GEOS 100. DISCOVERING GEOLOGY. 4 Credits.

Notes: satisfies lab science requirement at most universities.
Pre-requisites: Corequisite: GEOS 100L.
Satisfies: a BACR for natural sciences.
Explores the interactions between human beings and their geological environment. The earth is a dynamic planet affected by sudden, violent events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods, as well as by slower processes operating over long time spans that create, move, and destroy continents and oceans. Topics include study of energy, mineral, and water resources and their importance to modern society. Presented at a level intended for nonscience majors. Companion course to GEOS 100L.

GEOS 100L. DISCOVERING GEOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: Corequisite: GEOS 100.
Companion lab to GEOS 100.

GEOS 113. THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER. 5 Credits.

Satisfies: a BACR for natural sciences.
Explores Earth’s atmosphere, covering the subjects of energy balance, atmospheric moisture, and global atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Analyzes various atmospheric disturbances such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Includes studying climate, weather patterns, and trends over a much longer period. The investigation looks at modern climate types and vegetation patterns, paleoclimatology, and the current threat of global climate change.

GEOS 115. EARTH SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS. 5 Credits.

Notes: for students planning to teach elementary school, these inquiry-based earth science investigations support science instruction outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.
Pre-requisites: MTHD 104 or equivalent (pre-university basic skills in mathematics.)
Satisfies: a BACR for natural sciences.
Presents a content-rich, inquiry-based approach to some foundational topics in geology and meteorology, presented as an active process, in which students become participants in learning science.

GEOS 200. GLOBALIZATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT. 5 Credits.

Satisfies: a BACR for social sciences.
An introduction to the study of spatial variations among human cultures and the patterns of interaction between humans and the natural environment. Special emphasis is placed on the social and spatial dynamics of globalization and its myriad impacts on the environment.

GEOS 203. FUNDAMENTALS OF SURFACE HYDROLOGY. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: PLAN 203.
Satisfies: a BACR for natural science.
An introduction to surface hydrology. Hydrological process and the techniques used to measure them are the primary focus.

GEOS 204. HOT EARTH: PEOPLE AND CLIMATE CHANGE. 5 Credits.

Satisfies: a BACR for natural sciences.
An introduction to the earth-atmosphere system. Surveys the physical nature of the atmosphere including weather elements, weather systems, and climate. Addresses the social and environmental issues related to natural and human induced changes in the composition of the atmosphere.

GEOS 222. THE EARTH THROUGH TIME. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100. Corequisite: GEOS 222L.
Introduction to earth history for students majoring in geology, earth science, or environmental science. Covers the evolution of the earth from its creation to the present. Topics focus on tectonic history, the evolution and diversity of life, and the effects of biological change on the environment throughout geologic time. Participation in weekly laboratories and field trips required. Companion course to GEOS 222L.

GEOS 222L. THE EARTH THROUGH TIME LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100. Corequisite: GEOS 222.
Companion lab to GEOS 222.

GEOS 227. CRITICAL CARTOGRAPHIES. 5 Credits.

Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.
Focuses on mastering and critically evaluating the historic and contemporary uses of maps as both scientific and artistic representations of geographic reality, environmental as well as cultural. Special attention is directed toward maps as communication devices. The course is of value for those wishing to move on to geographic information systems (GIS) courses as well as general background for geography, social science, humanities, and education majors.

GEOS 230. WORLD GEOGRAPHY. 5 Credits.

Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
A survey of world geographical relationships. Includes an examination of the distribution of selected physical and human phenomena and the processes responsible for the distributions and the varying interrelationships from place to place between humans and the environment.

GEOS 235. ENERGY/WATER NEXUS. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: SUST 235.
Satisfies: a BACR for social sciences.
Energy and water are intrinsically linked. Each is needed to extract, harness, and transport the other and modern society demands that both are readily available. This class will review water availability, use, classifications and spatiotemporal considerations. Students will learn about the history and current state of technology of energy systems. The water energy nexus and how it prevails in different systems will be discussed throughout the course.

