n and erosion, radioactive and solid waste dispos-
al, landslides, stream flooding, coastal erosion, envi-
ronmental consequences of energy and mineral
resource utilization, acid rain, global climate change,
and the environment ef fects on human health.
Aspects of environmental geology that are particular-
ly applicable to Long Island and metropolitan New
York are emphasized.
3 credits
GEO 102-E The Earth
A summar y of the processes that have shaped the
earth and the other terrestrial planets as inferred from
study of their surface materials, structural features,
and interiors. Topics include the earth in the solar sys-
tem; earth materials and rock-forming processes; sur-
face processes and their bearing on human activities;
crustal deformation and global tectonics; the earths
interior; and the geological features, compositions,
and evolution of the terrestrial planets.
3 credits
GEO 103-E The Earth Through Time
The histor y of the earth from its formation 4.5 billion
years ago to the present. Major issues to be addressed
include formation and early histor y of the earth and
moon; evolution of continents, oceans, and atmos-
phere within the framework of plate tectonics; origin
of life; and evidence of past climates.
3 credits
GEO 106-E Planetary Geology
Geology and geological histor y of the terrestrial plan-
ets, planetar y satellites and minor bodies of the solar
system are evaluated. Whenever possible, emphasis
will be placed on geological results from the most
recent planetar y missions. Among the main topics to
be considered are meteorites and the origin of terres-
trial planets, the internal structure of terrestrial plan-
ets, planetar y volcanism, planetar y stratigraphy, sur-
face processes such as meteorite impacts, wind and
weathering, minor bodies of the solar system and the
origin of the solar system.
Advisory Prerequisite: High School Earth Science
3 credits
GEO 107-E Natural Hazards
An introduction to the concepts, techniques, and sci-
entific methods used in the earth sciences. The natur-
al hazards posed by earthquakes and volcanic erup-
tions are used as a focus. These phenomena are exam-
ined in the context of the theor y of plate tectonics to
determine their cause, destructive potential, and the
possibility of predicting and controlling their occur-
rence. Elementar y probability methods are intro-
duced in the treatment of approaches to prediction.
Societal responses to forecasts are also considered.
3 credits
GEO 109-E Life Through Time
An examination of biodiversity as preser ved in the fos-
sil record and how it contributes to the understanding
of evolution. Species examined include invertebrates,
plants, dinosaurs, and mammals and the ultimate ori-
gin and evolution of humans. Principles of evolution,
paleontology, phylogeny reconstruction, and conser-
vation are discussed. This course is offered as both
GEO 109 and HBA 109.
3 credits
GEO 112 Physical Geology Laboratory
Rock and mineral identification, introduction to topo-
graphic and geologic maps.
Pre- or Corequisite: GEO 102
1 credit
GEO 113 Historical Geology Laboratory
An introduction to basic techniques used for inter-
preting geological histor y. Topics include interpreta-
tion of topographic and geological maps and cross sec-
tions, introduction to fossils, and basic stratigraphic
techniques. One three-hour laborator y per week.
Pre- or Corequisite: GEO 103
1 credit
GEO 121 Principles of Geology
Course offered in conjunction with Sayville High
School.
4 credits
GEO 122-E Physical Geology
The nature of the earth and of the processes that
shape it: the earths external and internal energy; min-
erals and rocks; external processes and the evolution
of the landscape; internal processes and the structure
of the earth; the earth compared with other planets;
sources of materials and energy. Laborator y includes
study of minerals and rocks; landforms as shown on
topographical maps and aerial photographs; geologic
structures inferred from maps and block diagrams;
problem sets. Two lectures and one three-hour labo-
rator y and recitation per week. GEO 102/112 and
GEO 122 may not both be taken for credit.
Advisor y Prerequisite: High school chemistr y or
CHE 123
4 credits
GEO 287 Introductory Research in Geology
Independent research, under the super vision of a fac-
ulty member, at a level appropriate to lower-division
students.
Prerequisites: U1 or U2 standing; one GEO course;
permission of instructor and depar tmental research
coordinator
0-3 credits, S/U grading
GEO 301-H Sustainability of the Long
Island Pine Barrens
The ecologically diverse Long Island Pine Barrens
region provides a habitat for a large number of rare
and endangered species, but faces challenges associ-
ated with protection of a natural ecosystem that lies in
close proximity to an economically vibrant urban area
that exerts intense development pressure. In this
course we will consider the interaction of the ecologi-
cal, developmental and economic factors that impact
the Pine Barrens and the effectiveness of decision
support systems in promoting sustainability of the
Pine Barrens. This course is offered as BIO 301, GEO
301, ECO 301, and ESG 301.
