Undergraduate Course Listing

Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Courses

This is a listing of the courses offered at the undergraduate level by the SJSU geology department. The included links take you to the official course catalog description on the SJSU website.



  • GEOL 001: General Geology
            4 Units
    *Satisfies Area B1 of Core GE*
        Examination of geologic processes and materials, including volcanoes, earthquakes, rock formation, oceans, streams, and plate tectonics and their importance to society.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/field trips.
  • GEOL 002: Introduction to Earth Science
        3 Units
        Unified interdisciplinary study of the Earth. Overview of geologic processes, emphasizing the place of humans in space and time and the origin and distribution of resources.
  • GEOL 003: Planet Earth
        3 Units
        *Satisfies Area B1 of Core GE*
        Origins and processes of Earth's interconnected physical and chemical systems, including aspects of astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Impacts of these systems on humans, and of humans on the systems.
  • GEOL 004L: Planet Earth Laboratory
            1Unit
        *Satisfies Area B3 of Core GE*
        Hands-on investigations, measurements, and analysis of Earth's materials, processes, and hazards. Supplements general lecture courses in Geology.
        Misc/Lab: Lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 006: Geology of California
        3 Units
        *Satisfies Area B1 of Core GE*
        California's geology, illustrating physical processes, landscapes, geologic history and resources. California's seismic, volcanic, landslide and flooding hazards, and their impact on society.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/field trips.
  • GEOL 007: Earth, Time, and Life
        Units 4
        *Satisfies Area B1 and B3 of Core GE*
        Earth's geosphere: processes that act on it and materials that comprise it; how rocks and fossils are used to interpret the history of Earth's geosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and life forms.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 028: Geology Outdoors
        1 Units
        Hands-on introduction to geology in a variety of field settings. Develop your observational skills at several of California's spectacular geologic attractions. Includes one-day field trips, a multi-day field trip, and short written reports.
        Prerequisite: Completion of or co-enrollment in GEOL 1, and GEOL 7.
  • GEOL 103: Earth Systems and the Environment -  For pre-college teachers
        3 Units
        *Satisfies Area R of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        Fundamental earth/space science concepts. Emphasis on active learning and guided inquiry. Recommended for students preparing for multiple subject credential.
        Prerequisite: PHYS 001 or CHEM 030A, completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. For students who begin continuous enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
        Note: Departmental consent required.
  • GEOL 105: General Oceanography
        3 Units
        *Satisfies Area R of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        Scientific examination of the impact of oceans on global society, and human impacts on the oceans, through classroom discussions, computer exercises and field trips.
        Prerequisite: Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. For students who begin continuous enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/field trips.
  • GEOL 107: Prehistoric Life
        3 Units
       *Satisfies Area R of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        Integrated interdisciplinary examination of the fossil record, including information from the fields of paleontology, genetics and cosmology that aids in the understanding of organic evolution and periodic massive extinctions.
        Prerequisite: Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. For students who begin continuous enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
  • GEOL 111: Geology and the Environment
            3 Units
       *Satisfies Area R of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        The effect of Earth processes on humans and their structures. Environmental problems related to earthquakes, landslides, minerals, energy, water and urban growth.
        Prerequisite: Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. For students who begin continuous enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/field trips.
  • GEOL 112: Hazards and Risks of Earthquake and Volcanoes
        3 Units
        *Satisfies Area R of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        How, where and why earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. Analysis of hazards posed by earthquakes and volcanoes. Risks incurred by humankind due to these hazards. Minimizing risk; economic, social and political problems associated with earthquakes.
        Prerequisite: Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing. For students who begin continuous enrollment at a CCC or a CSU in Fall 2005 or later, completion of, or corequisite in a 100W course is required.
  • GEOL 120: Fundamentals of Mineralogy
        3 Units
        Laboratory course designed to give students basic skills for identifying minerals and basic understanding of geologic processes that form minerals. Emphasis is on hand specimen and microscope identification.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, and GEOL 007.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours / Lab 3 hours
  • GEOL 122: Petrology
        4 Units
        Identification of minerals and rocks in hand sample and under the microscope. Processes of formation, description, and classification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 120; completion of or co-enrollment in CHEM 1A.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 124: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