GEOS 305. INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: completion of the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement.
An introduction to the nature, occurrence, distribution and interrelationships of phenomena in the oceans, the basins and margins.

GEOS 306. WILDFIRE ACTIVITY MAPPING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 113, GEOS 323, or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to historical and active wildfire mapping. Covers various wildfire data sources, methods for mapping historical versus active fires, and limitations of current GIS workflows in the field. This course is project-based and considered an upper-level GIS elective.

GEOS 311. EARTH MATERIALS. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, CHEM 171 or HONS 171, and CHEM 171L. Corequisite: GEOS 311L.
An introduction to the materials that comprise the solid earth, including minerals, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Includes discussions of their occurrence, associations and uses. Methods of identification are stressed during laboratory exercises. Companion course to GEOS 311L.

GEOS 311L. EARTH MATERIALS LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, CHEM 171 or HONS 171, and CHEM 171L. Corequisite: GEOS 311.
Companion lab to GEOS 311.

GEOS 312. FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCIENCE. 3 Credits.

Cross-listed: BIOL 312, PLAN 312.
Pre-requisites: MTHD 104 or completion of the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement. Corequisite: BIOL 312L, GEOS 312L, or PLAN 312L.
A general introduction to physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Concepts of soil sustainability and environmental planning are highlighted. Companion course to BIOL 312L, GEOS 312L, or PLAN 312L.

GEOS 312L. FUNDAMENTALS OF SOIL SCIENCE LAB. 1 Credit.

Cross-listed: BIOL 312L, PLAN 312L.
Pre-requisites: MTHD 104 or completion of the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement. Corequisite: BIOL 312, GEOS 312, or PLAN 312.
Companion lab to BIOL 312, GEOS 312, or PLAN 312.

GEOS 313. IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 311. Corequisite: GEOS 313L.
A comprehensive study of the classification, description, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Covers the use of minerals in helping to interpret the geologic and tectonic significance of the rocks in which they are found. Builds on skills learned in GEOS 311 and stresses hand sample and thin section descriptive techniques. Weekly laboratories as well as one weekend field trip are required. Companion course to GEOS 313L.

GEOS 313L. IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 311. Corequisite: GEOS 313.
Companion lab to GEOS 313.

GEOS 314. WEATHER FORECASTING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 204 or 10 credits of upper division science or permission of the instructor.
Includes the principles of meteorology, description and use of instruments, weather and climate controls. Students gain experience using contemporary data from NOAA/NWS and elsewhere for analyses in weather forecasting.

GEOS 315. WATER RESOURCES. 3 Credits.

Cross-listed: PLAN 315.
Pre-requisites: completion of the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement. Corequisite: GEOS 315L or PLAN 315L.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
A comprehensive examination of water resources. Examines the role of the hydrologic cycle and the geography of freshwater in human-environment interactions with an emphasis on national and international water resource issues. Companion course to GEOS 315L or PLAN 315L.

GEOS 315L. WATER RESOURCES LAB. 1 Credit.

Cross-listed: PLAN 315L.
Pre-requisites: completion of the Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning requirement. Corequisite: GEOS 315 or PLAN 315.
Companion lab to GEOS 315 or PLAN 315.

GEOS 317. RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: PLAN 317.
Pre-requisites: successful completion of at least one natural science BACR and ENGL 201.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
Studies the nature and distribution of natural resources, and problems and principles of their use and conservation.

GEOS 320. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, GEOS 113. Corequisite: GEOS 320L.
Relationship of human activities with earth materials and processes, water quality, atmospheric composition, waste disposal, natural resources, the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to environmental problems. Field trips emphasize local environmental problems. Companion course to GEOS 320L.

GEOS 320L. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, GEOS 113. Corequisite: GEOS 320.
Companion lab to GEOS 320.

GEOS 321. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES. 5 Credits.

Notes: this course satisfies a core requirement in the geosciences curriculum.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with an emphasis on its applications in the Social Sciences, including census data, demographic analysis, social justice, and related mapping of social phenomena. Includes hands-on GIS work in the lab.

