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Graduate Course Descriptions
Courses: GEO 500 | GEO 502 | GEO 503 | GEO 505 | GEO 506 | GEO 507 | GEO 508 | GEO 511 | GEO 514 | GEO 515 | GEO 517 | GEO 518 | GEO 519 | GEO 520 | GEO 521 | GEO 522 | GEO 524 | GEO 526 | GEO 528 | GEO 531 | GEO 532 | GEO 533 | GEO 535 | GEO 540 | GEO 542 | GEO 543 | GEO 546 | GEO 549 | GEO 550 | GEO 551 | GEO 552 | GEO 556 | GEO 562 | GEO 564 | GEO 567 | GEO 570 | GEO 571 | GEO 572 | GEO 573 | GEO 581 | GEO 585 | GEO 588 | GEO 589 | GEO 590 |GEO 599 | GEO 600 | GEO 603 | GEO 605 | GEO 607 | GEO 609 | GEO 696 | GEO 697 | GEO 698 | GEO 699
GEO500 Geosciences Research Seminar
Meetings in which first-year graduate students and undergraduates with senior standing learn about the research activities of the Geosciences faculty.Fall, no credits, S/U grading
A practical introduction to geographic information system 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 the first five weeks of semester, which include fieldwork, lectures, demonstrations and software-based analysis of data.
Fall, every year, 1 credit, ABCF grading
principles of chemical thermodynamics to the resolution of geochemical and petrological problems. Begins with the first law and continues through phase transitions, properties of fluids, definitions of fugacity and activity of major and trace elements in fluids and molten solutions; configurational entropies; models quantifying nonideal mixing in solid solutions. Additional topics include interpretation of calorimetric studies and/or solubilities of minerals in aqueous solutions.
Prerequisites: Physical chemistry and thermodynamics or permission of instructor
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO505 Experimental Petrology Laboratory
The course is designed to give the student experience in some or all of the following techniques of experimental petrology: evacuated silica-glass tube experiments, oneatmosphere quenching experiments (with and without controlled atmospheres), 1- to 5- kbar hydrothermal systems (using oxygen buffers where necessary), gas-media experiments up to 7 kbar, and solid-media, pistoncylinder experiments.Requirements: Completion of a project involving several of the above techniques; written report
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Spring, alternate years, 1 credit, ABCF grading
Theory of phase diagrams, Schreinemaker’s rules, heterogeneous equilibria, experimental systems of petrologic interest, and properties of solutions.
Prerequisites:Metamorphic and igneous petrology and physical chemistry or thermodynamics, or permission of instructor
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Discussion of the origin and evolutionary history of selected types of igneous and metamorphic rocks by integrating the principles of heterogeneous phase equilibria, traceelement and isotopic geochemistry, crystal chemistry, and geologic occurrence.
Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO508 The Rock-Forming Minerals
GEO 508 The Rock-Forming Minerals Study of the crystal chemistry, intracrystalline cation distribution (homogeneous equilibria) stability, and paragenesis of the rock-forming minerals. Special emphasis is placed on amphiboles, feldspars, micas, and pyroxenes.Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 511 Computer Programming for the Geosciences
An introduction to object-oriented programming in Java for geoscience students. Participants are required to develop interactive programs to serve as educational or research tools pertaining to topics within the geosciences. These programs, or applets, include a graphical user interface that enables users to control parameters and observe results. The applets are posted on the Web.Prerequisite: Geosciences graduate standing
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO514 Introduction to Physical Hydrogeology
Surface hydrology. Principles of groundwater flow.Well hydraulics. Geology of groundwater occurrence. Water quality and groundwater contamination. Hydrologic site evaluation.Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Dynamics of fluids in porous media. Fundamentals of physical hydrogeology. Quantitative analysis of regional groundwater system and well hydraulics. Introduction to numerical simulation techniques. Hydrodynamic dispersion and basic concepts of contaminant transport.
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
The structure/property/composition relationships in solids. An introduction to the common structure types and how they illustrate principles useful in understanding more complex solid-state materials. Applications of modern scattering techniques to the study of solids, particularly Earth materials, are also included.
Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
An intensive study of the formation, deposition, lithification, and diagenesis of carbonate sediments. Lectures and seminars emphasize principles of carbonate deposition, facies relationships, and chemistry. Laboratories emphasize binocular and petrographic analysis of recent and ancient carbonates.
Spring, alternate years, 4 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 519 Geochemistry of Natural Waters
A comprehensive quantitative treatment of the processes controlling the chemistry of polluted and unpolluted surface and groundwaters. Topics covered include thermodynamics and kinetics of water-rock interaction; mineral solubility; chemical speciation; redox reactions; adsorptions; carbonate chemistry; and speciation, mobility, and toxicity of metal ions. Based on a knowledge of these processes, the chemical composition of a wide variety of surface and groundwaters is interpreted. Water-quality criteria and their application are also discussed.Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 520 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: Physical Geology
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 521 Isotope and Trace Element Geology
Application of radiogenic isotopes and trace elements to the petrogenesis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary systems including water-rock interaction in diagenetic and hydrothermal systems. Evaluation of radiogenetic techniques for determining the ages of rocks and minerals.Spring, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
The chemical, physical, and petrologic properties of meteorites are reviewed. These data and data for the moon and the terrestrial planets are used to form a picture of the origin, chemical evolution, and accretion of planetary material.
Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 524 Organic Contaminant Hydrology
There are a host of chemical, biological, and physical processes that affect the transport and fate of organic chemicals in natural waters. This course concerns understanding these processes and the structure-activity relationships available for predicting their rates. The major focus of this class is on contaminant hydrology of soil and aquifer environments, and includes the principles behind remediation and containment technologies. This course is offered as both MAR 524 and GEO 524.Prerequisite: GEO 526 or MAR 503 or permission of the instructor
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 526 Low-Temperature Geochemistry
Fundamental principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, including isotope effects, as they pertain to geochemical processes occurring in surface and near-surface environments. Consideration is also given to mass transfer process and reaction pathways.Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 528 Carbonate Geochemistry
Examination of the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of the rock-forming carbonates with emphasis on stabilities in the geological environments. Includes study of phase relations; trace and minor element chemistries; and mechanisms of growth, dissolution, and replacement. Use of current research techniques as applied to carbonate minerals.Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Principles of symmetry, single-crystal, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques and elements of crystal structure determination are considered. Use of crystallographic data in the study of mineral systems. Laboratory in diffraction techniques includes extensive use of digital computers.
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 532 Solid-State Geochemistry
The application of crystallographic techniques to problems in mineral chemistry. Concepts of the crystalline state, order-disorder, atom radii, chemical bonding, atom coordination, solid solutions, and physical properties of minerals. Emphasis on silicate and sulfide crystal structures.Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 533 Geochemistry of the Terrestrial Planets
A brief overview of basic principles of geochemistry, including origin of the elements, geochemical and cosmochemical classification of the elements, and a geochemical perspective of the periodic table. This is followed by an examination of the compositions and chemical interactions among the major geochemical reservoirs of the terrestrial planets, including their cores, mantles, crusts and, where relevant, their sedimentary shells.Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
Spring, even years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 535 Regional Structure and Tectonics
Formation and development of continental crust in Phanerozoic mountain belts. The structure and origin of ocean crust, magmatic arcs, and continental margin sequences are studied using geophysical, geochemical, and geologic data from ancient and modern examples.Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 540 Solid Earth Geophysics
An overview of solid earth geophysics. Topics include earthquake and exploratory seismology, gravity, magnetics, geochronolgy, and heat flow. There is an emphasis on how all of these techniques shed light on the nature of the Earth’s interior and dynamics.Prerequisites: Physical geology, undergraduate physics and calculus
Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Introduction to the basic concepts of inverse theory and its application to the study of the internal structure of the Earth and related problems.
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
The history and practice of defining units 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. One three-hour laboratory per week. Laboratory work emphasizes practical techniques in stratigraphy.
Prerequisite: GEO 546 or undergraduate mineralogy and petrology
Fall, 4 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 546 Mineralogy and Petrology
An introduction to mineralogy and petrology, including crystallography, crystal chemistry, mineral identification, and the processes that govern the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Two three-hour laboratories per week.Prerequisite: Undergraduate physical geology and one year of undergraduate chemistry
Spring, 4 credits, ABCF grading
Principles of structural geology, including the recognition and the mechanics crustal structural features. Topics include folding and faulting, stress and strain, and the nature of brittle and ductile lineations and foliations in the crust. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: Undergraduate physical geology
Spring, 4 credits, ABCF grading
Geological, geochemical, and geophysical evidence related to the concepts of plate tectonics and mantle convection. Kinematics and dynamics of plate motions. Origin of first-order crustal structures of continents and ocean basins. Geochemical and thermal evolution of the Earth.
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 551 Physics of the Earth I
Study of the internal structure and properties of the Earth as revealed by field and laboratory investigations. Topics include the rotation and figure of the Earth, gravity anomalies, solid-earth tides, geomagnetism and paleomagnetism, electromagnetic induction, and heat flow and the Earth’s present and past thermal states. May be taken independently of GEO 552.Fall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 552 Physics of the Earth II
Study of the Earth’s structure and properties based on evidence from seismology and highpressure geophysics. Topics include fundamental principles of elastic wave theory, body and surface wave propagation in layered media, earthquake source mechanisms, free oscillations of the Earth, and rheological properties of the Earth’s interior. May be taken independently of GEO 551.Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 556 Solid-State Geophysics
Application of lattice dynamics and equations of state of solids to studies in high-pressure, high-temperature geophysics. Reviews experimental data from physical acoustics, static and shock wave compression, and theoretical results from finite strain and atomistic models.Prerequisites: GEO 551 and 552, or permission of instructor
Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 562 Early Diagenesis of Marine Sediments
The course treats qualitative and quantitative aspects of the early diagenesis of sediments. Topics include diffusion and adsorption of dissolved species; organic matter decomposition and storage; and diagenesis of clay materials, sulfur compounds, and calcium carbonates. The effects of bioturbation on sediment diagenesis are also discussed. This course is offered as both MAR 562 and GEO 562.Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Numerical solution methods for the equations of incompressible flow in porous media with special emphasis on groundwater flow. Finite difference and finite element methods for steady-state and transient flows-boundary conditions, range of validity and stability of the numerical schemes, and numerical artifacts. The approach is hands on, with example problems being computed. This course is offered as both GEO 564 and AMS 562.
