Natural Disasters and the Environment. ((3 Credits))

Catalog description

Provides a broad introduction to Geology and the Earth Sciences through the lens of natural disasters and environmental interactions. Prepares students to think critically about what constitutes scientific knowledge and how such knowledge is produced and used. Studies the structure, composition, and dynamics of the Earth and how it changes through time. Examines how geologic processes, operating on many temporal scales, can impact humans and ecosystems through disasters related to tectonics (e.g., volcanism and earthquakes), surface processes (e.g., landslides, floods, sinkholes, permafrost melt) and environmental change (e.g., global warming and sea level rise). Builds foundation of knowledge about geology and pairs that with basic analytical skills to evaluate critical issues related to the environment and society.