2025-2026 Course List

This course is designed to give students a deeper understanding of GIScience. The course includes both lecture and lab components covering advanced applications in spatial analysis/modeling, routing/logistics, programming, as well as hands-on practice with computer-based software package and GIS program.

This course allows graduate students to develop advanced remote sensing knowledge and technology that are needed to conduct in-depth analysis and solve challenging problems. The major topics to be covered include advanced remote sensing data compositing, enhancement, data correction, data fusion, scientific analysis, and spatial modeling techniques; surface reflectance and land surface temperature calculations; land and water mapping and assessment; remote sensing indices and applications; high spatial-resolution and hyperspectral as well as RADAR, LiDAR, and UAV data processing and analysis techniques; canopy biochemical characteristics; and vegetation cover, biomass, and canopy structure assessment.

A study assignment for a student to meet specific objectives for the student's needs. It could be a term paper, readings, reports, field report, or mapping project.

Required of MS professional degree candidates. To acquaint students with the geographer's perspective and methods of inquiry; to examine types of geographic research; to develop student's ability in producing research papers; to give students experience in writing research papers and to provide students experience in professional oral presentation.

GIS Practicum course is specifically designed to fulfil the capstone requirement of MS GISc coursework-only option. The course builds upon concepts, theories, and tools presented in other MS GISc classes. This course focuses on project management, data models, advanced geo-processing tools, GIS modeling and simulation, and scenario-based GIS solutions. In this course, students will plan, design, and implement an applied GIS project in collaboration with professional organizations. At the end of the semester, students would prepare a poster, present their work to the class, and write a report.

The history and development of geographic thought from ancient times to the late 20th century.

This course surveys various environmental issues within the United States with an emphasis on state and federal legislation and policies. The forces prompting environmental legislation, its subsequent implementation and modification by the courts, and various perspectives about the problems, their possible solutions, and the assessment of current efforts are discussed.

The focus of this/these course(s) will be on Meteorology/Climatology. This course may be repeated up to three times.

Student culminating experience in lieu of a thesis.

An applied work and learning practicum. The student will provide a written report on their own learning. The work supervisor will be consulted regarding students' accomplishments.

A culminating project related to basic or applied research

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding are three examples of naturally recurring events on the Earth that ultimately influence all of our lives. This course introduces the physical features and processes of the Earth that control these events. The course has a laboratory component.

An introduction to the multidisciplinary field of soil science and fertility. The course will examine the basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Further topics will explore soil genesis, soil health and management, and their relationships to crop production. Field trips and lab activities will be used to explore key concepts, with emphasis on examples relevant to the soils of southern Minnesota. Local field trips included.

From mineral formation to mountain building, this course introduces all the main areas of geologic study and places them in the context of environmental justice. We will consider the social and political backdrop of geological processes, practices, and resources, and consider how ignoring the world's complicated history has resulted in the repetition and perpetuation of practices that have disproportionately harmed diverse peoples. Lecture discussions and laboratory exercises are designed for general education and students seeking a major or minor in one of the natural sciences.

An introduction to the world's oceans: how they work, what they contain, how they impact everything on Earth, and how humans impact them.

Physical geology is the study of how the earth works. From mountain building to soil erosion, this course provides an introduction to all the main areas of geologic study. Lecture discussions and laboratory exercises are designed for students seeking a major or minor in one of the natural sciences.

An examination of the development and evolution of life on earth. In addition to reviewing the range of life forms and global climates existing on earth during various times in its geologic past, we will also look at how global industrialization could lead to the earth's next period of mass extinction. Weekly laboratory assignments help illustrate principles discussed in lectures.

Examination of the elemental composition and crystal structure of various common minerals. Laboratory time is spent practicing techniques of identifying crystals and minerals. The importance and occurrence of many economic minerals is also covered thoroughly in this course.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107 or GEOL 121

Introduction to laboratory analyses of aqueous solutions and soils in support of civil engineering or geological applications. Includes techniques of analysis of water and soil samples. Water analysis includes biological and chemical oxygen demand, corrosion, pH, phosphorus, chlorine, VOCs, nitrogen, hardness, turbidity, thermal measurement and flow tracing. Soil analysis includes pH, loss on ignition, redox, and fertility.

Study of the compositions and origins of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in a plate tectonic context. Topics include mineral optics and geochemistry. Lab portion of course emphasizes identification and study of rocks.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 201

An integrated, multi-disciplinary study of the Earth and the solar system. The course builds on basic concepts of astronomy, chemistry and geology to give students an enhanced understanding of the nature and relationship among the forces that control the Earth's evolution. Learning outcomes partially fulfill licensure requirements for secondary science educators.

Prerequisites:

AST 101, CHEM 201, GEOL 121

Focused studies of the origins and processes of transportation, deposition, burial, and diagenesis of sedimentary materials. Lab assignments focus on sedimentary material identification and analysis. Field trips required.

Prerequisites:

Select one course: GEOL 100, GEOL 107, GEOL 121

Study of the processes and results of rock deformation at scales ranging from microscopic to plate tectonic, and at conditions ranging from the Earth's surface to the deep interior.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121

This course is devoted to the study and practice of geological field investigations. Students will first learn basic field investigative methods. Students will then be appropriately versed in the geological history and importance of a region selected for in-depth study. Finally, students will participate in a field trip to a regional site of geologic importance over an extended weekend (4-6 days). Potential study sites may include Minnesota's North Shore and Iron Range, the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, the Ozarks, or the Rocky Mountains.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 121 and GEOL 122

Study of the origin, composition, texture, morphology, and stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Topics include the geologic record of glaciation, techniques used to reconstruct histories of glaciation, glacial depositional systems, provenance of glacial sediments, influence of glaciation on soil texture, and interpretation of glacial geologic maps. Emphasis will be placed on description and interpretation of glacial features in southern Minnesota. Field trips required.

Prerequisites:

GEOL 100 or GEOL 107or GEOL 121