Geology is the study of this planet and our neighboring planets in space—their composition, processes, and history. The degrees offered are the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Science in Geology. The curriculum includes basic courses in geology and other cognate subjects and provides for independent research, field application, and interdepartmental programs, such as Environmental Studies, when desired.

The curriculum and courses offered in Geology stress the physical framework of the environment and its relationships to organisms and to man. The college is located in an excellent geologic area with easy access to deserts, several mountain ranges, oil fields, agricultural areas, and the Pacific Coast.

Graduates with degrees in Geology have excellent employment opportunities both locally and elsewhere in petroleum and minerals exploration, water resources, land use, and waste disposal management. The degree program also provides a strong foundation for secondary school science teaching or graduate study in geology. Students planning on attending graduate school are advised to pursue the BS degree as the course work for this degree, particularly the cognate courses, generally represents the minimum requirements for acceptance into a graduate program, including the Master of Science program in Geology at CSUB. Visit our website at http://www.csub.edu/geology.

The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology are:

1. All of the following courses in Geology (40 units):

a. GEOL 201, 303, 306, 307, 309, and 490

b. Two additional five-unit courses in Geology (GEOL 100 may not be used for this requirement)

 

2. A minimum of six courses (30 units) in cognate areas:

a. MATH 191 and either MATH 192 or MATH 140

b. CHEM 211, 212

c. PHYS 201, 202

 

3. An approved minor (20 units*). Note that courses required as cognates for the major cannot count toward the minor.

* Approved by your major advisor or the Department Chair.

 

The requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology are:

1. All of the following courses in Geology:

a. GEOL 201, 303, 306, 307, 309, 310 or 325, 480, 490, 495

b. All of the following courses in one of the two options listed below:

GEOL 205 or 370B, 320, 475 (Environmental)

GEOL 305 or 370B, 308, 460 or 477 or 577 (Traditional)

 

2. The following cognates are required:

a. CHEM 211 and 212

b. PHYS 201 and 202, or 221 and 222

c. MATH 211, 212, 222, and 140

d. CMPS 212

 

The following additional courses are strongly recommended for students planning graduate studies:

1. CHEM 213

2. PHYS 223

3. BIOL 203 and 210

Although no minor is required for the BS degree, a minor in Geology is available, consisting of 20 units, at least 10 of which must be in upper division courses that count toward the major. However, only one of the following courses may be counted toward the minor in Geology: GEOL 100 or GEOL 201.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) has authorized CSUB to offer a single subject matter preparation program in Natural Sciences leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. This course work satisfies the course requirements for a "Secondary Teaching Credential in Science." The program consists of three components: I. Primary Concentration (major), II. Secondary Concentration (minor), and III. Breadth (cognates). Program completion leads to a BA degree in Natural Sciences with a major in the area of primary concentration and a minor in the secondary concentration.

Following is the course work required for a Natural Science Teacher Preparation Program with a Primary Concentration in Geology. Additional information may be obtained from the Physics/Geology Department office (661-664-3027)

Note: All courses must be completed with their respective laboratory components.

 

I. Primary Concentration in Geology

GEOL 201, 205, 303, 306, 307, 309, 320 and 490

 

II. Secondary Concentration and III. Breadth

Select one of the following sets of courses:

1. Secondary Concentration in Biology

BIOL 210, 211, 212 plus two additional 300 or 400-level Biology courses acceptable for the major; CHEM 211 and 212; PHYS 110, 201 or 221, 202 or 222 and 203 or 223

 

2. Secondary Concentration in Chemistry

CHEM 211, 212, 213 plus two additional 300 or 400-level Chemistry courses acceptable for the major; BIOL 210, 211 and 212; PHYS 110, 201 or 221, 202 or 222 and 203 or 223

 

3. Secondary Concentration in Physics

PHYS 110, 221, 222, 223, 307, and 324; BIOL 210, 211 and 212; CHEM 211 and 212

 

A distinction is made between prerequisite and recommended courses throughout the list of course offerings. Prerequisite courses are indicated where the total subject areas are considered necessary to successfully undertake the course. Recommended courses indicate that knowledge of portions of the subject areas is necessary, but that these portions may be acquired by a student through independent study. In all cases, the courses will be offered assuming the background indicated. The student is to make the decision as to adequate preparation. In cases of doubt, consultation with the instructor is encouraged.

