Geology

Basic geological concepts, geological time, material of the earth's crust, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, earthquakes, evolution of continents and ocean basins, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics, coastlines.

Structural geology, origin and evolution of life from fossils, geomorphology of landforms, mineral resources and fossil fuels, environmental geology, hydrology, engineering geology. 

Fundamentals of crystallography and the classification, identification, occurrence and origin of the major rock and ore-forming minerals. Concludes by defining sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks in terms of mineral assemblages.

Fundamental polarizing microscope techniques as applied to the identification of crystalline materials. Systematic study of the composition, phase relations and occurrence of rock-forming minerals with an emphasis on their identification in thin section as individuals and as members of mineral assemblages.

Morphology, paleoecology and biostratigraphy of selected groups of marine invertebrates represented in the fossil record; comparisons with modern invertebrates in present-day oceans stressed.

Sedimentary structures, principles of sedimentation, selected sedimentary environments, with emphasis on marine environments, comparison of present-day models with occurrences in the geological record.

Emphasis on the description and classification of folds, cleavages, lineations, joints and faults. Presentation of structural data. Use of primary structures. Salt tectonics. Structure of igneous rocks. Laboratories include stereographic projection, interpretation of geological maps and preparation of geological cross sections.

Principles of stratigraphic mapping. 

Provides an overview of and practical experience with geological techniques used in archaeology, examining the influence of geology on human societies, on the preservation of archaeological sites, and on the potential for re-discovery of those sites. Lectures and laboratory will examine dating methods, alluvial sediments, coastal erosion or buildup, soils, stone tool and other raw materials, the post-depositional evolution of archaeological sites, and paleo environments.

Relationships between various substrate types, mainly in subtidal marine environments, and benthic biotas they support, with examples drawn mainly from Atlantic (temperate and sub-tropical) and Mediterranean areas. Comparisons between present-day relationships and those from fossil record are made.

The role of Geology in the management of our environment. Issues examined may include natural hazards; soil, water, mineral and energy resources; contamination; global systems and change.