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The laboratory component to an introduction to the fundamentals of Environmental Geology including 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.

Environmental Geology (130)

None

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)

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

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

• hydrologic cycle
• rock cycle
• plate tectonics
• geologic hazards
• impacts or energy and resource usage
• climate, climate change and the Greenhouse Effect

2)  Articulate how humans activities impact the environment

3)  Recognize and understand how to mitigate geologic hazards

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

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

6)  Practically apply the principles of the scientific method

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

• Lab reports and activities
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Field Trip reports

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

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