School of Earth & Environmental
Sciences
Director: Allan Ludman
Graduate Advisor:
Gregory O'Mullen
Department Office: Science Bldg. D216, 997-3300
E-mail: qc.sees@qc.cuny.edu; and Graduate.SEES@qc.cuny.edu
Department Website: http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Degrees/DMNS/SEES
The school offers programs
leading to a Master of Arts in geology or a Master of Science in environmental
geoscience. Coursework and research opportunities are available to specialize
in atmospheric sciences, global climate change, chemical oceanography
and paleoceanography, environmental geology and geochemistry, isotope
geochemistry, soil biogeochemistry and physiology, shallow subsurface
and marine geophysics, groundwater and surface water hydrology, urban
ecology and limnology, geomicrobiology, geomorphology and quaternary
studies, sedimentation, sedimentary petrology, paleontology, experimental
mineralogy and petrology, igneous and metamorphic petrology.
Faculty are involved
in field activities from areas around New York City, to the northern
Appalachians of New England, and continental United States, to numerous localities
around the world, e.g., the Southern Ocean, the North Atlantic Ocean,
the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Caribbean, South America,
South and East Asia, and Europe. Major equipment capability includes X-ray diffraction and fluorescence spectrometry, electron transmission
and scanning electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively
coupled plasma emission spectrometry, ion and gas chromatography, carbon
and nitrogen analysis, microbial characterization via enrichment culturing
and molecular genetic characterization, electrochemical analysis and
alpha spectrometry. Field instrumentation for watershed characterization,
subsurface imaging, atmospheric, groundwater, and soil monitoring (in
cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and New York Soil and Water
Conservation District), and estuary studies enable field data collection
under faculty guidance. Currently, SEES is rapidly expanding our field
and laboratory instrumentation to meet the needs of sustainable growth
of New York City.
Faculty participate
fully in the City University of New York Graduate Center PhD program
in earth and environmental sciences. Cooperative research projects exist
with the American Museum of Natural History and the Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory of Columbia University.
Exciting projects being performed by students and faculty concern arsenic contamination
in the drinking water supply, environmental health and safety, cancer
and genetic epidemiology, environmental geochemistry, study of sewage
effluent contamination and its effects on hypoxia and the benthic foodweb
in Long Island Sound, salinity intrusion and microbial contamination
in the NY–NJ Harbor Estuary, paleoclimatological history of the Hudson
River, global climate change (including hurricane patterns of the past
and the future), tectonic history of Westchester County and the State
of Maine, radiometric ages of ancient rocks and radionuclide tracing
of oceanic carbon cycling, plant-atmosphere CO2 fluxes, microbial
ecology of plant litter, and earthquake hazards, among other topics.
Current funding for
research is from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes
of Environmental Health, Hudson River Foundation, New York City Department
of Environmental Protection, the CUNY Program for Environmental and
Ecological Research, and the PSC/CUNY Research Awards. Students who
have successfully completed the program have found employment in industry
or government, or have entered PhD programs. Students in the Master
of Science program in applied environmental geosciences are eligible
for Roux Scholarships.
Faculty
Ludman, Allan, Professor,
Chair, PhD 1969, University
of Pennsylvania: field geology, metamorphic petrology, tectonics.
Eaton, Timothy T., Assistant Professor, PhD 2002, University of Wisconsin
at Madison: hydrogeology, estuarine and surface-water hydrology, wetlands,
water resources management.
Bird, Jeffrey, Assistant Professor, PhD 2001, University of California–Davis:
soil biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology, microbial community ecology,
C and N fluxes and cycling.
Brock, Patrick W.G., Associate
Professor, PhD 1963, University of Leeds: field geology, igneous and
metamorphic petrology, structural geology, geomorphology.
Brueckner, Hannes K., Professor, PhD
1968, Yale University: Adjunct Senior Research Associate, Lamont-Doherty
Earth Observatory: structural geology, geotectonics, isotope geology,
geochemistry.
Coch, Nicholas K., Professor, PhD
1965, Yale University: sedimentology, coastal geology, environmental,
geology.
Hemming, N. Gary, Associate Professor, PhD, 1993, State University of New
York at Stony Brook: Adjunct Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory: boron geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, chemical
oceanography.
