Radford University
Graduate Catalog
for 1999-2000
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENGINEERING GEOSCIENCES
Stephen W. Lenhart, Chairperson
Robert C. Whisonant, Program Coordinator
Graduate Faculty
ohn Bonita, Ernst H.Kastning, Kimbell L. Knight, Stephen W. Lenhart, Parvinder
S.Sethi, Jonathan L. Tso,Chester F.Watts, Robert C.Whisonant
A new Master of Science program in Environmental and Engineering Geosciences
began Fall 1996. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available; however,
all new students will enter as non-thesis students. Students in the program
may pursue the thesis only by advisement, which must include an invitation
from a faculty member to participate in thesis research and the approval
of the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.The program will provide coursework
in general areas of hydrogeology and engineering geology, including topics
such as groundwater geology, engineering site selection, rock mechanics,
soil mechanics, engineering geophysics and geographic information systems.
Curriculum is designed to prepare geoscientists for careers in today's rapidly
expanding fields of groundwater management and environmental geology.
(For more information, follow the link above to the department's
Home Page.)
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Acceptance into the M.S. in Environmental and Engineering Geosciences program at Radford University is competitive and requires:
- a minimum overall grade point average of 2.7
- a minimum score of 1500 (verbal, quantitative and analytical) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- strong recommendations from persons familiar with applicant's academic potential
- undergraduate degree in geology or related area. Undergraduate degree
should include coursework, or applicant must show documented equivalent
experience, in the following areas:
physical and historical geology
mineralogy and petrology
sedimentation and stratigraphy
structural geology
field geology
In addition:
Two semesters each of college-level chemistry, physics, and calculus
Minimal deficiencies in coursework may be accepted with the understanding that deficiencies will be rectified before the end of the first year of residency in the program. - flexibility on the minimum requirements may be given to applicants with special experience, qualifications, or other evidence of exceptional potential.
For additional information write:
Dr. Robert C. Whisonant
Program Coordinator
P.O. Box 6939
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142
Non-Thesis Option
All students entering the Environmental and Engineering Geosciences graduate
program will be non-thesis students. Because the program is designed as
a terminal professional degree, most students are expected to remain in
the non-thesis option. Non-thesis students earn a minimum of 36 hours, which
includes 4-6 hours of Directed Study (GEOL 698). The directed study in the
non-thesis option is intended to give the student practical experience in
the design and execution of a professional project. Such projects may include
library/literature research, work with a government or industry partner
on a problem of mutual interest, or activities that support the instructional
or research efforts in the department. All directed studies taken as part
of the program of studies in the non-thesis option must meet the following
criteria: inclusion of a strong educational component, approval by the departmental
Graduate Studies Committee, and preparation of a written report and oral
presentation open to the public. Non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive
oral examination. See Final Comprehensive Examination.
Program Requirements - 36 hrs.
Required Courses - 29-31 hrs.
GEOL (PHYS) 606. Geophysics. - 4
GEOL 655. Principles of Engineering Geology. - 4
GEOL 658. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Geology. - 3
GEOL 672. Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry. - 3
GEOL 674. Hydrogeology. - 4
GEOL 698. Directed Study. - 4-6
GEOL 755. Advanced Engineering Geology. - 3
GEOL 774. Advanced Groundwater Hydrogeology. - 4
Electives - 5-7 hrs.
GEOL 608. Spatial Data Applications in Geology. - 4
GEOL 615. X-Ray Diffraction inGeology. - 4
GEOL 651. Regulatory Issues in Environmental Geology. - 3
GEOL 657. Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management. - 3
GEOL 691. Seminar in Engineering Geology. - 3
THESIS OPTION
The thesis option is intended for students planning to enter a Ph.D. program and who show exceptional aptitude for graduate-level research. Students desiring to pursue the thesis should consult with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and a faculty member willing to serve as major adviser to the thesis. Admission to the thesis option will be granted only with the approval of the faculty adviser and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Thesis students earn a minimum of 30 hours, which includes six hours of GEOL 699 (Research and Thesis).The thesis project will be conducted under the guidance of a committee chosen by the student. The committee must consist of at least three faculty members, one of whom may be from an outside department. The student must submit a thesis prospectus subject to approval by the committee and the dean of the Graduate College. A successful oral defense of the thesis is required at least five weeks before graduation. Thesis students must pass a comprehensive oral examination prior to defense of the thesis.
Program Requirements - 30 hrs.
Required Courses - 11-12 hrs.
GEOL 655. Principles of Engineering Geology. - 4
GEOL 674. Hydrogeology. - 4
GEOL (PHYS) 606. Geophysics. (4)
or
GEOL 672. Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry. (3) - 3-4
Other Requirements - 6 hrs.
GEOL 699. Research and Thesis.
Electives: - 12-13 hrs.
GEOL 608. Spatial Data Applications in Geology. - 4
GEOL 615. X-ray Diffraction in Geology. - 4
GEOL 651. Regulatory Issues inEnvironmental Geology. - 3
GEOL 657. Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management. - 3
GEOL 658. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Geology. - 3
GEOL 691. Seminar in Engineering Geosciences. - 3
GEOL 698. Directed Study. - 1-4
GEOL 755. Advanced Engineering Geology. - 3
GEOL 774. Advanced Groundwater Hydrogeolgy. - 4
GEOLOGY COURSES
Selected 500-level courses can be taken for graduate credit provided the student has the necessary prerequisites and if the same course or a comparable course was not taken as part of the student's undergraduate program. Enroll-ment in 500-level courses for graduate credit requires upper division or graduate standing and must be taught by a member of the graduate faculty.
GEOL 505. Computer Applications in Geology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: GEOL 102 or GEOL 103 and at least seven semester hours
of additional geology courses.
Introduction to range of computer applications in geology, including utilization
of hand-held, personal, and mainframe computer systems in solving geologic
problems. Course is designed for upper-level geology or related physical
science majors.
GEOL 561. Regional Geology of the United States. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 320.
Regional survey of structural and stratigraphic framework of geologic provinces
of United States; emphasis on geologic features and evolution of Appalachian
and Western Interior regions.
GEOL (PHYS) 606. Geophysics. (4)
Three hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the Environmental and Engineering
Geosciences program, or permission of instructor.
Examination of the basic principles and techniques of modern geophysical
methods, and the applications of these methods to site investigations for
environmental and engineering geologic projects. Some Saturday labs may
be required.
GEOL 608. Spatial Data Applications in Geology. (4)
Three hours lecture, two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, twelve hours of geology, and consent
of the instructor.
Taught concurrently with GEOL 408 with additional project requirements for
graduate credit.
Introduction to the study of the theoretical and practical analysis of spatial
data in geology. Included will be map reading, photo interpretation and
the use of remote sensing, image processing, and geographic information
systems to interpret geologic spatial information for resource exploration
and environmental management.
GEOL 615. X-Ray Diffraction in Geology. (4)
Two hours lecture; four hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and GEOL 212 (Mineralogy).
Taught concurrently with GEOL 415 with additional project requirements for
graduate credit.
This course includes a presentation of the basic theory of X-ray diffraction,
the use of X-ray diffraction equipment to identify minerals, determine lattice
types, parameters and the indexing of diffraction lines. The application
of the techniques and equipment to various geologic problems will be investigated.
Laboratory hours will be scheduled on an individual basis with the instructor.
GEOL 645. Applied Geology Summer Field School. (6)
Approximately two months correspondence and 40 hours of field work and classroom
instruction per week.
Prerequisite: GEOL 102 or GEOL 103.
Taught concurrently with GEOL 445 with the extra requirement of a term paper.
Intensive training in geologic field methods with emphasis on mapping, data
collection and the geology of Virginia with applications to environmental
and engineering concerns and on land use planning. The Radford University
campus serves as the base from which field studies are conducted. The course
requires overnight excursions permitting the examination of a wide variety
of geological field conditions including field trip stops in all the geologic
provinces of Virginia. Course may require transportation, food and camping
fees. Course will not substitute for GEOL 441, Geologic Field Methods, for
students majoring in geology.
GEOL 651. Regulatory Issues in Environmental Geology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: At least four upper-level (200-level) or above courses
in geology including GEOL 474 (Hydrogeology) or equivalent or the consent
of the instructor. General computer literacy will be expected and required
for success in the course.
