Geology and Earth Science Courses

ENS 100
URBAN ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE
3, 3/0; NSIF; TSIF
Survey of environmental science exploring the consequences to Buffalo from environmental and technological changes over the past century. Strong interdisciplinary focus, with emphasis on the connections between our urban environment and human health. Topics include air and water quality, environmental stresses in the urban ecosystem, and environmental exposure to urban pollution and human health.

ENS 300
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: BIO 104, CHE 100, or SCI 231.
Introduction to classical environmental literature. Global environmental problems, environmental legislation, and the status of global environmental policy.

GES 101
INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY
3, 3/0; NSIF
Introduction to physical aspects and processes on and in the Earth, including the formation and change of properties of rocks and minerals, and the theory of plate tectonics. The course also focuses on the solar system, volcanoes, the continents, and the oceans. Aspects of earthquakes, tsunamis, glaciers, the ice ages, and environmental issues are also discussed. Concurrent registration in GES 103 is recommended for sciences majors.

GES 102
HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
3, 0/0; NSIF
Introduction to the history of the earth from its formation 4.5 billion years ago. The role of continental drift, seafloor spreading, and plate tectonics in its development. The evolution of life as shown in the fossil record.

GES 103
INTRODUCTORY GEOLOGY LABORATORY
1, 0/2
Prerequisite or corequisite: GES 101.
Identification of rocks and minerals. Map and aerial photograph interpretation.

GES 111
GENERAL OCEANOGRAPHY
3, 3/0; NSIF; TSIF
Study of the oceans, including the application of geology, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, and how they interact in different parts of the ocean environment. Strong interdisciplinary focus of ocean processes and how they are connected to our lives. Topics include how technology has advanced our understanding of the oceans, sampling seawater and sediments and mapping the seafloor, opening and closing of ocean basins, formation and erosion of beaches, life in the oceans, ocean resources, marine pollution, and the role of the oceans in global climate change.

GES 131
INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY
3, 3/0; NSIF
Non-mathematical survey of the astronomical universe. Survey of the sun, planets, moons, comets, stars, and galaxies. Observation, planetarium, and laboratory sessions supplement lectures.

GES 223
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE
3, 3/0; NSIF; TSIF
An investigation of the impact of society on the natural environment. Examines natural resources; global climate change; and soil, water, and land use issues. The complex interrelationship of global systems and societies’ attempts to control or alter them. The unique perspective of geoscientists to environmental issues.

GES 224
GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
3, 3/0; NSIF
Catastrophic geologic events, with an emphasis on earthquakes, volcanism, and landslides. Includes causes, physical effects, prediction, and social implications.

GES 232
THE SOLAR SYSTEM
3, 0/0
Makeup and characteristics of our solar system; formation hypotheses; geologic processes acting on solar system bodies; comparison of the planets; the search for other solar systems and life elsewhere. Expansion of solar system exploration due to advances in technology and its effect on society.

GES/GEG 241
METEOROLOGY
3, 3/0 NSIF
An introduction to weather, including the makeup of the atmosphere, seasonality, heat and radiation balance, temperature, humidity and precipitation, atmospheric motion, atmospheric pressure, wind, air masses and fronts, severe weather, meteorological instrumentation, local weather, climate controls, and synoptic forecasting. Includes laboratory modules. Emphasis on the relationship between weather systems, technology, and humans.

GES 300
SEDIMENTOLOGY
3, 2/2
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103.
Introduction to the dynamics of erosion, transport, deposition of sedimentary particles, modern and ancient sedimentary environments.

GES 301
STRATIGRAPHY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103, GES 300. Prerequisite or corequisite: GES 102.
Basic principles and interpretation of the stratigraphic record, with emphasis on the practical application of stratigraphic data in interpretation of earth history, and exploration for fossil fuels and groundwater resources.

GES 302
INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
4, 4/0
Prerequisite: GES 101. Prerequisite or corequisite: GES 102.
Invertebrate fossils and their stratigraphic distribution.

GES 303
MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY
4, 3/2
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103; one semester chemistry recommended.
Study of crystals, minerals, and rocks, emphasizing description, identification, and origin. Class and laboratory study. Required field trip.

GES 307
GEOMORPHOLOGY
3, 4/0; OCIF
Prerequisite: GES 101 or GEG 101.
The structural controls and processes that affect the development of the surface of the earth. Emphasis on selected geologic environments.

GES 308
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
4, 3/2
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103.
Folds, faults, and other structural features in sedimentary and metamorphic terrains. Introduction to rock mechanics, regional tectonics.

GES 310
GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: Upper-division status or permission of instructor.
Introduction to environmental problems and their causes in the Great Lakes region. Environmental history of the Great Lakes. Case studies of current environmental problems and ongoing restoration efforts.

GES 314
GEOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 111 or equivalent.
The sediments, structure, and history of the ocean basins.

GES 315
MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
3, 0/0
Prerequisite: GES 111 or equivalent.
Survey of coastal and deep-sea environments, with focus on the interaction of physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes operating in each. Emphasis on coastal environmental issues, including shoreline erosion and sealevel rise, coastal development, and marine pollution.

GES 331
MODERN SOLAR SYSTEM ASTRONOMY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 131 or equivalent.
The moon and planets, their appearance, atmospheres, and surfaces. Planetary magnetic fields, asteroids, meteoroids, comets. Theories of the origin of the planetary system, the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Emphasis on recent problems in our understanding of the solar system.

GES 332
STELLAR AND GALACTIC ASTRONOMY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 131 or equivalent.
How astronomers have determined the properties, energy, masses, and composition of stars, stellar evolution, the structure of the galaxy, and the movement of stars in the galaxy.

GES 335
METHODS OF OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY
3, 4/0
Prerequisite: GES 131 or equivalent.
Locating celestial objects in the night sky. Use of astronomical telescopes to locate, observe, and photograph stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Use of observing aids.

GES 339
ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 131 or equivalent.
Cosmology, the primeval fireball, quasars, pulsars, black holes, origin of the elements.

GES 350
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, upper-division status.
Chemical nature of the earth, emphasizing chemistry associated with the polluted environment.

GES 360
FORENSIC GEOSCIENCE
3, 2/2
Prerequisite: Upper-division status or permission of instructor.
Application of the principles of earth science to the law. With a hands-on approach and details from actual criminal cases, introduces a variety of geological subjects, such as rock and mineral types, geological and topographical maps, fossils, sand and soil.

GES 401
IGNEOUS AND METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY
4, 2/4
Prerequisite: GES 303.
Advanced study of igneous and metamorphic rocks and petrogenetic processes, including the thermodynamics of magma, crystallization and recrystallization, and the field relations, fabrics, and tectonics associated with these rocks. Required term research project and field trip.

GES 403
GLACIAL GEOLOGY
3, 4/0
Prerequisite: GES 307.
Glacial processes, landforms, and landscapes, with emphasis on New York State. Develops a model for the sequence of glacial events and the causes of climate change. Field trips.

GES 404
FIELD GEOLOGY
3, 1/4
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 303, GES 308, or permission of instructor.
Application of geological principles and techniques in the interpretation of earth features in the field.

GES 405
GEOLOGY OF NORTH AMERICA
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 102.
Major physical provinces of the United States and adjacent areas; their geologic history, structure, and topographic development.

GES 409
FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGY
3, 4/0
Prerequisite: GES 307.
The variables that influence the behavior of water flowing on the surface of the earth. The effects of flowing water on the landscape. Emphasis on field and lab work.

GES 410
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR
1, 1/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103, permission of instructor.
Common topics related to undergraduate research in the geosciences, including research methods, handling data, making interpretations, preparing for oral and poster presentations, and preparing for graduate school and professional geology. Must be engaged in (or planning) research with an earth sciences faculty member. May be taken more than once.

GES 431
PLANETARIUM SEMINAR
3, 2/2
Prerequisite: Two semesters of astronomy.
The celestial sphere; operating, maintaining, and administering the planetarium; audiovisual aids in the planetarium; planetarium programming; using the planetarium to teach. Includes supervised teaching experience.

GES 452
HYDROGEOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101 or GEG 101, at least one 300-level GES course.
Fundamentals of the occurrence, movement, and management of our largest resource of readily available fresh water. Includes groundwater protection and remediation of already contaminated supplies to increase environmental awareness.

GES 460
ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS AND ANALYSIS
3, 2/2; OCIF
Prerequisites: GES 101, one 300-level GES course, college algebra. GES 350 is strongly encouraged.
Applied study of environmental contaminant migration and distribution, with particular emphasis on sampling and detection methods. Discussion of federal and local environmental laws and regulations, classification of hazardous chemicals, and remediation approaches used by environmental professionals.

GES 465
TECTONICS
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 308 (or equivalent), upper-division status.
Advanced principles, evidence, and examples of the plate tectonics paradigm as the unifying theory of geology. Topics include kinematics of plates, the nature of plate boundaries, and the analysis of theories involved in the current and historical design of the paradigm. Required term project and oral presentations.

GES 488
INTERNSHIP
1-15, 0/2-30
Prerequisites: Senior status as department major, 2.5 GPA overall. Requires department application and approval.
Practical work on an individual basis with a participating organization.