Associate Professor Anne F. Gardulski, Chair; Sedimentology, oceanography,
structure, stratigraphy
Professor Jack C. Ridge, Quaternary, glacial, and environmental
geology; geomorphology
Associate Professor Robert L. Reuss, Metamorphic and igneous petrology,
mineralogy
Lecturer Jacob S. Benner, Paleoecology, stratigraphy
Geology is the science of the earth. It involves an interdisciplinary exploration of
the earth's 4.5-billion-year history and a study of the processes that form and shape the
rocks and minerals of the earth. Geology integrates biology, chemistry, astronomy, and
physics in the study of the earth, and has broad applications in engineering,
archaeological, and environmental investigations. Tufts University has well-equipped
geological laboratories and an excellent collection of geologic materials for study and
research. Field trips to the northeastern and southwestern United States offer abundant
opportunities for the study of a great variety of geological phenomena.
Undergraduate Concentration Requirements
The geology department offers two programs: the geological sciences major, for students
who wish to pursue graduate study in geology and related fields, or work at entry-level
jobs; and the geology major, which emphasizes breadth and flexibility for students seeking
a double major, teaching certification, entry to medical programs, careers in
multidisciplinary fields such as environmental law, or a broad-based liberal arts major.
Geological Sciences Major
Students intending to continue with geology after graduation should complete Geology 1 and
2, eight or more geology courses above Geology 9, plus Mathematics
12, Chemistry 2, and Physics 1 and 2 (or 11 and 12) and their labs. The geology
courses should normally include Geology 11, 12, 22, 32, 35, and one of the following:
Geology 36, 102, 115, or 131. Approved related fields courses may replace up to
two upper-level geology courses. Research experience and a six-week geology summer field camp
are strongly recommended.
Geology Major
Students electing this option should complete Geology 1 and 2, eight other geology courses
(except Geology 9), plus
Chemistry 1 and Physics 1 with labs. Approved related fields science courses may
replace as many as three of the upper-level geology courses. Upper-level engineering
courses may substitute for up to two of the upper-level geology courses
with prior written consent.
Undergraduate Minor Program
Geoengineering Minor
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department offers a minor in geoengineering
available to students of the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Engineering, except
those majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Professor Lewis Edgers is the
adviser for the minor.
Five courses are required:
Engineering Science 5 Applied Mechanics (Statics)
Engineering Science 9 Applied Mechanics (Strength of Materials)
Civil and Environmental Engineering 12 Introduction to Hydraulic Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering 42 Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
One elective selected from:
Civil and Environmental Engineering 112 Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering 113 Groundwater Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering 146 Foundation Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering 149 Earth Support Systems
Prerequisites for the above course sequence are Mathematics 12 and Physics 12.
Undergraduate Courses
1 The Dynamic Earth. Origin and occurrence of rocks and minerals of the earth's crust. Dynamic processes which form mountains, canyons, and ocean basins. Topics include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, rock deformation, energy and mineral resources, plate tectonics, geologic time, and the geology of selected national parks. Three lectures, one field trip or laboratory. Fall. Reuss, Gardulski, Ridge
2 Environmental Geology. Geologic processes at the earth's surface. Groundwater, the development of erosional and depositional landforms, glaciation and climate, and sea level change. Modern geologic environments as analogs for past environments and climate. Geologic processes and humans. Field trips illustrating glacial and coastal environments. Three lectures, one field trip or laboratory. Spring. Ridge, Gardulski, Reuss
5 Introduction to Oceanography. Physical, geological, biological, and chemical aspects of the world ocean. Origin of ocean basins, currents, tides, waves, biological productivity, and marine sedimentation in the shallow to deep realm. Influence of human activity along coasts. Three lectures. Fall 2005 and alternate years. Prerequisite: high school chemistry. Gardulski
9 Gemstones. Origin and occurrence, physical and chemical properties, fashioning, and treatment of natural and synthetic gemstones. Emphasis on diamonds and colored stones. Laboratory work includes nondestructive physical and optical methods of identification and characterization. One-half course credit; does not satisfy science requirement. Reuss
11 Mineralogy. Physical and chemical properties, formation, and geologic occurrence of important economic and rock-forming minerals. Introduction to the use of the polarizing microscope. Laboratory emphasis on mineral identification and morphological crystallography. Three lectures, one laboratory. Fall 2006 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 1 (may be taken concurrently) or consent. Reuss
