USC Schedule of Classes

Impact of civilization on planet earth, and impact of earth's natural evolution on society: earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, floods, global warming, acid rain, groundwater depletion and pollution; mineral and fossil fuel depletion, formation of the ozone hole. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. One all-day or overnight field trip.

Basic principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics used in evaluating clues written in the rock record, and the processes that have shaped our planet. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. At least one field trip required.

Examination of the scientific process: what constitutes science; evolution of ideas about the nature of space, time, matter, andcomplexity; paradigm shifts in the biological and earth sciences.Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.

Climate systems from the beginning of earth history to the present; tools and techniques used to reconstruct prehistoric climate records; effects of climate variations on development of life forms on earth.

Causes of earthquakes and nature of large faults; earthquake hazard and risk; world's great earthquakes; understanding the Richter scale. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours; one fieldtrip required.

Energy resources from a global perspective, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy.

Laboratory component for GEOL 105Lg, 107Lxg, 108Lg, 125Lxg, 130Lxg, 150Lxg, or 240Lxg for students with equivalent lecture credit from another institution.

Principles of geology with emphasis on structural geology, hydrogeology and geologic hazards; basic geologic considerations in civil engineering practice; introduction to mineralogy and petrology. Field trip required. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. Duplicates credit in GEOL 105Lg and 108Lg.

Field and theorectical aspects of rock deformation, analysis of structural systems, and stress and strain; orogenic belts and plate tectonics; introduction to field techniques and construction of geologic maps. Recommended preparation: GEOL 320L

Introduction to scientific inquiry, field research opportunities, and history of physical sciences; strategies, research methodologies, and writing skills for proposals, abstracts, papers, and professional development. Duplicates credit in the former GEOL-385. Recommended preparation: A GE course in Earth Science.

Survey of physical, chemical, and geological oceanography emphasizing the role of the oceans in modulation of climate, atmospheric composition and biogeochemical cycles; paleoceanography and paleoclimate. Corequisites: CHEM 105b and MATH 126. Recommended preparation: PHYS 151Lg or PHYS 135abL

Earth's development as a habitable planet, from origin to human impacts on global biogeochemical cycles in the ocean, land, atmosphere. Discussion of environmental alternatives. Prerequisites: BISC 120 or BISC 121 and CHEM 105b or CHEM 115b. Open only to Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Earth Sciences majors.

GEOL 465 Field Geology (4, SmSp)Ten days to four weeks of field study in an area of geological complexity, with preparatory instruction.

Relationships between microbiota and the earth environment including the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere, with consideration of the potential for life on other planets.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Writing of a thesis under individual faculty supervision. Not available for graduate credit.

Statistical analyses of data sets, development of modeling frameworks, numerical models of varying complexity, and techniques for analyzing model results.

Current topics in geochemistry.

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Thesis.

Credit on acceptance of Thesis.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Analysis and discussion of current topics in sedimentary geology; topics will be chosen by students and faculty to focus on areas of recent advances.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation.