USC Catalogue 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]
Earth Sciences
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Return to: USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The Department of Earth Sciences includes a spectrum of disciplines united by curiosity about the Earth and its natural environment, from microbial to planetary scales, and from human to geologic time periods. Teaching and research in the department focus on integrative understanding of Earth’s systems and the processes that influence the environmental “state” of the planet, on using this understanding to read the record of Earth’s history written in rocks and sediments, and on developing models that can be used to understand mechanisms at work in the past and to predict future changes due to natural phenomena and recent perturbations caused by humans. Earth Sciences involves many issues of societal concern including: seismic risk and other natural hazards; climate change; sustainability of natural resources including petroleum and natural gas as well as water, air, and oil; origins and limits of life and survival/adaptation strategies; and environmental contamination. Subdisciplines housed in the department include geophysics, geochemistry, geobiology, hydrology, structural geology, petrology, marine geology, sedimentology, physical and chemical oceanography, climate science, paleoceanography and paleontology.
The department is committed to emphasizing both educational and research programs and views these efforts as complementary. Instruction is offered on several levels and includes an emphasis on hands-on learning through lab and field experiences. Courses include introductory classes for non-science majors, undergraduate courses that are appropriate for those majoring in Earth Sciences or other science and engineering disciplines, and graduate classes appropriate for advanced degrees. A close working relationship exists between students and faculty members. Classes beyond the introductory level are usually small, permitting personalized instruction. Field trips are an important part of the instructional program. Two major research centers are led by faculty within the department: the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Interactions. The department also hosts one of NASA’s Astrobiology Institutes. The graduate program is closely linked to faculty research efforts, and both graduate and undergraduate students participate in research projects and workshops that include oral and poster presentations. Collaboration in both research and teaching has led to close ties with other programs, including the Department of Biological Sciences (Marine Biology), the Environmental Studies program, the graduate program in Ocean Sciences and several other departments in the College and in other schools (Viterbi School of Engineering, Price School of Public Policy, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism).
For students interested in pursuing careers in the Earth and environmental sciences, the department offers BA, BS, MS and PhD degrees. The undergraduate major offers student-focused, experiential training, with capstone experiences including a unifying course on Earth systems and field training in locations including Catalina Island, Spain, Morocco and South America. Many graduates now hold positions in academia as faculty and researchers, in industry as environmental consultants or geologists, in government and private industry as managers or researchers, and as teachers. The BA degree is recommended for students interested in the Earth Sciences but who intend to pursue careers in other fields, such as business, law, medicine or education.
Three minors are available. The Geohazards minor is recommended for those who wish to broaden their background in natural hazards, global change or environmental problems. It is accessible to both non-science and science majors. The Geobiology minor is recommended for those interested in interdisciplinary work in Earth and biological sciences. The Climate and Sustainability minor is recommended for those interested in international relations, public policy, economics, business, management, and/or politics. In addition, the department works closely with the Dornsife Environmental Studies program, offering science-focused course work for students in this program and facilitating joint degrees (double-major or major/minor combinations) for students seeking further scientific grounding in their study of the natural environment.
The Los Angeles and Southern California region provide diverse and spectacular geological settings, enabling students easy access to varied field sites. The department conducts field trips to study Southern California geology, has access to oceanographic vessels for marine research, and regularly conducts workshops and research at the Wrigley Marine Lab on Catalina Island. Many state-of-the-art laboratory instruments are available for use in research and instruction, and both undergraduate and graduate students are involved significantly in most research groups.
Proof of health insurance is mandatory when participation in field trips is required for credit in any Earth Sciences class.