12 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Classification, occurrence, and origin of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory emphasis on hand specimen and microscopic identification and interpretation. Three lectures, one laboratory or field trip. Spring 2007 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 11 or consent. Reuss
22 Structural Geology. Deformation of the earth's crust. Stress and strain analysis, plate tectonic theory, and description and interpretation of deformational structures in rocks. Kinematic analysis of structures, reinforced by fieldwork to study rock structures in their natural setting. Three lectures, one field trip or laboratory. Spring 2006 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 1. Gardulski
32 Geomorphology. Morphogenesis of landscapes. Classical through modern denudation theories. Weathering, soil formation, erosion, and deposition as influenced by climate, tectonics, and rock composition. Three lectures, one laboratory. Fall 2005 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 2 or consent. Ridge
35 Sedimentology. Origin, deposition, and lithification of siliciclastic and carbonate sediments. Sedimentary rock description and classification, water and wind as transport agents, provenance, diagenesis, sedimentary structures, and statistical analysis of sediment grain parameters. Three lectures, one laboratory or field trip. Spring 2007 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 2 or consent. Gardulski
36 Stratigraphy. Basic stratigraphic principles applied to subaerial to deep marine environments. Tectonic, climatic, and oceanographic processes that control sedimentation patterns. Correlation techniques using biostratigraphy, isotope stratigraphy, seismic stratigraphy, and magnetostratigraphy. One or two weekend field trips. Three lectures, one laboratory or field trip. Spring 2006 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 2 or consent. Gardulski
38 Paleontology: Historical Geology. Introduction to the origin, evolution, morphology, and paleoecology of life forms throughout the history of the earth. Laboratory emphasis on description, classification, and recognition of the most important index fossils of North America. One-half course credit. Fall 2005 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 1 and 2 or consent. Members of the department
91, 92 Geological Research. Guided laboratory and field research on one of a
broad range of geological topics. Five hours (half-credit option) to ten hours
(full-credit option) are required per week, including one hour of consultation with the
research supervisor. Final written or oral presentation. Does not satisfy concentration in
geology. Prerequisite: consent. Members of the department
Courses for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
102 Petrographic and X-ray Analysis. Origin of igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks based on field, hand specimen, thin section, and X-ray data. X-ray
powder diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Research based on field and laboratory
work. Three lectures, one laboratory. Prerequisite:
Geology 12 or consent. Reuss
103 Geological Applications of Scanning Electron Microscopy.
Theory and use of the scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive
analyzer applied to study of minerals, rocks, crystals, fossils, archaeological
objects, and other solid materials. Individual research projects using imaging,
qualitative, and quantitative methods. Oral presentation in lieu of final
exam. One-half course credit. One lecture and two hours lab per week.
Prerequisite: Geology 1 and 2, permission of the instructor, and two of the
following geology courses: Geology 11, 12, 32, 36, 115. Reuss
104 Geological Applications of GIS. Basic Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) theory and application in the geological sciences. A series of
self-directed tutorials in basic GIS skills complemented by a weekly lecture and
geological extension exercise. A final independent project focused on a
geological application of GIS will reinforce and extend basic skills. Final
project to be presented in lieu of final exam. One half course credit.
Prerequisite: Geology 1 and 2, and consent of the instructor. Benner
115 Quaternary and Glacial Geology. Climatic oscillation and glaciation of the past three million years. Glacial effects on landscapes, oceans, and organisms. Glacial processes and deposits. Techniques used to study chronology, environments, climatic change, and recent deposits, including isotopes, dating, fossil analysis, and paleomagnetism. Fall 2006 and alternate years. Prerequisite: Geology 2 or consent. Ridge
131 Hydrogeology. Water in geologic systems. Budget analysis, groundwater flow, aquifers, and natural water chemistry. Fundamental concepts for environmental and engineering groundwater analyses. Three lectures, one problem session. Prerequisite: Geology 2 or consent.
191, 192 Selected Topics. Exploration of special topics in geology through seminars or guided individual study. One-half or one course credit. Members of the department
193, 194 Senior Thesis. Intensive laboratory or field investigations designed and carried out by the student, culminating in a written thesis and oral defense. Prerequisites: Geological sciences major and consent.