GEO: Geosciences

GEO 101 ​- E: Environmental Geology

Fundamental earth science concepts are used to assess the impact of increasing global population and development on earth's natural resources and also to examine how natural processes affect human activities. Topics include water usage and pollution, soil pollution and erosion, radioactive and solid waste disposal, landslides, stream flooding, coastal erosion, environmental consequences of energy and mineral resource utilization, acid rain, global climate change, and the environment effects on human health. Aspects of environmental geology that are particularly applicable to Long Island and metropolitan New York are emphasized.

3 credits

GEO 102 ​- E: The Earth

A summary 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 system; earth materials and rock-forming processes; surface processes and their bearing on human activities; crustal deformation and global tectonics; the earth's interior; and the geological features, compositions, and evolution of the terrestrial planets.

3 credits

GEO 103 ​- E: The Earth Through Time

The history of the earth from its formation 4.5 billion years ago to the present. Major issues to be addressed include formation and early history of the earth and moon; evolution of continents, oceans, and atmosphere within the framework of plate tectonics; origin of life; and evidence of past climates.

3 credits

GEO 105 ​- E: Energy Resources for the 21st Century

Today we are faced with the challenge of driving the economies of modern civilization with new energy resources. This course looks at the current energy sources to assess their long term sustainability. In particular, this course examines fossil fuels, from the geologic processes that create them through their utilization. This course evaluates the impact on the global environment and the finiteness of each resource. Nuclear, geothermal, solar, wind, hydro, tidal, and other energy sources will be evaluated. This course projects forward to anticipate needs and evaluate future resources for time scales of 10, 20, 50, and 100 years. It identifies the technical advances that are required to meet the future energy needs. The emphasis of the course is to provide a vision of the current global energy setting. It develops tools that enable critical thinking on issues that interface society and science. Homework assignments will use the internet for accessing relevant information and spread sheets (such as Excel) and Google Earth to evaluate this information.

3 credits

GEO 106 ​- E: Planetary Geology

Geology and geological history of the terrestrial planets, planetary satellites and minor bodies of the solar system are evaluated. Whenever possible, emphasis will be placed on geological results from the most recent planetary missions. Among the main topics to be considered are meteorites and the origin of terrestrial planets, the internal structure of terrestrial planets, planetary volcanism, planetary stratigraphy, surface processes such as meteorite impacts, wind and weathering, minor bodies of the solar system and the origin of the solar system. Not for credit in addition to AST 105 or AST 205.

Advisory Prerequisite: High School Earth Science

3 credits

GEO 107 ​- E: Natural Hazards

An introduction to the concepts, techniques, and scientific methods used in the earth sciences. The natural hazards posed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are used as a focus. These phenomena are examined in the context of the theory of plate tectonics to determine their cause, destructive potential, and the possibility of predicting and controlling their occurrence. Elementary probability methods are introduced 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 preserved in the fossil record and how it contributes to the understanding of evolution. Species examined include invertebrates, plants, dinosaurs, and mammals and the ultimate origin and evolution of humans. Principles of evolution, paleontology, phylogeny reconstruction, and conservation 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 topographic and geologic maps.

Pre- or Corequisite: GEO 102

1 credit

GEO 113: Historical Geology Laboratory

An introduction to basic techniques used for interpreting geological history. Topics include interpretation of topographic and geological maps and cross sections, introduction to fossils, and basic stratigraphic techniques. One three-hour laboratory 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 earth's external and internal energy; minerals 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. Laboratory 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 laboratory and recitation per week. GEO 102/112 and GEO 122 may not both be taken for credit.

Advisory Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 123

4 credits

GEO 287: Introductory Research in Geology

Independent research, under the supervision of a faculty member, at a level appropriate to lower-division students.

Prerequisites: U1 or U2 standing; one GEO course; permission of instructor and departmental research coordinator

0-3 credits, S/U grading

GEO 301 ​- H: Sustainability of the Long Island Pine Barrens



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 compute the location of features and gain practical experience in rendering imagery 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, demonstrations 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 survey 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, metallic ores, water, and non-metallic commodities to industry 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: One DEC E course

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

Topics include basic crystallography, crystal chemistry, and identification of the important rock-forming and ore minerals. Included are the fundamentals of optical crystallography: indices of refraction, isotropic, uniaxial, and biaxial minerals; optical indicatrix theory and interference figures. Laboratory exercises involve work with crystallographic models, mineral samples, refraction oils and the polarizing light microscope. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: GEO 102 and 112; CHE 131

4 credits

GEO 309: Structural Geology

Principles of structural geology, including classification, criteria for recognition, and mechanics of formation of crustal structural features. Elementary concepts of rock mechanics. Discussion of important tectonic features of the continents and oceans. Accompanying laboratory to cover map interpretation and algebraic and graphical solutions of structural problems. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. A two-day weekend field trip visits "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 earth's interior. Students conduct computer-based analysis of geophysical data, some of which they collect using techniques 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 global warming, fossil fuel resources, nuclear waste disposal, and earthquake prediction and preparedness.

