GEO 100 - Geology and the Environment

5 Credits

Investigate Earth resources, their use and associated impact, influence on public policy and society through discussions and activities covering a variety of geologic topics. This class explores contemporary environmental problems such as mineral and rock resources, energy resources, waste management and climate change as well as the relationship between these topics and population growth.

Pre-requisite(s) MATH 081 or higher min 2.0
Placement Eligibility Math 091 or higher
Course Note Previously GEOL 100 and GEOL 110.
FeesGL SC

Quarters Typically Offered
Fall Day
Winter Day
Spring Day

Designed to Serve This course is for geology and environmental science majors or any general education student concerned with human impact upon the environment
Active Date 20210403T10:08:51

Grading System Decimal Grade
Class Limit 24
Contact Hours: Lecture 44 Lab 22
Total Contact Hours 66
Degree Distributions:
AA

Science
Science Lab

Course Outline

Plate tectonics
Map reading
Cross-section reading and construction
Geologic resources (formation, exploration, extraction, supply and demand, final environmental impacts associated with resource use and extraction)
- Mineral and rock resources
- Energy resources and alternative energy
- Waste management and disposal
- Ground and surface water (including pollution)
- Soil
Air pollution
The carbon cycle

Student Learning Outcomes
Student will discuss the geologic formation of natural resources and environmental impacts associated with their exploration, extraction, use, and disposal.

Student will evaluate specific environmental problems and the resulting impacts on human health caused by the use of some natural resources.

Student will assess potential solutions to environmental issues using a standard scientific method approach.

Student will construct objective arguments on the acceptable use of geologic resources balanced against the finite capacity of the Earth to supply them.

Student will complete activities and lab reports by applying the scientific method and using appropriate detail and terminology.

Student will create geologically reasonable hypotheses that explain observations, collect relevant data, and determine if the hypothesis is falsified.

Student will articulate the relevance of natural resources to everyday life using appropriate detail and terminology to describe socioeconomic and geologic impacts.

Student will identify selected economically important minerals by observing textures and testing physical properties.

Student will utilize quantitative skills to read complex graphics, use the metric system, create simple x-y plots of data, and to use quantitative information to describe, interpret, and effectively synthesize scientific investigation.