Course Number: 1390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Introductory Environmental & Physical Geology

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the relationship between human activities, geologic resources and processes and environmental quality. Topics include the relationship between human populations and geologic hazards, as well as how human activities may increase the chances of geologic hazards occurring. Emphasis will be from the geologic perspective, but will include all basic sciences. Field trips are an integral part of this course.

Course Number: 1403
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Geology I: Physical Geology

Course Description:
Earth materials, structures, tectonics, land forms, mineral resources and processes that formed them.

Course Number: 1404
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Geology II: Historical Geology

Course Description:
History of the development of our planet and its inhabitants.

Course Number: 2373
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Optical Mineralogy

Course Description:
In this course, the student will learn about light transmission in minerals, become familiar with the operation and care of the petrographic microscope, learn to identify minerals by optical properties and be able to recognize common and important minerals.

Course Number: 2376
Credit Hours: 3
Title: World and Economic Geography

Course Description:
Regional, national, and continental units considered from the viewpoint of economic resources, resource development, organization, politics, economy, and physical landscape.

Course Number: 2377
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Physical Geography and Geomorphology

Course Description:
Fundamental concepts of local, regional, and global physical geography and geomorphology, including landform features and soils. Geology and Earth Science majors are required to take an additional laboratory component (GEOL 4101 - Geomorphology Lab) to meet degree requirements. (CC No. 1301).

Course Number: 2471
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Mineralogy Petrology

Course Description:
Classification, properties, occurrence and identification of rock-forming minerals.

Course Number: 3101
Credit Hours: 1
Title: Physical Geology Lab Instruction

Course Description:
Advanced laboratory techniques in physical geology. May be repeated for credit.

Course Number: 3315
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Hydrogeology

Course Description:
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic principles of hydrogeology – understanding the geologic factors that control the occurrence, movement, and chemistry of groundwater. We will also examine issues related to groundwater supply and contamination of groundwater.

Course Number: 3316
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Petroleum & Subsurface Geology

Course Description:
This course is to introduce the students to the methods used in petroleum exploration and production, including interpretation of subsurface data used in the oil industry, as well as the environmental and mining industries. Skills learned in this course include petrophysical interpretation of well logs, well log correlation, subsurface contour mapping, and determining what geologic conditions are necessary for the potential accumulation of oil and gas deposits. These methods will be taught, using both computer software and hand interpretation techniques. Other goals of this course include increasing the student’s critical thinking, writing, and oral communication skills through problem sets, class discussions, and a final exploration play report and presentation. Assessment of how well students learned the skills taught in this course will take place through homework grades, two exams, and grades received on their exploration play report and presentation.

Course Number: 3370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Engineering Geology

Course Description:
This course aims to provide the students with the tools required to understand and identify geologic features that could have short and long-term consequences to the environment and overall performance of various engineering structures. Emphasis is given in geologic site characterization techniques, technical writing, geologic map analysis, and the evaluation of geological and geotechnical conditions for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of engineering structures. The course also intends to provide a key understanding of geological processes involved in natural hazards as well as the techniques used to “forecast” and/or mitigate such events. Fundamental knowledge on rock and soil mechanics, geomorphology, sedimentology, and structural geology are also included in this course for wholistic environmental and site characterizations.

Course Number: 3390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Environmental Geography and Geology

Course Description:
The relationship between human activities, geologic resources and processes, and environmental quality. Topics include the consumption of geologic resources and its impact on the environment. The relationship between human populations and geologic hazards. Field trip and special fee required.

Course Number: 3420
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Structural Geology

Course Description:
Rock deformation and geologic structures. Field trip and special fee required.

Course Number: 3450
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Petrology

Course Description:
Classification, properties, occurrence and origin of rocks. Macro and micro techniques for the identification of rocks. Field trip and special fee required.

Course Number: 3600
Credit Hours: 6
Title: Summer Field Camp

Course Description:
Description of stratigraphic sections, preparation of geologic maps and field reports. Conducted off-campus at various field locations. Special field trip fees required.

Course Number: 4101
Credit Hours: 1
Title: Special Topic Earth Science

Course Description:
An individual library, laboratory, or field project. To receive credit, an acceptable report is required. May be repeated for credit.

Course Number: 4301
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Special Topic Earth Science

Course Description:
An individual library, laboratory, or field project. To receive credit, an acceptable report is required. May be repeated for credit.

Course Number: 4303
Credit Hours: 3
Title: GPS Methods and Applications

Course Description:
This course is designed to train students in using several types of GPS instruments to gather field position data for a variety of applications, including GIS. Lectures on GPS fundamentals will be augmented with hands-on training using GPS equipment; including survey-grade GPS, mapping-grade GPS, GPS base stations, hand-held GPS and smartphone GPS.

Course Number: 4311
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Fundamentals of GIS

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with an applied understanding of the concepts and theory behind GIS including spatial data structures, data sources and transfer methods, projections and coordinate systems, georeferencing, geocoding, geodatabase design and management, how to start a GIS project, as well as fundamentals of spatial analysis techniques such as overlay, extraction and interpolation. Concepts presented in lecture will be put into practice through tutorials using the GIS software product ArcGIS 10.x (ESRI, Inc.). The culmination of the course is the presentation of your research project employing the methods learned.

Course Number: 4312
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Advanced GIS

Course Description:
This course is designed to advance a student's knowledge in the rapidly developing field of Geographic Information Science and Systems (GIS). This course is built on the techniques learned in the Fundamentals of GIS course (GEOL 3311) by exposing the student to more advanced methods in developing and utilizing GIS data. Students will gain skills and knowledge of design, planning and error within GIS data management, analytical decision-making techniques and advanced spatial and statistical analysis. Python Script and Model Builder, web mapping and collector, digital image processing and analysis in ArcGIS, and working with LiDAR datasets. Students will gain deep understanding of the potential value of GIS through lectures, exercises of the latest versions of ArcGIS software and research in a broad range of applications.

Course Number: 4313
Credit Hours: 3
Title: GIS Research Project

Course Description:
This course is designed to advance a student's knowledge to design, manage and complete a research project that emphasizes the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course is built on the techniques learned in GEOL 3311. Undergraduate students will work in groups of 2 to 4. Student groups will agree with the instructor on a suitable problem and then solve it by acquiring, organizing and analyzing data using a GIS. Projects must include a substantive analytical component where GIS is central to the methods used.

Course Number: 4314
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

Course Description:
Remote sensing is a rapidly-evolving science and technology with numerous contributions to the Earth, environmental and ocean sciences, such as monitoring of natural hazards including droughts, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and forest fires. This course introduces students to the principles of remote sensing with its wide applications in the Earth and environmental sciences. Fundamental knowledge is offered on the physics of remote sensing, photogrammetry, remote sensing data acquisition, remote sensing data types (multispectral, hyperspectral, RADAR and LiDAR), and numerous applications. The course will also cover digital image processing and analysis techniques using ENVI software.

Course Number: 4317
Credit Hours: 3
Title: GIS Seminar

Course Description:
A seminar series on topics related to principles, techniques and applications of Geospatial Sciences, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and Drone Photogrammetry. It is meant to expose students to current research and developments in these rapidly advancing fields. Bi-weekly seminars presented on selected topics by students, and speakers from within and outside Lamar University. A student is required to study and discuss and write a summary of at least five out of the 10 seminar topics.

Course Number: 4318
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Drone Photogrammetry

Course Description:
Drones, aka "Unmanned Aerial Systems" (UASs) or "Unmanned "Aerial Vehicle" (UAV), refer to an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft. This course is specifically designed to teach students the ins and outs of operating drones. Topics covered include drone safety and current policies, principles of photogrammetry, cameras and imaging systems, georeferencing, flight planning and how to take aerial photos and videos.

Course Number: 4330
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Geophysics

Course Description:
Application of the principles of physics to geologic problems. Use of geophysical techniques in exploration.

Course Number: 4360
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Field Geology of Texas

Course Description:
Geologic history, topography, physiography, structure and mineral deposits of Texas observed on location at classic geologic exposures across Texas and adjacent states. Camping on and hiking across geologic outcrops will be an integral part of this field experience. Field trip and special fee required. May be repeated for credit as field trip locations change.

Course Number: 4361
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Geochemistry

Course Description:
Application of chemistry to the solution of geological problems.

Course Number: 4370
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Meteorology

Course Description:
Composition and processes of the atmosphere. Weather and climate and their effect on human activities. Air pollution and other human induced changes to the atmosphere.

Course Number: 4380
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Oceanography

Course Description:
Structure, properties and processes of the hydrosphere emphasizing geologic aspects. Role of the seas and oceans in the total environment.

Course Number: 4390
Credit Hours: 3
Title: Rocks and Stars

Course Description:
A conceptual introduction to space science with emphasis on planetary exploration. Visual programs and guest speakers from NASA and other space research facilities are included. For both non-science and science majors.

Course Number: 4410
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Stratigraphy and Sedimentology

Course Description:
Fundamental principles of outcrop, subsurface and sequence stratigraphy. Derivation and deposition of sediments, and environmental interpretation of sedimentary strata.

Course Number: 4420
Credit Hours: 4
Title: Paleontology

Course Description:
Principles of paleontologic interpretation including classification, morphologic analysis and identification of invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. Application of paleontology to stratigraphic correlation. Field trip and special fee required.