GEO 100: General Geology (E)                                                                               4(3+0+2) 

Introduction to physical geology and minerals – volcanism and intrusive igneous rocks – weathering, soil, sediments and sedimentary rocks – metamorphism and metamorphic rocks – water courses and groundwater – glaciers and glaciations – deserts and coasts – geological structures – earthquakes – plate tectonics – mountain belts and continental growth – earth resources. (One day field trip)

GEO 107: Historical Geology (E)                                                                           3(2+0+2) 

Essentials of earth history – uniformitarianism – the law of superposition – unconformities – mountain building – stratigraphic units – fossils and fossilization – correlation – absolute time and radiometric ages – plate tectonics – evolution of the lithosphere and biosphere through geologic time. (One day field trip)

GEO 221: Mineralogy (E)                                                                                        3(2+0+2) 

Crystallization in solutions and magma – crystal symmetry – crystal forms and habits – crystallographic systems – crystal lattices – chemical and physical properties of minerals – classification and nomenclature of minerals – origin and distribution of minerals - physics of light and its interaction with crystalline matter – the polarizing microscope – thin section preparation – refraction indices – optical indicatrix – optical sign determination – mineral identification – qualitative and quantitative analysis of minerals. (One day field trip)

GEO 237: Stratigraphy and Sedimentology (E)                                                      3(2+0+2)

Erosion, transport and sedimentation – grain morphology – porosity, permeability and diagenesis – classification of sedimentary rocks – sedimentary structures – stratigraphic units and correlation – seismic stratigraphy – sequence Stratigraphy – use and interpretation of stratigraphic maps and sections. (One day field trip)

GEO 242: Micropaleontology (E)                                                                           3 (2+0+2)

Marine ecology and zoning- classification of marine organisms- collection and preparation of samples- study of the most important microfossils including: foraminifera, radiolaria, ostracods and conodonts in terms of soft tissue, shell morphology, ecology and evolution.

GEO 243: Invertebrate Paleontology (E)                                                               3(2+0+2)

Introduction – conditions and processes of fossilization – types of preservation – the fossil record – index fossils – biological classification – study of the most important invertebrate phyla: sponges, corals, coelenterates, mollusks, echinoderms, brachiopods, annelids, arthropods and graptolites – trace fossils. (One day field trip)

GEO 246: Paleontology (E)                                                                                    3(2+0+2)

Fossilization and modes of preservation – Fossil record and index fossils – Collection and preparation of fossils - applications of micro-and macropaleontology - study of the most important invertebrate groups: Porifera, Cnidaria, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Ichnology – Classification of vertebrates (Two day field trip).

GEO 274: Geologic Reports (E)                                                                                          1(1+0+0)

Using terms and expressions in their proper geologic context – organizing data - stratigraphic and geographic names - maps and drawings – references and appendices – training on selected local examples.

GEO 301: Geomorphology (E)                                                                                3 (2+0+2)

Natural processes that create landforms and landscapes - physics and chemistry of weathering and soil formation - dynamics of mass wasting - streams and glaciers - karst processes - topographic response to tectonic and climatic forces - terrain analysis utilizing geomorphic field data, remote sensing imagery, and numerical models - natural hazards. (One day field trip).

GEO 323: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (E)                                             3(2+0+2) 

Origin and composition of magma – magmatic differentiation – volcanism and its products – emplacement mechanisms of plutonic rocks – geochemistry of igneous rocks and its relationship with their tectonic settings, types of metamorphism- field relations – metamorphic textures – metamorphic zones – metamorphic reactions and P-T-t paths. (Three days field trip)

GEO 324: Igneous Petrology (E)                                                                             3(2+0+2) 

Origin and composition of magma – magmatic differentiation – volcanism and its products – emplacement mechanisms of plutonic rocks – geochemistry of igneous rocks and its relationship with their tectonic settings. (Three days field trip)

GEO 326: Metamorphic Petrology (E)                                                                   3(2+0+2) 

types of metamorphism- field relations – metamorphic textures – metamorphic zones – metamorphic reactions and P-T-t paths. (Three days field trip)

GEO 334: Sedimentary Petrology (E)                                                                    3(2+0+2) 

Grain morphologies and statistical distribution of grain size – classification of sedimentary rocks - mineral composition of detrital rocks and its relationship to the tectonic setting – diagenesis – carbonate rocks and evaporites – phosphorites – ironstones – siliceous rocks – coal and coalification processes. (Two days field trip)

GEO 341: Paleobotany (E)                                                                                      3 (2+0+2)

Fossil record of the plant kingdom – ancient environments and plant diversity through the Geologic record – origin of life in the Archean – cyanobacteria – emergence and diversity of fungi – appearance of ferns and mosses – vascular plants – dominance of angiosperms in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic.