GEOS 323. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I: SPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: ENVS 323.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with an emphasis on its applications in the environmental sciences. May be taken to satisfy a core requirement in the Geosciences programs. Includes hands-on GIS work in the lab and instructor demos of various toolsets with increasing complexity.

GEOS 325. WETLAND SCIENCE I. 3 Credits.

Cross-listed: BIOL 325, PLAN 325.
Pre-requisites: completion of at least one Natural Science BACR course. Corequisite: BIOL 325L, GEOS 325L, or PLAN 325L.
An introduction to the fundamental processes that form and sustain wetlands. Emphasizes the distinctive hydrology, soils, and vegetation of wetlands and field experience in delineation. Examines issues of regulation. Focus is on Pacific Northwest wetlands. Companion course to BIOL 325L, GEOS 325L, or PLAN 325L.

GEOS 325L. WETLAND SCIENCE I LAB. 1 Credit.

Cross-listed: BIOL 325L, PLAN 325L.
Pre-requisites: completion of at least one Natural Science BACR course. Corequisite: BIOL 325, GEOS 325, or PLAN 325.
Companion lab to BIOL 325, GEOS 325, or PLAN 325.

GEOS 329. REMOTE SENSING WITH SATELLITE IMAGERY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323.
Today, there is a wealth of both historic and newly online airborne and spaceborne imagery. This course concentrates on examining the various types of aerial and satellite sensing platforms and datasets and investigates how existing and future systems will be used for the extraction of features for analysis.

GEOS 332. LANDSCAPES OF THE PAST. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Investigations of ancient and historic landscapes address the complexities of how humans have shaped and been shaped by their environment. Landscape archaeology is a multidisciplinary approach that interprets the natural and cultural environments of the past through geoarchaeological and geoscience techniques. This course covers these principles and provides fundamental skills in surveying, spatial analysis, remote sensing, and the creation of augmented reality 3D visualizations.

GEOS 333. REMOTE SENSING WITH LIDAR. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323.
Recent technological advances in geophysical survey equipment and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) have produced high-resolution remote sensing datasets ideal for investigating the Earth’s surface. These require unique computational analysis techniques and are increasingly important for understanding the interface of human impacts to the natural environment. This course provides an overview of these techniques and concentrates on building skills in analysis of datasets produced by LiDAR.

GEOS 335. REMOTE SENSING WITH DRONES. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323.
The increasing ubiquity of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVS)/drones in remote sensing investigations has led to a need for understanding not only the sensor platforms, but how to analyze and investigate the datasets generated by these machines. This course provides an overview of the different types of data that can be gathered by drones and how to investigate them using GIS, photogrammetry, and other geospatial software programs.

GEOS 352. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior standing or permission of instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
Examines the breadth of research in situated within the interdisciplinary field of environmental justice with a particular focus on the nexus between the process of urbanization and the natural environment. Emphasis is placed on the spatial expression of socio-environmental inequalities (based on class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, etc.), as they get written into, or reflected by, the myriad urban landscapes of the world.

GEOS 355. THE GEOGRAPHY OF THEME PARKS. 2 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
Examination of the geographic history and characteristics of the theme park as a 'serious' part of the built environment. Considers the environmental, economic, political, cultural, architectural, and technological impacts of theme parks on urban and suburban space around the world.

GEOS 359. POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–global studies.
Identifies and critically evaluates the geographic distribution of political actions and outcomes in the context of globalization. Topics include state, regional, national and international electoral politics, international war and conflict, access to natural resources, nationalism, democratization, terrorism, processes of militarization, and the politics of identity.

GEOS 360. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 or GEOS 113 or GEOS 115.
Introduction to geologic hazards affecting humankind; emphasis on earthquakes, volcanism, floods and landslides. Applications to geological site engineering and city/regional planning.

