University of Maine at Farmington 2018-2019 Catalog

 
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Geology
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  GEY 101N - Environmental Geoscience

Introduction to the origin, development, distribution, and utilization of the earth's physical resources. Topics include environmental ethics, resource exploitation, earthquakes, floods, geo-aspects of health and disease, land utilization, drinking water, fuel and non-fuel mineral resource depletion, energy options, environmental impact and law, and interrelationships between the geosciences and society. Every fall.



Credit: 4

  GEY 102N - The Dynamic Earth

Geology uses the scientific method to explain natural aspects of the earth; for example, how mountains form or valleys develop, or why gas and oil are concentrated in some rocks but not in others. The earth's surface and its interior are constantly changing. The course explains the how and why of these changes in light of Plate Tectonic Theory and of a most important aspect of geology, time. Not available for credit to students who have had GEY 101N, 103N or 104N. Every fall and even spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 103N - The Earth System

Geology is the study of the earth and changes in the earth system through time. Humans are intimately connected to the earth system through our use of resources and our interaction with the landscape.  Climate change, sea-level rise, and human modification of the landscape require an understanding of geologic processes to inform our public policy. Studying active geological features - rivers, glaciers, or volcanoes - helps us to interpret the geologic record and infer the geologic events leading to the present configuration of the Earth. We can apply our understanding of past events to help predict the future behavior of the earth system. This class will focus on the connections between different geological processes and cyclical changes of the environment. Even spring. 



Credit: 4

  GEY 104N - Oceans: Ancient and Modern

Oceans play a prominent role in the climate system, their sediments archive earth history, and they are the loci of mountain belts, the building blocks of continents. Students first develop an understanding of the fundamental processes of the earth system, including circulation of the atmosphere, oceans, and solid earth, geochemical cycles, and life. Next, they apply this understanding to decipher the tectonic, climatic, and biologic history of Earth, as viewed from a marine geological perspective. We also consider the obvious importance of oceans in relation to certain natural disasters, resources, and culture. Odd spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 177 - Special Topics

Designed to investigate problems and cover topics that are not the primary focus of GEY 101N, GEY 102N, GEY 103N, or GEY 104N. Examples of possible topics include Climate Change, Geology of Maine, and Geology of Energy. Varies.



Credit: 4

  GEY 201N - Earth History

Development and evolution of the North American continent through geological time, including the origin of the earth and life, biological evolution, the fossil and stratigraphic records, continental drift, and radiometric dating. Every spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 202 - Mineralogy

Study of minerals emphasizing crystallography, crystal chemistry, origin and mode of occurrence, hand specimen identification, and chemical-structural classification. Every spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 203 - Surficial Processes

A field-based study of geologic activity responsible for landscape evolution. Students will gain significant experience outdoors describing and interpreting fluvial, glacial, coastal, and hillslope processes. The interpretation of landscape features with regard to past and future change is an important component in evaluating environmental hazards and resources. Students will acquire field-mapping and data analysis skills. Prerequisite(s): 100-level geology course or permission of instructor. Every odd fall.



Credit: 4

  GEY 251 - Stratigraphy and Sedimentation

The processes of sedimentation and the principles of stratigraphy as a foundation in the interpretation of sedimentary structures and paleoenvironments. Many localities from various parts of the world examined. Prerequisite(s): GEY 201N and GEY 203. Even fall.



Credit: 4

  GEY 252 - Introduction to Petrology

The genesis, classification, constituent minerals, textural and structural features, and mode of occurrence of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Concepts of chemical equilibria and reactions, the phase rule, binary and ternary systems, the optical properties of minerals, and methods of analyzing rocks are covered. Thin-section analysis and description emphasized. The polarizing microscope introduced and used orthoscopically. Prerequisite(s): GEY 202N or equivalent. Every fall.