Zumberge Hall of Science 117
(213) 740-6106
FAX: (213) 740-8801
Email: earthsci@dornsife.usc.edu
dornsife.usc.edu/earth
Chair: William M. Berelson, PhD
Faculty
University Professor and W.M. Keck Foundation Chair in Geological Sciences and Professor of Earth Sciences: Thomas H. Jordan, PhD
Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies and Professor of Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences: Kenneth H. Nealson, PhD
Wilford and Daris Zinsmeyer Early Career Chair in Marine Studies and Associate Professor of Earth Sciences: A. Joshua West, PhD
Dean’s Professor of Earth Sciences: John Vidale, PhD
Gabilan Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and Earth Sciences: Naomi Levine, PhD (Biological Sciences)
Professors: Jan Amend, PhD; Yehuda Ben-Zion, PhD; William M. Berelson, PhD; David J. Bottjer, PhD*; Frank A. Corsetti, PhD; James F. Dolan, PhD*; Douglas E. Hammond, PhD*; Steven P. Lund, PhD*; James Moffett, PhD (Biological Sciences); Scott R. Paterson, PhD; John P. Platt, PhD*; Charles G. Sammis, PhD*; Sergio Sanudo-Wilhemy, PhD (Biological Sciences); Lowell D. Stott, PhD
Associate Professors: Julien Emile-Geay, PhD; Sarah J. Feakins, PhD; Meghan Miller, PhD
Professor (Research): Donald Paul, PhD (Engineering)
Associate Professors (Research): Seth John, PhD; David A. Okaya, PhD; Ellen Platzman, PhD
Assistant Professor (Research): Douglas LaRowe, PhD
Adjunct Professors: Luis Chiappe, PhD; Xiaoming Wang, PhD; Francis Wu, PhD
Adjunct Associate Professor (Research): Nathan Smith, PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor (Research): Shino Suzuki, PhD
Emeritus Professors: Gregory A. Davis, PhD; Alfred G. Fischer, PhD; Thomas L. Henyey, PhD; Teh-Lung Ku, PhD; Terence G. Langdon, PhD, DSc (Materials Science); Bernard W. Pipkin, PhD*; Ta-liang Teng, PhD
*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.
Undergraduate Degrees
Honor Society
The Department of Earth Sciences has one honor society: the Omega Chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the national honorary earth sciences fraternity. “Sig Gam” is an undergraduate organization that sponsors undergraduate activities within the department.
Undergraduate Honors Program
The department offers an honors program for students pursuing either a BS or a BA in Earth Sciences. Students wishing to participate in this program must complete GEOL 494 x Senior Thesis . Honors will be awarded upon successful completion of the thesis and attainment of an overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in courses in the major.
Grade Point Average in Major Subject
A grade of C or higher is required in each course in the earth sciences courses used to complete the department or physical sciences major.
Progressive Degree Program in Geological Sciences
This program permits exceptional students to receive both a BS and MS in geological sciences in not more than 10 semesters. It is intended for students with extraordinary geological sciences preparation and performance who demonstrate a superior level of overall scholarship, including a GPA of 3.5 or better. Students may apply on completion of 64 units of course work but not later than the end of the junior year (or the completion of 96 units). The application for admission to a progressive degree program must be accompanied by an approved course plan proposal and letters of recommendation from two USC faculty members in the Department of Earth Sciences. The requirements for both the BS and MS degrees must be satisfied. Further details about progressive degree programs can be found here.
Graduate Degrees
The department prepares professional Earth Scientists for careers in academia, government and industry. A wide range of specializations is offered in the department including climate science, sedimentary geology, paleobiology, paleoclimatology, paleoecology, micro paleontology, paleoceanography, geochemistry, geobiology, geophysics, geodesy, geomorphology, seismology, engineering geology and properties of Earth materials, igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology and tectonics, and interdisciplinary options. Degrees in ocean sciences (through the Graduate Program in Ocean Sciences) are available.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
An applicant for admission should have the equivalent of the courses in Earth sciences, chemistry, mathematics, and physics required for the BS degree in geological sciences. Applicants with an undergraduate degree in science or engineering who lack required Earth sciences courses will also be given consideration. Other degrees may be acceptable on a case by case basis.
Criteria
The Department of Earth Sciences requires the following evidence for admission to its doctoral program: strong undergraduate background and a superior academic record as documented by GPAs in undergraduate and any completed graduate work, Graduate Record Examinations scores no more than five years old in the verbal and quantitative General Test, and at least three letters of recommendation from undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate advisers and professors. The number of students accepted in any one year depends on available space in the department and acceptance for advisement by one or more professors.