Prerequisites: BIO 201 or ECO 108 or GEO 101 or 102
or ESG 100 or ESG 198 or CHE 131; and upper divi-
sion status
3 credits
GEO 302 GIS For Geologists
A practical introduction to geographic information
system GIS software. Participants learn to use direct
measurement and mathematical techniques to com-
pute the location of features and gain practical experi-
ence in rendering imager y and tabular geographic
data as layers on maps. The course consists of two
three-hour sessions per week for first five weeks of
semester, which include fieldwork, lectures, demon-
strations and software-based analysis of data. This
course meets with GEO 305 Field Geology for the first
five weeks of the term Students cannot take both GEO
302 and GEO 305 for credit.
Prerequisites: GEO 122, or GEO 102 and 112; GEO 103
and 113, or GEO 101 and 111
1 credit
GEO 304-H Energy, Mineral Resources, and
the Environment
A sur vey of the origin, distribution, and importance to
modern civilization of the fuels and minerals won from
the earth. Geology of mineral resources and problems
of finding, extracting, and supplying fossil fuels, metal-
lic ores, water, and non-metallic commodities to indus-
tr y and community as well as the ultimate limits of
their abundances. Environmental concerns related to
the exploitation of mineral resources with review of
legislation and other steps being taken to minimize
environmental damage.
Prerequisite: GEO 101 or 102 or 122
Advisory Prerequisite: CHE 123 or high school chem-
istry
3 credits
GEO 305 Field Geology
Geological field studies on and near the Stony Brook
campus. Labs emphasize mapping techniques and
field studies of glacial and environmental geology, and
include geophysical and hydrological analyses and
mapping. Course consists of two three-hour sessions
per week, divided between lecture and outdoor labs.
Prerequisites: GEO 102/112 or GEO 112 and 103 and
113 or GEO 112 and 101 and 111
3 credits
GEO 306 Mineralogy and Petrology I
An introduction to mineralogy and petrology. Topics
in mineralogy include basic cr ystallography, cr ystal
chemistr y, and identification of the important rock-
forming and ore minerals. Topics in petrology focus
on the processes that govern the formation and distri-
bution of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laborator y
exercises include cr ystallography, mineral and rock
identification, and interpretation of igneous and meta-
morphic histories of selected rock suites. Three hours
of lecture and one three-hour laborator y per week.
Prerequisites: GEO 122, or GEO 102 and 112
Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 132 or 142
4 credits
GEO 309 Structural Geology
Principles of structural geology, including classifica-
tion, criteria for recognition, and mechanics of forma-
tion of crustal structural features. Elementar y con-
cepts of rock mechanics. Discussion of important tec-
tonic features of the continents and oceans.
Accompanying laborator y to cover map interpretation
and algebraic and graphical solutions of structural
problems. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour
laborator y per week. A two-day weekend field trip vis-
its classic structural localities in the East.
Prerequisites: GEO 122, or GEO 102 and 112; one
semester of calculus; PHY 121/123 or 131/133 or 141
or PHY 125 and 126
4 credits
GEO 310 Introduction to Geophysics
An introduction to theoretical and applied geophysics.
Topics in global geophysics include seisomology,
gravity, geomagnetics and heat flow, with applications
to the structure and dynamics of the earths interior.
Students conduct computer-based analysis of geo-
physical data, some of which they collect using tech-
niques of geophysical exploration and environmental
geology. Three hours of lecture per week, plus group
field experiments and analysis.
Prerequisites: MAT 127 or 132 or 142 or 171 or AMS
161; GEO 122, or GEO 102 and 112; PHY 122/124 or
132/134 or 142, or PHY 126 and 127
3 credits
GEO 311-H Geoscience and Global
Concerns
An exploration of how technologically-based problems
facing the United States and the world are related to the
basic scientific principles that explain the properties of
the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The set
of issues include such geoscience-based topics as glob-
al warming, fossil fuel resources, nuclear waste dispos-
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
420
www.stonybrook.ed