Prerequisite: GEO 101 or 102 or 107 or 122

3 credits

GEO 312: Structure and Properties of Materials

This course will explore materials from the viewpoint of their structure and chemistry and how these affect applications. We will discuss different states matter (crystals, quasicrystals, glasses, liquids) and their similarities and differences, focusing on the crystalline state. Nanomaterials and their peculiarities in terms of structure and properties will also be considered. Particular attention will be paid to (1) Materials for energy and environment applications, (2) materials for technological applications, and (3) Earth- and planet-forming materials.

Advisory Prerequisite: CHE 131 or PHY 131

3 credits

GEO 315: Groundwater Hydrology

Physical and chemical principles of geohydrology. Concepts of groundwater geology. Introduction to quantitative models of regional fluid flow and groundwater contamination. Groundwater and geologic processes, with examples from tectonics, petroleum geology, geothermics, and economic mineralization.

Prerequisites: GEO 102 or GEO 122; MAT 127 or MAT 132 or MAT 142 or MAT 171 or AMS 161

3 credits

GEO 316: Geochemistry of Surficial Processes

Chemical principles used in the study of surface and near-surface water, rocks, and soils. Application of equilibrium concepts and reaction rates to reactions involving gases, fluids, and minerals in nature. Consideration of soil properties and processes.

Prerequisites: GEO 122, or 102 and 112; CHE 132 or 142

4 credits

GEO 318: Engineering Geology and Coastal Processes



3 credits

GEO 320 ​- E: Glacial Geology

History of glaciation on earth; formation and dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets; processes of glacial erosion and deposition; and the nature of glacial sediments and landforms particularly relating to the development of Long Island.

Prerequisite: GEO 102 or 122

3 credits

GEO 330: The Geology of Mars

Overview of Mars as a planetary system. Evolution of the planet and its atmosphere through time. Detailed discussion of processes that have shaped the martian surface, including erosion, sedimentation, volcanism, impact cratering, physical and chemical weathering. Comparison of geologic processes on Mars and Earth. Discussion of past and future spacecraft missions to Mars.

Prerequisite: GEO 102 or GEO 122 or GEO 106

Advisory Prerequisite: GEO 112

3 credits

GEO 353: Marine Ecology

A survey of biotic responses to ecological challenges in different marine realms. Controls of diversity and trophic structure in the marine ecosystem, historical aspects of marine realms, productivity in the oceans, plankton, soft-bottom communities, intertidal habitats, coral reefs, deep-sea environments, and effects of pollution in the ocean are discussed. This course is offered as both BIO 353 and GEO 353.

Prerequisite: BIO 201 or MAR 104

3 credits

GEO 403: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy

The history and practice of defining units of layered rocks and interpreting their spatial relationships. Topics include the basis for the geologic time scale, lithostratigraphic versus chronostratigraphic units, biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, facies patterns and Walther's Law, subsurface stratigraphy, and the application of stratigraphy to geological problems. Laboratory emphasizes practical techniques in stratigraphy.

Prerequisite: GEO 306

Corequisite: GEO 401

4 credits

GEO 405: Field Camp

A field course that may be taken at any one of several approved university field stations.

Prerequisites: Two upper-division GEO courses

1-6 credits

GEO 407: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

Topics focus on the processes that govern the formation and distribution of igneous and metamorphic rocks and their link to the Earth's mantle, crust, and tectonic regimes. Emphasis will be placed on integrating assessment of the chemical control on compositional diversity through phase diagrams with the study of natural rock suites through hand sample and thin section analysis. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: GEO 306

4 credits

GEO 420: Environmental Analysis Using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems



4 credits

GEO 440: Geological Applications of Remote Sensing


Prerequisite: GEO 102 or GEO 122

Advisory prerequisite: PHY 122 or PHY 132 or PHY 142 or PHY 126,127

3 credits

GEO 447: Senior Tutorial in Geology

Independent readings in advanced topics. May be repeated once.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and chairperson

1-3 credits

GEO 475: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I


Prerequisite: U4 standing; previous preparation in subject field; interview; permission of instructor

3 credits, S/U grading

GEO 476: Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member's regularly scheduled classes. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that have already been graded. Students mya not serve as teaching assistants in the same course twice.

Prerequisite: GEO 475; previous preparation in subject field; interview; permission of instructor and department

3 credits, S/U grading

GEO 487: Senior Research in Geology

Under the supervision of a faculty member, a major in the department may conduct research for academic credit.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and chairperson

0-6 credits

GEO 488: Internship

Participation in local, state, or national private enterprises, public agencies, or nonprofit institutions. May be repeated to a limit of 6 credits.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and department

0-6 credits, S/U grading