Public four-year institution, primarily undergraduate

15-30

This is an upper-division required structural geology course with prerequisites of introductory geology and mineralogy/petrology. While these are the only prerequisites, this class is sequenced between our field camp classes which are two 3-week classes in the junior or senior year. Thus, most of the students have completed numerous other core geology classes prior to taking structural geology.

Students should be able to identify and interpret a range of geologic structures in the field.
Students should be able to interpret geologic maps and draw accurate geologic cross sections.
Students should be able to manipulate the tools of structural geology to analyze and present geologic data.
Students should be able to synthesize lithologic and structural data to interpret the geologic setting of an area.
Students should be able to place observed structures and patterns into a regional or plate tectonic framework.

Course activities are designed to have as much hands on activity as possible using as much data generated by student activity as possible. Field exercises and trips are used extensively to achieve goals.

Students should be able to integrate their qualitative and quantitative abilities.
Students should be able to complete professional quality writing.

Students are placed in numerous geologic situations where data acquisition, compilation, interpretation and written communication are necessary.

Structural Geology Syllabus - Pignotta (Acrobat (PDF) 156kB Apr30 12)