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Geology
is the study of the planet Earth and its many aspects. For
example, geologists are concerned with dynamic and hazardous
natural processes; present and historical records of global
climate, environmental and geographic change; evolution
of life on Earth; and the structure and composition of Earth.
Geology is an applied subject. A major area for employment
today is in the developing environmental arena. The prediction,
prevention and remediation of hazards related to the earth's
dynamic processes such as earthquakes, volcanic activity,
landslides, flooding and beach erosion are also tackled
by those with a training in the geological sciences. Geology
is also critical in the location, assessment, recovery and
responsible development of natural resources essential to
supporting the infrastructure of society: hydrocarbons for
energy (oil and gas) and materials (e.g., plastics), coal,
ores for metals, construction materials and water.
What
are some specific career options open to graduates with
a geology degree?
Graduates
in geology at the University of Dayton will be prepared
to pursue a wide variety of exciting careers. Just a few
of the following are:
Geologist-Work
with state, federal or consulting companies, specializing
in any of the topics listed with the following careers.
Environmental Geologist-Work in a wide range
of areas such as groundwater pollution, water resources,
land-use decisions and coastal erosion.
Geophysicist-Involved in analysis of earth
structure for location of natural resources, tectonic modelling
and earthquake prediction.
Education-Teaching at the high school, community
college or university level.
Museum Curator-Research and
teaching at local, regional or national museums.
Exploration Geologist-Involved
in the search for reserves of hydrocarbons (petroleum, gas).
Paleontologist-Studies life of the past, its origin
and evolution, with reference to historical environmental
change. Micro-paleontologists are especially employed in
the search for hydrocarbons.
Marine Geologist/Oceanographer-Exploration
of the world's ocean basins. Mapping of resources, investigation
of marine habitats.
Geochemist-Mineral prospecting, trace elements in
rocks and soils and their influence on health problems.
What
are the objectives of the geology program?
The Department of Geology stresses quality teaching for
undergraduate students. Emphasis is placed on preparation
for further study of geology at the graduate level. Eighty
percent of our graduating geology majors have entered graduate
programs in universities throughout the country with expenses
paid by assistantships or fellowships. In addition, a number
of our students enter geological careers immediately following
graduation.
The faculty of the department are active in research and
invite undergraduate students to participate actively in
this research. Recent awards to faculty include grants from
the National Science Foundation, United States Geological
Survey, National Geographic Society and the University of
Dayton Research Institute. Our students have been actively
involved in these projects.
What
does a geology major study?
The program of study for students of geology includes
a series of courses which provides for a general education
in the humanities, arts, and social and natural sciences.
The course of study also develops the students' abilities
to express themselves accurately and effectively.
The
geology program is designed to provide flexibility in course
selection. Faculty advisers from the Department of Geology
are available to help students select the courses suited
to their interests.
| Bachelor
of Science with a major in Geology |
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First
Year
Physical Geology
Historical Geology
Analytical Geometry and Calculus I & II
General Chemistry (2 courses)
College Composition I & II
2 Philosophy/Religious Studies electives
Summer field course
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Sophomore
Year
Mineralogy
General Physics or Mechanics, Electricity
and Magnetism
2 Philosophy/Religious Studies electives
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Junior
Year
Geology electives
Science electives
General Education electives
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Senior
Year
Geology electives
Science electives
General electives
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Course Descriptions-General
GEO 103. Physical Geography: An analysis of the
physical factors of the Earth's environment: weather, climate,
landforms, oceans. Designed for the non-major.
GEO
109. General Geology: An introduction to the Earth as a
planet, its composition, structure and evolutionary development;
a brief consideration of the life of the past. Designed
for the
nonscience major.
GEO 198. Geology, Landscape and Environment of the Miami
Valley: Field-based course examining the history of the
Miami Valley and Dayton area. Geologic processes in creating
the modern landscape and the impact of human activity will
be assessed. Prerequisite: GEO 109 or 115 or permission
of instructor.
GEO
208. Environmental Geology: A study of the relationship
of geologic factors to the problems of water supply, pollution,
erosion, land use and earth resources. Laboratory optional.
Prerequisites: GEO 109 or 115; permission of instructor.
GEO 218. Engineering Geology: A comprehensive study of geologic
principles applicable to civil engineering practices. Taken
mainly by civil engineering students.
Course
Descriptions-For Majors
GEO 115. Physical Geology: An introductory course
in geologic principles: the composition and structure of
the Earth, its land forms and the agencies active in their
production.
GEO
116. Historical Geology: A comprehensive study of Earth
history as interpreted from the rocks of the crust. Prerequisites:
GEO 109 or 115; permission of instructor.
GEO
201. Mineralogy: Introduction to crystallography, crystal
chemistry and crystal structure. Study of the major groups
of rock-forming minerals, their association and occurrence
with emphasis on identification by physical properties and
optical techniques. Prerequisite: GEO 109 or 115 or permission
of instructor.
GEO 301. Structural Geology: The origin of structural features
and development of the Earth's crustal folding, volcanism,
mountain building and metamorphism. Prerequisites: GEO 115,
116, 201.