This course investigates the societal and regulatory framework within which
much of the professional practice of environmental geology occurs. The relevant
current and developing legislation will be addressed, along with the roles
of federal, state, and municipal authorities in promulgation of the law.
Class discussions and assignments will emphasize the functions of the professional
geologist in the various research, regulatory, and consulting roles related
to environmental regulation.
GEOL 655. Principles of Engineering Geology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, eight hours of geology, and mathematics
through trigonometry. Minimum of one semester of physics is strongly recommended.
Taught concurrently with GEOL 455 with additional project requirements for
graduate credit.
A study of the application of geologic principles and data collection techniques
to the evaluation of design and construction problems relating to engineering
projects including dams, highways, landfills, tunnels and reservoirs, including
an overview of availability and suitability of soil and rock as construction
materials.
GEOL 657. Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and eight hours of geology.
Taught concurrently with GEOL 457 with additional project requirements for
graduate credit.
A study of the principles of erosion and sediment control and stormwater
management as these apply to construction sites. Topics emphasized include
regulatory and legal aspects, techniques of estimating rainfall runoff,
use of soil loss estimators, examination of structural and non-structural
methods of erosion and sediment control, and preparation of erosion and
sediment control plans.
GEOL 658. Soil Mechanics in Engineering Geology. (3)
Two hours lecture; two hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: GEOL 455/655 (Principles of Engineering Geology) or equivalent
or consent of instructor.
Examination of basic principles and laboratory tests in soil mechanics as
applied to engineering geology.
GEOL 672. Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: Two semesters of general chemistry, GEOL 212 (Mineralogy)
or equivalent, mathematics through trigonometry, or consent of instructor.
General computer literacy will be expected and required for success in the
course.
This course investigates the principles which determine the chemical quality
of surface and subsurface waters in the environment and application of these
principles to solving of environmental and engineering problems. Emphasis
is on the interactions between waters (both pristine and polluted) and their
geologic setting. Use of quantitative solution methods including computer
modeling is generously incorporated.
GEOL 674. Hydrogeology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, eight hours of geology, and three hours
of calculus.
Minimum of one semester of physics is strongly recommended.
Taught concurrently with GEOL 474 with additional project requirements for
graduate credit.
A qualitative and quantitative study of groundwater availability and movement,
and the development of groundwater as a resource. Included will be pertinent
geologic and engineering aspects of groundwater flow and the effect of man
on the groundwater regime. Laboratory includes a field investigation.
GEOL 691. Seminar in Engineering Geosciences. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Presentation and discussion of current topics in various areas of Engineering
Geosciences which are not considered in other courses. Content varies from
semester to semester. A single topic area will be selected by the instructor
for discussion during the semester based on current student interest and
current developments in Engineering Geosciences. May be taken more than
once.
GEOL 698. Directed Study. (1-4)
Hours and credits to be arranged.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor. Approval of the adviser
and department chair.
Provides graduate students opportunity to work individually with faculty
members on topics of mutual interest.
See Directed Study
GEOL 699. Research and Thesis. (1-6)
Hours and credit to be arranged with approval of the Graduate Committee
and the dean of the Graduate College.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Environ-mental and Engineering Geosciences.
See Thesis.
GEOL 755. Advanced Engineering Geology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, GEOL 455/655 (Principles of Engineering
Geology) or equivalent or consent of instructor.
Investigations into the applications of basic principles and techniques
of engineering geology to real world situations through the detailed study
of actual engineering geology case histories.
GEOL 774. Advanced Groundwater Hydrogeology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, two semesters of calculus with analytic
geometry, two semesters of physics, Geology 474/674 (Hydrogeology) or equivalent
or consent of instructor.
Transport processes and hydrodynamics in groundwater systems. Topics include
groundwater flow within various types of aquifers such as in granular, porous-media,
fractured rock, and karst. Where appropriate, quantitative techniques including
analytical solutions, numerical methods, or computer modeling. The course
emphasizes water availability and problems involving transport of contaminants.
The laboratory part of the course includes computer methods, interpretation
of data and maps, and field trips to local sites of hydrogeologic interest.
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