Hendrey, George R., Distinguished Professor, PhD 1973, University of Washington
at Seattle: earth systems science.
Markowitz, Steven, Professor, MD
1981, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons: Director, Queens
College Center for the Biology of Natural Systems: occupational and
environmental medicine, occupational health and safety.
McHugh, Cecilia M.G., Professor, PhD
1993, Columbia University: Assistant to the Dean, Adjunct Associate
Research Associate, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory: marine geology,
sedimentology, sedimentary petrology, geomorphology.
Morabia, Alfredo, Professor,
PhD 1990, Johns Hopkins University; MD 1978 University of Geneva: Queens
College Center for the Biology of Natural Systems; community-based risk
factors, cancer and genetic epidemiology, historical methods and concepts
in epidemiology.
O’Mullan, Gregory, Assistant Professor, PhD 2005, Princeton University: microbial
ecology, geomicrobiology, estuarine water quality.
Pekar, Stephen F., Assistant Professor, PhD, 1999, Rutgers University, State
University of New Jersey: sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology.
Rouff, Ashaki., Assistant Professor, PhD 2004, State University of New
York at Stony Brook: environmental mineralogy, aqueous environmental
geochemistry.
Stewart, Gillian M., Assistant Professor, PhD 2005, Marine Sciences Research
Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook: trophic transfer
and bioaccumulation of contaminants, ocean sequestration of atmospheric
carbon dioxide.
Yi, Chuixiang, Assistant Professor,
PhD 1991, Nanjing University: micrometeorology, land-atmosphere exchange
of carbon dioxide, vegetation canopy fluid mechanics, covariance flux.
Zheng, Yan,
Professor, PhD 1999,
Columbia University: Adjunct Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth
Observatory; redox geochemistry in earth surface processes, water quality,
arsenic groundwater contamination and public health.
Advanced Graduate Certificate Program in Earth Science
The Advanced Graduate Certificate
Program in Earth Science is designed to give teachers for grades 8–12 the broad background necessary to teach Regents Earth Science.
It is intended primarily for teachers who are already licensed in another
science and have therefore completed their required pedagogy courses.
New York State requires 3 credits of geology for earth sciences certification.
The program covers the Regents Earth Science Core Curriculum in six
courses (20 credits), two more than the minimum required for state certification.
Students may take any 500- or 700-level courses to complete the remaining
10 credits.
Requirements for Matriculation
Teachers matriculate directly
into the Advanced Certificate Program and pay CUNY graduate tuition.
Applicants must submit a copy of their current teaching certification
to demonstrate appropriate pedagogy background.
Program Requirements
Candidates for the Advanced
Certificate must complete the following courses with a grade of B or
better:
GEOL 501. Earth Composition
and Earth Processes (4 cr.)
GEOL 502. Earth History and
the Fossil Record (3 cr.)
GEOL 520. Meteorology (3 cr.)
GEOL 521. Oceanography (3
cr.)
GEOL 522. Applied Geological
Reasoning: Geology of New York State (3 cr.)
ASTR 501. Modern Aspects of
Astronomy (4 cr.)
Relationship to Master
of Science in Education Degree
Students matriculated in the
MSEd program who wish to specialize in earth science should
have two advisors, one in the Division of Education and one in the School
of Earth and Environmental Sciences. MSEd students with little
prior geology training should follow the Advanced Certificate curriculum
outlined above; those with an undergraduate geology degree should take
700-level geology courses.
Program for the MA and MS Degrees
Requirements for Matriculation
These requirements are in
addition to the college requirements for admission.
1. The department requires
that all students have taken a course in physical geology and a course
in historical geology. However, recognizing that undergraduates may
have studied in many different fields of earth sciences, additional
expected undergraduate training may be in a broad array of subjects,
including most of the following:
- minerals; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic petrography;
- surficial processes/geomorphology;
- sedimentation and stratigraphy;
- structural geology and earth internal processes;
- oceanography, climatology;
- evolution and paleontology;
- geochemistry, geophysics, and ecology;
- field geology (an approved field course)
The department’s graduate
committee may waive the above requirement—except physical geology
and historical geology—for students with a strong background in science
who may wish to pursue studies in special fields such as hydrology,
geophysics, geochemistry, or environmental sciences.
2. The Graduate Record
Exam (GRE), verbal and quantitative, with official scores submitted
to the department.
