Advanced topical course in the geological sciences. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits under different subtitles.

Basic planetary changes through geological time, including continental drift, formation of supercontinents, paleoclimate, and the growth of the earth's crust. Students will be required to take the Fundamentals component of the ASBOG professional geologist certification exam (fee required).

Survey of the origin, chemical composition, occurrence in the context of stratigraphy, structure, and reservoir types of natural hydrocarbons; exploration methods and production techniques; environmental impacts of exploration and production.

A general seminar in a broad range of topics in the geological sciences. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits under different subtitles.

A study of the physical aspects of groundwater, including regional flow, well hydraulics, and computer simulation.

Special topics in geophysics such as advanced seismology, seismic processing, seismic stratigraphy, earthquake seismology, geologic hazards, gravity fields, magnetic fields, heat flow, geodynamics, planetary geophysics, quantitative methods, inverse methods, geophysical modeling. May be repeated to a maximum of nine credits under different subtitles.

Study of selected topics in petrology and geochemistry. Past topics include: Carbonate Petrology; Igneous Petrology; Organic Petrology; Isotope Geochemistry. May be repeated to a maximum of nine credits under different subtitles.

Half-time to full-time work on thesis. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters.

Half-time to full-time work on dissertation. May be repeated to a maximum of six semesters.

Residency credit for dissertation research after the qualifying examination. Students may register for this course in the semester of the qualifying examination. A minimum of two semesters are required as well as continuous enrollment (Fall and Spring) until the dissertation is completed and defended.