Funding is offered for MS degrees only when completed en route to the pursuit of a PhD degree.
Procedure
The online USC graduate admissions application will refer applicants to a required supplemental departmental application. The department admits students for both the fall and spring semesters; however, applicants for assistantships and fellowships are encouraged to apply for the fall semester.
Degree Requirements
These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and The Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Interdisciplinary programs can be arranged for students also interested in astronomy, bioscience, chemistry, engineering, oceanography and physics. The Department of Earth Sciences maintains laboratories for micro-paleontologic, paleobiologic, mineralogic, petrologic, geophysical, geochemical and oceanographic research, and collections are available for comparative work in invertebrate paleontology. Students interested in systematic studies will find a wealth of material, available for comparative purposes, in the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum. Facilities for research in sedimentation, oceanography, and marine geology are provided in the department and by the university’s research fleet.
Bachelor’s Degree
Minor
Master’s Degree
Doctoral Degree
Earth Sciences
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GEOL 105Lg Planet Earth Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Geologic structure and evolution of planet earth. Principles of plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, processes of mountain building, continent and ocean formation, earthquakes, volcanism, development of landforms by running water and glaciers.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category III: Scientific Inquiry
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 107Lg Oceanography Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Physical, chemical, and geological character of the oceans and ocean basins. Origin of the oceans. Ocean processes and agents. Economic value of the oceans.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category III: Scientific Inquiry
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 108Lg Crises of a Planet Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Impact of civilization on planet earth, and impact of earth’s natural evolution on society: earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, floods, global warming, acid rain, groundwater depletion and pollution; mineral and fossil fuel depletion, formation of the ozone hole.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category IV: Science and Its Significance
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 115L Exploring California’s National Parks Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Overview of basic geologic principles and California geology taught through California’s National Parks; additional focus on park history, policy, economics, and geologic hazards affecting parks. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. One all-day and one three-day field trip to a National Park required.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Required Lab
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 125Lg Earth History: A Planet and Its Evolution Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Basic principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics used in evaluating clues written in the rock record, and the processes that have shaped our planet.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category IV: Science and Its Significance
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 126Lg The History of Life on Earth: A View from the Museum Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Topically-driven exploration of evolution, environmental change, and the history of life on Earth via the fossil record with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles as a laboratory. How the changing Earth and life co-evolved through time.
Satisfies New General Education in Category D: Life Sciences
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 130Lg The Nature of Scientific Inquiry Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Examination of the scientific process: what constitutes science; evolution of ideas about the nature of space, time, matter, and complexity; paradigm shifts in the biological and earth sciences.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category III: Scientific Inquiry
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 150Lg Climate Change Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Climate systems from the beginning of earth history to the present; tools and techniques used to reconstruct prehistoric climate records; effects of climate variations on development of life forms on earth.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category IV: Science and Its Significance
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 160Lg Introduction to Geosystems Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Survey of natural geological/ environmental processes (systems) and variability active near the earth’s surface in the region that houses most life (the biosphere).
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 240Lg Earthquakes Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Causes of earthquakes and nature of large faults; earthquake hazard and risk; world’s great earthquakes; understanding the Richter scale.
Concurrent Enrollment: Concurrent enrollment: MDA 140 .
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category IV: Science and Its Significance
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 241Lg Energy Systems Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Energy resources from a global perspective, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy.
Satisfies New General Education in Category E: Physical Sciences
Satisfies Old General Education in Category IV: Science and Its Significance
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 290L Special Laboratory Units: 1
Terms Offered: FaSp
Laboratory component for GEOL 105 , GEOL 107 , GEOL 108 , GEOL 125 , GEOL 130 , GEOL 150 , or GEOL 240 for students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 305L Introduction to Engineering Geology Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Principles of geology with emphasis on structural geology, hydrogeology and geological hazards; basic geologic considerations in civil engineering practice; introduction to mineralogy and petrology. Field trip required.
