Geology and Earth Sciences Courses | General Science Courses
GES 502
THE RESTLESS EARTH
3, 3/0; Not open to students with historical geology course credit.
Prerequisite: GES 101 or equivalent. Evidence for and history of continental drift, polar wandering, and sea-floor spreading; effect of such movements on ancient climates and on the evolution of certain organisms.
GES 503
MINERALOGY AND PETROLOGY FOR EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS
3, 3/0; Not open to students with geology or earth sciences degrees.
Origin and identification of crystals, minerals, and rocks.
GES 504
FIELD INVESTIGATIONS FOR EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS
3, 3/0
Measuring surface changes: techniques necessary to construct base maps and topographic maps, collect stream gauging data, and measure slopes; applications to secondary earth science classrooms. Field trips.
GES 506
GEOLOGY OF NEW YORK STATE
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101 and GES 102 or GES 502 or equivalent. Physiography, stratigraphy, paleontology, and glacial and economic geology of New York State; geological history of New York region; geology of selected recreational sites. Field trips.
GES 513
ADVANCED FORENSIC GEOSCIENCE
3, 2/2
Prerequisites: DES 101, GES 103, GES 303 or equivalents.
Application of the principles of earth science to the law. Hands-on approach includes details from actual criminal cases. Forensic application of a variety of geological subjects, such as rock and mineral types, geological and topographical maps, fossils, sand, and soil.
GES 521
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: GES 101, GES 103, CHE 112, or equivalents.
The chemical nature of the earth. Emphasis on how natural systems work and the fundamental geochemical processes that affect the fate and transport of inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment.
GES 525
ADVANCED HYDROGEOLOGY
3, 2/2
Prerequisites: GES 101 or GEG 101, at least one 300-level GES course, and college algebra.
The interaction of groundwater and geologic material. Occurrence and movement of groundwater, assessment of aquifer properties, and chemical interactions between groundwater and rock. Includes groundwater protection and remediation strategies, as well as mathematical principles of groundwater flow.
GES 529
ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD METHODS AND ANALYSIS
3, 2/2
Prerequisites: GES 101 or GEG 101, at least one 300-level GES course, and college algebra.
Environmental detection of contaminants. Applied study of contaminant distribution and movement. Emphasis on environmental law and regulations, hazardous chemicals, and remediation approaches used by environmental
professionals.
GES 535
ASTRONOMY FOR EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS
3, 3/0; Not open to students with introductory astronomy course credit.
Prerequisite: Prior experience or assignment to a secondary science course.
The dynamic universe: solar system, stars, galaxies, and quasars. Night sky and planetarium observation.
GES 541
METEOROLOGY FOR EARTH SCIENCE TEACHERS
3, 3/0; Not open to students with introductory meteorology course credit.
Prerequisite: Prior experience or assignment to a secondary science course. Weather as a response to the unequal distribution of energy from the sun; data-collecting techniques; interpretation and predictions appropriate for secondary science education classes.
GES 590
INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0
GES 605
PALEONTOLOGY
3, 3/0; Not open to students with paleontology course credit.
Prerequisite: GES 101 or equivalent; prerequisite or corequisite: GES 102 or GES 502.
Basic principles of the nature and interpretation of the fossil record, with an overview of the types of organisms commonly preserved as fossils. Emphasizes practical applications of paleontology and the dynamic nature of science.
GES 606
ADVANCED INVERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 302 or equivalent.Methods and techniques used in the identification and classification of selected fossil invertebrate groups.
GES 607
REGIONAL GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 307 or equivalent.
Factors and forces that led to the development of the surface features of selected areas of the United States.
GES 639
TOPICS IN MODERN ASTRONOMY
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: GES 131, GES 535, or equivalent.
The expanding universe, primeval fireball, quasars, missing mass in the universe, black holes, pulsars, neutron stars, origin of the elements,
current research.