3. Differential and
integral college calculus, two semesters of college physics, and two
semesters of college chemistry. College biology may be substituted for
one semester of physics if appropriate.
4. Students may be accepted
with deficiencies in mathematics or allied sciences but must remove
those deficiencies by taking the necessary undergraduate courses without
credit. Deficiencies must be removed before the student may proceed
beyond 12 credits of graduate work in geology.
5. Advanced standing
(not exceeding 12 credits) may be granted to students who have taken
graduate courses in geology at other institutions with a minimum grade
of B or the equivalent.
Requirements for the
Master of Arts Degree in [Geology]
Geological and Environmental Sciences
These requirements are in addition
to the general master’s degree program requirements:
1. Residence: A minimum
of two full semesters, and 18 credits of coursework in the School of
Earth and Environmental Sciences at Queens College.
2. Satisfactory completion
of an approved course of study for a minimum total of 30 credits in
graduate geology courses (700 or higher), including a thesis. Individual
programs are organized to permit specialization in most areas of geology
and related earth sciences. Unless they have an undergraduate geology
major, students must take GEOL 701 and GEOL 702 during their first year.
A student’s advisory committee, established in the first year, must
approve his/her individualized course of study. At the discretion of
the committee and the graduate advisor, courses in other science departments
may be included in the course of study.
3. Thesis: The thesis
problem and mentor must be approved by the department.
4. Certification: Upon
receipt of confirmation from the student’s advisory committee that
the program of study, thesis, and thesis defense have been completed,
the graduate advisor will certify to the Office of Graduate Studies
that the student is qualified to receive the degree.
Requirements for the
Master of Science Degree in Environmental Geosciences
These requirements are in addition
to the general master’s degree program requirements:
1. Residence: A minimum
of two full semesters, and 18 credits of coursework in the School of
Earth and Environmental Sciences at Queens College.
2. Satisfactory completion
of the following curriculum of coursework: 30 credits, and a 6-credit
internship. In exceptional cases, some courses may be waived because
of transfer credits or professional experience. In addition, unless
they have an undergraduate geology major, students must take GEOL 701
and GEOL 702 during their first year.
a. Environmental Geosciences
Core Courses
GEOL 745. Hydrology
or
GEOL 746. Groundwater Hydrology
GEOL 762. Shallow Subsurface
Geophysics
GEOL 763. Geographic Information
Systems
GEOL 760. Environmental Geochemistry
b. Environmental Geosciences
Methods Courses
GEOL 761. Field Methods in
Hydrology
GEOL 767. Field Techniques
in Environmental Sciences
GEOL 766. Analytical Techniques
in Environmental Geosciences
c. Three elective courses
from among the following, to which others may be added
GEOL 742. Stratigraphy
GEOL 750. Environmental Geology
GEOL 747. Coastal and Estuarine
Geology
GEOL 764. Contaminant Hydrogeology
GEOL 765. Surficial Processes
GEOL 768. Soils, Wetlands
and Bioremediation
d. Internship
GEOL 788.6. Cooperative Education
Placement.
Note: This semester- or summer-long internship
is in lieu of a thesis project and must be arranged with an organization,
firm, or agency in which hands-on experience is obtained. A program
of internship work must be approved by the department’s internship
committee and representatives of the internship organization.
A substantive final report must be prepared and presented by the student.
3. Certification: The
student’s advisors shall oversee the internship work and shall certify
to the Office of Graduate Studies the satisfactory completion of all
academic requirements for the Master of Science degree by the candidate.
Courses in Geology
Courses on the 500 level may
not be applied toward the Master of Arts in geology. Courses on the
700 level may presume knowledge normally provided in the requirements
for matriculation. Students should consult with their advisors prior
to registering for these courses.
GEOL 501. Earth Composition
and Earth Processes.
3 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Required field trip(s). Geological materials,
internal and external structure and dynamics of the Earth, and origin
and evolution of the Earth’s present landscapes.
GEOL 502. Earth History
and the Fossil Record.
2 lec., 2 seminar/lab hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 501 or equivalent. Required
field trip(s). The origin and history of the Earth as a planet; the
use of evidence in reconstructing its crustal history, geography, and
past environments; the evolution of life; regional geology of North
America.
