The course begins with an examination of the formation of the Earth, composition of the Earth, and the processes of plate tectonics. Students will be introduced to the causes and characteristics of different kinds of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. The interconnection between different disaster phenomenon and options for the possibility of predicting and controlling their occurrence will also be examined. An important focus of this class will be the study of natural disasters throughout history and their effect on human populations. The issue of global climate change in Earth's past and present will also be discussed. This course is designed for non-science students.
205-BZG-05
Physical Geology
3 - 2 - 3
75
Description for Course:
Geology is the study of the earth. To understand how our planet works, at depth and at the surface, the ideas and principles of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and geography are integrated in the exciting and stimulating studies which make up Earth Sciences. This course provides a basic understanding of geology and the methods used by geologists for studying Earth; the materials that constitute its makeup, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting on them. Students learn critical thinking and empirical reasoning skills that can be applied to any career or pursuit. The goal is to understand geological principles and how humans affect geological processes. Topics include the rocks and minerals composing Earth, the movement within Earth, and its surface features and the agents that form them and our environment. This course may be taken by students in both Health Science and Pure and Applied Science as a Science option.
