Skip to main contentAll experts

Brandon Spencer

Teaching Assistant Professor

Geology

Orcid identifier0000-0001-9300-2600 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Teaching Assistant Professor
    Geology
  • 405-744-5315 (Work)
  • BPSoG, Geology, 302 NRC, Stillwater, OK, 74078, United States
Want to connect?
Contact us
(opens in a new tab)

TEACHING SUMMARY

Primarily undergraduate-focused. Courses currently taught include:

GEOL 1014, Geology and Human Affairs
GEOL 1114, Physical Geology
GEOL 1214, Introductory Geological Processes
GEOL 2464, Rocks and Minerals

GEOL 3034, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
GEOL 3546, Field Geology

GEOL 4023/5023 Petroleum Geology
GEOL 4613, Magmatism and Metamorphism
GEOL 4673/5673, Critical Earth Materials/Economic Geology
GEOL 4753/5753, Volcanology

GEOL 4990, Independent Study

GEOL 5990, Independent Study
GEOL 5990, Radioisotope Geochronology

GEOL 5363, Carbonate Depositional Systems

Past courses taught:

Structural Geology
Geological Hazards
Environmental Geology
Mineralogy

TEACHING

  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Field and Laboratory Research in Critical Minerals
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    Individually designed study projects involving assigned reading, library work, field work, laboratory work or a combination of these. Field trips may be required. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Geoscience Internship
    8 Jun 2026 - 31 Jul 2026
    Student participation in a research project during an internship in a Geoscience-related professional work setting. Graded on a pass/fail basis.Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Field Geology in Colorado
    18 May 2026 - 26 Jun 2026
    Five weeks of field methods in geology. Required of all geology majors. Transportation and room and board fees required.Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of 'C' in GEOL 3014 and GEOL 3034.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Advanced Volcanology
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Individual library, laboratory and/or field projects on facets of geology not covered by existing courses. Field trips may be required. Course previously offered as GEOL 5710.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Applied Energy Geoscience
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Individual library, laboratory and/or field projects on facets of geology not covered by existing courses. Field trips may be required. Course previously offered as GEOL 5710.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Master's Thesis
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Work toward master's thesis in geology.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Approval of graduate committee.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Principles of Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Principles of stratigraphy and their applications. Survey of sedimentary rock types, principles of description and classification, origin of sedimentary deposits, analysis of stratigraphic sequences. Topics include depositional systems; litho- and biostratigraphy; geochronology and chronostratigraphy; magnetic, seismic, and sequence stratigraphy; tectonic vs. climatic controls. Field work required. Previously offered as GEOL 3033.Prerequisite(s): GEOL 1224 and GEOL 2464 each with a grade of 'C' or higher.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Independent Study
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Individually designed study projects involving assigned reading, library work, field work, laboratory work or a combination of these. Field trips may be required. Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 9 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Senior Honors Thesis
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    A guided reading and research program ending with a thesis under direction of a senior faculty member, with a second faculty reader and oral examination.Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Volcanology
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Examination of volcanic processes, products, and structures on Earth and other terrestrial bodies. Optional field trip. May not be used for degree credit with GEOL 5753.Prerequisite(s): GEOL 2464 completed with a grade of 'C' or higher.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Volcanology
    12 Jan 2026 - 1 May 2026
    Examination of volcanic processes, products, and structures on Earth and other terrestrial bodies. Optional field trip. No credit for students with credit in GEOL 4753.Prerequisite(s): GEOL 2464 or equivalent with a grade of 'C' or higher.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Carbonate and Siliciclastic Depositional Systems in the Field
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Individual library, laboratory and/or field projects on facets of geology not covered by existing courses. Field trips may be required. Course previously offered as GEOL 5710.Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Carbonate Depositional Systems
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Survey course of the main types of carbonate sediments and depositional environments. Additional flat fee of $35.00 applies. Prerequisite(s): GEOL 3034 with a grade of 'C' or higher.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Geology Colloquium
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Discussion of selected topics in the geological sciences with emphasis on professional presentation practices. Offered for fixed credit, 1 credit hour, maximum of 4 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Geology majors only.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Geology Colloquium
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Discussion of selected topics in the geological sciences with emphasis on professional presentation practices.Offered for fixed 1 credit hour, maximum of 2 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Honors Thesis Preparation
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    A guided preparation course for students completing the requirements for college or departmental honors awards leading to an honors thesis, project or report under the direction of a faculty member from one of the undergraduate colleges, with a second faculty reader. This preparation course is typically taken the semester before HONR 4993.Offered for variable credit, 1-3 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.Prerequisite(s): Honors College participation, Senior Standing.
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).
  • COURSE TAUGHT
    Physical Geology (LN)
    18 Aug 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
    Composition and structure of the earth and the modification of its surface by internal and external processes. Mineral resources, sources of energy, and environmental aspects of geology. Recommended introductory course for science majors. Field trip required.Prerequisite(s): MATH 1483 or MATH 1513 or higher; or an acceptable math placement score or AP credit (see http://placement.okstate.edu).