Courses
James
(Jim)
R. Garrison, Jr., Ph.D.
Dr.
Garrison's Courses
Courses at Texas A&M University -
Corpus Christi
These courses
are included in the Undergraduate
Catalog or
the Graduate
Catalog
Physical
Geology (GEOL 1403)
Catalog Description: The
origin, classification, and composition of Earth materials. Internal
and surface processes that modify Earth and other planets. Laboratory
studies of minerals, rocks, and topographic, physiographic, and
geologic maps. This course counts towards the natural science
component of the University Core Curriculum. (
download syllabus
for Summer
II 2007) (
download
lab
syllabus for Summer II 2007)
Mineralogy (GEOL
3411)
Catalog
Description: Study
of the physical and chemical properties of minerals. Introduction to
the crystallography of minerals, optical mineralogy, and the use of the
ploarized light microscope. Laboratory study of mineral identification
in hand specimens and thin sections.. Prerequisite:
GEOL 1403, CHEM 1311, and CHEM 1312 (may be taken concurrently). (
download
syllabus for
Fall 2005)
Introduction to
Geological Field Methods (GEOL
3326)
Catalog
Description: Introduction to the basic techniques of geological
field work. Note taking in the field, proper use of the Brunton
compass, measurement and description of rock sections by several
methods and degrees of detail, plus small area mapping of several types
of terrain with topographic maps. Reports, sections, and maps will be
produced from field notes.
Prerequisites: GEOL 1403, GEOL 1404, and GEOL 3411 (may be taken
currently). (
download
syllabus for Fall 2008) Visit
Photo
Gallery
Petrology (GEOL
3414)
Catalog
Description: Genesis and occurrence of igneous and metamorphic
rocks. Mineralogical composition and thermodynamics of geological
systems. Determination of rock types in hand specimens and thin
sections.
Prerequisites: GEOL 3411. (
download syllabus
for Spring 2008) Visit
Photo Gallery
Geophysics (GEOL
4322)
Catalog
Description:
Introduction to quantiative techniques to assess physical properties
and processes of the Earth. Topics include earthquake seismology,
refraction and reflection seismology, gravimetry, magnetism, electrical
methods, and radioactivity of Earth materials. Applicaiton of
geophysical methods to the study of the Earth, in oil and gas
exploration, and in ecomonic and environmental geology. Prerequisites:
GEOL 4421, PHYS 1401 or 2426, MATH 2413, or permission of
instructor. (
download
syllabus for Spring 2006)
Field Seminar in
Geology (GEOL 4326)
Catalog
Description: Field seminar in geology is designed to prepare
students for summer field camp. Held during Maymester (9 days),
students learn the basic techniques of geologic mapping in the
field. The mapping project is framed as a problem in applied
geology and involves independent problem solving, data analysis, and
interpretation, and report writing. With four additional class
meetings follwoing the field exercise, the class ends with a formal
oral presentation in front of a panel of invited professional
geologists..
Prerequisite: GEOL 4411 and GEOL 4421. Visit
Photo Gallery
Sedimentation and
Stratigraphy (GEOL 4411)
Description:
Composition
and origin of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Description and
classification of rocks in hand specimen. Principles of stratigraphy,
including stratigraphic units and correlation. Facies models for
major depositional systems. Field trips.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1403, GEOL 1404, GEOL 3411, and GEOL 3442, or
permission of instructor (May be taken for Graduate Credit). (download
syllabus for Spring 2008)
Petroleum Geology
(GEOL 4436)
Description:
Intended
for upper
division-level geology
majors and environmental science majors, who would like a better
understanding
of the basic principles of petroleum geology. The course addresses the
concepts of petroleum geology and the techniques used in the
exploration and
production of hydrocarbon systems. Introduction to the basic principles
of stratigraphy, sedimentology, hydrocarbon
generation, hydrocarbon-trapping mechanisms, reservoir characterization,
seismic interpretation, well-log
interpretation, and geologic risk analysis.
Prerequisite: GEOL 4411. (download syllabus
for Spring 2008)
Structural Geology
(GEOL 4421)
Catalog
Description: Geometric and quantitative description of
deforemation of the Earth's crust, mechanics of brittle and
crystal-plastic deformation processes of Earth materials, introduction
to continuum mechanics of geologic systems, crustal deformation from
micro-scale to global tectonics. Laboratory introduces priciples of
three-dimensional data representation and analysis, geologic map
interpretation, cross-section techniques, and prblems in stress and
strain analysis.
Prerequisite: GEOL 1402, MATH 2413, and PHYS 1401 or 2425. (
download
syllabus for Fall 2008) Visit
Photo
Gallery
Field Geology
(GEOL 4650)
Catalog
Description: This
6 credit hour, senior-level course is for
geology majors and environmental science, who would like a better
understanding
of the basic principles of field mapping and outcrop data collection in
outcrops of all types. The 5-6 week course will involve a variety of
mapping
and data collection and analysis problems on the Texas Gulf Coast and
in West
Texas, New Mexico, and Utah.
Prerequisite: GEOL 3326, GEOL 3441, GEOL 4411, GEOL 3414, and GEOL 4431.
Modern Coastal
Sedimentology (GEOL 4324) (offered Fall 2008 as GEOL 4490)
Description:
Intended for upper
senior-level and/or graduate-level course is for geology majors,
environmental science
majors, and education majors who would like a better understanding of
the basic
principles of modern depositional systems and sedimentology. The course
will
examine modern depositional systems exposed along the Texas Gulf coast.
This
course will provide a brief field introduction to the basic concepts of
clastic
sedimentology, neoichnology, and sequence stratigraphy for those new to
the
subject and a comprehensive review for those familiar with the basic
ideas of
sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. The class will consist of 6 2
hour
lectures and 5 days of field excursions in the area between Galveston,
Texas
and North Padre Island near Corpus Christi, Texas. Prerequisite:
consent of instructor. (
download
syllabus for Spring 2008) (
download
guidebook) Visit
Photo
Gallery
Directed
Independent Study (GEOL/ENSI 4496 and GEOL/ENSI 5496)
Catalog
Description: Requires a formal proposal of study to be
completed in advance of registration and be approved by the supervising
faculty, the chairperson, and the Dean of the College. Visit
Research Page to View Student Research
Projects
Clastic
Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy (GEOL 5311)
Catalog
Description: This
graduate-level course is for
coastal and marine systems science, and environmental science majors
and professional geologists who would like a better understanding of
the latest
sequence stratigraphic techniques, principles, and clastic facies
models
available to geoscientists. The course will consist of an examination
of the
latest topics, techniques, and models in chronostratigraphy and
sequence
stratigraphy. There will be hands-on examination and
analysis of data sets.
Prerequisites: Graduate
standing,
Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (or equivalent) and Invertebrate
Paleontology,
or permission of the instructor (with appropriated professional work
experience). (download syllabus for
Spring 2009)
Advanced
Geophysical Techniques Seminar (GEOL 5322)
Catalog
Description: This
graduate-level course is for
coastal and marine systems science and environmental science majors
and professional petroleum geologists who would like a better
understanding of
the latest advanced geophysical techniques and principles available to
geoscientist working subsurface problems. The course will consist of an
examination of the latest topics, techniques, and software. The
class sessions will consist of many hands-on introductions to the
latest
software. New techniques and topics
will be presented by geology staff and visiting experts working in
those
fields.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing, Sedimentation
and Stratigraphy (or equivalent), Geophysics, or permission of the
instructor
(with appropriate professional work experience).
(
download
syllabus for Fall 2008)
Clastic Shoreline
Sedimentology and Benthic Ecology (GEOL 5324) (offered Fall 2008 as
GEOL 5490)
Catalog
Description: This
graduate-level course is for
coastal and marine systems science and environmental science majors
and professional geologists, who would like a better understanding of
the basic
principles of modern shoreline depositional systems and sedimentology
and the
eco-systems associated with them and the preservation of these systems
in the
rock record. The course will examine modern depositional systems
exposed along
the Texas Gulf coast and their benthic invertebrate ecology. The class
will
consist of classroom lectures and 7 days of field trips, in the area
between
Galveston, Texas and Baffin Bay. Prerequisites: Graduate
standing,
Physical Geology (or equivalent), Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (or
equivalent) or permission of the instructor. (download syllabus for
Fall 2008) (download
guidebook)
Professional Development
Courses
Dr.
Garrison teaches courses for professional geologists
Depositional Sequence Stratigraphy of Fluvial-deltaic
Deposits: Implications for Reservoir Delineation, Description, and
Characterization
Description: This
course is designed for exploration and production/reservoir geologists,
geophysicists, and engineers working in fluvial-deltaic systems
worldwide that have a need to understand the stratigraphy,
sedimentology, architecture, and reservoir characteristics of
fluvial-deltaic reservoir systems and the processes that control
fluvial-deltaic systems. (
download
course outline)
The Sedimentology,
Ichnology, and Preservation Potential of Fluvial-deltaic and
Associated Clastic Shoreline Depositional Facies
Description: This course is designed
for.exploration and production/reservoir geologists, geophysicists, and
engineers working in fluvial-deltaic systems worldwide that have a need
to understand the sedimentological and ichnological processes of
clastic shoreline depositional systems and what their preservation
potentials are. Understanding the preservation potential of
depositional and ichnological facies facilitates the construction of
more realistic geological reservoir models. (
download course outline)