GES 690
MASTER’S PROJECT
3, 0/0
Research or investigation of a particular problem, planned and carried out by the student with consultation and guidance from the instructor, submitted in acceptable form according to directions given by the Earth Sciences and Science Education Department.
GES 695
MASTER’S THESIS
6, 0/0
GES 795
RESEARCH THESIS IN GEOSCIENCES
6, 0/0
Individual investigation of an original problem submitted in acceptable form according to directions given by the Graduate Studies and Research Office.
SCI 521
LABORATORY TECHNIQUES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
3, 3/0
Appropriate laboratory exercises designed to acquaint the elementary teacher with the subject matter, laboratory equipment, and techniques necessary to effectively teach elementary science.
SCI 524
SECONDARY SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
1, 1/0
Content, teaching methods, activities, and evaluation procedures typically included in secondary science classes. Designed to aid exceptional education resource and consulting teachers at the secondary level in their work with science content teachers.
SCI 527
CURRENT TOPICS IN SCIENCE
3, 3/0
Prerequisites: 6 credit hours each in two science areas.
Implications of science research for present and future living; implications of research in science for the secondary school science curriculum. Offered off campus.
SCI 537
ENERGY EDUCATION IN THE PRECOLLEGE CLASSROOM
3, 3/0
Current domestic energy issues: energy laws, energy conservation, fossil fuels, nuclear power, and the renewable energy options (solar, wind, biomass, etc.); existing energy curricula (units, films, games); appropriate classroom and field energy activities for children. Designed for in-service, precollege teachers.
SCI 540
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS SEMINAR
3, 3/0
In-depth discussions of environmental problems on the Niagara Frontier by local experts, designed to supply in-service science teachers and others concerned with the local environment with current local environmental information.
SCI 590
INDEPENDENT STUDY
3, 0/0
SCI 628
SEMINAR IN SECONDARY
SCIENCE EDUCATION
3, 3/0
Recent research in educational psychology and its application for science teaching; contemporary trends in science education; sociological and philosophical implications of science; recent research in science education;
issues identified by students enrolled in class. Required in all graduate science secondary education programs.
SCI 631
CURRICULAR TRENDS IN SCIENCE TEACHING IN THE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
3, 3/0
Recent curriculum developments in elementary school science. Students work with elementary science curricular material in a workshop atmosphere to understand the philosophies, objectives, and historical events
leading to their development. Students develop and share practical classroom adaptations of these materials.
SCI 632
CURRICULAR TRENDS IN SCIENCE TEACHING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: One year of teaching science as a subject, assignment to an administrative position with responsibility for science curriculum, or instructor permission. Recent curriculum developments, philosophies, objectives, and materials; current understandings of the psychology of inquiry; historical events leading to changes in curriculum. Required in all graduate secondary
education programs.
SCI 685
EVALUATION IN SCIENCE EDUCATION
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 6 credit hours of graduatelevel coursework. Philosophy of evaluation as applied to science education; models of evaluation; techniques used in the practical application of the models; examples and procedures directly related to science teaching. Required in all science secondary education programs.
SCI 690
MASTER’S PROJECT
3, 3/0
A study undertaken by one or more individuals on a problem of special interest submitted in acceptable form according to directions given by the Earth Sciences and Science Education Department.
SCI 694
RESEARCH METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN SCIENCE
EDUCATION
3, 3/0
Prerequisite: 9 credit hours of graduate-level coursework in science or science education. Nature of educational research: problem analysis; descriptive and inferential statistics; experimental design; strategy of historical, descriptive, and experimental studies. Recommended for students planning educational research projects or theses.
SCI 695
MASTER’S THESIS
6, 0/0
SCI 795
MASTER’S THESIS
6, 0/0
Individual investigation of an original problem submitted in acceptable form according to directions given by the Graduate School.
Earth Sciences and Science Education
Some content on this page is saved in PDF format. To view these files, download Adobe Acrobat Reader free. If you are having trouble reading a document, request an accessible copy of the PDF or Word Document.