GEO 342: Paleoecology (E)                                                                                     3 (2+0+2)

The nature and classification of environments – comparison with living representatives –evidence of biological activity and associated sediments – lateral and vertical variations –geographical distribution of assemblages – trace fossils – biodiversity – environmental changes through Geologic time. (One day field trip).

GEO 381: Structural Geology (E)                                                                           3(2+0+2)

Stress, strain and rock deformation - kinematic analysis – interpretation of geologic maps – stereographic projections - joints – strike-slip faults – dip-slip faults – geometry of folds – foliation and lineation – balanced cross-sections - rheology – microscopic structures – orogenic belts and plate tectonics. (Three days field trip)

GEO 382: Geographic Information Systems (E)                                                   2(1+0+2)

The concept of GIS – maps and spatial analysis – data entry, storage and retrieval – computer-based processing of geologic data – vector and raster data models and analysis – linking digital maps and attribute information - spatial interpolation - practical application through a real-life GIS project.

GEO 383: Remote Sensing (E)                                                                                3(2+0+2) 

Basics of remote sensing – electromagnetic spectrum –types of sensors and platforms – acquiring and processing primary data – spatial corrections – types of filters - image enhancement - interpretation – classification methods – principal component analysis – thermal and radar imaging - geologic applications.

GEO 384: Geological survey                                                                                   2(1+0+2) 

The geological survey course (384 GEO) aims to acquire the students the basic knowledge on the concepts and methods of the geological survey techniques and instruments. Through this course the students will be trained on the geological survey methods and techniques using different survey instruments ranging from the minor instruments such as compass to the major instruments such as DGPS. In this course, the field survey and lab. Exercises are considered very important and the practical reports are given significant weighting.

GEO 385: Sedimentary Geology of Saudi Arabia (E)                                          3(2+0+2)

Sedimentary basins of Saudi Arabia – Phanerozoic stratigraphic units – sedimentary cycles – intra-basin stratigraphic correlations – biostratigraphy – major structural trends – economic geology of the cover rocks. (Three days field trip)

GEO 386: Geology of the Arabian Shield (E)                                                        2(1+0+2)

Origin of the Arabian Shield – stratigraphic schemes – igneous and tectonic activity – island arc and microcontinents - allochthonous terranes – ophiolites and sutures – correlation with the Nubian Shield – the Pan-African episode – Archean terranes in the Arabian Shield – ore deposits in the Arabian Shield. (Three days field trip)

GEO 393: Field Geology (E)                                                                                    6(0+0+6)

A 45 day summer field camp devoted to training on mapping and exploration techniques including: field relation of igneous and metamorphic rocks – making stratigraphic sections and traverses – measurement of structures – using global positioning systems – making topographic and geologic maps – report writing.

GEO 406: Data Analysis in Geology (E)                                                                2(1+0+2)

Sampling methods – data distributions - precision and accuracy - confidence intervals - least squares methods - correlation - time series analysis - multivariate techniques - cluster analysis – principal component analysis – kriging - using statistical software packages - geologic modeling.

GEO 421: Volcanology (E)                                                                                      3 (2+0+2)

Internal structure of the Earth and magma genesis – distribution of active volcanoes and their relationship to plate tectonics – internal structure of volcanoes – volcanic ejecta – types of eruptions - classification of volcanoes – mid-ocean ridge volcanism – island arcs – intra-plate volcanism – hot spots – volcanic activity in Saudi Arabia. (Three days field trip).

GEO 431: Carbonate Rocks (E)                                                                              3 (2+0+2)

Types of carbonate rocks - carbonate minerals - classifications of limestones - limestone diagenesis – depositional environments and facies – lacustrine deposits – coral reefs – pelagic sediments - dissolution and transformation – cementation – silicification - dolomitization – evaporites and sabkhas – Geologic record of carbonate rocks. (One day field trip).

GEO 432: Quaternary Geology (E)                                                                        3 (2+0+2)

Characteristics, distribution, and origin of recent deposits - stratigraphy and chronology - paleosols - formation of landforms – glacial and inter-glacial periods – glacial deposits and landforms - changes in sea level – biodiversity and extinction – appearance of man. (One day field trip).

GEO 435: Oceanography (E)                                                                                  2 (2+0+0)

Physical processes in the oceans – waves, currents and tides – formation of ocean basins – turbidity currents and deep sediment transport – earthquakes and tsunamis – marine chemistry – coastal processes – life in the oceans – ocean mineral resources - changes in the oceanic ecosystem.

GEO 441: Vertebrate Paleontology (E) 3                                                               (2+0+2)

Origin and classification of chordates – extraction and study of vertebrate fossils – the main vertebrate classes and the appearance in the Geologic record – fish and amphibians – age of the dinosaurs – birds – appearance of mammals – primates and hominoids – mass extinction.

