Information For:

Courses for Spring 2019

  • Face of the Earth

    Study of Earth's surface (e.g., mountains, rivers, shorelines) and processes which have created and modify it (e.g., glaciation, floods, volcanism, plate tectonics, earthquakes). The goals are to increase appreciation and enjoyment of our natural surroundings and provide a better understanding of environmental problems, natural resources, land use, and geologic hazards. Four labs, plus a field trip. For nonscience concentrators (science concentrators should take GEOL 0220). Students MUST register for both components of this course (the lecture and one of the labs) during the SAME registration session. Enrollment limited to 100.
    GEOL 0010 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper

  • Introduction to Oceanography

    Examines the ocean's role in Earth's global environment, emphasizing the dynamical interaction of the ocean with the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and lithosphere. Focus on physical/chemical/biological systems' interconnections needed to understand natural and anthropogenic variability on various time and space scales, from El Niño to global warming. Three lectures, written exercises on oceanographic problems; two field trips to study estuarine and coastal processes.
    GEOL 0070 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Clemens

  • Assembling Rhode Island

    Rhode Island has existed as a state in the U.S. for over 200 years, but the land itself is the product of hundreds of millions of years of rich geologic history. As a participant in this First Year Seminar, you will engage with introductory principles of geology toward an understanding of the tectonic history of Rhode Island as well as the geological processes that presently influence and modify its landscape. The basis of our investigation of Rhode Island geology will come from observations made over a series of afternoon-long field trips to geological points of interest in the state and nearby.
    GEOL 0160S S01
    Primary Instructor
    Chilson-Parks

  • Geochemistry: Earth and Planetary Materials and Processes

    Introduction to the chemical and mineralogical nature of the Earth, Moon, and meteorites, and the role of chemical processes in their evolution. Topics include: composition of rock-forming minerals; origin of crustal and mantle rocks; stable and radiogenic isotopes; models of nucleosynthesis, planet formation and differentiation. Weekly laboratory and two field trips. Intended for science concentrators. Prerequisites: basic chemistry and GEOL 0010 or 0050 or 0220, or instructor permission.

    Labs will meet Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
    GEOL 0230 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Saal

  • Earth: Evolution of a Habitable Planet

    Introduces Earth's surface environment evolution - climate, chemistry, and physical makeup. Uses Earth's carbon cycle to understand solar, tectonic, and biological cycles' interactions. Examines the origin of the sedimentary record, dating of the geological record, chemistry and life on early Earth, and the nature of feedbacks that maintain the "habitable" range on Earth. Two field trips; five laboratories arranged. Prerequisite: GEOL 0220 or 0230, or instructor permission.
    GEOL 0240 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert

  • Weather and Climate

    Weather phenomena occur on short time scales, and form the basis for understanding climate, the study of changes over longer time scales. This course aims to provide an understanding of the processes that drive weather patterns, the general circulation of the atmosphere, and climate on Earth. Topics include the structure and composition of the atmosphere, sources of energy that drive atmospheric processes, weather forecasting, the hydrological cycle, forces that create severe weather, the influence of humans on the atmosphere, and factors that influence climate, climate variability and climate change. Recommend courses or equivalent: MATH 0090, MATH 0010, PHYS 0050.
    GEOL 0850 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings

  • Limnology: The Study of Lakes

    This course will provide an interdisciplinary overview of the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of lakes. Areas of emphasis will include the origin of lake basins, water circulation patterns, heat and water budgets, biogeochemical processes, lake ecosystems, and the stratigraphic record of lakes. We will also discuss human and climatic impacts on lakes. Prerequisites: GEOL 0220 and 0240, or instructor permission. Enrollment limited to 20.
    GEOL 1150 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Russell

  • Global Water Cycle

    The goal of this class is to understand the physical principles and processes of the global water cycle. Topics include the climatic importance of water, circulation of atmospheric water vapor, formation of rain and snow, availability of soil water, plant-water relations, mass balance of glaciers, and ongoing and expected changes in the water cycle. Additional goals: become familiar with the current research literature, practice clear and concise science writing, and to use simple programming in Python to plot and analyze actual data sets.

    Students are expected to have taken at least one geology-related course. Programming experience recommended, but not necessary.
    GEOL 1310 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Lee

  • Global Environmental Remote Sensing

    Introduction to physical principles of remote sensing across electromagnetic spectrum and application to the study of Earth's systems (oceans, atmosphere, and land). Topics: interaction of light with materials, imaging principles and interpretation, methods of data analysis. Laboratory work in digital image analysis, classification, and multi-temporal studies. One field trip to Block Island. Recommended preparation courses: MATH 0090, 0100; PHYS 0060; and background courses in natural sciences.
    GEOL 1330 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard

  • Petrology

    Introduction to the origin and evolution of igneous rocks. Topics include: physical properties of magma, thermodynamics and phase equilibria, igneous rocks and their classification, magmatic processes, trace elements and isotopes, basalts and layered intrusions, survey of lunar and planetary petrology. Prerequisites: GEOL 1410, or instructor permission.
    GEOL 1420 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Liang

  • Structural Geology

    Introduction to the geometry, kinematics and mechanics of rocks deformed by brittle fracture or faulting and ductile solid state flow, on scales from microscopic to mountain ranges. The emphasis is on using concepts to interpret the formation, strain history and rheology of deformed rocks in terms of the operative grain-scale processes, material properties and environmental conditions. Weekly 2 hour lab involving hands-on experience closely related to class topics. Two field trips. Prerequisites: GEOL 0220 or instructor permission.
    GEOL 1450 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth

  • Ocean Circulation and Climate

    Examines physical characteristics, processes, and dynamics of the global ocean to understand circulation patterns and how they relate to ocean biology, chemistry, climate change. Assignments address ocean's role in the climate system; ocean observations and models; the origin, distribution, and dynamics of large-scale ocean circulation and water masses; energy and freshwater budgets; and variability of the coupled system on seasonal to centennial timescales e.g. El Niño. Intended for geological and physical sciences undergraduate and graduate students with quantitative skills and an interest in oceans, climate, paleoclimate. Pre-requisites:GEOL 0250, GEOL 0350, PHYS 0720, or APMA 0180. Offered alternate years.
    GEOL 1520 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper

  • Earthquake Seismology

    Topics include: location of earthquakes in space and time; measures of size and intensity of shaking; body waves, surface waves, and free oscillations; structure of the interior of the Earth from wave propagation; earthquake faulting and relationship to tectonic processes. Recommended course: GEOL 0161. Offered in alternate years.
    GEOL 1650 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Fischer

  • Physical Volcanology

    Physical Volcanology blends aspects of petrology, geochemistry with mechanics and geophysics with the goal of revealing the dynamics that governs the production of magmas, their transport through the crust, evolution in shallow reservoirs and ultimately eruption to the surface. Monday and Wednesday lectures will provide the background related to magmatic processes, while Fridays will be open to group discussions and reflection on the topics discussed earlier in the week as well as frontier topics. A semester of calculus (or comparable) and a semester of college level mechanics are requested. Some basic concepts of petrology and mineralogy are recommended. Students will take a 9-day trip to 3 active volcanic sites in Greece the week after commencement. Instructor override required; student applications closed October 10.
    GEOL 1960Z S01
    Primary Instructor
    Huber

  • Individual Study of Geologic Problems

    One semester is required for seniors in Sc.B. and honors program. Course work includes preparation of a thesis. Section numbers vary by instructor. Please check Banner for the correct section number and CRN to use when registering for this course. Enrollment is restricted to undergraduates only.
    GEOL 1970 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Clemens
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S02
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S03
    Primary Instructor
    Dalton
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S04
    Primary Instructor
    Fischer
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S05
    Primary Instructor
    Forsyth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S06
    Primary Instructor
    Gromet
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S07
    Primary Instructor
    Head
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S08
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S09
    Primary Instructor
    Hermance
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S10
    Primary Instructor
    Huang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S11
    Primary Instructor
    Liang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S12
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S13
    Primary Instructor
    Parmentier
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S14
    Primary Instructor
    Pieters
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S15
    Primary Instructor
    Prell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S16
    Primary Instructor
    Russell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S17
    Primary Instructor
    Saal
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S18
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S19
    Primary Instructor
    Tullis
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S20
    Primary Instructor
    Lee
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S21
    Primary Instructor
    Milliken
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S22
    Primary Instructor
    Murray
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S23
    Primary Instructor
    Lynch
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S24
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S25
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S26
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S27
    Primary Instructor
    Parman
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 1970 S28
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research

