Department of Geology and Geophysics
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071-2000
Phone: (307) 766-3386
Fax: (307) 766-6679
Email: geol-geophys@uwyo.edu
Doctor of Philosophy: Doctoral degree requirements include a minimum of 72 semester hours of credit at the 4000-level and above from UW or equivalent levels from another approved university. This 72-hour requirement may include graduate credits earned while working toward the master's degree in the same area, but at least 42 hours (of the 72) must be earned in formal course work and dissertation research credits. Doctoral students must take: 1) an oral qualifying examination, 2) an oral preliminary examination, and 3) an oral defense of the dissertation. Doctoral students may be required, at the discretion of the advisory committee, to demonstrate competence in research "tools", such as statistics or analytical methods. Upon completion of the oral preliminary examination, the Ph.D. student has four years to complete the degree.
Masters of Science: Only Plan A (thesis) MS programs are acceptable. The MS degree requires successful completion of 26 credits of course work at the 4000-level and above, four credits for the thesis and an oral examination. A master's thesis is required. Master's students have six calendar years to complete their degree from the beginning of the first course taken and listed on their Program of Study. Most of the MS students in the Department of Geology and Geophysics take two years to complete their degree.
Number |
Course Title |
Fall 2023 |
5020 | Fundamentals of Research (Required) | |
5030
|
Groundwater Flow/Transport
|
|
5050 |
Isotope Geology
|
|
5140 |
Advanced Igneous Petrology
|
|
5150
|
Metamorphic Petrology
|
|
5190 | Petroleum Geology | |
5191 |
Methods in Petroleum Geology
|
|
5200 |
Topics in Geology (various courses)
|
|
5200 |
Distinguished Lecturer Series
|
|
5212 |
Seminar in Sedimentology
|
|
5280 | Paleobotany | |
5300 |
Sedimentary Basins
|
|
5330 |
Mechanics of Sediment Transport
|
|
5410 |
Geochemical Analysis Methods
|
|
5420 |
Surfaces and Interfaces
|
|
5444 | Geohydrology | |
5446 |
Introduction to Geostatistics
|
|
5450 |
Geochemical Modeling
|
|
5460 |
Introductory Geomodeling
|
|
5525 |
Environmental Data Analysis
|
|
5760 |
Rates & Timescales Surf. Processes
|
|
5777 | Geochemistry of Natural Waters | |
5835 | Exploration/Applied Geophysics |
Please contact the instructor directly for the latest syllabus if they are not available in the above list. Some syllabi may be older examples and not necessarily reflect current course policies.
*Fundamentals of Research 5020 is required for all graduate degrees.
GEOL 5020 Fundamentals of Research Dr. Parsekian
This course is designed to provide incoming graduate students with an introduction
to "research survival skills." The purpose is threefold, and includes opportunities
to gain practice in scientific communication (written, oral, web based and poster
presentations), develop ideas for thesis research, and gain an introduction to the
faculty and facilities housed in the Department of Geology and Geophysics.
GEOL 5030 Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling Dr. Zhang
Uses course notes developed by the instructor. Movement of groundwater in the subsurface
is responsible for a variety of environmental, engineering, and geological processes
of interest including heat transfer and solute transport. To evaluate them, mathematical
modeling provides an essential quantitative tool. In recent years, increasing reliance
is placed upon using computer simulations to make predictions of flow and transport
in the subsurface, thus familiarity with the fundamental principles behind modeling
is critical. This course presents an overview of the analyses of groundwater flow
and solute transport using numerical modeling. The Finite Difference Method will be
introduced as well as direct and iterative linear algebra solution techniques. Exercises
and homework require programming with MATLAB (alternatively, Fortran or C language
can be used).
GEOL 5050 Introduction to Isotope Geology Dr. Sims
Understanding of atomic structure, radioactive decay, mass spectrometry, dating techniques
and applications of stable and radiogenic isotopic systems. Emphasis will be placed
on evaluating dating methods in relation to particular geologic problems and possible
sources of error. The use of isotopes as tracers for identifying magmatic sources
and crustal contamination, water-rock interactions, and sediment provenance will be
discussed. Prerequisites: CHEM 1020, CHEM 1110, MATH 2200, MATH 2205.
GEOL 5113 Remote Sensing Dr. Howell
Acquaints students with aircraft and spacecraft remote sensing of the environment,
emphasizing geologic application to earth and other planetary bodies. Includes visible,
infrared, ultraviolet, radio and radar sensing. The laboratory exercises are applications
related to tectonics, geomorphology, paleoclimate, structure, stratigraphy, environmental
geology and geologic hazards.
