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Environmental
Geosciences Undergraduate Courses
ENVG 112 Environmental Geosciences
(3-0-3) Fein, Prereq. CHEM 117 or equivalent
This course introduces the student to Earth processes and focuses on
how these processes affect people, and how people affect these processes.
The course explores the interactions between Earth's biopshere, geosphere,
atmosphere, and hydrosphere, with the objective of demonstrating how
our physical environment is controlled by geological, biological, and
human forces.
ENVG 131 Physical Geology
(3-1-4) Neal. Prerequisite: Engineering and science common core intents.
An introduction to the Earth and its processes, composition, evolution,
and structure. The course introduces the student to mineralogy, petrology,
structural geology, oceanography, surficial processes, geophysics, environmental
geology, and planetology. Lecture and laboratory meetings.
ENVG 231 Physical Geology
(3-1-4) Neal. Prerequisite: Engineering and science common core intents.
An introduction to the Earth and its processes, composition, evolution,
and structure. The course introduces the student to mineralogy, petrology,
structural geology, oceanography, surficial processes and environmental
geology. Lecture and laboratory meetings.
ENVG 232 Historical Geology
(3-1-4) Rigby. Prerequisite: Permission required.
This course introduces the student to the concept of geologic time, absolute
and relative age-dating, Earth processes and features through time, and
the major features of evolution and distribution of fossils. Lecture
and laboratory meetings. A one-day field trip is required.
ENVG 242 Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy
(3-1-4) Burns. Prerequisites: CHEM 118 or CHEM 121 and ENVG 231 or consent
of instructor.
Crystallography and mineral optics: physical and chemical mineralogy
- its application to mineral identification in hand-specimen and using
the petrographic microscope.
ENVG 247 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
(3-1-4) Neal. Prerequisite: ENVG 242 or consent of instructor.
Geochemistry and petrography are used to investigate mineral equilibria,
magma generation and crystallization, pressure and temperatures of deformation,
and the interior of the Earth.
ENVG 342 Structural Geology and Rock Mechanics
(3-1-4) Staff. ENVG 242 or consent of instructor.
Shapes and fabric of deformed rocks, physical properties of rocks, processes
and mechanisms of deformation with associated stresses and strains, and
regional and global structural events. A weekend field trip is required.
ENVG 344 Surficial Processes and Surficial Hydrology
(2-1-3) Staff. ENVG 242 or consent of instructor.
A quantitative study of natural chemical and physical processes (e.g.,
weathering, flooding, wind) that produce both erosional and depositional
landforms. Their effects on human structures and developments are explored.
A one-day field trip is required.
ENVG 357 Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
(3-1-4) Rigby. ENVG 242 or consent of instructor.
Sedimentary environments from a physical, biological and tectonic perspective
are explored, along with processes such as lithification. Identification
of sedimentary rocks and the interpretation of the succession of layered
rocks in North America are emphasized.
ENVG 403 Geochemistry
(3-0-3) Fein. CHEM 117 or 121, and Math 126 , or consent of instructor.
An introduction to the use of chemical thermodynamics and chemical kinetics
in modeling geochemical processes. Special emphasis is placed on water-rock
interactions of environmental interest.
ENVG 415 Environmental Impact of Resource Utilization
(3-0-3) Neal. Prerequisite: ENVG 242 and ENVG 403 or consent of instructor.
The environmental effects of utilizing natural resources are examined
from their extraction, refining, to use. Pivotal in this course is environmental
impact assessment and rehabilitation/remediation technologies. A number
of case studies will be examined to highlight the environmental impact
of using the Earth's natural resources and how such impacts can be mitigated.
ENVG 423 Environmental Geochemistry
(3-0-3) Maurice. ENVG 403 or consent of instructor.
The fundamental controls on the chemical characteristics of natural waters
as a basis for understanding local, regional, and global hydrobiochemical
cycles. Includes acid-base equilibria, solubility, complex formation,
geochemistry of clays, and introduction to geochemical kinetics. Combines
classical geochemical, engineering, and computer modeling approaches
to carbonate system equilibria.
ENVG 445 Field Trip
(0-1-1) Burns. ENVG 231 or consent of instructor.
Field trip during the fall/spring vacation; emphasis on regional field
geology and field relationships. Classic localities are studied in order
to demonstrate geological concepts.
ENVG 458 Geophysics
(2-1-3) Staff. MATH 228 and PHY 132 or consent of instructor.
Physics of the solid Earth: seismic wave, gravity, resistivity and electromagnetic
methods of probing the structure of the Earth. Applications to environmental
concerns as well as to groundwater, mineral and petroleum exploration
are discussed.
ENVG 459 Paleontology
(2-1-3) Rigby. ENVG 232 or consent of instructor.
The fossil record - morphology, taxonomy, evolution, statistical population
systematics and paleoecology. A one-day field trip is required.
ENVG 462 Environmental Mineralogy
(3-0-3) Burns. ENVG 242 or consent of instructor.
This course explores the chemistry and structures of minerals with emphasis
on environmental and technological issues. Topics of environmental significance
include disposal of spent nuclear fuel, contamination of soils with heavy
metals, and the remediation of mine tailings. Emphasis will be on the
mineralogy of uranium, lead, mercury, iodine, selenium, and tellurium.
Technological aspects of minerals, such as the use of zeolites and clay
minerals as molecular sieves and as waste containment vessels, will be
addressed.
ENVG 474 Water-Rock Interactions
(3-0-3) Maurice. ENVG 423 or consent of instructor.
Fundamental properties of mineral surfaces and of the mineral-water interface.
Methods of surface and interface analysis. The electric double layer.
Interface reactions including adsorption, mineral growth and dissolution,
photoredox phenomena, and controls on bacterial adhesion.
ENVG 486 Geomicrobiology
(3-0-3) Fein. ENVG 403 or consent of instructor.
This course explores current research involving the interaction between
microbes and geologic systems, focusing on the ability of microbes to
affect mass transport in fluid-rock systems. Readings concentrate on
laboratory, field, and modeling studies of environmental and/or geologic
interest.
ENVG 497 Directed Readings
(0-V-V) Staff. Prerequisite: Permission required by the department chair
and instructor.
Research of literature on a specific geoscience topic. Preparation of
reports and presentations.
ENVG 498 Special Studies
(V-V-V) Staff. Prerequisite: Permission required by the department chair
and instructor.
Individual or small group study under the direction of a faculty member
in an undergraduate subject not concurrently covered by any University
course.
ENVG 499 Undergraduate Research
(0-V-V) Staff. Prerequisite: Permission required by the department chair
and instructor.
Three to 15 hours each week, arranged individually for each student.
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