Courses

Studies geologic features in and around Colorado to gain an overview of the geologic and tectonic evolution of the western U.S. Prereqs., GEOL 2700 or 2001 and one or more of GEOL 3120, 3320 or 3430 or equivalent. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Examines processes operating on the surfaces of solid planets and in their interiors. Emphasizes spacecraft observations, their interpretation, the relationship to similar processes on Earth, the relationship between planetary surfaces and interiors, and the integrated geologic histories of the terrestrial planets and satellites. Prereq., graduate standing in physical sciences or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 5800. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Covers the structure, composition, and dynamics of planetary atmospheres. Includes the origin of planetary atmospheres, chemistry and cloud physics, greenhouse effects, climate, and the evolution of planetary atmospheres---past and future. Same as ATOC 5810 and ASTR 5810.

Considers the origin and evolution of planetary systems, including protoplanetary disks, condensation in the solar nebula, composition of meteorites, planetary accretion, comets, asteroids, planetary rings, and extrasolar planets. Applies celestial mechanics to the dynamical evolution of solar system bodies. Prereq., graduate standing in physical sciences or instructor consent. Same as ASTR 5820 and ATOC 5820. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Current topics in planetary science, based on recent discoveries, spacecraft observations, or other developments. Focuses on a specific topic each time it is offered, such as Mars, Venus, Galilean satellites, exobiology, comets, or extrasolar planets. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours, provided the topics vary. Prereq., graduate standing in physical sciences or instructor consent. Same as ATOC/ASTR 5830.

Studies current research on a topic in planetary science. Students and faculty give presentations. Subjects may vary each semester. May be repeated up to 4 total credit hours to meet candidacy requirements. Prereq., graduate standing or instructor consent. Same as ATOC 5835 and ASTR 5835. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Numbered GEOL 5840 through GEOL 5851. May be repeated up to 7 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Leads students through quantitative spatial analysis of environmental and paleoclimatic problems. Each student will develop a project from start to finish, with emphasis on raster GIS for building large empirical databases that bear on process and variability.

Covers the exploration and production aspects of petroleum submarine fans and turbidite systems. A one-week field trip to Arkansas is included. Students are responsible for part of the trip expenses. Prereq., GEOL 6330.

Interpretation of depositional and diagenetic historyof sedimentary rocks as determined from thin-section studies. Prereqs., GEOL 3010, 3020, and 3430. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Develops skills in the stratigraphic interpretation of seismic reflection data, recognition of sequence stratigraphy in well logs and outcrop, and their applications to basin analysis in petroleum exploration. Prereqs., graduate standing, introductory undergraduate physics, and sedimentology/stratigraphy. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Offered alternate years. Mechanics of deformable materials, with applications to earthquake processes. Introduces seismic wave theory. Inversion of seismic data for the structure, composition, and state of the interior of Earth. Same as ASTR 6610 and PHYS 6610.

Offered alternate years. Space and surface geodetic techniques, as well as potential theory, are covered. Other topics are definition and geophysical interpretation of the geoid and of surface gravity anomalies; isostasy; post-glacial rebound; tides and the rotation of the Earth. Same as ASTR 6620 and PHYS 6620. Prerequisites: Restricted to Graduate Students only.

Offered alternate years. The solar system: theories of its origin, meteorites. Distribution of radioactive materials; age dating. Heat flow through continents and the ocean floor; internal temperature distribution in Earth; mantle convection. Origin of the oceans and atmosphere. Same as ASTR 6630 and PHYS 6630.

Advanced seminar studies in geophysical subjects for graduate students. Same as ASTR 6650 and PHYS 6650. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Prerequisites: Restricted to undergraduate and graduate Geology or Physics majors only.

Principles of geophysical inverse theory as applied to problems in the Earth sciences, including topography, Earth structure, and earthquake locations. Prereqs., calculus and computer programming (any language). Same as PHYS 6670.

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.