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Tufts University Department of Geology Courses

Students considering a major in Geology or Geological Sciences should discuss their course selections with Anne Gardulski, Jack Ridge, Grant Garven, Molly McCanta or Jake Benner. This is important because upper level courses are offered in alternate years. Careful planning should give you the opportunity to participate in more course offerings. Please consult this guide to Geology majors and minors. The listing below is an estimate of which courses will be taught in future semesters, they are not guaranteed.

NOTE: Most course websites have transitioned to Blackboard.

Choose a link from the list below to view the course description or download the latest course booklet.

Course Number

Course Title

 GEO 0001  Geology 1 - Introduction to Geology: The Dynamic Earth
 GEO 0002  Geology 2 - Environmental Geology
 GEO 0005  Geology 5 - Introduction to Oceanography
 GEO 0011  Geology 11 - Mineralogy
 GEO 0012  Geology 12 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
 GEO 0022  Geology 22 - Structural Geology
 GEO 0032  Geology 32 - Geomorphology
 GEO 0035  Geology 35 - Sedimentology
 GEO 0036  Geology 36 - Stratigraphy
 GEO 0038  Geology 38 - Historical Geology and Paleontology
 GEO 0091, 0092  Geological Research
 GEO 0102  Geology 102 - Petrography and X-ray Analysis
 GEO 0103  Geology 103 - Geological Applications of SEM Analysis
 GEO 0104  Geology 104 - Geological Applications of GIS
 GEO 0115  Geology 115 - Quaternary and Glacial Geology
 GEO 0131  Geology 131 - Groundwater
 GEO 0132  Geology 132 - Groundwater Chemistry and Quality
 GEO 0191, 0192  Selected Topics
 GEO 0193, 0194  Senior Thesis
 GEO 187  Geology 187 - Subsurface Fluid Dynamics
 GEO 188  Geology 188 - Groundwater Modeling
 GEO 189  Geology 189 - Geofluids

 

Geology 2 - Environmental Geology

Environmental geology is an introduction to geologic environments and the processes that shape and modify Earth's surface. Of particular interest are the roles of water, ice, wind, and gravity and their effects in materials and climates. These modern surficial processes strongly influence humans and their ability to live and interact with their surroundings. They also provide us with much of the evidence for interpreting the recent as well as ancient geologic past and to predict the changes we can expect Earth to undergo in the future.

Specific topics covered in environmental geology include an overview of earth materials, groundwater, and processes of the hydrologic cycle. Also considered from a geological and human perspective are weathering and erosion, landslides, river systems, shorelines, marine sedimentary environments, glacial systems, and climatic environments ranging from arid to periglacial (cold climate). The past history of Earth is deciphered in terms of the evolution of the world ocean, climate, and sea level change over geologic time, and the activity of modern and ancient glaciers.

The course has three lectures plus one lab period per week. Laboratories include three field trips in the Boston area to investigate local sedimentary rock sequences, glacial deposits, and modern coastal environments.