Radford University Undergraduate Catalog, 2011-2012

GEOL 440. Structural Geology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 310.
Description and field recognition of geological
structures of the earth’s crust; includes fundamentals
of rock mechanics and applications of
stress and strain theory to the origin of structures,
tectonics of mountain-building, and global
plate tectonics.
GEOL 441. Geologic Field Methods. (4)
Two hours lecture; four hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 440.
Introduction to techniques and basic concepts
of geologic field methods. Emphasis is placed
on data collection and mapping in a variety of
field situations and in the reporting, interpretation,
and presentation of field data in paper and
electronic form.
GEOL 445. Applied Geology Summer
Field School. (6)
Approximately two months correspondence and
40 hours of field work and classroom instruction
per week.
Prerequisite: GEOL 105; and either GEOL 100
or GEOL 106.
Intensive training in geologic field methods
with emphasis on mapping, data collection and
the geology of Virginia with applications to
engineering and environmental concerns and
to land use planning. The university campus
serves as the base from which field studies are
conducted. The course requires overnight excursions
permitting the examination of a wide
variety of geologic field conditions including
field trip stops in all the geologic provinces of
Virginia. Course may require transportation,
food and camping fees. Course will not substitute
for GEOL 441, Geologic Field Methods, for
students majoring in geology.
GEOL 451. Regulatory Issues in
Environmental Geology. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisites: GEOL 474 (Hydrogeology); and
either senior standing or permission of the instructor.
Investigates the societal and regulatory framework
within which much of the professional
practice of environmental geology occurs. The
310
relevant current and developing legislation will
be addressed, along with the roles of federal,
state, and municipal authorities in promulgation
of the law. Class discussions and assignments
will emphasize the functions of the practicing
professional geologist in the various research,
regulatory, and consulting roles related to environmental
regulation.
GEOL 455. Principles of Engineering
Geology. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: GEOL 105; and either GEOL 100
or GEOL 106; and mathematics through trigonometry.
Minimum of one semester of physics is
strongly recommended.
A study of the application of geologic principles
and data collection techniques to the evaluation
of design and construction problems relating to
engineering projects including dams, highways,
landfills, tunnels and reservoirs, including an
overview of availability and suitability of soil
and rock as construction materials.
GEOL 460. Senior Seminar In the
Geological Sciences. (3)
Three hours lecture.
Prerequisite: GEOL 312.
Introduces students to the geological profession,
and how geoscientists communicate and present
scientific data. Students will gain expertise in
critical analysis of scientific and technical data,
and critiquing information from both non-scientific
and scientific sources. Students will gain
practice in various written and oral presentation
styles such as for professional presentations at
meetings, and scientific articles and industry reports.
GEOL 461. Regional Geology of the
United States. (4)
Three hours lecture; three hours laboratory.
Prerequisite: GEOL 320.
Regional survey of structural and stratigraphic
framework of geologic provinces of United
States; emphasis on geologic features and evolution
of Appalachian and Western Interior regions.