GEOL 503. Modern Aspects
of Geology. 3 rec.,
3 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Two semesters of geology. An introduction
to the basic geological processes and structures, followed by discussions
of selected topics in geochemistry and geophysics.††
GEOL 504. Environmental
Problems and Solutions. 4
hr. (2 lec., 2 lab. hr.); 3 cr. Field trips. The scientific analysis
of important environmental issues is presented, and various solutions
are discussed. Included are case history examples of human impact on
the physical environment, such as toxic waste disposal, sludge management,
pollution of the potable groundwater supply, sewage effluent, contamination
of estuaries and anthropogenic cause of red tides, among others. Proposals
are offered on land-use planning and on strategies for energy consumption,
agriculture, and manufacturing.
GEOL 507, 508. Special
Studies in Geology. Hr.
to be arranged; 3 cr. Prereq.: One year of geology and permission of
the school. These courses are designed for graduate students interested
in geology beyond the elementary level. Course requirements are normally
met by successful completion of an advanced undergraduate geology course
plus completion of a special project.††
GEOL 509. Environmental
Geology of the New York Metropolitan Region.
2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 501 or equivalent. Geological
processes affecting the quality of the environment. Laboratory work
involves the study of maps, aerial photographs, and other data in order
to analyze geologic problems and write environmental impact statements.
Field trips may be included.††
GEOL 510. Coastal Geology. 2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.:
GEOL 501 or equivalent. Geological processes, problems, and management
decisions in the coastal zone of the United States. Laboratory work
involves analysis of samples, maps, and aerial photographs. Field trips
may be required.††
GEOL 512. Oceanography
of New York and Adjacent Waters.
2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 501 or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the processes and problems of the physical, geological,
chemical, and biological oceanography of the northwest Atlantic. Lab
sessions utilize oceanographic data to study specific areas. Field trips
may be included.††
GEOL 515. Geology of
New York State. 2
lec., 3 lab hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 501 or equivalent. Required field
trip(s). The development of the bedrock, surficial geology, and landscapes
of New York State over geologic time. Laboratory work involves analysis
of samples, geological maps, and sections.††
GEOL 516. Geology in
the Field. 2 lec.,
6 lab. hr. or 1 day in the field per week; 4 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 501 or
equivalent. The mode of occurrence and identification of rock types
and the development of landscapes are studied in the field. Fieldwork
involves obtaining, recording, and interpreting data from a diverse
set of geologic terrains.††
GEOL 520. Meteorology. 2 lec. and 2 lab./rec. hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. or coreq.: Matriculation in the program or permission of the school. This course is designed to give middle and high school teachers
a nonmathematical background in meteorology, the science of the atmosphere,
and its effects on the surface of the Earth and on life in general.
Topics include the history, structure, and dynamics of the atmosphere
(physical meteorology); fronts and frontal weather, storms (dynamical
meteorology), observational methods (observational meteorology); temporal
changes in climate (climatology). Observational methods and data are
used throughout to support the understanding and concepts important
in meteorology.
GEOL 521. Oceanography. 2 lec. and 2 lab./rec. hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq. or coreq.: Matriculation in the program or permission of the school. This class provides middle and high school teachers with background
information about the Earth’s oceans that encompasses: the history
of oceanography and sea-floor exploration; the evolution of the oceans
and atmosphere; plate tectonics; ocean sedimentation; properties and
chemistry of ocean waters; ocean/atmosphere interactions and their effects
on climate; coasts; life in the oceans; marine resources and environmental
concerns.
GEOL 522. Applied Geologic
Reasoning: Geology of New York State. 2
lec., 3 lab. hr., field trips; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: Matriculation
in the program or permission of the School, SEES 501 and 502 (or equivalent
courses), and at least one 300-level undergraduate geology course. The
geologic history of New York, with special emphasis on the New York
City region as we currently understand it, is used as a platform for
examining, in lecture, lab, and in the field, the evidence and logic
that goes into elucidating the geologic history and completion of a
geologic map, cross-section, and stratigraphic column.
GEOL 551, Applied Earth
Systems Science: GLOBE® Program Certification.
3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.:
Enrollment in EECE MAT; not open to certified GLOBE® teachers. Application
of an Earth systems science integrated view of environmental processes
to study long-term global change using GLOBE® Program research protocols.
