* Indicates a prerequisite(s) for the class.

120 - Earth Systems (4) F and S. This course includes an introductory study of physical systems and historical processes that shape the surface of Earth. Topics include: 1) The pysical nature of Earth's surface based on composition of Earth materials and the forces that create landforms, 2) weather and climatic systems and their effect on the global distribution of soils and ecelogical communities, and 3) the oceans. Understanding of Earth systems is applied to concepts of stewardship, resource use, and energy consumption. Laboratory. Also listed as Geography 120. D. van Dijk.

151 - Introduction to Geology (4) F and S. This course is a study of the materials and processes of Earth leading to a responsible Christian appreciation for and stewardship of Earth. Topics include minerals and rocks, Earth's interior and surface structure; surface processes producing landforms; geological time and principles for interpreting Earth history; mineral resources and fossil fuels; and geological hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, landslides, and groundwater pollution. Laboratory. R. Stearley, G. Van Kooten, C. Verbree.

152 - Historical Geology (4) S. The first portion of this course traces the development of the study of Earth through the past few centuries, as geology became a true scientific discipline and as its practitioners became convinced of Earth's antiquity. Attention is given to relating views of Earth's history to the Genesis record. During the remainder of the course, evidence for the particulars of earth history, with emphasis on North America, is outlined. Topics include the origin of the Earth and its moon; the origin of continents and ocean basins; rock deformation caused by plate motion and the creation of mountain ranges through history; and sedimentary deposits of intracontinental seas. The laboratory builds on rock classification and map techniques introduced in Geology 151. Laboratory. Prerequisite: Geology 120 or Geology 151 or equivalent. R. Stearley.

212 - Structural Geology (4)* F, alternate years. An analysis of common geological structures such as folds, faults, joints, and foliations; inquiry into the means by which these structures are formed from stresses within the Earth; methods of constructing and interpreting geological maps and cross sections; and introduction to field-mapping techniques. Laboratory, field trip. Prerequisite: completion of or concurrent registration in Geology 152. G. Van Kooten. Not Offered 2004-05.

217S - Field Geology of teh Pacific Northwest (3) SS. Introductory field geology. Offered as a summer course at Au Sable Trails Institute of Environmental Studies, Pacific Rim Campus on Whitby Island, Washington.

251 - Oceanography (4)* F, alternate years. This survey course includes: The history of marine exploration; the nature of the ocean floor, including submarine volcanoes, oceanic crust, sea-floor spreading, and marine sediments; coastal geomorphic processes; the properties of seawater, the nature of tides and currents; ecological marine biogeography, including marine plankton, deep-water biota, coral reef communities, and estuarine and intertidal marine communities; and stewardship of marine resources. Laboratory. Also listed as Geography 251. Prerequisite: Sophomore status. R. Stearley. Not offered 2004-05.

304 - Geochemistry (3)* F, alternate years. The origins and history of the solar system, Earth, crust and mantle, and various rock types in light of the distribution of the chemical elements and of stable and radioactive isotopes. Low-temperature aqueous geochemistry is also discussed. Prerequisites: Geology 201 or 151 plus Chemistry 104, or permission of the instructor. G. Van Kooten. Not offered 2004-05.

305- Mineralogy and Petrology I (4)* F, Alternate years. A study of the principles of crystal structure in minerals with emphasis on the silicates. Modes of geologic occurrence of minerals are reviewed. Crystal morphology and mineral identification are emphasized in laboratory. Laboratory. Prerequisites: Geolgoy 151 and Chemistry 103. G. Van Kooten.

306- Mineralogy and Petrology II (4)* I, Alternate years. This course includes the theory of polarized light transmission in minerals; an investigation of the generation, ascent and emplacement of magma and the mineralogy, chemical composition, field associations, tectonic setting, and genesis of igneous rocks; and the use of thin-section petrography in interpretation of rock genesis. Laboratory. Prerequisite: Geology 305. G. Van Kooten.

307- Mineralogy and Petrology III (4)* S, Alternative years. This continuation of 306 includes the study of the classification and origins of sedimentary rocks with emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological processes responsible for the origin, deposition, and diagenesis of sediments, with particular attention to modern depositional analogs; an investigation of the classification, structure and texture, field associations, and genesis of metamorphic rocks; and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory. Prerequisite: Geology 306. G. Van kooten and R. Stearley.

