Courses Offered

GEO SCI 400 Water Quality

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Water availability and water quality in surface and subsurface water bodies; management of water as a resource.

Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEM 102(P) or consent of instructor.

Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 400G Water Quality

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Water availability and water quality in surface and subsurface water bodies; management of water as a resource.

Prerequisites: junior standing and CHEM 102(P) or consent of instructor.

Course Rules: 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 409 Process Geomorphology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of geological processes and their effect on the formation and evolution of land forms. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trips for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P), GEOG 120(P), or GEOG 121(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 409G Process Geomorphology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of geological processes and their effect on the formation and evolution of land forms. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trips for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P), GEOG 120(P), or GEOG 121(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 435 History of Geologic Thought

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of development of the major concepts in geology.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 102(P) or cons instr.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 435G History of Geologic Thought

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of development of the major concepts in geology.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 102(P) or cons instr.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 443 Glacial and Pleistocene Geology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mechanics of glacial flow, Pleistocene stratigraphy, and laboratory techniques. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P), GEO SCI 101(P), GEOG 120(P), or GEOG 121(P). GEO SCI 102(R) or GEO SCI 108(R).

Course Rules: Field trips for which fees are assessed.

Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 443G Glacial and Pleistocene Geology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Mechanics of glacial flow, Pleistocene stratigraphy, and laboratory techniques. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P), GEO SCI 101(P), GEOG 120(P), or GEOG 121(P). GEO SCI 102(R) or GEO SCI 108(R).

Course Rules: Field trips for which fees are assessed.

Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 463 Physical Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of ground water occurrence, its interrelationship with surface water, aquifer properties, groundwater flow and water supply development, including well hydraulics, water quality, and groundwater law. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, & field trip.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P) or GEO SCI 101(P); MATH 232(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 463G Physical Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Study of ground water occurrence, its interrelationship with surface water, aquifer properties, groundwater flow and water supply development, including well hydraulics, water quality, and groundwater law. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, & field trip.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 100(P) or GEO SCI 101(P); MATH 232(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 464 Chemical Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Natural chemical processes that occur in groundwater systems, how they are modified by human activity and contamination, and attempts to regulate them. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Prerequisites: jr st; CHEM 102(P).

Course Rules: FRSHWTR 464 & GEO SCI 464 are jointly-offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 464G Chemical Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Natural chemical processes that occur in groundwater systems, how they are modified by human activity and contamination, and attempts to regulate them. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab.

Prerequisites: jr st; CHEM 102(P).

Course Rules: FRSHWTR 464 & GEO SCI 464 are jointly-offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 497 Study Abroad:

1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.

Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.

Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2008.

GEO SCI 497G Study Abroad:

1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared course work.

Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.

Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2008.

GEO SCI 511 Stratigraphy and Sedimentation

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Techniques and principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, including methods of correlation, analysis of facies, stratigraphic mapping, and tectonic controls of sedimentation. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 102(P) or equiv.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 511G Stratigraphy and Sedimentation

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Techniques and principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy, including methods of correlation, analysis of facies, stratigraphic mapping, and tectonic controls of sedimentation. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 102(P) or equiv.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 515 Physical Sedimentology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Physical properties, processes, and environments of clastic sediments. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 511(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2021.

GEO SCI 515G Physical Sedimentology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Physical properties, processes, and environments of clastic sediments. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 511(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2021.

GEO SCI 520 Introduction to Paleontology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
General study of fossils and theoretical principles used in the study of paleontology. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 102 or GEO SCI 108.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 520G Introduction to Paleontology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
General study of fossils and theoretical principles used in the study of paleontology. 3 hrs lec, 3 hrs lab, and field trips.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 102 or GEO SCI 108.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 525 Terroir: Geology in a Glass

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The geology, soil types, and climate of famous wine regions; factors that influence the production of fine wine.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 100(P).

Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Geo Sci 696 w/same topic.

Last Taught: Fall 2021.

GEO SCI 525G Terroir: Geology in a Glass

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
The geology, soil types, and climate of famous wine regions; factors that influence the production of fine wine.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 100(P).

Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Geo Sci 696 w/same topic.

Last Taught: Fall 2021.

