2023-2024 Academic Catalog

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Geology (GEOL)

GEOL 5001 -  RM-MSMSP: Earth Processes I  (4 Credits)  

Systematic study of geological concepts, rock and mineral formation, plate tectonics, volcanism and earthquakes, landforms and weathering, historical environmental interpretation. Includes a field component. This course is not applicable toward any degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Note: students should obtain permission of project director prior to enrolling in this course. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 4 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 5002 -  RM-MSMSP: Earth Sciences II - Sedimentology and Paleontology  (4 Credits)  

Field and lecture course building on Earth Sciences I, which covers internal earth processes. Students learn about erosional processes and how sedimentary rocks are deposited and may be preserved; the different ways fossils are preserved; describing rocks in the field; and collecting, preparing and describing fossils. Provides an overview of the geology of the area so that students can place the detailed studies in context. This course is not applicable toward any degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prereq: GEOL 5001 with a B- or higher. Max hours: 4 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Prereq: GEOL 5001 with a B- or higher.

GEOL 5003 -  RM-MSMSP: Earth Science in Context  (4 Credits)  

Designed for teachers in the RM-MSMSP program. Topics include global climate change, glaciers, coastal geology, volcanism, and their effects on culture. Monuments such as Florissant Fossil Beds, Ice Core, Cave of the Winds and a quarry will be visited. Note: This course is not applicable toward any degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prereq: Graduate standing. Max hours: 4 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 5004 -  RM-MSMSP Research Experience for Teachers - Geology Cohort  (1-6 Credits)  

A five-week research exploration in which RM-MSMSP teachers will raise their level of relevant scientific understanding by engaging in a "hands-on" workshop, transforming what they have learned into new curricular materials that will improve the scientific abilities of their students and hopefully stimulate them to consider a STEM career. Note: credit may not apply toward any CLAS degree. Prereq: Graduate standing. Department consent required. Max hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 5240 -  Applied Geomorphology  (3 Credits)  

Uses hands-on tasks and field trips to investigate processes behind Earth's changing landforms in a variety of physical landscapes(aeolian, volcanic, coastal, fluvial, karst, glacial and periglacial) as related to rock decay, soils and climatic forcings. Note: this course assumes that students have completed GEOG 1202 or GEOL 1072 and GEOG 3232. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with GEOG 4240, 5240 and GEOL 4240. Term offered: fall. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Typically Offered: Fall.

GEOL 5251 -  Fluvial Geomorphology  (3 Credits)  

Examines interactions between Earth's surface and flowing water across spatial and temporal scales. Considers structure and function of the major components of fluvial systems, with particular attention to the variety of fluvial systems to hydrologic, geologic and anthropogenic controls. Cross-listed with GEOG 4251, GEOG 5251 and GEOL 4251. Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree students. GEOG 3232 is strongly recommended, though not required. Term offered: fall. Max Hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Typically Offered: Fall.

GEOL 5270 -  Glacial Geomorphology  (3 Credits)  

Provides an in-depth view of the processes and systems found in glacial environments. Topics include: evidence of past glaciation; present-day glacial extent; glacier dynamics; glacial erosional processes and landforms; glacial depositional processes and landforms. Note: this course assumes that students have completed GEOG 1202 or GEOL 1072. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with GEOG 4270, GEOG 5270 and GEOL 4270. Max hours: 3 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 5880 -  Directed Research  (1-6 Credits)  

Students will engage in original research projects supervised and mentored by faculty. Students must work with faculty prior to registration to develop a proposal for their project and receive permission to take this course. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.

GEOL 5939 -  Internship  (1-6 Credits)  

Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Graduate standing. Department consent required. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 5950 -  Master's Thesis  (1-8 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP

Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Additional Information: Report as Full Time.

GEOL 5995 -  Global Study Topics  (3-9 Credits)  

This course is reserved for CU Denver faculty-led study abroad experiences. The course topic will vary based on the location and course content. Students register through the Office of Global Education. Prereq: Graduate standing. Cross-listed with GEOL 4995. Repeatable. Repeatable. Max Hours: 12 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 12.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 6840 -  Independent Study: GEOL  (1-3 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max hours: 9 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade

Repeatable. Max Credits: 9.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

GEOL 6950 -  Master's Thesis  (1-8 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP

Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Additional Information: Report as Full Time.

GEOL 6960 -  Master's Project  (1-8 Credits)  

Department consent required. Note: Students must submit a special processing form completely filled out and signed by the student and faculty member, describing the course expectations, assignments and outcomes, to the CLAS Graduate Academic Services Coordinator for approval. Prereq: Graduate standing. Repeatable. Max hours: 8 Credits.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP

Repeatable. Max Credits: 8.

Restriction: Restricted to Graduate and Graduate Non-Degree Majors

Additional Information: Report as Full Time.