Geology (GEOL)

GEOL812
Volcanology and Igneous PetrologyCrosslisted with GEOL 412

Prerequisites: GEOL 201; and either CHEM 109A and 109L or CHEM 113A and 113L

Description: The study of igneous systems, including an investigation of volcanic processes, mineral equilibria, petrography, and the geochemistry of magmas and minerals.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$35

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL815
Geochemical ThermodynamicsCrosslisted with GEOL 415

Prerequisites: MATH 107, GEOL 201

Description: Exploration of the fundamentals of geochemistry from thermodynamics, including the laws of thermodynamics, multicomponent analysis, extrapolation to temperatures and pressures of interest, nonideal solution behavior, phase diagrams, volatile fugacities, and redox reactions.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Offered:FALL/SPR

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL816
Isotope Geochemistry

Prerequisites: GEOL 410

Description: Behavior of stable and radiogenic isotopes in geological and cosmochemical systems. Application of isotope geochemistry to determining the age of rocks, as well as the sources of the chemical components in the rocks.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL817
Organic GeochemistryCrosslisted with GEOL 417

Prerequisites: GEOL 410 and CHEM 251.

Description: Origin, preservation and transport of organic compounds found in the rock record. Applications of organic geochemistry to paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental interpretations as well as discerning the origins of coal, oil and natural gas.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL818
Chemistry of Natural WatersCrosslisted with GEOL 418, NRES 419, NRES 819, WATS 418

Prerequisites: CHEM 109A/L and CHEM 110A/L, CHEM 113A/L and CHEM 114.

Description: Principles of water chemistry and their use in precipitation, surface water, and groundwater studies. Groundwater applications used to determine the time and source of groundwater recharge, estimate groundwater residence time, identify aquifer mineralogy, examine the degree of mixing between waters of various sources and evaluate what types of biological and chemical processes have occurred during the water's journey through the aquifer system.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL819
Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural ResourcesCrosslisted with PLAS 419, GEOG 419, GEOL 419, NRES 420, AGRO 819, GEOG 819, NRES 820

GEOG 418/NRES 418 recommended

Description: Introduction to the practical uses of remote electromagnetic sensing in dealing with agricultural and water-resources issues.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$35

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

GEOL821
Carbonate PetrologyCrosslisted with GEOL 421

Prerequisites: GEOL 301.

Lab focuses on field, petrographic and geochemical methods.

Description: Depositional settings and processes, petrography, geochemistry, diagenesis and geological significance of modern and ancient carbonate rocks and sediments.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL823
Quaternary Paleoclimatology and PaleoecologyCrosslisted with BIOS 423, BIOS 823, GEOL 423

Prerequisites: 12 hrs GEOL or BIOS.

Description: Analysis and interpretation of the Quaternary period's paleoecological data. Patterns of long-term climate variation. Distribution patterns and responses of organisms and ecosystems to Quaternary environmental change.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL824
Biogeochemical CyclesCrosslisted with BIOS 424, BIOS 824, GEOL 424

Prerequisites: CHEM 109A and 109L or CHEM 113A and 113L; 12 hrs GEOL or BIOS.

Description: Chemical cycling at or near the earth's surface, emphasizing interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. Modern processes, the geological record, and human impacts on elemental cycles.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL828
Stratigraphic Architecture and Sequence Stratigraphy

Prerequisites: GEOL 310

Description: Analysis of stratigraphic stacking patterns in sedimentary basins and sequence stratigraphic methods.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL830
Quantitative Methods in PaleontologyCrosslisted with GEOL 430

Prerequisites: GEOL 301.

Description: Numerical and statistical analysis of paleontological data including biometry, syn-ecology, and quantitative biostratigraphy.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL831
Micro-paleontologyCrosslisted with GEOL 431

Prerequisites: At least one of GEOL 103, GEOL 105, or LIFE 121.

Description: Morphology, classification, ecology and geological application of common fossil and extant marine, brackish, and freshwater microfossils.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$20

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL836
Cenozoic Mammal EvolutionCrosslisted with GEOL 436, NRES 436, NRES 836

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Standing

Description: Survey of mammalian evolution with emphasis on the origin, radiation, and phylogenetic relationships of Cenozoic fossil mammals. Overview of climatic and ecological changes affecting mammalian adaptations and hands on experience with fossil specimens.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL840
TectonicsCrosslisted with GEOL 440

Prerequisites: GEOL 400.

Description: Theory of plate tectonics; tectonic controls on rock assemblages; interpretation of regional structure and tectonic history; origin and tectonic evolution of terrestrial planets.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL841
GeophysicsCrosslisted with GEOL 441

Prerequisites: PHYS 142 or PHYS 212

Description: Geophysical techniques to study the Earth: seismology, gravity, magnetics and heat flow.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Offered:FALL

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL842
Environmental Geophysics ICrosslisted with GEOL 442

Prerequisites: MATH 107; PHYS 211; GEOL 101 or 106.

