Geology

Courses & Events

GEOL 556: Field Methods in Hydrology

The course offers an overview on basic field methods for characterization of hydrologic systems. Topics to be covered include physical and chemical characterization techniques, such as: how to measure water levels; perform single well and aquifer tests; unsaturated zone parameterization; inorganic, organic, isotopic, and dissolved gas characterization; groundwater-surface water characterization techniques, and geophysical techniques for hydrogeology.
To get started with registration, click on the link below for the enrollment period/dates currently available.

July 1-24, 2026

GEOL 751 / CE 752: Physical Hydrogeology

This non-credit course focuses on the study of fluid flow in subsurface hydrologic systems as well as investigation of the ground water environment including porosity, and hydraulic conductivity and their relationship to typical geologic materials. Students will examine Darcy's law and the continuity equation leading to the general flow equations. Students will use typical hydraulic testing methods to estimate aquifer parameters in various situations and apply these to water resource problems. Students will also study the basic mechanisms that determine the behavior of typical regional flow systems. This course is offered every fall semester.
To get started with registration, click on the link below for the enrollment period currently available.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 856: Environmental Geophysics

This non-credit course will introduce geophysical methods commonly used in subsurface characterization of environmental sites. Fundamentals and application of ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, and magnetics will be introduced. Geologists and engineers who are working professionally in the environmental sector or those seeking to advance their knowledge of the geophysical methods used in environmental investigations should take this course.Environmental Geophysics is offered every fall semester.
To get started with registration, click on the link below for the enrollment period currently available.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 753 / CE 753: Chemical and Microbial Hydrogeology

This non-credit course focuses on lecture and discussion of chemical and microbiological controls on groundwater chemistry. Topics include thermodynamic and microbiological controls on water-rock reactions; kinetics; and microbiological, chemical and isotopic tools for interpreting water chemistry with respect to chemical weathering and shallow diagenesis. This course is offered every spring semester.
To get started with registration, click on the link below for the enrollment period currently available.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 599: Preparation for Professional Geology License Exams

Preparation for Professional Geology License Exams is intended for geology graduates seeking professional geology licensure. This course is offered during the first 8 weeks of each semester, immediately before the Spring and Fall exams are administered. The course reviews fundamental geologic concepts that are emphasized on the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Fundamentals of Geology (FG) exam, but also may be used to prepare for the ASBOG Practice of Geology (PG) exam, or exams required to gain licensure in non-ASBOG states. To be eligible to apply for the ASBOG exam in Kansas, 30 hours of coursework in geology is required.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 557: Environmental Site Operations, Management, and Safety: HAZWOPER Health and Safety (OSHA-40) Standards Training

This course will introduce contaminant toxicology, hazard identification, site operations and management, and provide an overview of related regulations. It provides information related to environmental site management scopes of work, cost estimations, proposal generation, sub-contractor relationships, and budgets. Monitoring equipment, drum and container sampling, decontamination, and confined space designations will be presented. General safety hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) and levels of PPE protection, drill rig safety, hazard communication and medical surveillance, and development of health & safety plans, will also be presented. Satisfies the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) 40-Hourrequirement with a culminating certificate. This course is taught each Spring Semester between January & March.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 852: Introduction to Aquifer Parameter Testing

This course is a 4-week introduction to aquifer parameter testing methods, focusing specifically on pumping and slug testing. These methods are ubiquitously used to assess aquifers during environmental investigations. The course is hosted online with one mandatory field day, which will be held at the GEMS site in Lawrence, KS!This course is taught most summers.

This course contains no sessions
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GEOL 853: Field and Lab Methods in Chemical Hydrogeology

This 1-hour course focuses on field and laboratory sampling techniques. It will cover topics related to soil, groundwater, and air sampling (for example, direct-push, sonic rig, and split spoon sampling), as well as low-flow sampling and the use of summa canisters. Though the majority of the course will be completed online, a mandatory field day will be held in Lawrence, KS on Sep 30th to put our new knowledge to use.

This course contains no sessions
Click here to be notified about the next scheduled program.