GEOS 365. URBAN GEOGRAPHY: ORIGINS, FORMS AND FUNCTIONS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: sophomore standing or permission of instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
Explores the complexity of the city in a global context, and the ensemble of economic, political, social, and environmental forces that are constituted in and reverberate through and across particular urban landscapes. Topical issues addressed include the evolution of urban spatial forms, policy and governance, and the city as an increasingly globalizing entity. Emphasis is placed on contemporary urban problems (widening inequality, deepening poverty, and social marginalization.

GEOS 396. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.

Experimental.

GEOS 408. INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, GEOS 222, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 408L.
Principles of paleontology including methods of description and analyses of invertebrate fossils. Emphasis on principles of morphology and evolutionary development of invertebrates and the use of invertebrate fossils in biostratigraphy and paleoecology. Companion course to GEOS 408L.

GEOS 408L. INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, GEOS 222, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 408.
Companion lab to GEOS 408.

GEOS 410. GEOMORPHOLOGY. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 or GEOS 113 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 410L.
Covers the development of the surface features of the earth caused by mountain-building, weathering, erosion, and deposition. Companion course to GEOS 410L.

GEOS 410L. GEOMORPHOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 or GEOS 113 or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 410.
Companion lab to GEOS 410.

GEOS 411. SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 222 and GEOS 311. Corequisite: GEOS 411L.
Study of the origin of sediments and sedimentary rocks for advanced geology majors. Description and interpretation of facies and environments of deposition and classification of clastic and chemical sedimentary rocks are emphasized. Stratigraphic principles, nomenclature, and correlation are also treated. Companion course to GEOS 411L.

GEOS 411L. SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 222 and GEOS 311. Corequisite: GEOS 411.
Companion lab to GEOS 411.

GEOS 412. ADVANCED & APPLIED OPTICAL MINERALOGY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 313. Corequisite: GEOS 412L.
Builds on GEOS 311 and GEOS 313 to describe the external morphology of well-formed crystals using crystallographic techniques. In addition, the techniques of optical mineralogy using a petrographic microscope are introduced as a tool for identifying rock-forming (silicate) minerals in professional settings. Companion course to GEOS 412L.

GEOS 412L. ADVANCED & APPLIED OPTICAL MINERALOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 313. Corequisite: GEOS 412.
Companion lab to GEOS 412.

GEOS 420. DIGITAL GEOARCHAEOLOGY. 5 Credits.

Notes: satisfies an elective in the GIS minor.
Pre-requisites: GEOS 321.
GIS has become an indispensable tool for archaeological investigations of the past and is used to both find archaeological sites and contextualize their location compared to the cultural and natural landscape. This course provides an overview of digital geoarchaeology, the intersection of archaeological research, geoscience techniques, and computational skills through a specific training in the application of geospatial technology to the analysis of archaeological sites and historic landscapes.

GEOS 421. DENDROCHRONOLOGY. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior standing or permission of instructor.
Introduces the science of tree ring analysis known as dendrochronology. This sub-discipline of physical geography is the application and study of tree rings as indicators of environmental phenomena in the surrounding environment. Students gain exposure to the fundamentals of tree-ring science, the history of the discipline, and various uses of tree rings in scientific research.

GEOS 426. CRITICAL GIS. 5 Credits.

Notes: lecture and laboratory. May be stacked with GEOS 528.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
Covers the scope and breadth of Critical GIS (Geographic Information Science), which refers to the examination of GIS technology through the lens of critical social theory.

GEOS 427. DESKTOP MAPPING. 3 Credits.

Advanced production of maps and related graphics using computer techniques. Emphasis is placed on the design and creation of thematic maps. Lecture and laboratory.

GEOS 428. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 426.
Advanced course in geographic information systems and their applications. Through detailed examination of conceptual issues and in-depth laboratory work, students develop and implement a project that involves the computer analysis of spatial data. Lecture and laboratory.

GEOS 429. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS III. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 428 or permission of the instructor.
Advanced course in geographic information systems and their applications. Each student is responsible for designing and carrying out a GIS project using real world data. Course required for certification in GIS.