311 - Geomorphology (4)* F. The investigation of landforms and the processes which cause them. This course studies the erosional and depositional features resulting from rivers, glaciers, and wind, as well as coastal, gravitational, and weathering processes. Landforms are described and classified from field observations, topographic maps, and aerial photographs. Explanations of the landforms are offered through quantitative modeling of the processes. Laboratory, field trips. Also listed as Geography 311. Prerequisite: Geology 120 and Geology 151. D. van Dijk.

312 - Environmental Geology (4)* S, alternate years. Use of geologic methods and interpretations in understanding and resolving problems related to the environment. Emphasis is on hydrology (groundwater and surface water), coastal zone problems, soil erosion, landslides, and restoration of disturbed geologic regions. Laboratory. Prerequisite: Geology 311. D. van Dijk.

313 - Paleontology (4)* S, alternate years. A study of organisms that once lived on the Earth. Includes an examination of the processes of preservation and methods of discovering the structure, habitat, and relationships of those organisms, and a review of their distribution and life history. A broad spectrum of organisms is studied with emphasis on invertebrate animals. Laboratory, field trip. Prerequisite: Geology 152 or Biology 242 and 243. R. Stearley. Not offered 2004-05.

314 - Stratigraphy (4) * F, alternate years. Fundamental principles of stratigraphic nomenclature and interpretation are illustrated through intensive study of sedimentary basins, including the Michigan Basin, basins of the Southwest United States. Emphasis on applying the interpretation of sedimentary facies, tectonics and sea-level history to historical sequences. Applications to petroleum exploration. Laboratory, required field trip. Prerequisites: Geology 152. R. Stearley.

322 - Coastal Geomorphology (4). *S, Alternate years. This course examines the nature and development of coastal landforms and the processes responsible for change in the coastal zone. Topics inclued waves, currents, tides, wind, changing sea levels, and the coastal environments of beaches, dunes estuaries, and rocky coasts. Coastal land use and hazards, shoreline protection; and coastal stewardship will be discussed. Great Lakes coasts are emphasized. Laboratory and field trips. Prerequisite: Geog/Geol 311. D. van Dijk. Not offered 2004-05.

359 - Seminar in Secondary Geology-Earth Science (3) S. A course in perspectives on, principles of, and practices in the teaching of Geology-Earth Science on the secondary level. This course should be taken concurrently with Education 346. The seminar provides a forum for the discussion of concerns that develop during directed teaching. This course is part of the professional education program and may not be included in the major or minor in Geology-Earth Science. Staff

386 - Seminar in Geology (3) S. A survey of the historical development of geology as a science and an examination of the principles and practice of geology from a Reformed perspective. Prerequisite: Senior status in the major concentration in geology or permission of the instructor. R. Stearley.

390 - Independent Study* F, I, and S. Prerequisite: permission of the department. Staff.

395-396 - Research in Geology (2-4)* F, I, and S. Field and/or laboratory research on an approved geological problem and presentation of the results of the research in seminar. Open to qualified students by permission of the geology staff. Staff.

W10 - Hawaii: Volcanoes in the Sea (3) I. This course explores the natural and cultural history of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai, the four major islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, the world’s most active volcanic region and one of its most fragile ecosystems. The course focuses on the active and extinct volcanoes and other geologic features of the islands, but students also investigate Hawaii’s marine environment, the interactions among native and introduced species of birds, mammals, and plant life, and the human history of the islands. Instruction takes place on daily field trips to sites of geological, oceanographic, ecological, and cultural significance. Evaluation is based on assigned readings, a presentation on an aspect of the Hawaiian Islands, and a daily journal. Off-Campus. G. Van Kooten. Not offered in 2005.

Graduate Courses

520 - Advanced Earth Science. This course includes consideration of the main ideas which serve as unifying principles in Earth science. Recent discoveries and current research projects are reviewed. The course highlights ideas resulting from studies in Earth sciences which have increased our understanding of the relationship between Earth and its human inhabitants. Topics include applications of geology to environmental problems, contributions of space research to understanding the Earth, and the relationship between the results of geological study and teachings of the Bible. Special attention is given to topics and concepts which can be incorporated into elementary, middle, and secondary school materials and activities. Prerequisite: Geology 120 or permission of the department. Not offered 2002-03. Staff.

590 - Independent Study. * F, I, and S. Staff.