What to take after Geology 105
What next? If you enjoyed Geology 105, you can take any of the following classes to get a more in-depth view of geology and environmental science (and finish your science requirements). These classes will let you use some of what you learned in Geology 105, fulfill a science requirement, or work on a major or minor in Geology. All these courses are open to anyone who has taken Geo. 105.
Evolution of the Earth Uses the principles you used in Physical Geology to interpret the history of the earth and its life. Many of the topics we touch on in Geo 105 (ice ages and climate change, mass extinctions, geological history of North America) and some we don’t (especially fossils and the history of life) get the attention they deserve here. One lab per week, with several field trips including one to the Grand Canyon!
Introduction to Field Methods Here’s a chance to really do some geology. You will visit spectacular localities in the Mojave desert or eastern Sierra and learn how to interpret the history of the rocks, make a geological map, and write a scientific report. Take a break from Los Angeles and enjoy some delightful evenings around the campfire under crystal-clear desert skies! One day trip and two weekend field trips. (Geo. 225, Margi Rusmore)
Global Geophysics and Tectonics Learn more about plate tectonics, with special emphasis on actually doing plate tectonics:
- Use computers to open the Red Sea, or move Bombay back to its position 60 million years ago;
- Learn how fault orientation and offset can be inferred from seismograms;
- Interpret marine magnetic anomalies from the Antarctic Ocean.
One lab per week. (Geo. 235, Scott Bogue)
Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans Get an introduction to the fields of meteorology and physical oceanography that are essential background for anyone wanting to understand the current scientific debate about global climate change. Some of the topics we touch on are polar stratospheric clouds and ozone depletion, the effort to predict occurrences of “El Nino”, the changing chemistry of earth’s atmosphere and greenhouse warming, and the history of earth’s climate. (Scott Bogue)
Paleomagnetism This course begins with a look at questions like: Why are rocks magnetic? How old is their magnetism? What can be learned from the way the magnetism points? After mastering the fundamentals, you will participate in a class project that includes the collection of oriented samples, measurement and analysis of their magnetism, and presentation of your results to other Geology students and faculty. (Geo 355, Scott Bogue)