Duplicates Credit in GEOL 105 and GEOL 108.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 315L Minerals and Earth Systems Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Minerals and their formation in Earth geosystems; includes discussions of mineral properties, crystal structures, uses and bio geochemical importance.
Recommended Preparation: any introductory GEOL course.
Corequisite: CHEM 105a or CHEM 115a ;
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 316L Petrologic Systems Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Formation and identification of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks; interpretation of tectonic and environmental settings based on rock type and chemistry.
Prerequisite: GEOL 315 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 320L Surficial Processes and Stratigraphic Systems Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Processes of erosion, sediment transport, and deposition that shape the land surface; landscape response to tectonism; recognition and interpretation of depositional environments in the stratigraphic record.
Corequisite: GEOL 315 .
Duplicates Credit in former GEOL 334L, GEOL 451L.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 321L Structural Geology and Tectonics Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Field and theoretical aspects of rock deformation, analysis of structural systems, and stress and strain; orogenic belts and plate tectonics; introduction to field techniques and construction of geologic maps.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 320 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 351L Climate Systems Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Introduces systems behavior in the context of climate dynamics. Modules of instruction geared to climate system application to real world problems.
Prerequisite: MATH 125 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 387ag Undergraduate Team Research Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Introduction to scientific inquiry, field research opportunities, and history of physical sciences; strategies, research methodologies, and writing skills for proposals, abstracts, papers, and professional development.
Recommended Preparation: A GE course in Earth Science. b. Multidisciplinary, learner-centered, individual and team-based student research, abroad and in the U.S.; field data collection and interpretation, mentored by domestic and international scientists.
Duplicates Credit in the former GEOL 385.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 387bg Undergraduate Team Research Units: 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Recommended Preparation: A GE course in Earth Science. b. Multidisciplinary, learner-centered, individual and team-based student research, abroad and in the U.S.; field data collection and interpretation, mentored by domestic and international scientists.
Duplicates Credit in the former GEOL 385.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Discussion
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 387cg Undergraduate Team Research Units: 2
Max Units: 4.0
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Recommended Preparation: A GE course in Earth Science. b. Multidisciplinary, learner-centered, individual and team-based student research, abroad and in the U.S.; field data collection and interpretation, mentored by domestic and international scientists.
Satisfies Old General Education in Category III: Scientific Inquiry
Duplicates Credit in the former GEOL 385.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Discussion, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 390 Special Problems Units: 1, 2, 3, 4
Supervised individual studies. No more than one registration permitted. Enrollment by petition only.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 412 Oceans, Climate, and the Environment Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Survey of physical, chemical, and geological oceanography emphasizing the role of the oceans in modulation of climate, atmospheric composition and biogeochemical cycles; paleoceanography and paleo climate.
Recommended Preparation: PHYS 151 or PHYS 135a , PHYS 135b .
Corequisite: CHEM 105b , MATH 126 ;
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 425L Data Analysis in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Introduction to mathematical methods giving insight into earth and environmental data. Topics include probability and statistics, timeseries analysis, spectral analysis, inverse theory, interpolation.
Recommended Preparation: MATH 126 , familiarity with matrix algebra.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 427 The Global Environment Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
(Enroll in BISC 427 )
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GEOL 432L Introduction to Field Techniques Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Introduction to field techniques used in a variety of Earth Science disciplines. Field and digital techniques for map making including use of GIS, GPS, and digital tablets. Field analyses of rocks and rock structures. Map interpretation and digital processing of field data. Includes weekly labs and some weekend field trips.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 316L , GEOL 320L , GEOL 321L
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 433L Paleontology and Evolution in Deep Time Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Origin and evolution of life; Precambrian life; evolutionary history of major groups during the Phanerozoic; mass extinctions; deep time and evolutionary processes.
Recommended Preparation: any introductory GEOL course.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 440L Geophysics and Geoengineering Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Plate tectonics, magnetic and gravity fields, earthquakes, seismic waves, reflection and refraction seismics, heat transport, mantle convection, deep Earth structure, data analysis. Includes field trip.
