Miami University: Documents and Policies: General Bulletin

MPF, MPT 111 The Dynamic Earth (3): Earth as a geophysical-geochemical unit and its internal and external processes. Formation of minerals and their relationships in rocks. Earth stresses and rock deformation, mountain building, and earthquakes. Geomorphic (landscape) evolution by mass wasting and wave, stream, wind, ground water, glacial, and volcanic activity. IVB, H.
MPF 115.L Understanding the Earth (1): Laboratory course exploring Earth from multiple perspectives. Earth in the solar system; Earth in time; the solid Earth; Earth's surface in flux; Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere. Emphasis on use of computers in exploring geologic phenomena. Corequisite: GLG 111 or 121 or 141 (students enrolled in these courses are not required to take the lab). IVB, LAB. CAS-D/LAB.
MPF, MPT 121 Environmental Geology (3): Geologic hazards and human interaction with the geologic environment, including flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, and land-use planning. IVB.
MPF, MPT 141 Geology of U.S. National Parks (3): Explains geologic features of national parks and other public lands in the context of current scientific thinking about structure and geologic evolution of North America. IVB.

Advanced Courses

201 Mineralogy (4): Composition, physical properties, symmetry, crystal structure, and geologic occurrence of rock-forming minerals. Corequisite: CHM 137 or 141, 144. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
MPT 207 Water and Society (3): Topics include characteristics of water as a compound, physical and biological processes governing portions of the hydrologic cycle, chemical quality of natural waters, and an overview of waste-water treatment technologies, historical perspective of the importance of water in settling and development of the "Great American Desert," and legal and social changes needed to conserve this vital resource. Prerequisite: GLG 111 or 121 or 141.
211 Chemistry of Earth Systems (4): Material presented serves as the basis for dynamic links with upper-division courses within the department. The chemical evolution of the Earth is presented spanning all pressure and temperature conditions. Major geological processes are discussed with respect to the chemical principles controlling the distribution of elements and mass, e.g., crustal genesis, metamorphism, metasomatism, formation of the atmosphere and oceans, diagenesis, hydrothermal processes, and low-temperature chemical weathering. Prerequisite: GLG 111 or 121 or 141. Corequisite: GLG 201, CHM 137 or 141, 144. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
MPT 244 Oceanography (3): Examination of the major features of the ocean and the processes active there. Oceanic currents, waves and tides, biologic productivity and zonation, nutrient cycles, chemical parameters, bathymetry, and sediments explored. Prerequisite: one natural science course from MPF IVA or B, or CAS-D.
301 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4): Description and evaluation of sedimentary processes, sedimentary environments of deposition and the rocks that form in these environments are integrated with field trips and laboratory analyses of rocks in hand sample and thin section. Stratigraphic principles, sequence stratigraphy, and basin analysis are linked to global climate change and tectonics throughout geologic time. Prerequisite: GLG 111, 121, or 141 and GLG 115.L and 201 or permission of instructor.
322 Structural Geology (4): Origins and characteristics of primary and secondary structures of Earth's crust. Prerequisite: GLG 111 or 121 or 141; 115.L, 301. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. CAS-D/LAB.
357 Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology (4): Theoretical, quantitative, and petrographic investigation of igneous and metamorphic rock physical and chemical characteristics and formational processes. Prerequisite: GLG 111, 121 or 141, 115.L and 201.
401/501 Global Climate Change (4): Examines physical factors controlling climate and climate changes throughout geologic time. Interactions of the oceans, atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere on our climate in addition to astronomic controls examined. Prerequisite: GLG 244 or WCP 221 or 222 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with WCP 401/501.
404/504 Geodynamics and Tectonic Geomorphology (1-3): Studies regional neotectonic patterns using concepts of geodynamics and geomorphology. Includes plate kinematics, isostasy, mechanical models of the lithosphere, and techniques for evaluating tectonic rates and paleoseismicity. Discusses impacts of tectonics on geomorphic systems. Prerequisite: GLG 111, 111.L or 115.L. Offered infrequently.
MPT 408/508 Introduction to Hydrogeology (4): Introduction to the physical properties governing groundwater-flow in various geologic media and settings. Methods are explored for determining groundwater-flow directions and velocities and aquifer characteristics and potential. Introduction to groundwater-flow modeling and principles of mass transport and groundwater contamination. Prerequisite: GLG 111 or 121 or 141; MTH 141, 151, 153, or 157, or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