  • Advanced Remote Sensing

    Strategies and the physical principles behind the quantitative extraction of geophysical and biophysical properties from remotely sensed data. Emphasis on radiative transfer theory and modeling of spectra and spectral mixtures from optical constants. Advanced methods of digital image processing. Methods of integrating remotely sensed data into a GIS framework will be introduced. Recommended preparation course: GEOL 1330 or 1710; MATH 0100; PHYS 0600.
    GEOL 2330 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard

  • Phase Equilibria

    Principles of thermodynamics and phase equilibria in unary, binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems using analytical and graphical methods. Other topics include: solution theory, equations of state, and thermodynamics of surfaces.
    GEOL 2460 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper

  • Introduction to Organic Geochemistry

    Mainly literature critiques and seminars, supplemented by introductory lectures. Topics include organic biomarkers, analytical methodologies, natural macromolecules, stable isotope ratios of biomarkers, application of organic geochemistry in studies of climatic and environmental change, fossil fuel exploration, and applied environmental research.
    GEOL 2920E S01
    Primary Instructor
    Huang

  • Special Topics in Geological Sciences:Exoplanet Seminar

    The goal of this course is to introduce students to the study of planets orbiting other stars. Learning outcomes:
    Recognize the methods for detection and characterization of exoplanets, and the information these methods provide about exoplanetary systems
    Discuss planet properties that can be derived from observational methods
    Summarize our understanding of exoplanet populations
    Recognize cutting edge work being done in the field of exoplanets – such as the search for exomoons, habitability, and biosignatures
    Recall updated facilities (both ground and space based) for future exoplanet studies
    Assessment of journal articles and synthesizing material across sources
    Completion of an independent project on an outstanding question in exoplanet science
    GEOL 2920G S01
    Primary Instructor
    Johnson

  • Special Topics in Geological Sciences:Geological History of Mars

    In many ways, Mars is the most Earth-like planet in the Solar System and may have once had a climate conducive to the origin and evolution of life. We will trace the geologic history of Mars (atmospheric, climatic, eolian, fluvial, lacustrine, oceanic, volcanic, impact crater, tectonic, interior evolution) from the present back through the Amazonian, Hesperian, Noachian and pre-Noachian to the origin of Mars, examining the main themes in its evolution in order to provide a comparative framework for the other terrestrial planets and satellites.
    GEOL 2920P S01
    Primary Instructor
    Head

  • Research in Geological Sciences

    Section numbers vary by instructor. Please check Banner for the correct section number and CRN to use when registering for this course. Enrollment is restricted to graduate students only.
    GEOL 2980 S01
    Primary Instructor
    Clemens
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S02
    Primary Instructor
    Cooper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S03
    Primary Instructor
    Lynch
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S04
    Primary Instructor
    Fischer
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S05
    Primary Instructor
    Forsyth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S06
    Primary Instructor
    Gromet
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S07
    Primary Instructor
    Head
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S08
    Primary Instructor
    Herbert
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S09
    Primary Instructor
    Hermance
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S10
    Primary Instructor
    Huang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S11
    Primary Instructor
    Liang
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S12
    Primary Instructor
    Mustard
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S13
    Primary Instructor
    Parmentier
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S14
    Primary Instructor
    Pieters
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S15
    Primary Instructor
    Prell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S16
    Primary Instructor
    Russell
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S17
    Primary Instructor
    Saal
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S18
    Primary Instructor
    Johnson
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S19
    Primary Instructor
    Tullis
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S20
    Primary Instructor
    Dalton
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S21
    Primary Instructor
    Milliken
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S22
    Primary Instructor
    Carlson
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S23
    Primary Instructor
    Huber
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S24
    Primary Instructor
    Lee
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S25
    Primary Instructor
    Hirth
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S26
    Primary Instructor
    Hastings
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S27
    Primary Instructor
    Parman
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S28
    Primary Instructor
    Johnson
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S29
    Primary Instructor
    Fox-Kemper
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S30
    Primary Instructor
    Amaral Zettler
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research
    GEOL 2980 S31
    Primary Instructor
    Evans
    Schedule Code
    I: Independent Study/Research

  • Thesis Preparation

    For graduate students who have met the residency requirement and are continuing research on a full time basis.
    GEOL 2990 S01
    Schedule Code
    E: Grad Enrollment Fee/Dist Prep