r. Advanced Topics in Paleontology (1–3).
GLY 5696Cr. Mesozoic Planktonic Calcareous Nannofossils (4–8).
GLY 5697Cr. Cenozoic Planktonic Calcareous Nannofossils (4–8).
GLY 5736. Marine Geology (3).
GLY 5757C. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, Air Photo Interpretation and GIS for the Earth Sciences (4).
GLY 5825. Physical Hydrology (3).
GLY 5826. Numerical Modeling of Groundwater Flow (3).
GLY 5827. Principles of Hydrology (3).
GLY 5885. Geologic Hazards Assessment (3).
GLY 5887. Environmental Geology I (3).
GLY 5896r. Advanced Topics in Hydrology (1–3).
GLY 5906r. Directed Individual Study (3). (S/U grade only.)
GLY 5910r. Supervised Research (1–5). (S/U grade only.)
GLY 5931r. Graduate Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.)
GLY 5940r. Supervised Teaching (1–5). (S/U grade only.)
GLY 6982r. Doctoral Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.)
For listings relating to graduate course work for thesis, dissertation, and master's and doctoral examinations and defense, consult the Graduate Bulletin.