25 courses with the subject GEOL, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
An introduction to the fundamental and wondrous processes that shape the Earth. We approach learning through outdoor and laboratory problems, which are often complicated and messy, like the planet itself. Topics may include the formation of rocks, minerals, and mountains, the water cycle, plate tectonics,
This course introduces fundamental principles of geology and geological reasoning using the geology of southern Minnesota as a guide. Weather permitting, much of the classroom and lab time will be spent outdoors at nearby sites of geological interest. Using field observations, descriptions, data-gathering and interpretation, supplemented by lab work and critical reading, students will piece together the most important elements of the long and complex geologic history of southern Minnesota. Field trips, including one or two all-day weekend trips, and laboratories included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Fall 2025 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning Tags: ARCN Pertinent CL: 100 level ENTS Introductory Faculty: Cameron Davidson
This course introduces fundamental principles of geology and geologic reasoning with natural examples from the National Park system. Topics may range from volcanic hazards of Yellowstone to the geologic history recorded in the walls of the Grand Canyon to the effects of climate change on the Everglades. A multiday field trip over mid-term break is required; no camping experience or equipment is required but students should be prepared to spend time outdoors. The field trip may include some strenuous hiking. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab Tags: CL: 100 level ENTS Introductory Faculty: Chloé Fandel
This seminar course will investigate a variety of topics relevant to a specific field site. Participants will conduct fieldwork, which may involve recording observations, documenting field relationships, collecting samples, analyzing and taking in situ measurements, and collecting material for laboratory analysis. Coursework will also include group and independent study into the underlying geology of the region, as well as use of the primary literature to research topics of specific interest. Instructor Permission required. Students must waitlist. Not offered in 2025-26 Grading: S/CR/NC with grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
A lab and field-focused introduction to water resources–the processes driving the water cycle, the methods used to quantify and understand the flow of water, and the relationship between humans and water. Weekly field trips to nearby locations such as streams, wellfields, caves, and water infrastructure to develop skills including streamflow measurements, water quality monitoring, pump tests, and measuring soil properties. No previous outdoor experience required.
This course focuses on reconstructing climate and environmental conditions of the past using local archives of climate. Lab and some class time will be dedicated to group research projects. Weekly laboratories and one Saturday field trip included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning with grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level SDSC XDept Elective Faculty: Dan Maxbauer
This course focuses on understanding the plate tectonics paradigm and its application to all types of plate boundaries. We will explore the historical development of the paradigm, geophysical tools used for imaging the structure of the Earth and determining plate motions, and possible driving mechanisms of this global system. Students will independently explore a particular tectonic plate in detail throughout the term. Laboratories included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Sophomore Priority section is available Offered: Fall 2025 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab WR2 Writing Requirement 2 with grade of C- or better.
