Undergraduate Courses

Geology

Origin and structure of the Earth and planets, the rock cycle, rock and mineral identification, plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion and sedimentation, metamorphism, geological time, relative and absolute dating, earthquakes, geological structures, desert landforms, natural resources. Laboratory exercises concentrate on mineral and rock identification, and map interpretation. At least one field trip is required.

Origin and structure of the Earth and planets, the rock cycle, rock and mineral identification, plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion and sedimentation, metamorphism, geological time, relative and absolute dating, earthquakes, geological structures, desert landforms, natural resources.

This is the laboratory section that accompanies GEOL 102. Laboratory exercises concentrate on mineral and rock identification, map interpretation, and geological processes. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL102*

Co-Requisites: GEOL 102

Introduction to the fundamentals of physical geology. Composition and structure of the Earth, mineral and rock identification, plate tectonics, mountain building, geological structures, earthquakes, volcanism, erosion and sedimentation processes. Laboratory exercises concentrate on mineral and rock identification and the interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. At least one field trip to a nearby locality is required.

Introduction; geologic processes; rocks and minerals; natural resources: hydrocarbons, minerals and ground water; aspects of environmental and engineering geology; geophysics principles and practices; case histories. Course cannot be taken by Geology majors

Introduction to principles useful in studying the Earth's history, and to examine the physical and biological evolution of the Earth from the viewpoint of global tectonics. Laboratory exercises include examination of stratigraphic rock samples, index fossils and their identification, lithostratigraphic correlation, paleoenvirnoments, interpretation of paleogeographic and geological maps and cross-sections. At least one field trip to a nearby locality is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL201* Or GEOL101*

Co-Requisites: GEOL 101 , GEOL 201

Geological characteristics of ore deposits, particularly those in Saudi Arabia. Distribution, geologic/tectonic setting, and genesis of metalliferous mineral deposits. Geometry, structure, zonation, paragenesis, and alteration patterns associated with mineral deposit classes. The Arabian Shield and associated mineral occurrences. Laboratory exercises involve characterization and classification of rock and ore mineral hand samples, study of classic mineral deposits, structural concepts of mineral occurrences, and introduction to geostatistics and deposit modeling.

Introduction to the principles of geology and stratigraphy. Magneto- bio- lithostratigraphy, stratigraphic correlation, the geological time scale, origin of the Earth, evolution of Earth’s biota and environments over the last 4 billion years. Critical events in Earth history. Laboratory exercises cover major fossil groups used in biostratigraphy. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL101 Or GEOL102 Or GEOL201

Introduction to macrofossils and microfossils, including basic aspects of taxonomic theory, classification and principles of nomenclature; a review of the major palynomorphs, such as pollen, spores, chitinozoans and acritarchs; particular emphasis will be placed on the industrial application of these forms to aid palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphic determinations as applied primarily to oil and gas exploration and production.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL203

Systematic mineralogy including detail study of major rock-forming minerals with emphasis on their physical and optical properties, chemical composition, occurrences, and associations. Principles of crystallography, crystal systems, symmetry classes and crystal forms. Crystal chemistry. Structures of minerals. Optical mineralogy. Laboratory exercises include studies of common rock forming minerals using polarizing microscope, morphological crystallography using crystal models, determination of mineral specimens by physical properties and using hand lens, and recalculations of chemical analysis.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL201 Or GEOL101

Systematic mineralogy including detailed study of major rock-forming minerals with emphasis on their physical and optical properties, chemical composition, occurrences, and associations. Principles of crystallography, crystal systems, symmetry classes and forms. Crystal chemistry. Structure of minerals. Optical mineralogy. Laboratory exercises include studies of common rock-forming minerals using the polarizing microscope, determination of mineral specimens by their physical properties, and morphological crystallography using crystal models.