Prerequisite: MATH 126 ;
Corequisite: PHYS 135b or PHYS 152 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 441 Seismic Exploration Geophysics Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Seismic wave theory, ray theory, reflection, refraction, data processing, signal enhancement, field instrumentation and techniques on land and at sea; geological interpretation of seismic data. One field trip.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 445 Earth Climate: Past, Present, and Future Units: 4
(Enroll in ENST 445 )
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GEOL 450L Geosystems Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Geosystems, such as mantle convection, active faults, climate, and the carbon cycle, will be studied using numerical models and concepts such as chaos, universality, emergence, and intermittency.
Prerequisite: MATH 125 ;
Recommended Preparation: MATH 126 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 460L Geochemistry Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
Composition, origin, and evolution of the earth; principles of physical chemistry applied to aqueous systems; reaction-diffusion modeling and problems in sedimentary geochemistry; global (bio)geochemical cycles and environmental problems.
Prerequisite: CHEM 105b or CHEM 115b and MATH 126 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 465L Field Geology Units: 4
Max Units: 8.0
Terms Offered: SpSm
Ten days to four weeks of field study in an area of geological complexity, with preparatory instruction.
Recommended Preparation: introductory earth science course, e.g., GEOL 105 ), GEOL 315 . One or more of GEOL 316 , GEOL 320 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 470L Environmental Hydrogeology Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Concepts in hydrogeology and application to environmental problems. Topics include groundwater and surface water hydrology, chemistry, and contamination. Includes labs, guest lectures, and field trips.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 105 , GEOL 160 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
Crosslisted as ENST-470 -
GEOL 474 Ecosystem Function and Earth Systems Units: 4
(Enroll in BISC 474 )
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GEOL 483 Geobiology and Astrobiology Units: 4
(Enroll in BISC 483 )
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GEOL 485L Tectonic Geomorphology Units: 4
Terms Offered: FaSp
Focuses on the analysis of landforms that develop and evolve in tectonically active settings through the interplay of tectonics, climate, and surface processes.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 320L , GEOL 321L
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 490x Directed Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 12.0
Individual research and readings.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 491x Earth Sciences Internship Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Max Units: 8
Terms Offered: FaSpSm
Local, national, and international internships providing earth sciences experience in a professional setting.
Registration Restriction: Not available for graduate credit. Department permission required
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 494x Senior Thesis Units: 2
Terms Offered: FaSp
Writing of a thesis under individual faculty super vision.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 499 Special Topics Units: 2, 3, 4
Max Units: 8.0
Special topics in the earth sciences. Field trip required when appropriate to the topic.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 500 Marine Paleoecology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Principles of marine paleoecology; interrelationships between marine organisms and their environment in geologic time.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 577 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 501 Paleobiology Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Concepts and methods for functional morphologic analysis of fossil marine invertebrates. Systematics theory and methodology, macro evolution, and broad biotic trends in the Phanerozoic.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 433 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 505 Introductory Graduate Seminar in Earth Sciences Units: 2
Terms Offered: Fa
Lectures by Earth Sciences faculty about current research; introduction of new graduate students to the breadth of current research; applying for research funding; practicing effective research presentations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
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GEOL 510L Advanced Stratigraphic Field Methods Units: 3
Stratigraphic field methods and computer-assisted data analysis. Field trips incorporating vertical and lateral facies analysis; collection of paleocurrent, fabric, paleomagnetic, photogeologic and compaction data.
Prerequisite: GEOL 320L
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 511L Depositional Systems Units: 3
Analysis of depositional systems, including conceptual methods of lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy, and paleoecology; description of major depositional environments.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 512 Introduction to Chemical and Physical Oceanography Units: 4
Terms Offered: Fa
(Enroll in OS 512 )
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GEOL 514 Marine Geology Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Origin and characteristics of ocean basins; marine sedimentary environments; shoreline classification and character; evolution of oceanic features.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 515 Introduction to Atmospheric Science Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Elementary physical principles underlying the behavior of Earth’s atmosphere. Dry and moist thermodynamics, radiative transfer, conservation laws, fundamental dynamical balances, instability theory, cloud physics.