Prerequisite: AMS 526 or permission of instructor.
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 567 Sedimentary Rocks and Crustal Evolution
An examination of major and trace elements and isotopic composition of terrigenous sedimentary rocks within a framework of tracing the composition and evolution of the continental crust. Emphasis is placed on interpreting sedimentary compositions in terms of provenance and sedimentary history (e.g., weathering, diagenesis, recycling). Relationships between sediment composition and tectonic setting is also examined.Spring, 3 credits, ABCF grading
A survey of fundamental mechanics aspects of earthquake rupture; reviews concepts of fracture mechanics, elastodynamics, and experimental rock mechanics. Topics include state of stress in the lithosphere, theoretical models of earthquake instability, energetics of faulting, representation of dynamic elastic field generated by earthquakes, and relation of seismic signals to the kinematics and dynamics of seismic source.
Prerequisite: GEO 552 or permission of instructor
Spring, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 571 Mechanics of Geologic Materials
Elastic, thermal, and anelastic properties of geological materials. The course emphasizes a thermodynamic characterization of these properties including irreversible thermodynamics and nonhydrostatic thermodynamics. Specific applications to the Earth’s environment are discussed.Prerequisites: GEO 551, 552: or permission of instructor
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Course is intended to expose the student to topics that are at the forefront of current seismological research. Examples include wave propagation in heterogeneous media, earthquake source studies, tsunami generation, and seismic network data analysis.
Prerequisite: GEO 552
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 573 Hydromechanical Behavior of Geomaterials
Fundamentals of the hydromechanical behavior of soil and rock in relation to hydrogeology and geotechnical engineering. Topics include hydraulic permeability and storage capacity of soil and rock; structure and fabric of soil; soil elasticity and plasticity; consolidation, subsidence, and slope stability; rock fracture mechanics; hydraulic and contaminant transport in fractured media.Prerequisites: GEO 309 and GEO 515, or permission of instructor
Fall, alternate years, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 581 Coastal Engineering Geology
Concepts of the mechanics of earth materials and the physics of surficial processes with applications to the coastal environment and engineering. This course is also offered as MAR 581. Prerequisites: Enrollment in MESP or OEN program, or permission of instructorFall, 3 credits, ABCF grading
Special studies directed by various faculty members to be taken for variable and repetitive credit.
Fall, spring, and summer, 1-3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 588 Geological Field Methods for Earth Science Teachers
Geologic mapping techniques, geochemical analytical approach, and hydrological methodologies applied in the field to examples on Long Island. These approaches are designed for developing research projects for secondary students in earth science.Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Summer, 3 credits, ABCF grading
GEO 589 Research for Earth Science Teachers
This course is intended to provide Earth Science teachers or graduate students in the M.A.T. in Earth Science program an opportunity to obtain research experience. A written report is required.Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Summer Sessions I or II, 1-3 credits , ABCF grading
Independent research
Fall, spring, and summer, 1-12 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
Independent research for those students established in a research group.
1-12 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit
Fall and spring, 0-3 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit
Fall and spring, 1-3 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
GEO 605 Topics in Sedimentary Geology-Paleontology
Fall and spring, 1-3 credits, ABCF gradingMay be repeated for credit
Fall and spring, 1-3 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
GEO 609 Topics in Mineralogy and Crystallography
Fall and spring, 1-3 credits, ABCF gradingMay be repeated for credit
presented by visiting scientists as well as by the faculty. Required every semester of all geoscience graduate students.
Fall and spring, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit
Presentation of preliminary research results and current research problems by students and faculty. Required every semester of all geoscience graduate students.
Fall and spring, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit
GEO 698 Geoscience Special Seminar
A weekly series of specialized seminars in which graduate students and faculty discuss specific topics within the subgroups of geology. Research is reviewed, theses are discussed.Fall and spring, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit
Independent research for Ph.D. degree. Open only to candidates for the Ph.D. who have passed the preliminary examination.
Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy (G5); major portion of research must take place on SBU campus, at Cold Spring Harbor, or at Brookhaven National Lab
Fall, spring, and summer, 1-9 credits, S/U grading
May be repeated for credit