GEO SCI 545 X-Ray Analytical Methods

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Methods in x-ray diffractometry and spectrometry. Nature and generation of x-rays, collection and interpretation of powder diffraction patterns and elemental analysis using x-ray spectrometry.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 301(P); satisfaction of OWC-A req; Chem 102(C).

General Education Requirements: OWCB

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 545G X-Ray Analytical Methods

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Methods in x-ray diffractometry and spectrometry. Nature and generation of x-rays, collection and interpretation of powder diffraction patterns and elemental analysis using x-ray spectrometry.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 301(P); satisfaction of OWC-A req; Chem 102(C).

General Education Requirements: OWCB

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 558 Conducted Field Trip:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Field trip to a classical geologic area. Preceded by a seminar.

Prerequisites: jr st; cons instr.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max, only 3 cr of which may be applied toward geo sci major.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 558G Conducted Field Trip:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Field trip to a classical geologic area. Preceded by a seminar.

Prerequisites: jr st; cons instr.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max, only 3 cr of which may be applied toward geo sci major.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 562 Environmental Surface Hydrology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Land-atmosphere interactions, modeling of runoff generation, and water movement in the vadose zone. 3 hrs lec.

Prerequisites: jr st; Math 232(P); or cons instr.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 562G Environmental Surface Hydrology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Land-atmosphere interactions, modeling of runoff generation, and water movement in the vadose zone. 3 hrs lec.

Prerequisites: jr st; Math 232(P); or cons instr.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 563 Field Methods in Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Introduction to current equipment and methodology used in field evaluation of hydrologic systems. Well installation and monitoring, stream gauging, indirect surface observations. Lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 463(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 563G Field Methods in Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Introduction to current equipment and methodology used in field evaluation of hydrologic systems. Well installation and monitoring, stream gauging, indirect surface observations. Lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 463(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 564G Field Methods in Hydrogeology

4 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Introduction to current equipment and methodology used in field evaluation of hydrologic systems. Well installation and monitoring, stream gauging, indirect surface observations. Lab, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; GEO SCI 463(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 614 Advanced Structural Geology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced analysis of deformation as applied to geological structures from microscopic through regional scales. Lec, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 414(P); Math 231(C).

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 614G Advanced Structural Geology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced analysis of deformation as applied to geological structures from microscopic through regional scales. Lec, field trip for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 414(P); Math 231(C).

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 635 Volcanology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Why and when volcanoes erupt; predicting whether eruptions will be explosive or passive.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 302(P) or cons instr.

Last Taught: Fall 2022.

GEO SCI 635G Volcanology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Why and when volcanoes erupt; predicting whether eruptions will be explosive or passive.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 302(P) or cons instr.

Last Taught: Fall 2022.

GEO SCI 637 Planetary Geology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced study of planetary geology, for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 301(P) or Astron 211(P) or 400(P); completion of OWC-A GER (English 102 or equiv placement).

General Education Requirements: OWCB

Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Geo Sci 697 w/same topic.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 637G Planetary Geology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Advanced study of planetary geology, for advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 301(P) or Astron 211(P) or 400(P); completion of OWC-A GER (English 102 or equiv placement).

General Education Requirements: OWCB

Course Rules: No cr for students w/cr in Geo Sci 697 w/same topic.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 638 Advanced Igneous Petrology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Recent trends and applications in the fields of igneous petrology. Quantitative modelling of important petrologic processes. Critical reading of journal articles in petrology. Lec.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 302(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 638G Advanced Igneous Petrology

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Recent trends and applications in the fields of igneous petrology. Quantitative modelling of important petrologic processes. Critical reading of journal articles in petrology. Lec.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 302(P).

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 655 Topics in Structure and Tectonics:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 414(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 655G Topics in Structure and Tectonics:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Prerequisites: jr st; Geo Sci 414(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 695 Internship in Geoscience

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An internship consistent with the student's plan of study in geosciences. Requirements and evaluation determined by the department on an individual basis.

Prerequisites: jr st; cons dept.

Last Taught: Summer 2024, Summer 2015.

GEO SCI 695G Internship in Geoscience

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
An internship consistent with the student's plan of study in geosciences. Requirements and evaluation determined by the department on an individual basis.