Students are trained in GLOBE® atmosphere, soil, hydrology, seasonal
change, and land use/land cover protocols, and learn the scientific
principles underlying those research areas. Course includes formal GLOBE®
certification, and 2 all-day field exercises.
GEOL 552. GLOBE®
Program Environmental research. 3
hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Open to pre-service graduate students and in-service
secondary school teachers; not open to students who have completed GEOL
551. Research into selected local environmental issues using GLOBE®
Program protocols for atmosphere, soil, hydrology, seasonal change,
and land cover. Course includes GLOBE® Program teacher certification,
and 3 all-day field exercises.
GEOL 599. Special Topics
in Geology. GEOL 599.1,
1 lec. hr.; 1 cr. GEOL 599.2, 2 lec. hr.; 2 cr. GEOL 599.3,
3 lec. hr. or 2 lec. hr., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr.
GEOL 599.4, 3 lec. hr., 3 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the school. This course will cover topics of current interest in a particular
aspect of the geological sciences. Topics may vary. The course may be
repeated for credit if the topic is different.
GEOL 701. Advanced Principles
of Physical Geology.
3 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Required field trip(s). Prereq.: Permission
of the instructor. Modern concepts of Earth’s composition, processes,
physiography, and internal structure.†
GEOL 702. Advanced Principles
of Historical Geology.
3 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Required field trip(s). Prereq.: Permission
of the instructor. Modern concepts of sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology,
and basin analysis. Field and laboratory techniques used in the analysis
of regional rock sequences.†
GEOL 705. Computer Modeling
in Geology: Special Topics.
2 lab. hr.; 1 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the school. This course will
be offered as a complement to geology courses in which many of the applications
involve the use of computers and modeling. Examples are geotechnics
and soil mechanics, hydrology and groundwater geology, environmental
geology, etc. Students will be expected to have some knowledge of computers
and programming, and to have as a prerequisite or corequisite basic
knowledge of the appropriate geological specialty. May be taken as a
laboratory component to another course or as independent study.††
GEOL 710. Structural
Geology. 3 lec., 2
lab. hr.; 4 cr. Physical properties of rocks and rock behavior in different
tectonic environments; deformation by fracturing; folding deformation;
collapse structures; gravitational gliding; interpretation of linear
and planar elements; petrofabric analysis. Fundamental concepts of geotectonics.††
GEOL 712. Geotectonics. 2 lec. or 2 semin., 2 lab. hr.; 3
cr. A study of various aspects of the petrology, structural features,
and stratigraphy of major tectonic elements, such as orogenic belts,
intracratonal basins, rift-zones, island arcs, and mid-oceanic ridges;
their significance in the development of the Earth’s crust. Detailed
analysis of selected world regions.††
GEOL 714. Geophysics. 3 lec. or semin. hr.; 3 cr. Principles
of seismology: elastic constants; types and propagation of elastic waves.
Exploration and earthquake seismology; gravity and magnetic fields of
the Earth; development of a comprehensive Earth model based on geophysical
data and concepts.††
GEOL 715. Introductory
Field Geology. 2 cr.
Two to three weeks of supervised fieldwork, with the results presented
in a geologic map accompanied by a written report, cross sections, and
appropriate diagrams and illustrations. GEOL 715 must be followed by
GEOL 716 to meet the geology field course requirement.††
GEOL 716. Advanced Field
Geology. 2 cr. Prereq.:
GEOL 715. Two to three weeks of supervised fieldwork, with the results
presented in a geologic map accompanied by a written report, cross sections,
and appropriate diagrams and illustrations. The report and map are expected
to be prepared at a more advanced level than those of GEOL 715.††
GEOL 717. Field Methods. 6 lab. hr.; 2 cr. Methods of collection,
analysis, and presentation of field data, navigation, mapping, and plane
tabling.††
GEOL 718. Field Geology. 4 cr. A comprehensive geologic field
investigation at the graduate level involving a minimum of three weeks
supervised fieldwork and a detailed field report of acceptable standards
with geologic map, diagrams, and illustrations.††
GEOL 720. Mineralogy. 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Crystal
chemistry; mineral genesis and crystal growth; physiochemical principles
governing crystal structures; mineral properties related to crystal
structures; study of methods of analysis.†
GEOL 721. Optical Mineralogy. 2 lec., 4 lab. hr., plus field trip;
2 cr. (for half a semester). Prereq.: Undergraduate course in mineralogy
assumed. Use of the petrographic microscope as a rigorous tool in the
identification of minerals and the study of rocks.