GEOS 430. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY. 3 Credits.

Notes: Designed to be taken in series with GEOS 431.
Pre-requisites: GEOS 100. Corequisite: GEOS 430L.
Analysis of the kinematics and mechanics of rock deformation and an introduction to geologic structures. Laboratory introduces the solution of structural geology problems, the map-based interpretation of geologic structures, and the creation of geologic cross sections. Companion course to GEOS 430L.

GEOS 430L. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100. Corequisite: GEOS 430.
Companion lab to GEOS 430.

GEOS 431. FIELD METHODS AND REGIONAL GEOLOGY. 3 Credits.

Notes: Continuation of an introduction to geologic structures from GEOS 430. Weekly field trips and laboratory exercises required.
Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 and GEOS 430. Corequisite: GEOS 431L.
An exploration of the regional geosciences with context to tectonic setting. Introduction to the field study of geologic problems with weekly field trips that emphasize the collection and analysis of geologic field data to solve complex geologic problems. Companion course to GEOS 431L.

GEOS 431L. FIELD METHODS AND REGIONAL GEOLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 and GEOS 430. Corequisite: GEOS 431.
Companion lab to GEOS 431.

GEOS 441. DISASTERS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 113 and GEOS 200, or permission of instructor.
Examines the complexity of both natural and technological disasters by exploring various social, political, and economic aspects regarding human exposure and vulnerability to various hazards. Concepts of sustainability and risk are weighed and considered. The course then shifts to the physical sciences to investigate the mechanisms and processes associated with natural events.

GEOS 449. ADVANCED SPATIAL ANALYSIS. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: ENVS 449.
Pre-requisites: GEOS 323 or ENVS 323, or GEOS 321.
An advanced course building Geographic Information System models for environmental applications. Students design, collect data, process data, and build several spatial models of increasing complexity. Covers advanced techniques in Geographic Information Systems including raster processing, analysis methods and layout design, and documents projects in a report form and creates production quality maps.

GEOS 450. RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 113 or GEOS 200 or permission of the instructor.
Covers the breadth of scholarship in natural and/or cultural resource management. Immerses students in active projects with community organizations, non-profits, and NGOs, etc. situated in the broader Inland Northwest region.

GEOS 455. GEOSCIENCE FIELD TRIP. 4 Credits.

Notes: Course fee. This course is not offered every year.
Pre-requisites: GEOS 100 or permission of the instructor.
A week-long field study of the rocks and landforms of a geologically interesting region. Geologic evolution and structural geology of the region are discussed. Regions vary depending on instructor. A field trip is held during the week of spring break.

GEOS 458. DIGITAL CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323.
Cultural resource management (CRM) both within the United States and abroad has focused on inventorying and evaluating archaeological and cultural heritage sites. GIS is increasingly used by both CRM firms and government agencies to model potential site locations, to manage known sites, and to assist in public education of the past and its importance to the present. This course focuses on the unique abilities of GIS as a tool for CRM and public archaeology/heritage programs.

GEOS 460. GEOSTATISTICS. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323, Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning proficiency, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 460L.
Introduction of geostatistics using spatial data. Basic statistics are applied to real-world problems using software such as R, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Excel. Companion course to GEOS 460L.

GEOS 460L. GEOSTATISTICS LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 321 or GEOS 323, Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning proficiency, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 460.
Companion lab to GEOS 460.

GEOS 462. PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 311 and GEOS 313, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 462L.
Abundance of elements in the solar system. Origin, chemical evolution, and composition of the earth; distribution and migration of chemical elements; differentiation history of the earth into crust, mantle and core. Origin and evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Chemical processes involved in weathering of rocks, chemical sedimentation, and diagenesis. Companion course to GEOS 462L.

GEOS 462L. PRINCIPLES OF GEOCHEMISTRY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 311 and GEOS 313, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 462.
Companion lab to GEOS 462.