Recommended Preparation: PHYS 161 , PHYS 304 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 520 Biosedimentology Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Ancient and recent borings and bioturbation structures and their utilization in stratigraphic, paleoenvironmental, paleoecological, sedimentological, and geochemical studies.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 320L and GEOL 433L
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 521L Advanced Structural Geology Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Advanced field and theoretical aspects of rock deformation, strain and stress analyses, and evolution of structural systems. Includes lab, field trip(s), and class project.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 525 The Science of Climate Change Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
Introduction to the fundamental aspects and the factors that influence ocean and atmospheric behavior, and how the earth’s climate has varied in the past.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 530 Modern Perspectives on Crustal Dynamics Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Deformation mechanisms, strength and structure of the crust. Fractal scaling in structures and dynamic processes. Geodetic measurement of crustal deformation and spatio-temporal patterns of seismicity.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 531 Plate Interactions: Geological Aspects Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Principles and geometrics of plate tectonics; geologic characteristics of modern plate boundaries of divergent, convergent, transform type; ocean basin and orogen development from worldwide examples. Field trip.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 532 Advanced Geologic Mapping Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
Principles of mapping geologically complex terranes of different structural style. Fieldwork will be coordinated with seminar review of diverse structural phenomena. Field trips.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 321 , GEOL 465 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 533L Continental Margin Arcs Units: 3
Evolution of continental margin arcs, magmatic systems within arcs. Arcs as tectonic elements and “differentiation factories” leading to formation and removal of continental material.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 316 , GEOL 321 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 534L Mechanics of Lithospheric Deformation Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
The mechanical description of deformational processes at both crustal and lithospheric scales, and the interpretation of geological and geophysical data in terms of these processes.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 535L Microstructures and Deformation Mechanisms Units: 3, 3 years
Terms Offered: Fa
Examination of deformation mechanisms and resulting microstructures in rocks; chemical and textural equilibrium; physical and chemical processes during fluid flow; prophyroblast-matrix relationships; interpretation of kinematic indicators. Laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 321 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 536 Principles of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Historic geomagnetic field behavior, secular variation, rock magnetism, paleomagnetic techniques, magnetic polarity time scale, apparent-polar-wander paths, and applications to strati graphic and geotectonic studies.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 440 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 537 Rock Mechanics Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Elasticity, fracture, and flow properties of rocks and minerals; effects of temperature, pressure, petrology, fractures, and interstitial fluids. Experimental techniques and geological applications.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 538 Tectonic Evolution of Western North America Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Geosynclinal and orogenic development of western North America from the Precambrian to present, in the light of plate tectonics concepts. Field trips.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 321 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 540 The Mantle System Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Dynamics and structure of the deep earth and its relationship to earth evolution.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 440 and GEOL 534 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 545 Modeling and Numerical Techniques for Marine Scientists Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
(Enroll in BISC 545 )
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GEOL 550 Chemical Equilibrium and Disequilibrium in Geology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Phase equilibria; phase diagrams; thermodynamics of aqueous and solid solutions; irreversible thermodynamics; kinetics, diffusion, and metasomatism, with applications to problems in petrology and geochemistry.
Prerequisite: GEOL 460 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 551 Introduction to Seismology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Fa
Basic elements of seismology for the study of the earth’s interior and the tectonic process, utilizing observations of seismic waves.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 552 Advanced Seismology Units: 3
Advanced methods of theoretical seismology for studying the generation of seismic waves from natural and artificial sources and the propagation through realistic earth models.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 553 Physics of Earthquakes Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Fa
Basic physics of earthquakes and seismicity. Continuum elasticity; fracture mechanics; laboratory friction; damage rheology; physics of critical phenomena; spatio-temporal seismicity patterns; analysis of complex data sets.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 537 and/or GEOL 551 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 555 Paleoceanography Units: 3
Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleoceanography; analytical approaches applied to water mass history, paleocirculation, paleoproductivity, nutrient cycling, and paleotemperature reconstruction. Lecture, readings, and research project.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 412 or GEOL 512 and GEOL 460 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 556 Active Tectonics Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Aspects of deformation and associated seismicity at active plate margins around the world. Includes review of plate tectonics, seismology, geodesy, paleomagnetism, geodynamics, - Quaternary dating techniques, tectonic geomorphology, paleoseismology, and seismic hazard assessment. Two weekend field trips required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 321 .
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 530 , GEOL 531
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 557 Numerical Modeling of Earth Systems Units: 3
Terms Offered: Fa
The quantitative modeling of ordinary and partial differential equations as they arise in geology, geophysics, climate modeling and related fields with practical, numerical focus.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 425 , GEOL 534 , and GEOL 540 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 558 Inverse Theory in the Earth Sciences Units: 3
Terms Offered: FaSp
Short review of probability theory, and extensive coverage of linear inverse theory, including seismic imaging. Non-linear inverse problems and factor analysis.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 425 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 560 Marine Geochemistry Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Principles of chemical sedimentology and aquatic chemistry; diagenesis, authigenesis, and the geochemical cycle.
Prerequisite: GEOL 460 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 564 Isotope Geochemistry Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Sp
Variations in the isotopic composition of elements in the earth’s crust with applications to geological problems, including geochronology, geothermometry, ore genesis, and crustal evolution.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
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GEOL 566 Geochemistry Seminar Units: 1, 2, 3, 4
Current topics in geochemistry.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 567 Stable Isotope Geochemistry Units: 3
Theoretical basis; nuclide nomenclature, partition function ratios, mechanisms and rates of isotope exchange; mass spectrometry and extraction techniques; application of stable isotopes to geologic problems.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 568L Metamorphic Petrology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Fa
An introduction to advanced study of metamorphic mineral assemblages with use of experimental and field data.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 569L Igneous Petrology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Fa
Study of igneous and meta-igneous rocks from the basis of experimental and field data and theoretical considerations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 575 Organic Geochemistry Units: 3
Terms Offered: Sp
Advanced course on the fundamentals and frontiers of organic geochemistry. Topics include biomarker and isotope geochemical approaches to reconstructing past marine, terrestrial environmental change.
Recommended Preparation: CHEM 105a , CHEM 105b , CHEM 322a , CHEM 322b , GEOL 150 , GEOL 412 , or equivalent background.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 577L Micropaleontology Units: 3, 2 years
Terms Offered: Fa
Microscopic fossils, especially foraminifera, their classification, the common genera, morphology, evolutionary trends; laboratory and field techniques.
Recommended Preparation: GEOL 433 .
Instruction Mode: Lecture, Lab Required
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 588L Quantitative Analysis for Biological and Earth Sciences Units: 4
Terms Offered: Sp
(Enroll in BISC 588 .)
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GEOL 590 Directed Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 593 Practicum in Teaching the Liberal Arts Units: 2
Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within college disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 594a Master’s Thesis Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 594b Master’s Thesis Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 594z Master’s Thesis Units: 0
Credit on acceptance of thesis.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 599 Special Topics Units: 2, 3, 4
Max Units: 9.0
Terms Offered: Irregular
Special topics in the earth sciences. Field trip required when appropriate to the topic.
Prerequisite: second-year graduate standing normally required.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 601 Seminar in Sedimentary Geology Units: 1, 2, 3
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: Sp
Analysis and discussion of current topics in sedimentary geology; topics will be chosen by students and faculty to focus on areas of recent advances.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 609 Seminar in Earthquake Physics Units: 2
Max Units: 6.0
Terms Offered: FaSp
Current research on the physics governing earthquakes and faults, including results from continuum and fracture mechanics, statistical physics, lab experiments, and seismological observations.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 650 Recent Advances in Paleontology Units: 3
Selected review of recent ideas in paleobiology, evolution, and paleoecology related to examining the current frontiers in paleontology.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Letter
-
GEOL 790 Research Units: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 794a Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 794b Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 794c Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 794d Doctoral Dissertation Units: 2
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
-
GEOL 794z Doctoral Dissertation Units: 0
Credit on acceptance of dissertation.
Instruction Mode: Lecture
Grading Option: In-progress to Credit/No Credit
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