Pre-Requisites: (GEOL101 Or GEOL102 Or GEOL201) And CHEM101

Nature and origin of igneous, sedimentary, and meramorphic rocks. Phase relations in silicate melrc, modes of occurrence, textures, and petrography of igneous rocks. Texture, srructure, composition, provenance, diagenesis, and classification of sedimentary rocks. Processes and types of metamorphism. Facies, textures, and mineralogy of metamorphic rocks. P-T paths. Laboratory studies of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and under the microscope. At least one field trip is reguired.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL217 Or GEOL216

Sediments and their properties, sedimentation processes, depositional environments, facies and facies analyses, provenance, principles and fundamentals of stratigraphic units, Walther's law, correlation and overview of seismic and sequence stratigraphy. Laboratory covers t)pes, texture, and composition of common sedimentary rocks, core description, lithofacies mapping, facies analyses, and correlation. Computer software used for stratigraphic column construction and data interpretation. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL213 Or GEOL214

Introduction to environmental issues facing humanity. Sustainability, biodiversity, and evolution. Food-, soil-, and pest management, water resources and pollution, renewable energy, environmental hazards and human health, air pollution, climate change, and ozone depletion.

Principles of structural geology. Both tectonic and non-tectonic structures. Fundamentals of rock mechanics, stress, strain and deformation, and their effects on rock structures. Brittle deformation, fractures, faults, and joints. Ductile deformation and associated structures. Cross section construction and interpretation. Cleavage, foliation and lineations; their types and interpretation. Lab sessions include display and analysis of structural data, structural map analysis, three-point problems, and use of structural geology software for analyses. At least one field trip is required.

Sediments and their properties, processes of sedimentation; depositional environments; facies and facies analyses; provenance; principles and fundamentals of stratigraphic units, Walther's law; correlation; overview of seismic and sequence stratigraphy. Laboratory exercises on types, texture and composition of common sedimentary rocks; core description; lithofacies map; facies analyses; correlation. Computer software will be used in startigraphic column construction and data interpretation. One field trip to nearby area is required.

Pre-Requisites: (GEOL201 Or GEOL101) And GEOL203

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its application to geosciences, and introduction and principles of remote sensing. Aerial photography and other remote sensing techniques, principles of photogrammetry and image interpretation for geological information.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL305

Geosciences life cycle of the mine. Exploration geology, exploration geochemistry, exploration geophysics. Resource and reserves classification and valuation and their reporting standards. Introduction to geochemical concepts for understanding mineral deposit genesis. Mine reclamation and remediation. Acid mine drainage. Introduction to mine planning and design. Introduction to concepts of mineral processing. Laboratory sessions involve ore mineral microscopy, ore mineralogy by x-ray diffraction, ore geochemistry by x-ray fluorescence, and application and interpretation of other analytical data. Reclamation case studies.

Fundamentals of the geology of oil and natural gas. Definition and properties of petroleum fluids and reservoir properties. Origin, migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons as related to source, reservoir, and seal rocks. Structural, stratigraphic, and combination traps. Survey of exploration methods. Concept of petroleum province and basin analysis. Computer software used for basin analysis and data interpretation. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL305

Tectonic elements of the Arabian Peninsula. Rocks and the sedimentary cover of Arabia. Geological, structural, and geomorphological evolution of Arabia with emphasis on hydrocarbon potential, mineral wealth, and groundwater resources. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL305

Nature, origin, differentiation and crystallization of magma; Phase relations in silicate melts. Mode of occurrence, textures, petrography and minerals of igneous rocks. Texture, structure, composition provenance, digenesis and classification of sedimentary rocks. Distribution and origin of sedimentary rocks in relation of plate tectonics and basin developments. Processes and types of metamorphism. Facies, textures, mineralogy of metamorphic rocks. P-T paths. Relations of rocks to plate tectonics. Laboratory studies of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in hand specimens and under microscope. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL216 Or GEOL217

Elementary methods of field observation and geological mapping as applied to various geological terrains. Principles of remote sensing and aerial photography. Emphasis will be on those aspects of rocks, geological structures and stratigraphic principles that are demonstrated in their natural setting in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Several laboratory exercises will be conducted in the field. Two weekend field trips to nearby localities are required. Computer softwares will be used in data processing and interpretation.

Modern concepts of engineering geology. Impact of geology on siting and structures, design of engineering projects. Geological and mechanical fundamentals as related to engineering practices, emphasis on parameters of rock mass classification systems, and on techniques relevant to site investigation studies. Case histories. Prerequisites: GEOL 102 or Consent of Instructor for Non-Geosciences Majors

Pre-Requisites: GEOL101 Or GEOL201 Or GEOL102

Sedimentary rock properties and classification, major depositional environments, lithostratigraphic units, sedimentary basins. Origin and migration of hydrocarbons. Petroleum system elements. Reservoir rocks and controls on reservoir quality. Tectonic framework of the Arabian plate. Petroleum systems of Saudi Arabia. Laboratory analysis on identification, classification, and description of clastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks in hand specimen. Porosity evaluation of reservoir rocks under the microscope. Well log interpretation. Course cannot be taken by Geology majors

Pre-Requisites: GEOL101 Or GEOL102 Or GEOL201

Introduction to modern concepts of quantifying geological variables. Integration, analysis, and interpretation of geological data. Application of statistical, spatial, and numerical techniques to characterize oil reservoirs, groundwater aquifers, mineral resources and contaminated sites. Computer software for modeling purposes is introduced.

Pre-Requisites: (GEOL220 Or GEOL320) And (GEOL270 Or GEOL307)

Composition of the Earth and nature of geochemical data. Geochemical classification of elements. Crystal-chemical controls of element distribution. Thermodynamics, partial pressure and Eh-pH diagrams. Geochemical cycle and isotope geochemistry.

Pre-Requisites: CHEM102 And (GEOL216 Or GEOL217)

Investigation of the abundance and distribution of chemical elements in the solid Earth and its oceans and atmosphere. Solar system nucleosynthesis, basics of geochemical thermodynamics, aqueous geochemistry, phase and mineral equilibria, stable and radiogenic isotopes, geochronology, and petroleum geochemistry. Application of geochemistry to understanding global cycling of elements, finite resources, and environmental and climate issues.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL220 Or GEOL320

Introduction to stable isotope systematics. Theoretical aspects of isotope exchange, isotope fractionation, and isotopic variations in geologic systems. Application of light stable isotope geochemistry to understanding the hydrologic cycle, biogeochemical cycling, diagenesis, and global change.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL356 Or GEOL355

Carbonate sediment and rock constituents, rock classification, carbonate porosity, and sedimentary processes. Environments of deposition, facies associations, and economic importance. Modern carbonate sedimentary environments as analogs for ancient accumulations. Carbonate petroleum reservoirs. Study of outcrops, hand specimens, and thin sections. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL270 Or GEOL307

Each student must work as a trainee geologist for a period of eight weeks in an organization/company that conducts geological activities, after which he must submit a written report and make an oral presentation, based on his training in the organization.

Pre-Requisites: ENGL214

Preparation and presentation of various geological topics, selected in consultation with course faculty. Collection of geological information (e.g., journals, books, maps, government publications), primary geological literature, proper citation, data synthesis, elements of organization and style for presentations and geological reports. Each student submits a written report on a chosen topic and delivers an oral presentation.

Definition and properties of petroleum and natural gas. The origin, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons as related to source, reservoir and seal rocks and reservoir properties. Structural, stratigraphic and combination traps. Survey of exploration methods. Concept of petroleum province and basin analysis. Computer software will be introduced for basin analysis and data interpretation. At least one field trip is required to investigate the outcrop section of a major reservoir in Saudi Arabia.

Characteristics and origin of the oceanic and continental crust. Major structural elements of lithosphere. Plate tectonic theory. Mountain building and magmatic activities. Tectonic provinces of the continental crust. Transpression and transtension. Basin subsidence mechanisms. Global tectonics and Earth?s resources, with special emphasis on the Middle East region.