GEOS 466. ISOTOPIC TRACERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ≥C in CHEM 173 and CHEM 173L. Corequisite: GEOS 466L.
Focuses on the principles and application of radioactive, cosmogenic, and stable isotopes as environmental tracers in soil, water, atmosphere and biological materials. Topics include the variations in isotopic composition of natural materials and the processes behind these variations (e.g., fractionation, radioactive decay, mineral dissolution). Companion course to GEOS 466L.

GEOS 466L. ISOTOPIC TRACERS IN THE ENVIRONMENT LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: ≥C in CHEM 173 and CHEM 173L. Corequisite: GEOS 466.
Companion lab to GEOS 466.

GEOS 470. GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning proficiency, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 470L.
Introduces basic quantification of the relationship between groundwater and geologic materials, emphasizing the principles governing groundwater flow. Lectures and the weekly labs apply professional techniques in real-life community-based projects. Companion course to GEOS 470L.

GEOS 470L. GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning proficiency, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 470.
Companion lab to GEOS 470.

GEOS 471. GIS PROGRAMMING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 428 or permission of instructor.
An advanced GIS course focusing on the computer programming languages utilized within GIS software. A variety of GIS-related programming languages, methods, and techniques are surveyed. Students gain direct experience developing algorithms, reading existing code, and writing programs in a selected programming language. This is a lab-intensive course; prior computer programming experience recommended but not required.

GEOS 475. ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF SOILS: INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, or permission of instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 475L.
Introduction to theory and lab practice in geotechnical engineering. Content includes engineering properties of soil and rock; ASTM standard laboratory tests for particle size distribution, liquidity/plasticity, compaction, shear strength, permeability, consolidation, CBR, and others; as well as Unified Soil Classification System. Companion course to GEOS 475L.

GEOS 475L. ENGINEERING GEOLOGY OF SOILS: INTRODUCTION TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, or permission of instructor. Corequisite: GEOS 475.
Companion lab to GEOS 475.

GEOS 485. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OF SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 475. Corequisite: GEOS 485L.
Uses the principles of rock and soil mechanics to evaluate the stability of natural and engineered slopes, aid in design of earthworks and foundations, and plan the construction of dams, levees, aqueducts, and other waterworks. Companion course to GEOS 485L.

GEOS 485L. GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OF SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 475. Corequisite: GEOS 485.
Companion lab to GEOS 485.

GEOS 490. THE GEOSCIENTIST'S CAPSTONE. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: senior standing or permission of the instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
A departmental capstone highlighting original geoscience research projects designed by students, integrating both physical and human geoscience topics. Students have the opportunity to apply geoscience skills they have gained to a topic of significance to current understanding of human-environment interactions. Culminates in a geoscience conference where students plan, develop, and display their final projects.

GEOS 490A. SENIOR CAPSTONE: WATER AND THE WEST, WATER RESOURCES IN ARID LANDS. 3 Credits.

Pre-requisites: junior or senior standing. Corequisite: GEOS 490AL.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
Focuses on the global controls on aridity and the relationship between human activities and water resources in the largely arid western U.S. Includes topographic and meteorological controls on the distribution and quantity of water, the history of conflict over scarce water resources, and construction of dams, aqueducts, and other engineered structures to solve water scarcity problems. Case studies involve examples from the western U.S. and other countries. Companion course to GEOS 470AL.

GEOS 490AL. SENIOR CAPSTONE: WATER AND THE WEST, WATER RESOURCES IN ARID LANDS LAB. 1 Credit.

Pre-requisites: junior or senior standing. Corequisite: GEOS 490A.
Companion lab to GEOS 490A.

GEOS 490B. CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY. 3 Credits.

Cross-listed: ENVS 490.
Pre-requisites: CHEM 172 and CHEM 172L or permission of instructor. Corequisite: ENVS 490L or GEOS 490BL.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
Application of principles of geochemistry to environmental problems, including air and water pollution, water-rock interactions, weathering, and soil formation. Origin, distribution, and transport of inorganic contaminants in air, water, soils, sediments, and plants. The behavior of trace elements in near surface environments. Companion course to ENVS 490L or GEOS 490BL.

