Web site at: http://www.geo.utep.edu/
6.- Geology (GEOL)
5101 Graduate Seminar (1-0)
Required of all graduate students. Discussion of various geological topics by the faculty, graduate students, and speakers from industry and other institutions. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
5115 Selected Topics in the Geological Sciences (1-0)
5215 Selected Topics in the Geological Sciences (2-0)
5315 Selected Topics in the Geological Sciences (3-0)
Study of advanced topics in such fields as structural geology, environmental geoscience, economic geology,
paleontology, petrology, and geochemistry. May be repeated when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
5162 Directed Study in Geology (0-0-1)
5262 Directed Study in Geology (0-0-2)
5362 Directed Study in Geology (0-0-3)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and instructor approval.
5289 Graduate Research in Geological Sciences (0-0-2)
5389 Graduate Research in Geological Sciences (0-0-3)
Cannot be used to satisfy minimum degree requirements. Grade of S or U.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and instructor approval.
5343 Isotope Geology (2-1)
Study of the systematics and geochemistry of radiogenic and stable isotopes. The course includes both geochronology and the use of isotopes as tracers in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic processes. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Laboratory fee required.
5344 Advanced Petrology (2-3)
Study of magmas and magma genesis in light of field, theoretical, and experimental considerations. The course includes interpretation of isotopic and trace-element data. Laboratory studies focus on field trips and petrographic description of thin-sections. Prerequisites: GEOL 3315 or equivalent; CHEM 3351-CHEM 3352 recommended. Laboratory fee required.
5345 Environmental Geochemistry (3-0)
Processes of a geological nature which are important in environmental studies will be the topic of this course. The geological context is usually important in determining the effect of foreign intrusions into the natural environment. The course will involve problem solving, class participation, exams, field trips, and a semester project report.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor approval.
5364 Sedimentary Depositional Environments (3-0)
Reconstruction of ancient depositional environments in the surface and subsurface using facies analysis. Field trips are included. The class will focus on analysis of field examples. Prerequisites: GEOL 2314 and GEOL 3325.
5365 Basin Analysis (3-0)
The study of evolution of sedimentary basins and the influences of tectonics and other factors to create a stratigraphic framework. The course includes basin analysis techniques such as backstripping, paleotemperature calculations, and sequence stratigraphy. Field trips are included. Prerequisite: GEOL 3325 or instructor approval.
5367 Advanced Stratigraphy (2-3)
The history, usage, and subtleties of stratigraphy will be investigated through lectures, assigned readings, and examples. Students will have the chance in the field to see if they agree with those who have defined real stratigraphic units. Prerequisite: GEOL 4362 or instructor approval. Laboratory fee required.
5370 Tectonics (3-0)
Extensive readings on selected topics in and a broad review of the major principles and theory of tectonics. Prerequisites: GEOL 3423 and graduate standing.
5375 Quantitative Techniques in the Geological Sciences (2-3)
Introduction to techniques for quantitative analysis of geologic data. Emphasis on the extraction of maximum information from large data matrices. Specific applications to petroleum and mineral exploration. Laboratory fee required.
5376 Low Temperature Geochemistry (2-2)
Chemical reactions at the earth's surface and their interpretation by thermodynamic and kinetic principles. Precipitation and dissolution, the solid-solution interface, oxidation and reduction, the distribution and circulation of elements and compounds. Prerequisite: CHEM 1306. Laboratory fee required.
5377 Principles of Geochemistry (3-0)
Chemical processes involved in the distribution and migration of the elements on the earth through space and time. Principles of solution and mineral equilibria in surficial, sedimentary, hydrothermal, and igneous environments. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
5379 Petroleum Geochemistry (3-0)
Examination of the biologic, chemical, and geologic processes involved in the accumulation of petroleum-source rocks, including diagenesis, catagenesis, and metagenesis of petroleum prone organic matter; of migration, accumulation, and maturation of liquid hydrocarbons; and of geochemical parameters useful in hydrocarbon exploration. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor approval. Laboratory fee required.
5382 Chemical Hydrogeology (3-0)
A study of the chemistry of ground and surface water. Subjects covered by the course are the chemistry of natural waters, chemistry of weathering, chemical interactions between geological materials and water, groundwater contamination and the movement of contaminants in groundwater. Prerequisite: GEOL 5376 or instructor approval.
5383 Physical Hydrogeology (3-0)
A study of the geological controls on ground and surface water flow. Subjects studied are the geology of aquifers, a review of major aquifers in North America, aquifer hydraulics, Darcy's law aquifer tests, and groundwater flow modeling. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
5384 Nuclear Waste Disposal (3-0)
In-depth study of problems and issues associated with the past, current, and projected principles and methods of nuclear waste disposal. The multidisciplinary legal, political and technical aspects of siting, operation, and decommissioning of reactors and the subsequent removal of source waste generated at these facilities is considered. The course examines waste removal, classification, containerization, quality assurance, and transport. Waste repository site selection, performance assessment, operation, and entombment in various geological media are stressed. Prerequisites: Graduate standing; students outside the colleges of Engineering and Science will require instructor approval.
5385 Numerical Methods in Geology (3-0)
Introduction to the theory and application of numerical methods (finite differences and finite elements) with application to problems in hydrology, environmental geology, and structural geology. Subjects covered include general mechanics of groundwater flow, general continuum mechanics, geologic influences on model design, model limitations, convergence, calibration, and verification. Prerequisite: GEOL 5383 or instructor approval.
5386 Engineering Geology (3-0)
Introduction to the application of geologic fundamentals to geotechnical engineering and the analysis of geologic processes using continuum mechanics. Subjects covered include general soil and rock mechanics, slope stability, surface water and flooding, subsidence, earthquakes, volcanoes, shore line processes, expansive soils, and geologic aspects of engineering works (dams, tunnels, buildings, etc.). Prerequisite: GEOL 3423 or GEOL 3321 or instructor approval.
5387 Applied Quaternary Geology (3-0)
Addresses pertinent topics of Quaternary science (including paleoclimatology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, pedology, geochronology, neotectonics, and geophysics) in an environmental context. Major bodies of environmental regulation will be introduced and the relationship of these regulations to Quaternary science will be emphasized. Environmental case studies of national significance will be an integral part of the course. Graduate students from other disciplines are encouraged. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or instructor approval.
5394 Mining Geology (3-1)
Geologic mapping, sample drilling, reserve calculations, and economic evaluation of actively exploited and potential economic mineral deposits. Mine visits required. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Laboratory fee required.
5397 Geology and Mineral Resources of Mexico (3-0)
Stratigraphic and structural framework of the Republic of Mexico with particular reference to the distribution of mineral resources. Field excursion required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
5398 Thesis (0-0-3)
Initial work on the thesis.
5399 Thesis (0-0-3)
Continuous enrollment required while work on thesis continues. Prerequisite: GEOL 5398.
5405 Biostratigraphy (3-3)
The systematic analysis of the separation and differentiation of rock units on the basis of the assemblages of fossils
which they contain; special emphasis will be placed on the evolution of biothermal systems through time and problems of the
establishment and utilization of biostratigraphic units and chronostratigraphic boundaries. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in
Geology or Biology or instructor approval. Laboratory fee required.
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