A survey of geologic principles and theories concerning the evolution of the Earth, including the origin of the universe, continents, oceans, atmosphere, and life; practical application of these concepts to societal problems. Introduction to the scientific method of inquiry, including local field trips and the laboratory investigation of various physical science topics. Two lectures per week. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details. [F, W, S]

Introduction to the geologic processes affecting the solid earth and its atmosphere, oceans, and life forms. Emphasis will be placed on our knowledge of the evolution of the earth based on the rock and fossil record. Field and laboratory exercises will include the investigation of physical processes and materials, and the interpretation of environments and ecological associations. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the class schedule for specific details. [F]

Global and local impacts of human manipulation of the environment and geologic processes as hazards. Laboratory exercises and field studies will emphasize geologic hazards affecting California. Includes 2 lab periods per week. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details. [S]

Analysis of contemporary and interdisciplinary problems. Topics and prerequisites to be announced. Field and laboratory investigations.

GEOL 289 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to postgraduate students. Interested students should contact the department office.

Note: All upper division courses include two laboratory periods per week, unless otherwise designated.

 

Origin and formation of minerals in the earth’s crust. Laboratory and field investigation of physical (x-ray included), chemical, and optical properties of minerals and mineral deposits. Laboratory and field projects. Co-requisites: CHEM 211 and GEOL 100, 201, or 205 or consent of the instructor. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Origin and evolution of the biosphere. Emphasis on invertebrate comparative morphology, paleoecology, environmental evolution and catastrophic events. Laboratory and field techniques will apply analytical, statistical and computer applications in the interpretation and modeling of morphologic structure and variation, paleoecologic associations and evolutionary sequences. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or 201 or 205. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Origin, formation, and classification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, emphasizing field identification. Spatial, physiochemical, thermodynamic, and petrographic properties of natural earth materials. Field and laboratory investigation and presentation. Prerequisite: GEOL 303. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Reactions of the earth’s crust and surface to internal stresses; folding and faulting; origins of stresses; mountain building. Field and laboratory presentation. Prerequisites: GEOL 201 and PHYS 201 or 221. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Origin of the topography of the continents, with emphasis on the recent evolution of the present land forms and the implications for man. Field and laboratory investigation and presentation. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or 201 or 205 or consent of instructor. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Topics include stratigraphic analysis, environmental reconstruction of stratigraphic sequences, and facies relationships and correlation. Also, the interpretation of modern and ancient sedimentary environments will be studied. Focus will be on sedimentologic and stratigraphic field and laboratory techniques emphasizing the Cenozoic sediments of southern California. Prerequisite: GEOL 100, 201, or 205. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Distribution of elements within the earth, their mobilities and interactions during crustal processes. Methods of investigation, application to geologic and environmental studies and petroleum and minerals exploration. Field and laboratory investigations and presentations. Prerequisites: CHEM 212, GEOL 303 or CHEM 320 or 351. Recommended: MATH 212. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details. [F]

Course develops a scientifically based conceptual model of hydrologic systems. Topics include the hydrologic cycle, surface and groundwater chemistry, geology of hydrological systems and the development, regulation and use of water resources. Environments of streams, lakes, and oceans will be introduced with emphasis on the impact of anthropogenic stresses such as acid rain, and metal and organic chemical pollution on these resources. Prerequisites: GEOL 100 or 201 or 205.

