Geology: Environmental Geology

Introduction to geologic processes and materials pertinent to environmental problems: ground water movement, supply, and contamination, waste disposal, flooding, subsidence, and landslides. Local field trips. Designed for intended Natural Science majors.

Must register for GEOL 1400 Lab; Lab/Field trip fee $55; Open to Degree and PACE students

This class will introduce you to the geologic processes affecting human environment: natural hazards, water resources and contamination, soil processes and climate change. Via lectures, debates discussions and through indoor and outdoor labs, this course will provide you with the tools necessary to understand our interaction with Earth. This course includes local field trips and fulfills the Natural Sciences (with lab) requirement N2. Course goals and objectives: • be able to observe and describe the geologic processes that affect the human environment. • be able to interpret geological data in the framework of existing theories and models. • be able to critically assess our impact on the environment to predict change. • acquire a field-based, hypotheses-driven approach to environmental geology. • be able to apply critical thinking and scientific methodology to everyday problems.

The course is divided in a series of lectures that provide students with the basic scientific concepts related to the understanding of time and space scales geologic processes. I addition to lectures, field and in-house based weekly laboratory sessions allow students to practice environmental assessment of real-world problems. Students must be able to carry out average physical activity. Adequate clothing (boots, warm jacket, hat, gloves) is required for this course.

Grades will be based on reading quizzes, lab reports, 2 midterm exams and a final exam.