Credit: 4

  GEY 254 - Structural Geology and Tectonics

Study of rock structures and their genesis, emphasizing the development of mountain belts within the framework of plate tectonics. Through field investigations, students develop skills in geologic mapping, documenting structural features (folds, faults, fractures, fabrics), and synthesis. Topics include tectonic evolution of the Appalachian orogen, tectonic-climate interactions, and mechanics of ice sheets (pertinent to climate change). Prerequisite(s): One geology course. Odd fall.



Credit: 4

  GEY 277 - Special Topics

Designed to investigate problems, study situations, and cover topics that would not normally be covered in the context of traditional courses. Examples of possible topics include the Geology of Maine and Volcanology. Prerequisite(s): An introductory course in geology or permission of the instructor. Used for May term travel courses. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  GEY 302 - Advanced Petrology

This is an upper level course designed to extend and master the skills introduced in Petrology (GEY 252). It focuses on the petrology of igneous and metamorphic rocks in greater depth and will encourage problem solving related to the petrogenesis of these rocks. Special topics will be an integral part of the course and these will include - sampling and analytical techniques, whole rock and mineral geochemistry (utilizing the division's XRF spectrometer laboratory), geochronology, metamorphic mineral assemblages, petrogenetic grids and mineral thermobarometers. Students will be encouraged to read and discuss a number of geological papers during the semester. A significant portion of the course will focus on data collection, manipulation and interpretation. Prerequisite(s): GEY 252. Odd spring. 



Credit: 4

  GEY 303 - Climate Change

Earth's future climate is one of the most pressing scientific, political, and socio-economic issues of our time. Forecasts of the future are only as certain as our understanding of the present climate system. The class is divided into three parts: 1) components and interactions of the climate system, 2) evidence of past climate change, and 3) predictions of future change. The first part of the class will focus on the components (nuts and bolts) of the present climate system and how these components interact on various time scales. The second part of the course will focus on records of past climate change. How do these records form? How are they interpreted? During the final part of the course we will examine the integration of climate change science into public policy. Prerequisite(s): One 100-level geology class. Odd spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 304 - Geochemistry

Geochemistry is the application of the principles of chemistry to the solution of geological problems. This course focuses primarily on reactions near the Earth's surface and includes many examples from the carbon cycle. Students develop and interpret stability diagrams that portray various acid-base, gas-aqueous, aqueous-solid, and redox equilibria. They also use dynamical systems software to model reaction kinetics and geochemical cycles. Students conduct research on problems in environmental science, geochemical cycles, and earth system evolution, and use UMF's X-ray fluorescence facility to analyze their samples. Prerequisite(s): One geology course and CHY 141. Even spring.



Credit: 4

  GEY 377 - Special Topics

Designed to investigate problems, study situations, and cover topics that would not normally be covered in the context of traditional geology courses. Examples of topics that may be offered include Paleoecology and Geological Development of North America. Prerequisite(s): 12 credit hours in geology. Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  GEY 397 - Independent Study in Geology

An opportunity to perform independent research in geology. Prerequisite(s): Two courses in geology and permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Varies.



Credit: 2-4

  GEY 477 - Special Topics in Geology

Designed to investigate problems, study situations, and cover topics that would not normally be covered in the context of traditional courses. Examples of topics that may be offered include Paleoecology and Geological Development of North America. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours in geology. Varies. 



Credit: 2-4

  GEY 496 - Senior Research Project I

An opportunity to perform original research in geology. Emphasis on field and laboratory work to collect primary data. Prerequisite(s): Senior geology major. Every fall.  



Credit: 4

  GEY 497 - Independent Study in Geology

An opportunity to perform independent research in geology. Prerequisite(s): Two courses in geology and permission of instructor. (Pass/Fail option) Varies. 



Credit: 2-4

  GEY 499 - Senior Research Project II

An opportunity to perform independent research in geology.  Emphasis on writing and public presentation of results from GEY 496 research. Prerequisite(s): Senior geology major and GEY 496. Every spring.



Credit: 2

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