GEOL 5120 Tectonic Evolution of the Western Cordillera
Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of western North America viewed through the paradigm
of plate tectonics. Course will involve intensive literature review, guest speakers,
a possible field trip, and an in-depth regional tectonic analysis to be done by each
student. Prerequisites: GEOL 2020, GEOL 2100, and GEOL 4610.
GEOL 5140 Advanced Igneous Petrology Dr. Myers
This course will examine a variety of petrologic and petrographic tools useful for
unraveling the petrogenesis of igneous rock suites. The course will cover geochemical
modeling, but will concentrate on what can be learned from phase equilibria and application
of modern petrographic techniques. Ideally, these results would be combined with more
standard geochemical modeling techniques to place quantitative constraints on petrologic
processes.
GEOL 5150 Metamorphic Petrology Dr. R. Frost
Lectures on field occurrence, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of metamorphic
rocks, followed by lectures on application of physical chemistry to genetic study
of metamorphic rocks. Laboratory devoted to the study of suites of metamorphic rocks
from classical areas. Prerequisites: GEOL 2020 and 4490; graduate standing or consent
of instructor.
GEOL 5160 Regional Tectonics
The study of orogenic belts worldwide including both external and internal zones.
Cross-section preparation is emphasized as well as geometric analysis. Foreland fold-and-thrust
belts—some case studies: Canadian Rockies, Helvetic Alps, and other examples. The
course includes lectures, readings, and a cross-section project. Prerequisite: GEOL
4610.
GEOL 5190 Petroleum Geology Dr. Mallick
Principles governing the exploration for hydrocarbons; characteristics of reservoirs
and traps; origin, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons; subsurface evaluation
techniques. Prerequisites: GEOL 2100, 4610. Dual listed with GEOL 4190.
GEOL 5191 Methods in Petroleum Geology
Lectures and laboratory exercises designed to give the student experience in working
with various kinds of subsurface geoscientific data in relation to the exploration
for and production of hydrocarbons.
GEOL 5200 What's New in Science & Nature? Dr. Cheadle
A 1hr weekly session where we examine what's new and exciting in the latest editions
of Science and Nature. The aim is to learn about the latest developments in the broad
field of Earth Sciences and to keep up to date with what is being published in Science
& Nature. Each week, I will distribute all relevant abstracts from the current issues
and we will choose one for presentation the following week.
GEOL 5200 Topics in Geology Various instructors
Provides a detailed study at a graduate level of a particular topic in geology. Prerequisites:
Graduate standing in geology and geophysics and permission of the instructor.
GEOL 5211 Seminar in Structural Geology Dr. John
Selected topics in structural geology and tectonics. On-going research among undergraduate
and graduate students is emphasized. Prerequisite: GEOL 4610 or equivalent course.
GEOL 5212 Sedimentology Seminar Dr. McElroy & Dr. Heller
Seminar in selected topics in sedimentary geology. The course is designed to bring,
and keep, graduate students up to date with the current literature and new, unpublished
ideas. There will be visiting lecturers and presentations of student and faculty research.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
GEOL 5217 Geodynamics Dr. Cheadle
This course examines the fundamental physical processes necessary for the understanding
of plate tectonics and a variety of other geological phenomena. It provides a solid
grounding for future study and research covering plate tectonics, stress & strain,
elasticity, isostasy & the flexural strength of the lithosphere, gravity, and thermal
processes.
GEOL 5330 Sedimentary Basin Dr. Heller
Course covers the fundamental controls on basin formation and filling in different
tectonic settings. Subject matter includes basin analysis, subsidence analysis, subsidence
mechanisms, interaction of tectonic and eustastic controls on basin development and
modeling of basin formation. A significant project involving basin analysis and quantitative
modeling of basin formation will be undertaken.
GEOL Transport Mechanics Dr. McElroy
Erosion, transport, and deposition of sediments are examined from a first-principles
basis. Physical processes are derived from fluid dynamics, statistical mechanics,
and mass conservation. These topics are then used to explore landscape and seascape
evolution, morphodynamics, and stratigraphic construction.
GEOL 5340 Tectonics & Sedimentation
Lectures, seminars, and field observations on the relations between tectonism and
the sedimentary record. Topics will include a review of plate tectonic theory, characteristics
of major types of sedimentary basins, techniques for evaluating tectonic activity
from evidence in the sedimentary record and large-scale tectonosedimentary elements.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, GEOL 2100, and GEOL 4610, or consent of instructor.
GEOL 5410 Geochem Analysis Methods Ms. Dewey
Lectures and laboratories in analytical methods used in geochemical studies. Particular
emphasis given to sampling and sample preparation, inductively coupled argon plasma
emission, atomic absorption analysis. Other analytical methods are also treated. Prerequisite:
GEOL 4490.
