Geology

THE TAPESTRY OF TIME AND TERRAIN.

The College of Saint Rose is a place where rigorous intellectual discourse is valued and where a sense of community with students and faculty is considered critical to the learning process.

Our challenging science majors and the practical experience they afford ensure that our graduates are accepted into the most prestigious graduate schools or are selected for immediate placement in career-track jobs.Our new interdisciplinary major in Geology provides the essential theoretical and practical aspects of earth processes and combines hands-on field work with laboratory work. Intrigued? The curriculum focuses on real-world issues affecting the global environment and provides our students with a front row seat from which to view the eclectic record of geologic history.The world is increasingly dependent upon scientists and policy-makers who understand the complexities of earth resources (e.g., energy sources, water, building materials), the global climate, natural hazards, and the environment. This program provides graduates the ability to qualify for entry-level positions with oil and mining companies, environmental consulting firms, state and national parks, state and federal geological surveys, and private educational institutions.

CAREERS
The Geology major prepares a student for a position in industry, government, or education (positions not requiring NYS certification), and for graduate studies requiring a background in earth sciences.

PROGRAM
The required geology courses are supplemented with essential math, chemistry, and physics courses needed for a basic understanding of the quantitative nature of the principles of geological processes. This program is for full-time day students. A minor in geology can be useful for students majoring in disciplines that deal with earth processes in a scientific sense (e.g., chemistry, biology) or from a policy standpoint (e.g., business, economics, political science).

Minor in Geology
A Geology minor may be earned by completing six of the ESC courses required for the B.S. Geology program with a grade of C or better in each course.

Course Descriptions
(Note: only the courses that focus on geology are listed below; please see school catalogue for astronomy and meteorology courses)

ESC 190 Physical Geology (3 credits)
Study of the physical features of the Earth. Includes study and description of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks; geologic time; earthquakes; rivers; oceans; plate tectonics. ESC 102L Laboratory required.

ESC 190 Laboratory (L) (1 credit)
Hands-on examination of minerals and rocks; map and geologic processes interpretation; field trip(s) possible Lab

ESC 191 Historical Geology (3 credits)
This course discusses the history of the earth from its formation about 4.6 billion years ago to the present. The focus is on the evolution of land forms (mountains, plains, ocean basins …) and the development and evolution of life forms (both plants and animals). The framework is the geologic time scale and the successive sequences and events that are characteristic of each of several time intervals, beginning with the earliest Precambrian and continuing to the Recent. ESC 191L required. Prerequisite: Physical Geology.

ESC 191L (1 credit)
Some laboratory sections will focus on interpretation of landforms, in particular the interpretation and use of geological maps, correlation of rock units, and the concept of lateral and vertical facies changes and facies maps. Other laboratory sections will focus on the fossil record, with visual study and identification of fossils along with their use in depositional environment interpretation. Field trip(s) possible.

ESC 210 Aqueous Processes (3 credits)
The hydrology of fresh-water surface and subsurface, and physical oceanography. The hydrology part is a discussion of rainfall, runoff, stream gauging, meteoric water infiltration, the water table, aquifers and their depletion and recharge, local and regional groundwater flow, and the basics of water geochemistry and environmental pollution. The physical oceanography part is a discussion of the geometry and distribution of ocean basins, bays, and gulfs; a discussion of waves, tides, currents, and coastal change phenomena; plus an overview of marine life forms and energy and nutrient cycling in seawater. ESC 210L required. Prerequisites: Meteorology, Physical Geology, Chemistry, Algebra.

ESC 210L (1 credit)
The laboratory will include field methods that describe the protocol for stream and well water sampling and analysis.

ESC 220 Petrogenesis (3 credits)
The physical and chemical properties, identification, and classification of rock-forming minerals, and the compositions, origins, and classification of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The first half of the course focuses on mineralogy; the second half of the course focuses on the study of rocks (petrology). Geochemical global cycling and mineral and rock economic resources will also be covered. Historical Geology is strongly recommended as a prerequisite. ESC 220L required. Prerequisites: Chemistry, Algebra, Physical Geology.

ESC 220L (1 credit)
Mineralogy labs will focus on symmetry, crystallographic axis geometry, and an understanding of and computation of chemical formulas, plus practice in the recognition of selected rock-forming and ore minerals. Petrology labs will focus on the recognition and interpretation of various rock types, both in the classroom and in the field.

