GEOL 0870 - The Planets The Planets is an entry-level natural science course designed for both majors and non-majors. This course takes an overview look of the solar system. We study each planet in detail as well as the moon systems surrounding them. Furthermore, we introduce some of the imaging techniques used to observe both our solar system and other systems beyond ours. Additionally, we discuss the current and future prospects of autonomous and human spaceflight. Time is spent between lectures and laboratory exercises, designed to reinforce lecture points, and get students to better visualize planetary science concepts.
GEOL 1445/2449 - GIS, GPS and Computer Methods This is a undergraduate/graduate level course that looks at the basics behind Geographic Information Science, as well as providing an overview of Global Positioning Systems (GPS). We use ESRI ArcMap software for the course, and learn the basics about how to project the Earth onto a flat plane and georeference data. We then look at how to actually go about mapping in ArcMap, including map elements, symbology etc. We explore the different data types (raster vs vector) that are used in GIS, as well as other higher level functions such as Interpolation. Students complete weekly exercises designed to help them learn the basic skills needed to plot data in ArcMap. Graduate students also undertake a personal research project, where they apply GIS to their own research/topic of interest. Although run through Geology, this course has students from a variety of different backgrounds, and as such the examples cover a whole range of topics from, environmental science and geophysics, to public health.
Spring Semester
GEOL 1701 - Geology of the Planets This is an upper level undergraduate course designed for those who have taken GEOL 0055 Lab (required), and other geology courses such as GEOL 0800, GEOL 0870 and others. This course focuses on the rocky and icy worlds found in the inner and outer solar systems. Processes such as volcanism, impacts, and erosion/weathering are discussed in detail, as well as the methods by which these data are acquired. We then discuss in-depth how these processes occur throughout the solar system, and how different planetary bodies have formed. Exercises involve small research projects on specific missions, as well as using image processing software to interpret planetary datasets.
GEOL 1460/2461 - Introduction to Remote Sensing This is an undergraduate/graduate level course that looks at the basic concepts behind the science of remote sensing. Students are exposed to the basic scientific principals as well as history of remote sensing, before learning more in-depth about the use of visible, NIR, SWIR, TIR, and Radar wavelengths to perform analysis of our planet. Students complete several intensive labs that involve using software packages such as ENVI to learning basic image interpretation, spectroscopy, and image processing and enhancement techniques. Although run through Geology, this course has students from a variety of different backgrounds, and as such the examples cover a whole range of topics from, environmental science and geophysics, to engineering. Graduate students also complete a seminar style class - a paper is presented each week that is relevant to the topics being covered in the lecture portion (GEOL 1460). Students have to critically analyze remote sensing concepts and understand the practical applications of remote sensing theory. These students are expected to produce an original research project using several image processing techniques to understand the processes occurring in a specific region of interest.
Previously Taught
GEOL 0800 - Geology Geology is an entry-level natural science course designed for both majors and non-majors. This course takes an overview look at the science behind Geology. We study the basics of rocks and minerals, and learn about their formation, and how the Earth System works as a whole. We look at different interior processes, as well as exploring the surface dynamics of our planet. Time is split between lectures and laboratory exercises, designed to reinforce lecture points, and get students to better visualize geology concepts.
GEOL 0820 - Natural Disasters (Sabbatical Cover) Natural Disasters is an entry-level natural science course designed for both majors and non-majors. This course takes an overview look at the different natural hazards that we experience on the Earth. Each week a different hazard type is presented, covering the geological (tectonic, volcanic etc.) to meteorological (hurricanes, tornadoes etc.) Furthermore, we introduce some of the techniques used to monitor and mitigate hazards. Time is spent between lectures and laboratory exercises, designed to reinforce lecture points, and get students to better understand the science behind natural hazards.
GEOL 2025 - Advanced Volcanology This course is designed as a follow up to "Volcanology" and is offered to senior undergraduates who have a background in volcanology/igneous petrology and graduate students who are studying volcanology for their thesis. This course is designed to delve into the specifics of certain volcanic phenomena. The class is run as a half lecture half seminar, where halfway through the class, we discuss a paper that is relevant to a chosen topic. Students present a different paper each week, and prior to the seminar have to present a "Pop-up talk" style presentation of the paper (i.e. no longer than 3 minutes). Furthermore, students produce an extended research project using either laboratory, remote sensing, or computer modelling techniques to answer a research question.
GEOL 3974 - Topics in Volcanology: Hazard Observation, Modelling and GIS This is a graduate level class designed as a follow-up to both Advanced Volcanology and Advanced Remote Sensing. Students are expected to have an advanced background in each of these topics. Each week different modelling/imaging processing techniques are discussed, and then students are given access to this to perform hands-on exercises to better understand how these models work. Students are required to present two techniques to the class, where they then have to provide a tutorial to the rest, as well as providing example data to work from.