Theory and geology of groundwater occurrence and flow. Introduction to the hydrology of surface and groundwater supplies, water-bearing properties of rocks, hydrodynamics of flow through porous media, flow nets, well hydraulics, and analysis and evaluation of pumping test data. Groundwater quality and groundwater occurrence in various rock types and sediments, field techniques used in groundwater exploration and survey. Computer software used for data interpretation, simulation, manipulation, and graphs survey.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL201 Or GEOL101 Or GEOL102

Six weeks of systematic field work for training in geological field and laboratory techniques. Field safety and field mapping techniques. Preparation of field notebook, geological maps, stratigraphic sections, and cross sections. Laboratory analysis of rocks collected in the field, and preparation of oral and written final report. On-site fieldwork and on-campus laboratory study required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL318

Introduction to internal and external earth processes, and resulting landforms on the earth?s surface. Classification, description, and evolution of landforms. The fluvial and eolian domain. Analysis of geomorphic features using maps and aerial photographs. At least one field trip to a nearby locality is required.

Introduction to geology of the world’s ocean basins. Continental margin geological processes and features. Characterization of continental shelves, barrier islands, reefs, atolls, slope, rise, and abyssal plains, submarine canyons, and plate-tectonic activity. Global sea-level history, oxygen isotope stratigraphy, plate tectonic control of ocean circulation, ocean gateways, critical events in ocean history. Collaborative international ocean drilling programs. At least one field trip is required.

Overview of the origin of petroleum, its chemical composition, and the methods used in petroleum geochemistry; carbon cycle; composition of biomass; kerogen and coal formation; maturity assessments; biomarkers and molecular geochemistry; geochemical correlation techniques; geochemical prospecting.

Fundamental principles of geological, chemical and physical oceanography. Historical overview of ocean exploration. Distribution of terrigenous and biogenic sediments. Seawater characteristics including temperature, salinity, and density. Tidal theory, geostrophic flow, surface and deep ocean circulation. Water column zonation. Concept of CCD, lysocline, thermocline, halocline and pycnocline, nutrients, the oxygen minimum zone, and oxygen utilization. The global carbon cycle. The glacial ocean. At least one field trip is required.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL307 , GEOL270

Elements of sedimentary basin formation, style of sedimentation, provenance, associated facies, and subsequent physicochemical changes through time. Platetectonic, climatic, allo- and auto-cyclic constraints on sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on convergent and rifted margin sedimentary record. Usage of several macroscopical and microanalytical tools for detailed sedimentary basin analysis. Computer software will be introduced for basin analysis and data interpretation. At least one field trip is required.

Macro- and micro- analysis of geological materials. Fundamental principles and sample preparation techniques for detailed geochemical studies. Determination of bulk and trace element composition, fluid inclusion study, homogenization, pressuretemperature, and Eh-pH of the mineralizing solution. Laboratory exercises include: grain-size analysis, heavy mineral and magnetic separation, petrographic slide preparation, staining techniques, vacuum impregnation, peels and slices, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray florescence, electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), ICP, and gas chromatography. Individual research project report is required. At least one field trip to a nearby locality is required.

Students in high standing undertake research. The student joins an ongoing research project with one of the faculty members of the college. The student, with help of the faculty, identifies an aspect of the project that can be accomplished within the span of one semester, prepares a brief proposal, writes a literature review, collects and interprets original data, and produces a written report and an oral presentation. Prerequisites: GPA above 3.0 or approval by Program Coordinator

Environmental problems, hazards, and their mitigation. Critical evaluation of geological processes: volcanic activity, earthquakes, slope failures and landslides, flooding, groundwater movement, solution cavities and sinkholes. Environmental problems associated with human interaction: groundwater pollution, groundwater withdrawal, acid rain, solid waste disposal, land development and urbanization, agricultural activity, soil erosion, and desertification. Current environmental issues. At least one field trip is required.