Fossils: their anatomy and classification, evolution, and ecology. Special emphasis on the paleobiology of marine invertebrates. Field trips and laboratories included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Spring 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab or BIOL 125 or BIOL 126 with a grade of C- or better or or received a score of 5 or better on the Biology AP exam or received a score of 6 or better on the Biology IB exam or received a score of 125 on the Carleton Biology Requisite Equivalency exam or received a score of 126 on the Carleton Biology Requisite Equivalency exam. Tags: CL: 200 level Faculty: Clint Cowan
This applied geophysics course focuses on understanding the near-surface structure of the Earth using a hand-on approach. Students will collect, process, model, and interpret geophysical data using gravitational, magnetic, and seismic methods. Weekly laboratories and one weekend field trip will be required. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning course and one 100-level PHYS course with grade of C- or better Tags: CL: 200 level
The study of the chemical and physical properties of minerals, their geologic occurrence and associations. Topics include crystallography, crystal chemistry, x-ray analysis, phase equilibria, classification, optical mineralogy, and environments of formation. Laboratories are included. During registration, students will
An introduction to the fundamental physical, chemical and tectonic principles that are relevant to the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Labs emphasize description and interpretation of the origin of rocks based on hand specimen and thin section study. Field trips and laboratories are included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Spring 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab or better. Tags: CL: 200 level Faculty: Cameron Davidson
In this course, participants will study modern and ancient geologic systems in the North Island with a view to understanding the tectonic, volcanic, and sedimentary history of New Zealand. The course will include projects in a wide range of geological settings. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration has completed any of the following course(s): Any 100 Level Geology course and at least one 200 Level Geology course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
This course is tied to the North Island half of the program. Readings and discussions will cover a broad range of topics appropriate to North Island geology. Not offered in 2025-26 Grading: S/CR/NC Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration has completed any of the following course(s): Any 100 Level Geology course and at least one 200 Level Geology course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
In this course, students will study the tectonic evolution of the South Island. Participants will work in small teams to hone their field observation skills, make structural measurements, and develop their mapping skills in several field sites across the South Island. Visits to additional field sites such as glaciers, fjords, and the Alpine fault are possible. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration has completed any of the following course(s): Any 100 Level Geology course and at least one 200 Level Geology course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
This course is tied to the South Island half of the program. Readings and discussions will cover a broad range of topics appropriate to South Island geology. Not offered in 2025-26 Grading: S/CR/NC Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration has completed any of the following course(s): Any 100 Level Geology course and at least one 200 Level Geology course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
Formal and informal instruction and opportunity to improve field drawing skills. This course will include an independent field drawing assignment during midterm break in New Zealand. Not offered in 2025-26 Grading: S/CR/NC Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration has completed any of the following course(s): Any 100 Level Geology course and at least one 200 Level Geology course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
This course offers students an opportunity to explore common methods used in geoscience research. Students will hone their writing, figure design, and data analysis skills through a series of small projects and assignments. This course will be particularly valuable for junior geology majors in preparation for their comps projects. Offered: Spring 2026 Grading: S/CR/NC Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration Independent Studies, with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
The principles of groundwater flow through the subsurface, and the functioning of aquifers. Topics include the properties of porous media, hydraulic head gradients, contaminant transport, and fractured and karstified aquifers. Labs will include working with physical sandbox models and soil columns, as well as an outdoor pumping well test (weather permitting). We will simulate groundwater flow using simple numerical modeling, beginning with an introduction to Python coding, and develop an increasingly complex groundwater model over the course of the term. No previous programming experience required. Geology 210 recommended preparation. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Spring 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning with grade of C- or better. Tags: ACE Applied CL: 300 level ENTS Topical Seminar SDSC XDept Elective
This course is based on field examination of outcrops of Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rock. We will interpret the processes involved in the creation, movement, and deposition of these ancient sediments, and try to determine their paleoenvironments. Also of interest are the transformation of these sediments into rock, and the analysis and correlation of strata. Weekly laboratories and two weekend trips are required.
This course focuses on rock deformation at scales ranging from the collision of continents to the movement of individual atoms within crystals. We will examine structures that develop within different layers of the Earth's lithosphere and discuss how and why these structures form. Reading, discussion, and presentation of scientific literature is expected throughout the term as we focus on deformation and tectonics in a single region. Laboratories and one weekend field trip are included. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Winter 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning with grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 300 level Faculty: Sarah Titus
Topical Seminar Course – Required 6 credits All students must take one 300-level seminar that includes an individual research paper. This course may also count as an elective. Courses that fulfill this requirement are:
Each senior geology major must take a total of six credits of Geology 400. One of the credits will be awarded in the spring term for the preparation and delivery of a formal talk and attendance at the talks or other seniors. The other five credits must be taken in the fall and/or winter terms. Credits can be divided between those two terms or all five credits may be taken in the same term. All seniors must attend the Geology 400 seminars which will meet weekly fall and winter term. Geology 400 is a continuing course, and the grade will not be awarded until the end of spring term. Offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 Grading: S/NC Faculty: Sarah Titus
Source: Carleton College's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61