Prerequisites: jr st; cons dept.

Last Taught: Summer 2024, Summer 2015.

GEO SCI 696 Topics in the Geological Sciences:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Add'l prereqs announced in Schedule of Classes each time course offered.

Prerequisites: junior standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 696G Topics in the Geological Sciences:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Add'l prereqs announced in Schedule of Classes each time course offered.

Prerequisites: junior standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Fall 2023.

GEO SCI 697 Seminar in the Geological Sciences:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Specific credits and additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered.

Prerequisites: junior standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 697G Seminar in the Geological Sciences:

1-3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Specific credits and additional prerequisites announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered.

Prerequisites: junior standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2024.

GEO SCI 720 Methods in Paleomagnetism and Environmental Magnetism

3 cr. Graduate.
This course is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical foundation in paleomagnetism and environmental magnetism, including hands-on work with samples and real data.

Prerequisites: grad st; MATH 231(R); PHYSICS 210(R) or PHYSICS 122(R)

Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEO SCI 696 with the same topic. Not open to students w/ credit in GEO SCI 420.

Last Taught: Fall 2023, Spring 2022.

GEO SCI 721 Conservation Paleontology

3 cr. Graduate.
Application of theories and analytical tools of paleontology to biodiversity conservation.

Prerequisites: graduate standing.

Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEO SCI 696 with topic 'Conservation Paleontology'.

GEO SCI 722 Plant-Insect Interactions in Deep Time

3 cr. Graduate.
Fossil record of interactions between plants and insects, focusing primarily on herbivory and pollination; basic overview of the fossil record and evolutionary history of plants and insects.

Prerequisites: graduate standing.

Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of GEO SCI 696 with topic 'Plant and Insect Relationships in Deep Time'.

GEO SCI 730 Modelling Techniques for Hydrogeology

3 cr. Graduate.
Study and application of modelling techniques in hydrogeology. Includes finite difference and finite element techniques for groundwater flow, contaminent transport, and geochemistry.

Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 463; knowledge of fortran or equiv; cons instr.

Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2015, Spring 2014.

GEO SCI 740 Carbonate Sedimentology

3 cr. Graduate.
Depositional processes, environments and stratigraphic analysis of carbonate rocks. Lec, lab, field trip, for which fee is assessed.

Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 511 or equiv.

Course Rules: Field trip for which fee is assessed.

Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015.

GEO SCI 749 Biogeochemistry of Soils

3 cr. Graduate.
Biogeochemical processes in soils and their impact on water quality.

Prerequisites: graduate standing and GEO SCI 464(P) or consent of instructor.

Course Rules: 3 hrs lec.

Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2020, Spring 2009.

GEO SCI 750 Contaminant Hydrogeology

3 cr. Graduate.
Transport and fate of contaminants in aquifers, aquitards, and unsaturated geologic materials.

Prerequisites: grad st; Geo Sci 464(C).

Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2019, Fall 2017, Fall 2015.

GEO SCI 790 Graduate Seminar in the Geological Sciences:

1-3 cr. Graduate.
Add'l prereqs announced in schedule of classes each time course offered.

Prerequisites: grad st.

Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2006, Spring 2002.

GEO SCI 888 Candidate for Degree

0 cr. Graduate.
Available for grad students who must meet minimum cr load requirement.

Prerequisites: graduate standing.

Course Rules: Fee for 1 cr assessed; unit does not count towards credit load for Fin Aid. Repeatable. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only.

Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Summer 2016, Summer 2015.

GEO SCI 990 Master's Thesis

1-8 cr. Graduate.

Prerequisites: grad st; cons instr & completed thesis proposal.

Last Taught: Summer 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 997 Doctoral Externship

1-12 cr. Graduate.

Prerequisites: grad st; admis to candidacy for Ph.D.

Last Taught: Spring 2019, Fall 2018.

GEO SCI 998 Doctoral Dissertation

1-12 cr. Graduate.

Prerequisites: grad st.

Last Taught: Summer 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023.

GEO SCI 999 Advanced Independent Reading

1-4 cr. Graduate.
Independent geologic study.

Prerequisites: grad st & cons instr.

Course Rules: Retakable to 4 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022.