GEOL 722. X-ray Diffraction
Analysis. 2 lec.,
2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Theory and application of X-ray diffraction; methods
of qualitative and quantitative mineral analysis; mineral structure
analysis.††
GEOL 723. Advanced Research
Methods in Geology.
1 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Principles and methods of qualitative and
quantitative analysis of geological materials. Laboratory problems include
using such methods of analysis as differential thermal analysis, infrared
spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and electron microprobe.††
GEOL 724. Igneous Petrology. 2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Principles
of igneous petrology based on chemical thermodynamics and phase equilibria
systems established by geochemical laboratory investigations; problems
of rock classification and nomenclature; fundamentals of structural
petrology; petrogenesis in space and time; study of hand specimens and
thin sections with advanced laboratory techniques.††
GEOL 726. Metamorphic
Petrology. 2 lec.,
2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Chemical principles and physical conditions of metamorphism,
based on thermodynamic and experimental data. Mode of occurrence and
classification of metamorphic rocks. Detailed study of metamorphic minerals
and mineral assemblages.††
GEOL 730. Paleontology
of the Invertebrates. 2
lec., 1 sem., 2 lab. hr.; 4 cr. An advanced treatment of the functional
morphology, systematics, evolutionary history, and paleoecology of invertebrate
animals through geologic time. Laboratory techniques in the use of fossils
as primary data of organic evolution and indicators of paleoenvironments.
(Open to qualified students in biology.)††
GEOL 732. Paleoecology. 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. The reconstruction
and analysis of plant and animal communities of the past, their historical
development as communities, and their interactions with the environment.
The fossil evidence for animal behavior, food chains, predator-prey
relationships, symbiosis, parasitism, and environmental control of species
distribution. Field and laboratory techniques.††
GEOL 734. Micropaleontology. 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. The study
of several groups of animal and plant remains of microscopic dimensions.
Collection of samples; recovery of microfossils from samples; sorting
and classification; stratigraphic and economic value; ecologic studies.††
GEOL 736. Palynology. 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. The systematic
study, laboratory preparation, and geologic significance of the microscopic
remains of plants and closely related organisms, such as plant spores
and pollen, dinoflagellates, and acritarchs.††
GEOL 740. Sedimentology. 2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Sediments,
sedimentary processes, and sedimentary environments. Laboratory and
field techniques in the analysis of sediment facies and sequences.††
GEOL 742. Stratigraphy. 2 lec., 2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Principles
of stratigraphy; the stratigraphic record and nomenclature; faunal stratigraphy
and correlation. Systematic stratigraphy of North America: Pre-Cambrian
problems; geosynclinical, cratonal, and non-marine sedimentation of
the Paleozoic Era; Mesozoic and Cenozoic stratigraphy; paleontological
aspects.††
GEOL 743. Sedimentary
Petrology. 2 lec.,
2 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Origin, texture, composition, and classification of
sedimentary rocks, with emphasis on modern analytical techniques; study
of thin sections, grain mounts, and hand specimens.††
GEOL 745. Hydrology. 2 lec., 3 lab. or 1 rec. hr.; 3 cr.
Introduction to the hydrologic cycle and processes related to the movement
of water in the surficial environment: precipitation, evaporation and
transpiration, infiltration, runoff and stream flow. Numerical calculations
and problems will be emphasized. Discussion of case studies that describe
hydrologic systems in differing climatic and geologic settings.††
GEOL 746. Groundwater
Hydrology. 3 hr.;
3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 745 or permission of the school. Physical principles
of groundwater flow, Darcy’s law, flow equations, flow nets, pumping
tests, methods of groundwater investigation, groundwater geology. Numerical
calculations and problems will be emphasized. Discussion of case histories
that describe different types of groundwater systems.††
GEOL 747. Coastal and
Estuarine Geology.
2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the instructor. Field
and laboratory examination of the geology, oceanography, and geomorphology
of temperate and tropical coastal zones. Fieldwork may include shipboard
operations.††
GEOL 748. Environmental
Geology of the Coastal Zone. 2
lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 747 or permission of the instructor.