Introduction to applied geophysical methods including reflection and refraction seismology, gravity, magnetics, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetics. In addition to learning the principles behind each method, students will collect, process, and analyze geophysical data. Co-requisite: PHYS 202 or 222 or permission of the instructor. A field trip fee may be required. [W]

Physical and historical geology of selected national parks and monuments, with emphasis on California. Development of an understanding of the potential use of scientific data and knowledge in making land use decisions. Laboratory emphasis on map and photo interpretation. Includes one laboratory period. Prerequisite: GEOL 100 or 201 or 205 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

(formerly GEOL 360)

This course examines historical and present-day issues regarding the use of surface and ground water in the arid southwestern U.S.–particularly California–in an objective and scientific manner. The course is intended for non-science majors and is designed to make them aware of the heavy impact that waste and contamination have on our finite water supply. Prerequisite: student must have completed all lower division physical-science general education requirements. Meets new general education upper division Theme I requirement.

(formerly GEOL 321)

Origin, development and systematic links between the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Human effects on these systems: causes, impacts and mitigations, with emphasis on current societal issues regarding local and global climatic and environmental change. Prerequisite: completion of lower division general education requirements in science and mathematics. Meets new general education upper division Theme I requirement.

Introduction to the Geology of California with emphasis on the mutual interactions of society with its physical environment. After a brief introduction of geology fundamentals, the course will cover the geological evolution of California, geological resources (e.g., minerals, raw building materials, petroleum, soils, groundwater), geological hazards (e.g., landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes), and societal impacts on the physical environment. Examples will be regularly given from all over California. Meets upper division Theme I general education requirement. Prerequisite: completion of lower division general education requirements in science and mathematics of written permission of the instructor.

Processes that influence the behavior of trace metals and nutrient elements in natural waters, soils, and sediments and control the chemical composition of pristine and polluted surface and groundwater. Topics will include a review of pertinent thermodynamic principles, acid-base equilibria, chemistry of dissolved CO2, metal complexation, precipitation and dissolution of solids, adsorption, and redox reactions. Prerequisites: CHEM 212, GEOL 310, or consent of instructor.

Origin, migration and entrapment of hydrocarbons. Exploration methods including sampling and wireline logs, core evaluation, formation testing, seismic methods, log correlations, map construction and interpretations. Prerequisites: GEOL 201, 309, and 307.

Topics will include water budgets, development of the equations of groundwater flow, well mechanics, aquifer properties and impact of groundwater development on aquifers, pump tests and their interpretation, and modeling aquifer response. Course will include local examples in laboratory exercises. Prerequisites: GEOL 320 or consent of instructor.

Topics and prerequisites to be announced. May be repeated for different topics. These will include from time to time such subjects as: geology of petroleum; oceanography; advanced environmental geology; soils geochemistry; hydrology; paleobiology; and paleoecology. Specific areas designated when offered, and prerequisites listed depending on the specific areas. A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details. [F, W, S]

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to postgraduate students. Interested students should contact the department office.

Internships may be arranged by the department with various agencies, businesses, or industries. The assignments and coordination of work projects with conferences and readings, as well as course credits, evaluation, and grading, are the responsibility of the faculty liaison (or course instructor) working with the field supervisor. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. Department will determine credits and application of credit.

The Cooperative Education program offers a sponsored learning experience in a work setting, integrated with a field analysis seminar. The field experience is contracted by the Cooperative Education office on an individual basis, subject to approval by the department. The field experience, including the seminar and reading assignments, is supervised by the cooperative education coordinator and the faculty liaison (or course instructor), working with the field supervisor. Students are expected to enroll in the course for at least two quarters. The determination of course credits, evaluation, and grading are the responsibility of the departmental faculty. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. Department will determine application of credit.

Individual study, under supervision, in scientific investigation. (Experience as a research assistant does not count for credit.) May include research in the areas of curriculum and materials development. May be repeated. Prerequisite: 30 units in Geology and consent of instructor.

Investigation of geologic problems. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in field methodologies and library research, apply laboratory methods to field investigation, and report on their results. A field trip fee may be required. Prerequisites: GEOL 303, 306, 307, and 309 or permission of the instructor.

Fundamentals of surveying and mapping and methods of field investigation in geology. An approved summer field course may be used to satisfy the field course requirement, and is strongly recommended. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and 20 units in Geology (including GEOL 201). A field trip fee may be required. Consult the Class Schedule for specific details.

Graduate courses are listed in the "Graduate Studies" section of the catalog.