Energy supply and demand. How various forms of energy impact the Earth’s environment. Traditional and alternative energy: hydrocarbons (conventional and unconventional), nuclear, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, biofuels, wind. Policy considerations. Subsurface engineering and problem-solving methods. Provides an understanding of the Earth relevant to the production of natural energy resources.

Introduction to micro- and macrofossils, including preservation, biodiversity, and basic aspects of zoological nomenclature. Principles of biostratigraphy and biochronology. Review of major fossil groups. Laboratory sessions cover practical examples from the Arabian Peninsula, including foraminifera, palynomorphs, calcareous nannofossils, conodonts, trilobites, graptolites, ammonites. Applications of fossils for biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental determinations applied to hydrocarbon exploration.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL213 Or GEOL214

Introduction to the modern concepts of quantifying geologic variables. Integration, analysis, and interpretation of geologic data. Application of statistical, spatial, and numerical techniques to characterize oil reservoirs, groundwater aquifers, mineral resources and environmentally contaminated sites. Computer packages are introduced for modeling purposes.

Fundamental and applied investigation of the abundance and distribution of chemical elements in the solid Earth. Nucleosynthesis, geochemical classification of the elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes, sampling and geochemical analysis, whole-rock classification, discrimination diagrams, geochronology. Application of geochemistry to understanding of Earth's mineral resources, including element mobility and dispersion, fluids and processes involved in deposit formation, geochemical anomalies, and isotopes in ore genesis

Introduction, historical development of economic geology. Origin, classification, occurrences and association of mineral deposits. Metallogenic provinces and epochs. Study of important economic mineral deposits. Laboratory exercise include ore microscopy and hand specimens identification of common ore minerals and gemstones. Computer software will be introduced for data processing and interpretation. At least one field trip is required.

Formation, mineralogical and geochemical classification, and economic significance of geological ore deposits and in particular, those of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Overview of major ore deposit types, classification based on mineral commodities, tectonic settings, geological context, and genetic models. Laboratory focuses on identification of ore samples in hand specimen and using reflected light microscopy. Field trips to operational mines and study sites.

Basic concepts and historical developments. Geological principles of ore exploration and appraisal. Methods of ore body sampling, estimation and classification of reserves. Methods of mining and mineral processing. Computer softwares related to data processing ore reserve estimation, and interpretation will be used.

Basic concepts. Significance of the mineral industries in the economy. Examination and valuation of mineral properties, mine organization and administration, and mine management.

Carbonate rocks, their characteristics, classification, and distribution. Environments of deposition, associations, and economic importance. Relationship to petroleum deposits with special emphasis on shoals and reefs. Study of outcrops, hand specimens and thin sections. At least one field trip is required.

Characterization and analysis of sedimentary rocks in the subsurface specifically related to hydrocarbon exploration and production. Integration of well logs, seismic data, and core data. Creation and interpretation of subsurface structural, isopach, and depositional facies maps. Computer software used for subsurface analysis.

Pre-Requisites: GEOL315 Or GEOL345 Or GEOL415

Geological principles of unconventional petroleum systems. Principal unconventional reservoirs and their characteristics in Saudi Arabia. Sedimentology, reservoir heterogeneity, geochemistry, geomechanics, and petrophysics of unconventional petroleum systems.

Contents to be arranged.

A seminar-style course, taught by various members of the Department. Faculty members discuss their own research in the broader context of cutting-edge geoscience.

Special topics in the broad topical area of the geosciences. Prerequisites: Senior Standing, Approval of Department

Preparation and presentation of various geological topics, selected in consultation with course faculty. Collection of geological information (e.g., journals, books, maps, government publications), primary geological literature, proper citation, data synthesis, elements of organization and style for presentations and geological reports. Each student submits a written report on a chosen topic and delivers an oral presentation.

Field geological methods in sedimentary geology and stratigraphy, field description of sedimentary rocks and their features, recognition of sedimentary facies and depositional environments, measuring and describing stratigraphic sections, bedform characterization, stratigraphic cyclicity, applied lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy in the field. Multiple field trips are required.