A laboratory and field examination of the environmental geology of temperate
and tropical coastal zones. Field exercises, aerial photo interpretation,
and environmental impact statements will be used to analyze specific
problem areas.††
GEOL 749. Seminar on
Urban Coastal Management. 3
lec. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: GEOL 748 or permission of the instructor. Case-history
analysis of a wide variety of coastal management problems in urban estuaries
and along urban shorelines. Student presentations are based on site
studies, interviews, and analysis of the relevant literature.††
GEOL 750. Environmental
Geology. 2 lec., 3
lab. hr.; 3 cr. Geologic processes, structures, and human modifications
of geologic systems that affect the quality of the environment. Laboratory
and field examination of geologic problems and introduction to site
evaluation and environmental impact analysis techniques.††
GEOL 752. Map Interpretation. 1 lec., 4 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Interpretation
and analysis of topographic, geologic, and other maps. Uses and interpretation
of air photographs and radar and satellite imagery.††
GEOL 760. Environmental
Geochemistry. 3 hr.;
3 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the instructor. This course explores the
fundamental geochemical processes regulating the fate and transport
of inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment. Both equilibrium
and kinetic descriptions of the processes are applied for laboratory
and field studies. The effects of these processes on pollutant bioavailability,
remediation and ecotoxicology are discussed.
GEOL 761. Field Methods
in Hydrology. 2 lec.,
2 rec./dem. hr.; 3 cr. Offered at locations around New York City and
Queens College campus. Prereq.: GEOL 745. Application of the latest
techniques for sampling, monitoring, and evaluating groundwater and
surface water systems. Emphasis on drainage basin analysis, aquifer
testing selected geophysical techniques, and hydrologic software application.
GEOL 762. Shallow Subsurface
Geophysics. 2 lec.,
2 rec./dem./ hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: Two semesters of undergraduate
calculus and two semesters of undergraduate physics, or equivalents.
Graduate course will train environmental scientists, technologists to
apply geophysics to field methods and procedures, and to train in magnetic
methods. Training will also include electromagnetic, gravimetric, and
marine seismological methods.
GEOL 763. Geographic
Information Systems and Geologic Mapping. 3
hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: Graduate standing in geology, environmental
science, or related discipline. Introduction to the uses of Geographic
Information Systems in geologic mapping and environmental fieldwork.
Hands-on application of GIS techniques and digital information to prepare
base maps, plan field programs, record and analyze data, and prepare
professional-quality maps and poster presentations.
GEOL 764. Contaminant
Hydrology. 3 hr.;
3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: GEOL 745. This course provides a largely quantitative
understanding of the processes controlling physical transport and biogeochemical
reactions that determine contaminant concentrations in groundwater resources.
The content will include the sources and different types of groundwater
contaminant, the mechanisms that control contaminant behavior, and the
most up-to-date technologies for groundwater remediation.
GEOL 765. Surface Processes
and Products. 2 lec.,
3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Field trips may be required. The origin of terrestrial
and near-shore sediments, sediment sequences, soils, and land forms.
Emphasis is placed on the laboratory and field techniques used in areal
surficial and shallow subsurface surveys.
GEOL 766. Analytical
Techniques in Environmental Geosciences. 2
lec., 4 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: CHEM 113 or ENSCI 111 or GEOL 100;
CHEM 241 or GEOL 270; and permission of the instructor. The objective
of this course is to train students in field and laboratory techniques
commonly used to characterize the chemical conditions important for
contaminant transport in the environment and to characterize the interaction
between organisms and their environment. Various sampling, field and
laboratory chemical and biological analytical techniques appropriate
for surface water, groundwater and costal water are practiced, including
those used to assay trace contaminants and microorganisms. Instrumental
analyisis and molecular techniques are introduced when applicable.
GEOL 767. Field Techniques
in Environmental Sciences. 9
lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: GEOL 701, plus two advanced Geology
or ENSCI graduate courses. Series of exercises designed to train students
to collect reproducible data in the field, to analyze and interpret
the data, and to present their findings in maps, written reports, and
supporting illustrations.
