GEOL 373 - Regional Geology

Credits: 4
Planned Offering: Spring

Prerequisites: Instructor consent and two geology courses numbered 200 or above. The emphasis and location of the study area differs from year to year. Most course activity involves outside fieldwork with a series of multi-day to multi-week field trips. Information about the course is available prior to the end of the fall term. May be repeated for degree credit with permission and if the topics are different but only four credits may be used toward major requirements.

Topic for Spring 2012:

GEOL 373: Regional Geology of Coral Reefs: Past, Present, and Future (4). Prerequisites: Instructor consent and two geology courses numbered 200 or above. This course explores the geology, chemistry, biology, and ecology of coral reefs and associated carbonate systems. Topics include identification of key reef organisms and microhabitats, understanding reef ecosystem dynamics in space and time, the physical/geological controls on reef formation, and current threats to reef health. The course involve about two weeks of fieldwork in Belize and completion of an independent reef assessment project. Greer.