GEO 302. Glacial Geology: The origin of mountain and continental
glaciers; their depositional features and erosive activity;
history of glaciation in the geologic past with special
emphasis on North American Quaternary ice advances. Prerequisites:
GEO 115, 116.
GEO
303. Field Geology: Summer study of structural and age relationship
problems in areas of the British Isles or Rocky Mountains
of Colorado containing abundant crystalline and sedimentary
exposures. Prerequisites: GEO 115, 116.
GEO
307. Geomorphology: A detailed study of landforms and the
erosional processes that develop them. Prerequisites: GEO
115, 116.
GEO
308. Problems and Decisions in Environmental Geology: An
in-depth examination of selected environmental problems
and the way in which scientific information guides practice
and policy. Topics will range from investigations of natural
hazards to considerations of land use and water resources.
Prerequisite: GEO 109 or 115 or permission of instructor.
GEO
309. Surface and Groundwater Hydrology: This course is designed
to provide a science or engineering student with the fundamental
concepts and principles central to the study of water as
a resource. This will include an examination of all components
of the hydrologic cycle, including surface-water hydrology
and management. Prerequisite: GEO 109 or 218 or permission
of instructor.
GEO
310. Stratigraphy: The interpretation of specific lithotypes
and the synthesis of the stratigraphic record. Prerequisite:
GEO 116.
GEO
401. Paleontology: The study of ancient life. The morphology,
ecology, evolution and stratigraphic distribution of selected
invertebrates, vertebrates and plants.
GEO 403. Sedimentology: Detailed study of sediments: their
sources, environments of deposition and methods of consolidation.
Emphasis on the interpretation of ancient sediments. Prerequisite:
GEO 201.
GEO
404. Problems in Geology: A consideration of special problems
involving advanced work in the laboratory and library; arranged
to meet the needs of individual students.
GEO 411. Igneous Petrology: A study of the origin and formation
of igneous rocks. Prerequisite: GEO 201.
GEO
412. Introductory Geochemistry: An investigation of the
chemical nature and development of the Earth, and its interior,
crust and surface materials. Quantitative chemical and physical
chemical studies of formation of rock types, ore deposition
and geochronology. Prerequisite: GEO 201 or permission of
instructor.
GEO 479L. Environmental Instrumentation Laboratory: The
understanding and use of field and laboratory-based equipment
to study current environmental issues. Emphasis on team-centered
approaches to investigating environmental problems. Prerequisites:
BIO 151, 152; GEO 115, 116; or permission of instructor.
Same as BIO 479L.
GEO
498. Geological Research and Thesis: Research project within
an area of the geological sciences including, but not limited
to, environmental geology, geochemistry, geomorphology or
paleontology. The results are to be presented in a written
thesis. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
What
is the relationship between students and faculty?
The
Department of Geology is small and very close. At present,
there are 30 students and four full-time faculty members
in the department. Our students are from all parts of the
country. The male/female ratio is 3/2. The average advanced
geology class has 10 students including nonmajors taking
elective courses in geology. We are able to maintain close
contact between students and faculty.
What
options do I have within the
geology program?
The
program is very flexible. By use of the science and general
electives, a student can add to his or her basic geology
foundation the requisite backgrounds for a variety of fields
of study.
What
about a ''minor'' field of study?
No minor is required of geology majors. However, our students
take advanced credits in related science and/or engineering
areas (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, hydrology).
What
about advanced placement in geology?
Advanced
placement credit for geology courses can be received upon
successful completion of departmental examinations. Credit
for nonmajor courses is granted on the basis of advanced
placement tests or College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
tests.
Are
there opportunities for practical experience in geological
fields?
Yes.
In fact, geology students are required to participate in
a summer field course of geological research. This is conducted
in either the British Isles or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
In addition to the field work, upper-class students of recognized
ability are nominated for lab teaching and research assistant
positions.
What
noteworthy achievements have been attained by the Department
of Geology?
Research:
·
Distribution of toxic heavy metals in the environment
·
Paleontology and paleogeography of the western United States,
Mexico and Canada
·
Paleontology of Ohio
·
Environmental studies and land-use planning
·
Glacial processes and history in the eastern Great Lakes
region
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Stability of carbonate materials under mantle conditions
What
are the unique features of the geology program?
· Emphasis on the individual undergraduate student
·
Flexible program tailored to suit particular interests and
needs
·
Undergraduate participation in research
·
Recent grants to faculty from the National Science Foundation
and National Geographic Society, with students assisting
on these projects
·
Labs and research facilities include the Keck Environmental
Laboratory which has equipment for the analysis of water
quality, soils and a Geographic Information System (GIS)
facility. These are part of a newly funded National Science
Foundation (NSF) Environmental Instrumentation Laboratory
·
Successful UD geologists in graduate schools (80% of our
graduates in recent years have received assistantships or
fellowships) and in industry
Whom
should I contact for further information?
Michael
R. Sandy, Chairperson
Geology Department
Wohlleben Hall, Room 314
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469-2364
Telephone: (937) 229-3436
FAX: (937) 229-2889
E-mail: sandy@neelix.udayton.edu
Web: http://www.udayton.edu/~geology/
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