        3 Units
        Study of the origin and description of sediment and sedimentary rocks; study of the formation, sequence, and correlation of stratified rocks.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, GEOL 007.
        Misc/Lab; Lecture 2 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 125: Structural Geology
        4 Units
        Recognition, interpretation and representation of structures of the Earth's crust. Analysis of basic principles of rock deformation.
        Prerequisite: MATH 019, GEOL 001, GEOL 007, GEOL 028.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab and field 3 hours.
  • GEOL 127: Tectonics
        3 Units
        Description of large-scale features of the Earth's crust and upper mantle and the processes which formed them. Emphasis on plate tectonics and its implications for the evolution of North America.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 100W, GEOL 122, GEOL 124, GEOL 125.
  • GEOL 129: Field Geology
        2-4 Units
        Geologic field mapping and interpretation of geologic and tectonic history. Students stay at camp sites that vary from year to year.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 100W, GEOL 122, GEOL 124, GEOL 125.
        Misc/Lab: Lab 6-12 hours.
  • GEOL 130: Marine Geology
        3 Units
        Introduction to the geology of continental margins and ocean basins. Discussions focus on crustal structures and the effect of plate tectonics and oceanographic processes on modern marine sedimentation.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, and GEOL 007.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 134: Geomorphology
        4 Units
        Earth's surficial processes and landforms; effects of tectonics, climate and geology; landscape evolution. Landform interpretation using maps; surface water hydrology; applications.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, GEOL 007, or instructor consent; 1 year of college calculus and physics recommended.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 135: Geochemistry
        4 Units
        Application of geochemical and thermodynamic principles to solution of geologic problems. Topics include: equilibrium-disequilibrium reactions, major and trace element behavior, isotope systematics and modern analytical methods.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 122 and CHEM 1B (or equivalent).
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 137: Intro to GPS/GIS for Geologic Applications
        4 Units
        Introduction to digital geologic mapping and analysis using Trimble GPS and ArcView GIS.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, and GEOL 007, or instructor consent. Computer literacy assumed.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 138: Hydrogeology
        4 Units
        Geological principles of the occurrence, accumulation and migration of water; groundwater as a manageable resource; groundwater geochemistry and contaminant transport.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 125 or instructor consent.
        Recommend: MATH 32 and GEOL 135.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 140: Principles of Engineering Geology
        4 Units
        Qualitative and quantitative analysis of geologic factors influencing site selection, development and use; methods of data collection, interpretation and presentations.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 125.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 3 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 142: Paleontology
        3 Units
        Study of the major groups of invertebrate fossils and their use in geological studies; principles of stratigraphy, including seismic stratigraphy.
        Prerequisite: GEOL 001, and GEOL 007.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/lab and field trips 3 hours.
  • GEOL 147: Introduction to Applied Geophysics
        3 Units
        Introduction to modern geophysical techniques with emphasis and environmental applications. Field techniques and case histories.
        Prerequisite: PHYS 2A and PHYS 2B (or equivalent); 100W.
        Misc/Lab: Lecture 2 hours/lab 3 hours.
  • GEOL 168: Global Climate Change I
        6 Units
        *Satisfies Areas R, S, V, and Z of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        Scientific and social scientific approaches to the process and effects of global climate change: Climate changes in the Earth's past, interactions between climate and life, anthropogenic climate change, socioeconomic contexts of environmental effects, cultural influences on climate change mitigation strategies.
        Prerequisite: ENGL 001B (with a grade of "C" or better); Completion of core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing.
  • GEOL 168W: Global Climate Change II
            3 Units
        *Satisfies Areas R, S, V, and Z of SJSU Studies ("Advanced GE")*
        Scientific and social scientific approaches to the process and effects of global climate change: Climate changes in the Earth's past, interactions between climate and life, anthropogenic climate change, socioeconomic contexts of environmental effects, cultural influences on climate change mitigation strategies.
        Prerequisites: ENGL 001B (with a grade of "C" or better), completion of core GE, completion of COMM 168, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test and upper division standing.
  • GEOL 174: Hazardous Materials
        3 Units
        Review of current methods and procedures for management of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes; analysis of contaminated systems and remedial actions.
        Prerequisite: PHYS 51, PHYS 52, or PHYS 71 and CHEM 1A or instructor consent.
  • GEOL 184: Directed Reading
        1-3 Units
        Reading of books, journals and papers chosen to fill gaps in training. Evaluation through weekly reports and conference.