Description: Introduction to the principles of seismic, ground-penetrating radar, and bore-hole geophysical methods and their application to groundwater, engineering, environmental, and archaeological investigations.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

GEOL843
Environmental Geophysics IICrosslisted with GEOL 443

Prerequisites: MATH 107; PHYS 211; GEOL 101 or 106.

Description: Introduction to principles of magnetic, electromagnetic, resistivity, and gravity methods and their application to ground water, engineering, environmental, and archaeological investigations.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

GEOL844
Earth and Environmental MicrobiologyCrosslisted with BIOS 444, BIOS 844, GEOL 444

Prerequisites: 3 hours of BIOS or 3 hours of LIFE; 3 hours of CHEM

Description: An introduction into the role that microorganisms play and have played in natural and man-made environments. Topics covered include microbial diversity and physiology in soil, sediment, and water; microbes in Earth history; biogeochemical cycling; mineral formation and dissolution; biodegradation and bioremediation; biotechnology.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL845
Advanced GeophysicsCrosslisted with GEOL 445

Prerequisites: GEOL 441

Description: Integrative analysis of geophysical data (gravity, magnetics, seismic) with geological information (well logs, tectonic history, etc.)

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL846
Exploration GeophysicsCrosslisted with GEOL 446

Prerequisites: GEOL 485

Description: Geophysical methods used for petroleum exploration: potential fields, seismology, electrical and electromagnetic surveying.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$25

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL850
Surficial Processes and Landscape EvolutionCrosslisted with GEOL 450

Prerequisites: GEOL 301.

Description: Fluvial, glacial, eolian, and coastal processes and landforms. Roles of tectonics, climate, and climate change in landscape evolution. Lab stresses description and interpretation of landforms from remotely-sensed, cartographic, and field data.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$35

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL851
Invertebrate PaleobiologyCrosslisted with GEOL 451, BIOS 451, BIOS 851

Prerequisites: At least one of: GEOL 103, GEOL 105, LIFE 121

Description: Overview of the key traits, relationships and evolutionary dynamics of invertebrate animals over Earth's history, particularly over the Phanerozoic (i.e., the last 540 million years). Emphasis on the use of invertebrate fossil record to test ideas about long term evolutionary patterns as well as learning the histories and basic anatomies of major invertebrate taxa.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL853
GIS in Earth and Atmospheric SciencesCrosslisted with GEOL 453, METR 453, METR 853

Prerequisites: Junior or above standing; and one of the following: GEOL 100 or 101, or METR 100

Description: Basic concepts of GIS, hands-on experience with various case studies from geology, meteorology, climatology and environmental applications.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL855
Computational Methods for Modeling Earth SystemsCrosslisted with GEOL 455

Prerequisites: GEOL 200; MATH 107

Description: A practical introduction to modeling and computational techniques that bridges subdisciplines of geology, with a focus on fluid transport modeling.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Graded
Offered:FALL/SPR

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL857
Ecosystem EcologyCrosslisted with BIOS 457, BIOS 857, GEOL 457

Prerequisites: BIOS 207 and CHEM 110A and 110L and Senior standing

Description: Processes controlling the cycling of energy and elements in ecosystems and how both plant and animal species influence them. Human-influenced global and local changes that alter these cycles and ecosystem functioning.

This course is a prerequisite for: BSEN 954, NRES 954

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

GEOL870
Field Techniques in HydrogeologyCrosslisted with GEOL 470

Prerequisites: GEOL 488/888.

Description: Basic techniques, field procedures, instruments, and software for data interpretation, and characterization of groundwater flow and contaminant transport.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$15

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL872
Water in GeosciencesCrosslisted with GEOL 472

Prerequisites: MATH 106 and 107; PHYS 141; and one of the following: GEOL 101 or 106 or METR 100.

Description: Quantitative approach to water in geological media, earth surface and atmosphere. Understanding and analysis of physical processes involved in groundwater-surface-atmosphere interactions.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

Prerequisites: Senior standing.

Capstone course.

Description: Holistic approach to the selection and analysis of planning strategies for protecting water quality from nonpoint sources of contamination. Introduction to the use of methods of analyzing the impact of strategies on whole systems and subsystems; for selecting strategies; and for evaluating present strategies.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL880
Economic Geology of the MetalsCrosslisted with GEOL 480

Description: Occurrence and utilization of the metallic ores. Elementary theory of ore genesis.