GEO 445: Sedimentary Basin Analysis (E)                                                            2 (1+0+2)

Stratigraphic and facies analysis – sub-surface methods – stratigraphic correlations – biostratigraphy and biozones – sequence stratigraphy - basin maps – paleocurrent analysis - subsidence and burial history – basin models – basin classification – processes generating oil, gas and coal. (Two days field trip).

GEO 450: Ore Geology (E)                                                                                      3(2+0+2)

Basic definitions – morphology of ore bodies – ore textures – theories of ore genesis – classification of ore deposits – orthomagmatic deposits – diamonds and kimberlites – the carbonatite environment – volcanogenic massive sulphides - greisen and skarn – hydrothermal deposits – strata-bound deposits – sedimentary Fe and Mn deposits – metamorphic ores - supergene enrichment – industrial minerals. (Three days field trip)

GEO 451: Geochemistry (E)                                                                                    2 (1+0+2)

Meteorites and origin of the solar system - distribution of elements – isotope Geology and radiometric age determination – basic thermodynamics – reaction kinetics - crystal chemistry – water chemistry – organic geochemistry – oxidation and reduction – chemical evolution of magma – metamorphic reactions - hydrothermal processes and ore genesis.

GEO 452: Petroleum Geology (E)                                                                           3(2+0+2)

Physical properties of oil, gas and connate water – porosity and permeability and the effect of diagenesis – origin, migration and accumulation of oil – oil traps and seals – drilling methods - oil exploration – formation evaluation – chemistry and grades of crude oil – reserve estimation - oil in Saudi Arabia. (Two days field trip)

GEO 454: Mining Geology (E)                                                                                2 (1+0+2)

Reconnaissance exploration – remote sensing – Geochemical exploration – Geophysical exploration – drilling methods - evaluation techniques – feasibility studies mine mapping – surface and underground mining methods – mineral processing and metallurgy – mining in Saudi Arabia. (Three days field trip).

GEO 455: Hydrogeology (E)                                                                                   3(2+0+2)

Geologic factors controlling the flow of groundwater – porosity and permeability – groundwater flow - types of aquifers – Darcy's law – groundwater wells – chemistry of groundwater – groundwater exploration – seawater encroachment – groundwater pollution - groundwater resources in Saudi Arabia. (Three days field trip)

GEO 456: Application in Petroleum Geology (E)                                                 2 (2+0+0)

Geologic and seismic exploration – methods and problems of production – tectonic settings of oil-producing basins – depositional environments and oil and gas quality – detailed study of hydrocarbon field in and outside the Kingdom. (Two days field trip).

GEO 457: Engineering Geology (E)                                                                       3 (2+0+2)

Soil physical and engineering properties, types of stresses, compressibility and shear strength, Geotechnical problems associated with soil. Engineering geological considerations while investigating highways, bridges, slopes, dams, tunnels and selected sites for urban areas. Geotechnical problems associated with soil, Engineering geological maps and their applications, Rock and soil improvement (2 days Field Trips).

GEO 462: Environmental Geology (E)                                                                   2(2+0+0)

Geologic factors influencing the environment – air, water and soil pollution – radioactive waste disposal – geohazards including: earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, soil erosion and landslides – desertification – population expansion and depletion natural resources – pollution associated with the extractive industries. (One day field trip)

GEO 463: Plate Tectonics (E)                                                                                 2(2+0+0) 

Geophysical and geological observations related to plate tectonic theory - marine magnetic and paleomagnetic measurements - seismicity and volcanism of plate boundaries - reference frames and absolute plate motions - Interpretations of geologic phenomena in the context of plate tectonics – ocean trenches and island arcs - plate tectonic evolution of the ocean basins and continents.

GEO 483: Regional Geology of the Middle East (E)                                             2 (2+0+0)

Precambrian relationships in the Arabian-Nubian Shield – the Arabian Shelf and its northerly extension – tectonic movements related to the opening of the Red Sea – Arabian Plate movement and the creation of Zagros and Taurus belts – oil and mineral resources of the Middle East.

GEO 495: History of Geology (E)                                                                           1 (1+0+0)

Beginnings of earth sciences and the contribution of Arab and Muslim scholars – evolution of modern concepts in Geology – emergence of the main disciplines of earth sciences - catastrophism and uniformitarianism – plutonists and neptunists – Geologic controversies on the ice age, granitization and age of the Earth – continental drift and the theory of plate tectonics.

GEO 496: Specialized Topics (E)                                                                            1 (1+0+0)

Advanced study of detailed aspects of certain Geological problems chosen by the student, which is summarized in a brief report.

GEO 497: Graduation Project – 1 (E)                                                                    3(0+0+6)

Training on geologic research methods through an integrated field and laboratory study of an area or topic chosen by the student and his supervisor. (Three day field trip)

GEO 498: Graduation Project - 2 (E)                                                                     3(0+0+6)

Completing the laboratory work (Lab work) and a written report must be submitted and oral presentation made for evaluation by a committee appointed by the department.