Course Information

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GEL 101 Physical Geology (Fall - Spring)

Introduction to physical geology. Composition, structure and surficial features of the Earth with emphasis on the development and modification of these features.

Garett Ferguson '00 and Keith Stahle '01 examine a trachyte dike
on the shore of Lake Champlain.

Fall '00 Mineralogy class at the Lewis wollastonite mine, Lewis, NY.
GEL 310 Earth Materials I - Mineralogy (Fall)

Course Description - Introduction to the concepts of mineralogy and optical mineralogy. Topics include mineral systems, hand specimen and optical mineral identification techniques, crystal chemistry and crystallography. Laboratory study includes field work and common mineral identification including thin section analysis using a petrographic microscope.

Jen Gleckel '02 takes field notes on her trachyte dike near Charlotte, VT.
GEL 323 Earth Materials II - Petrology (Spring)
Course Description - An introduction to the study of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. The discussion of each rock group includes their mineralogy, chemistry and process of formation and origin. Laboratory studies emphasize identification of rock types in hand specimen, thin section and in the field.

Tami Gaudette '01 and Jolene Heald '02 on a structural geology field lab to Catamount Mt., NY.
GEL 451 Structural Geology

Course Description - Study of rock deformation including the development and classification of folds, faults, and microstructures. Class includes field laboratories for most of the fall semester with weekly trips to Vermont and the Adirondacks to map and analyze structures.

GEL 307/CHE 307 Geochemistry
Origin and chemical differentiation of the earth. Isotope geochronology including both radiogenic and stable isotope systems. Applications of geochemistry to the solution of global problems including chemistry of surface water and disposal of radioactive waste.

GEL 305 Energy and Mineral Resources
Introduction to energy and mineral resources: coal, oil and gas, nuclear, ore and industrial minerals, and alternative sources of power including solar and geothermal energy. Environmental impact of exploration, pollution and global changes associated with developing and using different resources.

Student Research