GEOL 481
SEMINAR IN MODERN TOPICS IN GEOLOGY
GEOL 481. Seminar in Modern Topics in Geology
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisite: GEOL 105 and GEOL 100 or GEOL 106 and permission of instructor.
Emphasis on geologic literature, classroom presentation, and group discussion of current geologic topics. May be taken maximum of three times for no more than nine semester hours of credit. Topic may not be repeated by a student.
The content of the course will vary each time the course is offered. Past topics have included mineral studies using the x-ray diffractometer, enhancement of professional writing and speaking skills, and planetary geology.
A selected, but by no means complete, list of general areas of geology from which more detailed topics may be selected for the seminar course is as follows:
1. Plate Tectonics
2. Planetary Geology
3. Birth and Development of the Geological Sciences
4. Geologic Hazards
5. Origin and History of Life
6. Remote Sensing
7. Paleoclimates
8. Chemical Evolution of the Earth
9. Geomedical Research
10. Crises in the History of Life
The conduct of the course will vary with each topic. Seminars generally attempt to be interactive learning experiences, emphasizing student research, classroom discussion, and preparation of lab reports or research papers.
Specific student outcomes will vary with the subject matter each time the course is offered. The general goals are:
- students will demonstrate a mastery of knowledge concerning a topic of current interest in geology that is not covered extensively in the regular curriculum.
- students will show skills in the use of the geologic literature, in the writing of a proper scientific report, and in the oral discussion of a particular topic.
The professor teaching the seminar course is responsible for evaluating the performance of the student. Exact measures will vary according to the professor and chosen topic. General assessment measures would be:
- graded exercises concerning use of equipment or identification and analysis of geologic materials
- examinations measuring student understanding and synthesis of the course content
- written reports and/or oral presentations discussing data and conclusions concerning the topic of study
None
Date Action Approved By
August 17, 2005 Reviewed and Updated Stephen W. Lenhart, Chair