GLG 1401 Environmental Geology
Introduction to minerals, rock cycle, Plate Tectonics. Use/misuse of natural resources, waste disposal, pollution. Analysis of natural hazards: floods, volcanism, earthquakes, mass wasting, and others. Consequences of human activities: population growth, sustainability; mitigation and remediation strategies and processes. Laboratory component stresses use of scientific method, critical thinking, and problem solving. Three classroom, two lab hours per week.
Division: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Department: Geology
Repeatable Credit: No
Offered Online: No
Prereqs: NONE
Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Theory of Plate Tectonics by relating it to Earth processes; such as; earthquakes, volcanism, and the formation of natural resources.
- Explain the mechanisms responsible for the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, demonstrate an understanding of the formation, availability, sustainability, importance, measurement, extraction, and hazards of: mineral, rock, energy, water and soil resources.
- Describe the impact of human population growth on sustainability of natural resources and safety from natural hazards, explain the role of human activity in climate change processes and its potential consequences, investigate pollution and waste disposal problems and resource mismanagement issues--display an understanding of their remediation/mitigation.
- Describe the driving forces behind the occurrence of natural hazards and their prediction, explain the impact of specific hazards on human populations, develop/propose mitigation/remediation strategies to protect human life and property.
- Describe various ways in which the study of environmental geology impacts human activities and how it is important to daily life.
Credit Hours: 4
Classroom Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 2