Geology

Physical Geology is an introduction to our dynamic Earth introducing students to the materials that make up Earth (rocks and minerals) and the processes that create and modify the features of our planet. The course will help students learn how mountains are formed, how volcanoes erupt, where earthquakes occur, and how water, wind, and ice can shape the landscape. Students will also develop a basic understanding of the ways humans have altered the planet including our impact on natural resources and global climate change.

Physical Geology Lab is the laboratory component of Physical Geology. Students will learn to identify rocks and minerals in hand samples, work with topographic maps, geologic maps, and geologic cross-sections, and apply stratigraphic principles to explore geologic time.

This course reviews the major geological and biological processes and events over the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history.Students will learn about the formation of the Earth and its development through time including changes in the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. The interrelationships between the physical aspects of Earth history and biological origins, evolution of species, and causes of extinctions will be explored.

Historical Geology Laboratory is the laboratory component of Historical Geology. This course applies geologic principles and techniques to reconstruct the history of Earth. Students will explore key concepts of geologic time and stratigraphy, identify fossils and use fossils to make stratigraphic correlations. Students will employ actualism to determine past depositional environments.

This course covers aspects of geology, chemistry, physics, climatology, environmental science, and biology as they apply to the oceans. Oceanography explores the ocean in the Earth system with special emphasis on the flow and transformation of weather and energy into and out of the ocean, the physical and chemical properties of seawater, ocean circulation, marine life and its adaptations, interactions between the ocean and the other components of the Earth system, and the human/societal impacts on and response to those interactions. This course provides the foundation needed for students to intelligently participate in important societal discussions that involve environmental issues.

Concurrent enrollment in GEOL 2120C (lecture) is required.

Introduction to Earth's atmosphere and the dynamic world of weather as it happens. Working with current meteorological data delivered via the Internet and coordinated with learning investigations keyed to the current weather; and via study of select archives.

Concurrent enrollment is GEOL 2130Z (lecture) is required.