Course details
Credit Hours:2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:2

ACE:

GEOL884
Water Resources SeminarCrosslisted with PLAS 484, GEOG 484, GEOL 484, NRES 484, WATS 484, NRES 884, AGRO 884, GEOG 884, WATS 884

Prerequisites: Junior or above standing

Description: Seminar on current water resources research and issues in Nebraska and the region.

Course details
Credit Hours:1
Max credits per semester:1
Max credits per degree:1
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:1

ACE:

GEOL885
Fossil Fuel Geology and ExplorationCrosslisted with GEOL 485

Prerequisites: GEOL 301.

Description: Geology of coal, oil and gas, and methods of exploration.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$35

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL888
Groundwater GeologyCrosslisted with GEOL 488, NRES 488, NRES 888

Prerequisites: GEOL 100-level course; MATH 106 or equivalent.

Description: Occurence, movement, and development of water in the geologic environment.

This course is a prerequisite for: GEOL 470, GEOL 870; GEOL 986; NRES 918

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL891
Special Topics in GeologyCrosslisted with GEOL 491

Description: Topics vary.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-6
Max credits per semester:6
Max credits per degree:6
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:1-6

ACE:

GEOL897
Economic and Exploration GeologyCrosslisted with GEOL 497

Prerequisites: GEOL 301.

A required parallel course will be indicated by the instructor. Field trips which are required and supported by alumni endowment may be scheduled during semester breaks. Course content will vary on a 3-year rotational basis. Combined lectures, seminars, weekend short courses, and field trips.

Description: E.F. Schramm Course in Economic Geology. Aspects of fossil fuel geology and exploration.

Course details
Credit Hours:2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:6
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:2

ACE:

GEOL925
Seminar in Sedimentology
Course details
Credit Hours:1-2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$70

Credit Hours:1-2

ACE:

GEOL926
Marine Geology and Paleoceanography

Description: Geology of the oceanic realm, formation of oceanic crust, circulation, geochemistry, pelagic sediments and their diagensis, correlation, and oceanic history.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL936
Siliceous Phytoplankton Paleontology

Description: Biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and paleobiogeography of fossil diatoms, silicoflagellates and ebridians.

Course details
Credit Hours:4
Max credits per semester:4
Max credits per degree:4
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:4

ACE:

GEOL939
Seminar in Paleontology
Course details
Credit Hours:1-2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:1-2

ACE:

GEOL940
Advanced Structural Geology
Course details
Credit Hours:1-24
Max credits per semester:24
Max credits per degree:24
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$70

Credit Hours:1-24

ACE:

GEOL945
Seminar in Structural Geology and Tectonics
Course details
Credit Hours:1-2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:1-2

ACE:

GEOL947
Seminar in Geophysics

Can be taken for 1 (no grade, pass/no pass) or for 2 credit hours (grade will be assigned).

Description: Review and discussion of professional research papers in Geophysics.

Course details
Credit Hours:1-2
Max credits per semester:2
Max credits per degree:2
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:1-2

ACE:

GEOL957
Modeling Vadose Zone HydrologyCrosslisted with AGEN 957, BSEN 957, CIVE 957

Prerequisites: MATH 221/821 or equivalent. AGEN/BSEN 350 or NRES 453/853 or equivalent.

Typically offered spring semester in even years.

Description: Principles and modeling of fluid flow and solute transport in the vadose zone. Topics include hydraulic properties of variably saturated media, application of Darcy's Law in variably saturated media, hydrologic and transport processes in the vadose zone, and solution of steady and unsteady flow problems using numerical techniques including finite element methods. Contemporary vadose zone models will be applied to engineering flow and transport problems. Review and synthesis of classic and contemporary research literature on vadose zone hydrology will be embedded in the course.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Offered:SPRING

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL986
Contaminant Hydrogeology

Prerequisites: GEOL 888, MATH 208.

Description: Occurrence, behavior and remediation of contamination in geological media. Fundamentals of physical, mathematical, chemical, and engineering processes affecting movement of contaminants in the hydrogeological environment and their applications. Teamwork, projects, seminar presentations, field trips and invited lectures.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option
Course and Laboratory Fee:$10

Credit Hours:3

ACE:

GEOL988
Introduction to Groundwater Modeling

Prerequisites: GEOL 889, MATH 208 or equivalent, programming language.

Description: Application of fundamentals of modeling techniques (analytical, semi-analytical, finite-difference and finite elements) to the solution of hydrogeological problems. Emphasis on development of model concepts for specific groundwater flow and transport conditions, selection of solution methods, including computer software and hardware, performance of computer modeling, and interpretation of results.

Course details
Credit Hours:3
Max credits per semester:3
Max credits per degree:3
Grading Option:Grade Pass/No Pass Option

Credit Hours:3

ACE: