1996-1997 catalog
Degrees and Programs
Geology
College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics
Department of
Geology and Geophysics
(907) 474-7565
Degrees: B.S., M.S., M.A.T., Ph.D.
Minimum Requirements for Degrees: B.S.: 126-136 credits including summer field courses; M.S.: 30 additional credits, including thesis; Ph.D.: open
Graduates in geology will have broad backgrounds in the earth sciences with firm foundations in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. There are many options available in the geological sciences, and the suggested curricula are intended to be flexible enough to allow the students to pursue their own emphases in the junior and senior years. The bachelor's degree should prepare one for positions with industry or government or for graduate studies. Graduate programs are tailored around minimal core course requirements (M.S. only) to the special research and study interest of the student. In addition to courses listed under the geology and geophysics program, students should check the course listings under the School of Mineral Engineering and the Marine Science program.
All serious students of the geological sciences at UAF should note that in addition to the facilities available directly through the instructional program, there are active research laboratories in the fields of seismology, volcanology, paleomagnetism, isotope geochronology, glaciology and ice physics which are housed in the Geophysical Institute (see also Geophysical Institute under Research). These laboratories can frequently provide topics for M.S. and Ph.D. theses. Other laboratories are also available in other divisions on campus, as listed under Research. There are about 40 professional geoscientists in residence on campus, and graduate students normally participate in the ongoing research of these professionals. Similar possibilities exist for the motivated undergraduate.
In addition to the facilities available directly through instructional programs, there are active research laboratories at UAF in the fields of seismology, volcanology, paleomagnetism, isotope geochronology, glaciology and ice physics. Other laboratories are also available in other divisions on campus, as listed under Research. There are approximately 40 professional geoscientists in residence on campus, and graduate students normally participate in the ongoing research of these professionals. The Alaska Quaternary Center provides students access to a core of scientists and a world-class polar regions library. A Quaternary studies interdisciplinary program of study and research is available in conjunction with other natural science departments on campus.
Teaching and research assistantships are available to graduate students in many of these areas.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the following degree and program (major) requirements:
ENGL 111X Methods of Written Communication (3)
ENGL 211X Intermed. Expos. with Modes of Literature or ENGL 213X Intermed. Exposition (3)
COMM 131X or 141X (3)
Perspectives on the Human Condition (18)
Mathematics (Select appropriate series) (11 or 15)
For Geology options:
MATH 200X-201X-Calculus (8) and STAT 300-Statistics (3)
For Geophysics Option:
MATH 200X, 201X, 202X-Calculus (12)
MATH 302-Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 211X-212X General Physics (PHYS 103X-104X may be taken for General Geology Option) (8)
CHEM 105X-106X General Chemistry (8)
Computer literacy equivalent to CS 201 (0-3) - For General
Geology, Economic Geology and Petroleum Geology options, complete the following
requirements:
Geology Core Courses:
GEOS 101X The Dynamic Earth (4)
GEOS 112X Historical Geology (4)
GEOS 213 Mineralogy (4)
GEOS 214 Petrology and Petrography (4)
GEOS 215 Paleobiology and Paleontology (4)
GEOS 304 Geomorphology (3)
GEOS 314 Structural Geology (3)
GEOS 322 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation (4)
GEOS 351 Field Geology* (6)
GEOS 430 Statistics and Data Analysis (3)
General Geology Option:
Complete at least 5 credits from the courses listed below: (5 or 6 credits)
GEOS 401 Invertebrate Paleontology (3)
GEOS 408 Photogeology (2)
GEOS 417 Introduction to Geochemistry (3)
GEOS 418 Basic Geophysics (3)
Electives (professional and general) to bring total to 126 (126 credits)
Economic Geology Option:
GEOS 304 Geomorphology (3)
GEOS 432 Geology of Mineral Resources Lecture or GEOS 432L Geology of Mineral Resources Laboratory (2 or 3)
One of the following (2 or 3 credits)
MIN 202 Mine Surveying (3)
MIN 304 Intro. to Metallurgy (3)
MIN 313 Intro. to Mineral Preparation (3)
MIN 407 Mineral Industry and the Environment (2)
MIN 408 Mineral Valuation and Economics (3)
GE 365 Geological Engineering I (3)
One of the following: (3 or 4 credits)
GEOS 418 Basic Geophysics (3)
GEOS 410 Potential Methods in Geophysics (2)
GEOS 412 Electrical Methods in Geophysics (2)
Electives (professional and general) to bring total to 136 (136 credits)
Petroleum Geology Option:
PETE 205 Intro. to Petroleum Drilling and Production (3)
PETE 302 Well Logging (3)
GEOS 411 Seismic Exploration (3)
GEOS 410 Potential Methods in Geophysics or GEOS 412 Electrical Methods in Geophysics (2)
Electives (professional & general) to bring total to 130 (130 credits) - For the Geophysics Option, complete the following requirements:
GEOS 101X The Dynamic Earth (4)
GEOS 213 Mineralogy (4)
GEOS 418 Basic Geophysics (3)
GEOS 419 Continuum Mechanics (4)
MATH 421 Applied Analysis I (4)
MATH 422 Applied Analysis II (4)
PHYS 213 Elements of Modern Physics (3)
PHYS 311 Mechanics I (4)
PHYS 331 Electricity and Magnetism (3)
PHYS 332 Electricity and Magnetism (3)
Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses:
GEOS 112X Historical Geology (4)
GEOS 214 Petrology and Petrography* (3)
GEOS 304 Geomorphology (4)
GEOS 314 Structural Geology
Strongly recommended for students interested in exploration geophysics. (4)
GEOS 321 Sedimentology (3)
GEOS 322 Stratigraphic Principles (4)
Choose a minimum of 6 credits from the following from the following courses:
GEOS 417 Geochemistry (3)
GEOS 420 Elements of Seismology (3)
GEOS 430 Statistics and Data Analysis (3)
ES 341 Fluid Mechanics (4)
Complete either Plan A or Plan B
Plan A Exploration Geophysics:
Complete the following requirements:
GEOS 410 Potential Methods in Geophysics (2)
GEOS 411 Seismic Exploration (3)
GEOS 412 Electrical Methods in Geophysics (2)
GEOS 451 Field Geophysics (2)
Complete at least 6 credits from the following or from courses listed as options above that were not used: (6 credits)
GEOS 351 Field Geology* (6)
GEOS 422 Remote Sensing (3)
GE 365 Geological Engineering (3)
GE 372 Rock Engineering (3)
PETE 302 Formation Well Logging (2)
PHYS 312 Mechanics II (4)
EE 341 Computer Organization (4)
Plan B General Geophysics
Complete at least one course from the following:
GEOS 410 Potential Methods in Geophysics (2)
GEOS 411 Seismic Exploration (3)
GEOS 412 Electrical Methods in Geophysics (2)
Complete at least 12 credits from the following or from courses listed as options above that were not used:
GEOS 414 Glaciology (3)
GEOS 422 Remote Sensing (3)
GE 420 Subsurface Hydrology (3)
PHYS 312 Mechanics II (4)
PHYS 313 Thermodynamics (4)
EE 341 Computer Organization (4)
ME 441 Heat and Mass Transfer (3)
MIN 418 Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray Spectroscopy, Atomic Absorption (3)
Electives (professional or general) to bring total to 130 (130 credits)
*GEOS 351 is offered at UAF when there is sufficient demand. In years when GEOS 351 is not offered (decision made early in fall semester), students are required to take a 6 credit field geology class at another institution. The Department of Geology and Geophysics will offer financial assistance to geology majors when GEOS 351 is not offered to attend an approved field camp at another institution. Amount of the assistance is dependent on the number of students involved, but will typically be about $500. The Geology and Geophysics undergraduate advisor will assist students in placement in a field geology class and will inform the department head about students requiring financial aid.
MINOR in Geology:
A minor in geology requires 12-16 credits of approved geosciences courses.
Graduate Degree Requirements
Students working on the M.S. in Geology can specialize in one of four options:
- General Geology
- Economic Geology
- Petroleum Geology
- Quaternary Geology
Admission Requirements
- The applicant is expected to have a background at least to the level of that listed for the relevant B.S. Option in Geology and Geophysics. However, deficiencies can be made up concurrently with the degree program.
- Complete university application requirements.
Degree Requirements
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Pass a comprehensive examination.
- Write a thesis and pass an oral defense of thesis.
Course Requirements
Complete a minimum of 30 credits, at least 24 of which must be at the 600 level, and at least 15 of which must be from coursework (not thesis or research) at the 600 level. All courses in the program must be approved by the student's graduate advisory committee.
Complete the required program as arranged by conference with the graduate advisory committee. This program will include any coursework necessary to provide the student with a background equivalent to the B.S. degree with a general geology option, including GEOS 417 and GEOS 418.
Complete 9 credits in applied geoscience with at least one course in mineral economics or engineering management.
- Complete at least one course in each of the following areas (12 credits)
Advanced structural geology
Advanced stratigraphy
Advanced sedimentology
Geophysics - Electives---6 credits chosen from: (6 credits)
GEOS 643 Sandstone Depositional Environments (3)
GEOS 646 Seismic Stratigraphy (3)
GEOS 647 Advanced Sedimentology (3)
Complete 8 credits in Quaternary geology and at least one course in another area of Quaternary studies, as approved by the graduate advisory committee.
Total minimum required (30 credits)
Complete UAF degree requirements. Complete a minimum of 36 credits. Contact the head of the department for further information.
- Complete UAF degree requirements.
- Complete a comprehensive examination.
- Complete at least 18 credits of thesis. Write a thesis and pass an oral defense of thesis.
- Complete a required research program as arranged with the graduate advisory committee.