ESC 310 Surface and Subsurface Processes (3 credits)
Principles of depositional processes (sedimentology), stratigraphy (including field mapping principles and exercises), and topographic-shaping surficial processes (geomorphology). The first half of the course is a systematic discussion of the mechanics of erosion, transportation, and deposition and how these control the ultimate disposition of sediments. The second half of the course is a description and study of processes that shape the surface (geomorphic) features of the earth. The effect of constructive actions (mountain-building activities, including volcanism) and destructive actions (river, wind, and glacier erosion, and karst development) is studied. Special emphasis is put on the stratigraphy and geomorphology of New York State. ESC 310L required. Prerequisite: Petrogenesis, Historical Geology.

ESC 310L (1 credit)
Field trips to study rocks that were formed in varied depositional environments.

ESC 320 Tectonics (3 credits)
Study of structural geology and the geophysical aspects of basin- and global-scale crustal processes. Structural geology encompasses the mechanics of earth processes and includes the study of stress and strain, folding, faulting, jointing, lineaments, and structural analysis. Also, study of geochronology and geophysics, including seismology and earthquakes, gravity, geomagnetism, and radioactivity and heat flow. The internal composition and state of the earth, and geodynamics is also studied. ESC 320L required. Prerequisites: Physics, Petrogenesis, Historical Geology. ESC 320L (1 credit)
Field mapping principles and exercises.

ESC 400 Field Geology (4 credits)
Students who elect to take this course will enroll in one of the many geology field courses offered across the United States by other educational institutions. It is highly recommend that students take a course that is offered in the West (west of the Mississippi River), because of the diversity of terrain and rock types there. The field course would need to be approved by Saint Rose. Prerequisite: Tectonics

ESC 410 Petrology and Petrography (3 credits)
Systematic study of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Composition, classification, and origin of rocks. Phase diagrams and chemistry of mineral assemblages. Relationship of rock systems to plate tectonic regimes. Relationship of environments of deposition to sedimentary facies. Relationship of metamorphic environments to metamorphic facies. ESC 410L required. Prerequisite: Tectonics.

ESC 410 L (1 credit)
Identification of rocks in hand specimen, microscope (binocular and petrographic), and in the field. Emphasis on texture, mineralogy, and thin-section petrography. Field trips will be a requisite component.

ESC 420 Hydrogeology (3 credits)
Basics of the hydrogeologic cycle (evaporation, precipitation, runoff, and streamflow). Properties of aquifers, principles of groundwater flow, soil moisture and groundwater recharge. Groundwater flow to wells and regional groundwater flow. Geology of groundwater occurrence, water chemistry, and water quality and groundwater contamination. ESC 420L required. Prerequisite: Tectonics.

ESC 420L (1 credit)
Field methods for collecting surface and groundwater samples. Groundwater computer modeling. Geophysical well logging and surficial methods of geophysical investigations.

ESC 430 Economic Geology (3 credits)
Petrogenesis, characteristics (recognition of), distribution, and economic evaluation of metallic and non-metallic ore deposits. Survey of major uses of such deposits. Origin, characteristics, and distribution of, and exploration and production procedures for, fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). Geopolitical ramifications of world-wide distribution of ore deposits and hydrocarbon resources. ESC 430L required. Prerequisites: Tectonics; Petrology and Petrography.

ESC 430L (1 credit)
Hand specimen and petrographic microscopic study of metallic and non-metallic ores. Introduction to assay and geochemical analysis techniques for resource evaluation. Review of selected ore body geometry and host rock characteristics. Introduction to geophysical well logging methods (petrophysics) for evaluating oil and gas wells.

ESC 440 Geochemistry (3 credits)
Cosmochemistry (elemental distribution of the Earth relative to that of the Universe) and nuclear synthesis. Structure and composition of the Earth relative to that of the other planets. Crystal chemistry control on the distribution of elements in rocks, soils, and the hydrosphere. Geochemical cycling, residence time, aqueous-terrestrial-biologic-atmospheric interactions, and evolution of the crust and hydrosphere geochemistry. Relationship of the chemistry and mineralogy of "common" rocks to the geochemical cycle. ESC 440L required. Prerequisites: Tectonics; Petrology and Petrography.

ESC 440L (1 credit)
Analytical techniques in geochemistry: overview of principles and methods. Geochemical modeling (computer modeling of geochemical processes).

ESC 490 Research (4 credits)
Field and/or laboratory geologic techniques and procedures. Student will define, plan, and perform a hands-on geologic research investigation. The project will be a field, laboratory, or combined field-laboratory investigation approved by the faculty and overseen by the faculty or an affiliate. These will not be internships. The project will culminate with a written report made using accepted scientific form and style. Student will also orally present the report to the geology faculty.

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Want to know more? Professor Jacqueline Smith is only a click away.Jacqueline Smith, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor of Geology

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