Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Environmental Geology with Lab
  • C-ID Number
    131
  • Units
    4.0
  • Date of Last Revision
    10/12/2017 04:43:58 PM PDT

General Description

An introduction to the fundamentals of Environmental Geology with laboratory Topics include the interactions between and impacts of humans with the environment in a geologic context. Course emphasizes the Earth system and connections between the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.

Prerequisites

No information provided

Corequisites

No information provided

Advisories

No information provided

Content

Environmental Geology C-ID Geology 130

The Environmental Geology course must address all of the major categories listed below and at least 75% of the subtopics.

Formation of the Earth and Plate Tectonics

  • Geologic Time and Earth History
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Geologic Structures

Earth Resources

  • Rocks and Minerals
  • Soils
  • Water
  • Energy
  • Human Impacts
    • Exploitation and Use
    • Population
    • Waste

Earth Systems

  • Rock Cycle
  • Carbon Cycle
  • Nitrogen Cycle
  • Water Cycle
  • Weather and Climate

Geologic Hazards

  • Mass Wasting
  • Flooding and Drought
  • Earthquakes
  • Tsunamis
  • Volcanoes
  • Pollution
  • Groundwater Quality and Subsidence
  • Extreme Weather
  • Climate Change
  • Sea Level Change

Lab Activities

Laboratory Activities:

Environmental Geology Laboratory C-ID Geology 130L

  1. Earth Materials
    • Minerals
    • Rocks
    • Soils
  2. Plate Tectonics and Geologic Structures
  3. Geologic Hazards (must include at least 5 of):
    • Earthquakes
    • Volcanoes
    • Tsunamis
    • Floods and Droughts
    • Mass Wasting
    • Sea Level Change
    • Pollution
    • Groundwater Quality and Subsidence
    • Extreme Weather
  4. Waste Disposal and Storage
  5. Energy Sources
  6. Resource Exploitation
  7. Bio-Geo-Chemical Cycles
  8. Climate Change
  9. Field Trips (optional)

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1)   Explain and practically apply the principles of the scientific method

2)   Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of concepts, principles and interactions of Earth’s systems including:

  • Hydrologic Cycle
  • Rock Cycle
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Geologic Hazards
  • Impacts of Energy and Resource Usage
  • Climate, Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect
  • Connectivity between geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere

3)   Articulate how human activities impact the environment

4)   Recognize and understand how to mitigate geologic hazards

5)   Demonstrate an ability to communicate complex course concepts effectively in writing and diagrams

6)   Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret topographic and geologic maps and answer questions pertaining to geologic processes

Evaluation Methods

Shall include multiple measures of performance that may include, but are not limited to:

  • Quizzes
  • Exams
  • Written Assignments
  • Research Assignments
  • Lab reports and activities
  • Field trip reports

Textbooks

Environmental Geology (McGraw-Hill - Montgomery)

Geology and the Environment (Brooks Cole – Pipkin, Trent, Hazlett and Bierman)

Introduction to Environmental Geology (Pearson – Keller)

Lab Manuals:

Investigations in Environmental Geology (Pearson – Foley, McKenzie and Utgard)

Hazard City:  Assignments in Applied Geology (Pearson – King, Carpenter and Wilson)

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

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  • Notes

    No information provided

  • Keywords
    orig app year 2010