GEOS 490BL. CAPSTONE: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY LAB. 1 Credit.

Cross-listed: ENVS 490L.
Pre-requisites: CHEM 172 and CHEM 172L or permission of instructor. Corequisite: ENVS 490 or GEOS 490B.
Companion lab to ENVS 490 or GEOS 490B.

GEOS 490G. SENIOR CAPSTONE: GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP. 7-10 Credits.

Notes: course fee is to be determined. Field work is expected everyday of class.
Pre-requisites: junior or senior standing and permission of the instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
Applies geologic principles to the solution of field problems in the Rocky Mountain fold and thrust belt. This four-week course of study includes geologic mapping, description of stratigraphic relationships, structural analysis, and GPS data collection. Maps, cross-sections, and a formal report of the field study are required. The location of the camp can vary.

GEOS 491. SENIOR THESIS. 1-4 Credits.

Notes: Students should complete a GEOS 499 project with the professor prior to beginning a Senior Thesis. This course may be repeated to complete the required 4 total credits.
Pre-requisites: senior standing and permission of the instructor.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
Directed research on a geoscience problem and organization of the results for oral and written presentation. End of program assessment, Senior Thesis, that meets the Department of Geosciences standards is required.

GEOS 493. GIS PORTFOLIO. 2 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 429 or permission of the instructor.
Exit synthesis for GIS studies. Students produce two versions of a GIS portfolio highlighting their GIS work, one in hard copy and one on the web using appropriate web publishing and map serving software.

GEOS 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.

Experimental.

GEOS 497. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 100, or GEOS 113, or permission of instructor.
Attend, participate, and ask questions during seminars and special events. Focuses on preparations for employment and graduate school including CV or Resume reviews and writing cover letters.

GEOS 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Directed study.

GEOS 523. GIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. 5 Credits.

Emphasizes the application of Geographic Information Systems in the Environmental Sciences, including mapping and analysis of topographical, hydrological, geological, biological, and other environmental data. Includes hands-on GIS work in the lab.

GEOS 524. GIS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. 5 Credits.

Introduces Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in the field of public health. Covers basic digital mapping and spatial analysis concepts and techniques that can be applied toward the study of the health and wellness of populations. Students gain hands-on experience working with GIS software in a laboratory setting.

GEOS 527. DESKTOP MAPPING. 3 Credits.

Explores the various ways that spatial information is communicated through cartographic and related methods. Covers both contemporary theories of cartographic visualization and applied digital design strategies. Includes hands-on lab work using GIS and related mapping software.

GEOS 528. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS I. 5 Credits.

Introductory survey of geographic information systems. Focus is on (1) computer techniques for the input, storage, manipulation, analysis and output of spatial data and (2) the social and administrative creation and dissemination of geographic information.

GEOS 536. GIS PROGRAMMING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 528.
Advanced course in GIS programming concepts and techniques. Students are exposed to both legacy and contemporary programming languages integrated with GIS packages. Emphasis is on creating and interpreting scripts using languages supported by current GIS software. Includes hands-on GIS and programming work in the lab.

GEOS 538. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 528.
Focuses on the design and implementation of geographic information system database structures. Emphasis is on the construction and analysis of contemporary and legacy vector structures, with basic exploration of raster structures. Includes hands-on GIS work in the lab.

GEOS 548. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS III. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 528 and GEOS 538.
Advanced course in GIS project design and execution. Students are expected to work independently on a “real-world” GIS project based on either thesis research or an on-going project developed with a community partner. Students oversee all stages of the project from design to data collection to presentation of results. Required for the GIS Certificate program.

GEOS 549. GIS PORTFOLIO. 2 Credits.

Pre-requisites: GEOS 548 or permission of the instructor.
Advanced GIS course for students finishing their graduate degree and/or GIS Certificate program. Offers the opportunity to review and revise previous work, arrange it into a portfolio, provide supporting documentation and metadata, and, optionally, create a web page featuring the portfolio material.

GEOS 599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Independent study.