GEOL 768. Soils, Wetlands,
and Bioremediation. 2
lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: Undergraduate major in biology,
chemistry, environmental science, or geology. An introduction to wetland
science, with an emphasis on the capacities of wetlands and soil systems
for biogeochemical remediation of pollutants. The course will begin
with an overview of wetland structure, diversity and function, with
particular emphasis on biogeochemical mechanisms of nutrient cycling
and pollutant uptake and degradation. Engineering, design, and monitoring
necessary for wetlands construction and restoration will be covered.
Case studies will be examined of uses of wetland for wastewater, heavy
metal, and hydrocarbon treatment in a variety of climate regimes. Scientific,
management, policy, and regulatory implications of this approach to
pollution control and mitigation will also be explored.
GEOL 770. Principles
of Geochemistry. 3
lec. hr.; 3 cr. Chemical processes involved in the development of the
Earth and distribution of the elements in the Earth’s crust, atmosphere,
and oceans.††
GEOL 771. Geochemistry.
2 lec., 3 lab. hr.; 3 cr. ††
GEOL 772. High Temperature
Geochemistry. 3 lec.
hr.; 3 cr. The principles of thermodynamics are reviewed and applied
to geological processes at high temperatures and high or low pressures.††
GEOL 773. Low-Temperature
Geochemistry. 3 lec.
hr.; 3 cr. Chemical equilibria in aqueous systems and at low temperature
are studied and applied to weathering, sedimentary processes, and ore
formation.††
GEOL 780. Marine Geology. 3 lec. hr.; 3 cr. The form and origin
of the ocean floor, the distribution of sediments, the structure of
the oceanic crust and mantle. Chemical and physical aspects in oceanography
are also discussed.††
GEOL 788. Cooperative
Education Placement. Prereq.: Permission of the school. Experiential learning through placement. Opportunities
to test and demonstrate academic learning in an organizational setting.
Students receive academic credit as well as a stipend from the placement.
No more than 6 credits may be taken in Cooperative Education Placement.
GEOL 788.1. 1
hr.; 1 cr.
GEOL 788.2. 2
hr.; 2 cr.
GEOL 788.3. 3
hr.; 3 cr.
GEOL 788.4. 4
hr.; 4 cr.
GEOL 788.5. 5
hr.; 5 cr.
GEOL 788.6. 6
hr.; 6 cr.
GEOL 790. Seminar. Study of selected aspects of geology.
Emphasis is placed on areas not directly covered in the regular courses
and on the use of original sources. Course may be repeated once.
GEOL 790.1. 1
hr.; 1 cr.
GEOL 790.2. 2
hr.; 2 cr.
GEOL 790.3. 3
hr.; 3 cr.
GEOL 791. Independent
Study. Hr. to be arranged;
1 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the instructor. Advanced study of a subject
or laboratory technique under the guidance of a faculty member. The
course may be taken only once.
GEOL 792. Independent
Study. Hr. to be arranged;
2 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the instructor. Advanced study of a subject
or laboratory technique under the guidance of a faculty member. The
course may be taken only once.
GEOL 793. Independent
Study. Hr. to be arranged;
3 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the instructor. Advanced study of a subject
or laboratory technique under the guidance of a faculty member. The
course may be taken only once and cannot be taken and used to satisfy
the requirements of the Master of Arts in geology if either GEOL
791 or 792 is credited toward the degree requirements.
GEOL 795. Thesis Research. Preparation of a thesis under the
guidance of a faculty mentor. No more than 3 credits may be counted
toward the Master of Arts in geology.
GEOL 795.1. 1
hr.; 1 cr.
GEOL 795.2. 2
hr.; 2 cr.
GEOL 795.3. 3
hr.; 3 cr.
799. Special Topics in
Geology. This course
will cover topics of current interest in a particular field in the geologic
sciences. Topics may vary. The course may be repeated for credit if
the topic is changed.
GEOL 799.1. 1
hr.; 1 cr.
GEOL 799.2. 2
hr.; 2 cr.
GEOL 799.3. 3
hr.; 3 cr.
ENSCI 799 Special Topics
in Environmental Sciences. Prereq.:
Permission of the school. This course will cover topics of current interest
in a specific field of environmental sciences. Topics may vary. The
course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different.
ENSCI 799.1: 1
hr.; 1 cr.
ENSCI 799.2: 2
hr.; 2 cr.
ENSCI 799.3: 3
hr.; 3 cr.
