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 91 or higher
Course Note Previously GEOL 100 and GEOL 110.
FeesGeology Fee Science Lab Support Fee

Quarters Typically Offered
Fall 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. Recommended for students seeking a Natural Science with Lab course that also satisfies a D&G requirement
Active Date 20240401T16:28:28

Grading Basis 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
Discuss the geologic formation of natural resources and environmental impacts associated with their exploration, extraction, use, and disposal.

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

Assess potential solutions to environmental issues using a standard scientific method approach.

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

Apply the scientific method to activites and lab reports by using appropriate detail and terminology.

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

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

Identify selected economically important minerals by observing textures and testing physical properties.

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.