MPC 411.A/511.A Field Geology (6): Taught annually during June through July at Miami University Geology Field Station, Dubois, Wyoming. Students identify, classify, and interpret geologic features and synthesize and communicate geologic interpretations. Students work outdoors six to eight hours a day and individually create geologic maps using pace and compass, topographic map base, air photo base, and alidade. Geologic mapping and rock interpretation techniques are the subject of evening lectures. Students write a final report summarizing the findings of the eight fully drafted maps and cross sections prepared during the course. Prerequisite: GLG 211, 301, 322, and 357 or permission of instructor. CAS-D/LAB. Summer only.
417/517 Chemistry of Earth's Interior (3): Geochemical evolution of the Earth, formation and differentiation of the Earth, composition of the core, mantle and crust mass fluxes between major Earth reservoirs. Corequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor; GLG 357 recommended.
427/527 Isotope Geology (3): Natural variations, measurement techniques, and geologic applications of radiogenic and stable isotopes. Corequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor; GLG 357 recommended.
430/530 Mineral Surface Geochemistry (3): Study of the structure, composition and reactivity of crystalline surfaces in aqueous environments. Prerequisite: CHM 137 or 141, GLG 201, or permission of instructor.
432/532 Clays and Clay Mineralogy (3): Study of the structure, composition, properties, uses, and environmental significance of clays and clay minerals. Prerequisite: CHM 137 or 141, GLG 201 or inorganic chemistry, or permission of instructor; GLG 211 recommended.
454/554 Geomorphology (4): Origin and development of landforms with emphasis on fluvial systems. Process and response systems. Corequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 424/524. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
480 Departmental Honors (1-6; maximum 6): Departmental honors may be taken for a minimum of four semester hours and a maximum total of six semester hours in one or more semesters of student's senior year.
484/584 X-ray Diffractometry (2): Principles of X-ray diffraction as applied to geological materials. Utilization of powder goniometer and single-crystal cameras and goniometer. Prerequisite: GLG 201 or permission of instructor. 2 Lec 1 Lab.
491/591 Geochemistry of Natural Waters (3): Explores the range of geochemical reactions governing water-rock interaction. Includes discussions of thermodynamics, kinetics, acid/base reactions, mineral equilibria, absorption/desorption, oxidation-reduction, organic geochemistry, and geochemical modeling. Prerequisite: GLG 211 or permission of instructor.
492/592 Global Tectonics (4): Fundamentals of the theory of plate tectonics and its applications to regional geology. Physical processes and kinematics of plate motions, geology and geophysics of modern and ancient plate boundaries, and plate tectonic evolution of major orogenic belts examined. Prerequisite: GLG 322, 357, or permission of instructor.
MPC 494 Sustainability Perspectives in Resources and Business (3): Addresses the need for interdisciplinary understanding of the pattern of declining quantities of critical resources and growing public awareness of environmental degradation, an understanding of relevant ecosystems, social and economic institutions and policy, and the prospects for the business community to facilitate resolution of these concerns. Three alternative prerequisites: (A) senior standing as a business major and one of BOT 131 or GLG 121 or ZOO 121; or (B) senior standing as a science major and ECO 201 and 202; or (C) senior standing and completion of Thematic Sequence ECO 5 Sustainable Systems. Cross-listed with ACC, BOT, DSC, ECO, FIN, GEO, MGT, MKT, and ZOO 494.
643 Introduction to the Advanced Study of Mineralogy and Geochemistry (4): Introduction to mineralogy, high and low temperature geochemistry, and isotope systematics for first-year graduate students. Direct application of principles through laboratory investigations. Prerequisite: CHM 141, 142, 144, 145, and GLG 201. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
646 Igneous Petrology (3): Theoretical and laboratory treatment of modern petrologic and geochemical problems and concepts with special emphasis on phase petrology, magmatic differentiation, computer modelling and petrography. Prerequisite: GLG 643 or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. (10 week sprint course) Offered infrequently.
671 Introduction to Geology for Teachers I (4): Origin, evolution, structure, and composition of Earth. Credit may not be used toward M.A. or M.S. degree in geology. Prerequisite: at least 12 semester hours in college chemistry, physics, or biology. 3 Lec. 1 Lab.
700 Research for Master's Thesis (1-12; minimum 6, maximum 12)
710 Geology Seminar (1-3; maximum 12): Open to students who have completed a year of graduate study. Offered infrequently.
720 Advanced Mineralogy (1-3, maximum 3): Single crystal X-ray crystallographic studies; study of crystal structure and comparative crystal chemistry of various mineral groups. Prerequisite: GLG 484/584, 643, or equivalent work in another graduate program. Offered infrequently.
723 Advanced Sedimentology (1-3): Topics in sedimentology and sedimentary diagenesis discussed in depth. Prerequisite: concurrent or prior enrollment in GLG 661 or equivalent course; or permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.
730 Advanced Igneous Petrology (1-3, maximum 3): Experimental igneous petrology, and complex magma systems. Prerequisite: GLG 401/501, 643, 644, or equivalent work in another graduate program. Offered infrequently.