GEOL 5444 Geohydrology Dr. Zhang
This course uses the course notes developed by the instructor, supplemented by Groundwater
Science by Charles Fitts. It provides an introduction to the basic principles of groundwater
hydrology, including fluid and porous media properties, hydrostatics and hydrodynamics,
Darcy's law in homogenous and heterogeneous media, aquifer system analysis, mass balance
analysis, groundwater flow equations and their solutions with classical analytical
methods (e.g., Thiem solution, Theis solution, superposition of flow solutions in
space and time). Most exercises and homework problems can be solved by hand, using
Excel, or write small MATLAB codes.
GEOL 5446 Introduction to Geostatistics Dr. Zhang
This course uses the course notes developed by the instructor, supplemented with reading
assignments. Geoscientists routinely face interpolation problems when analyzing spare
data from field observations. Geostatistics has emerged as an invaluable tool for
characterizing and estimating spatial phenomena. In this class, both the basic principles
of geostatistics and its practical applications in the geosciences will be presented.
Topics include Ordinary Kriging, Co-Kriging, and stochastic simulations (unconditional
and conditional). Exercises and homework problems can be solved by hand, using Excel,
MATLAB or a geostatistical software package.
GEOL 5460. Introductory Geomodeling Dr. Humphrey
Introductory course in numerical modeling in the geosciences, offering insight into
the generalities of modeling. Develop, simple geo-models, which allow hands on experience
constructing and testing computer models. As a minimum, develop one extensive Finite
Difference model and one minimalistic Finite Element model; other techniques will
depend on student interests. Prerequisites: at least one calculus and one physics
course, and senior or graduate standing.
GEOL 5525 Environmental Data Analysis Dr. Riebe
Explores fundamentals of environmental data analysis including the display and description
of data, uncertainty propagation, statistical significance and power, t-tests, ANOVA,
time series, serial correlation, multiple regression, and sample collection strategies.
Includes computer-based lab section and a term project involving real-world problems
in data analysis. Learning goals include: (i) become proficient in processing and
displaying scientific data; (ii) develop skills in performing and interpreting statistical
analyses; and (iii) understand the role of uncertainty in Earth and environment sciences
and its implications for resource management.
GEOL 5660 Microstructural Analysis Dr. R. Frost
The use of microscope in the interpretation of natural strain in rocks is emphasized.
Lectures and extensive laboratory exercises are the principle components of the course.
Microfabric analysis using the universal stage is introduced. Prerequisites: GEOL
4610 required, GEOL 5150 recommended.
GEOL 5720 Ore Deposits Dr. R. Frost
Teaches principles of economic geology of ore minerals. Lectures cover geochemistry
of ore minerals and environments in which various ore minerals are found. Labs include
identification of ore minerals in hand sample and under microscope and methodology
of economic geology. Dual listed with GEOL 4720. Prerequisite: GEOL 2010.
GEOL5760. Rates and Timescales of Surface Processes Dr. Riebe
Explores methods for quantifying rates and timescales of weathering, erosion, soil
formation, nutrient cycling, and other surface processes. Focus includes cosmogenic
nuclides, tracer thermochronometry, U-series disequilibrium, fallout radionuclides,
and optically stimulated luminescence. Course features a mix of instructor-driven
lectures on fundamentals and student-driven discussion of cutting-edge research from
recent literature. Prerequisites: GEOL2150 or GEOG 3010 or GEOL 4880 and MATH 2205
and CHEM 1020 and PHYS 1100.
GEOL 5777 Geochemistry of Natural Waters Dr. Eggleston
Physical chemistry of solutions applied to natural waters. Chemistry of rock weathering,
controls on major, minor, and trace element contents of natural waters. Problems of
introduced pollutants. Prerequisites: GEOL 2010, CHEM 1060. Dual listed with GEOL
4777.
GEOL 5835 Applied/Exploration Geophysics Dr. Cheadle
Discusses the fundamentals of Applied or Exploration Geophysics, encompassing lecture,
laboratory classes and discussion of case histories. It covers the Seismic Refraction,
Seismic Reflection, Gravity, and Magnetics methods. The course provides a solid grounding
about the exploration of the Earth's subsurface for mineral and hydrocarbon resources,
and environmental issues.
GEOL 5850-5862 Independent Research Topics Max. 6 credits
GEOL 5960 Thesis Research Max. 24 credits
GEOL 5980 Dissertation Research Max. 48 credits
Department of Geology and Geophysics
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071-2000
Phone: (307) 766-3386
Fax: (307) 766-6679
Email: geol-geophys@uwyo.edu