Physical Geology

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to geology, including the scientific method and the history of geology. It examines the materials, structures, and processes that compose and shape the Earth. It includes a survey of minerals, rocks, and soils; a study of plate tectonics and the forces that create volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains; and a study of surface features due to weathering and erosion, streams, mass wasting, ground water, glaciers, wind, desert processes, and ocean waves. The course examines concepts of geologic time, relative and absolute age dating, and fossils. The course also investigates renewable and non-renewable resources as well as mining provinces that produce metals important for industry and technology. Note: 1 unit of laboratory science credit will be granted with concurrent or subsequent enrollment in a geology laboratory course.