Geology and the Environment :
Internal Earth Processes

Geology 1043

Course Schedule | Course Objectives | Learning Outcomes | Marking Scheme

Instructor: Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner
Office: Huggins Science Hall, room 305
and
Perry House, 42 University Avenue
Phone: 585-1590
             585-1435
Fax: 585-1068
Email: nancy.vanwagoner@acadiau.ca
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 to 2:30, and by appointment.
Class meets: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00-4:30 PM
Location: HSH 10

Information Resources:
Required text:
Geology and the Environment, 2^nd Edition, by B. W. Pipkin and D. D. Trent

Supplementary Resource:

Virtual Atlas (http://travel.epicurious.com/cgi-bin/maps.cgi?link=intro)
3-ring binder
As well as assigned articles, websites, and videos

Optional text:
Earth Science and the Enviroment, by Thompson and Turk

Geology is the study of Earth. Environmental Geology focuses on the relationship between humans and their Earth environment. It is the study of human interaction with the land, with all its sociological, economic and political ramifications.(1)

This course concentrates on the relationship between people and internal Earth processes such as, earthquakes and volcanoes, geologic structures, plate tectonics, the evolution of mountains and ocean basins, the concept of geologic time, rocks, minerals, and mineral resources.

Course Schedule

Geology 1043/63 Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. To give you the tools to become a better steward of Earth, and a more constructive manager of the land and its population.
2. To be educated enough to know the right questions to ask when faced with environmental issues.
3. To learn to access information and tell the difference between reliable and unreliable information.
4. To depict the role of Geologists in today's society.
5. To present knowledge that will be useful for life, whether forming opinions on environmental issues, selecting a home site or other property, evaluating a business, or appreciating and understanding your surroundings.
6. To sharpen your observational skills and expand your horizons by introducing you to the complexities of geologic systems and processes, and developing your ability to "see" in three dimensions.
7. To prepare you to consider many environmental issues facing society, such as resource utilization, water use and conservation, and land-use planning.

1. A perspective of Earth in the Universe and the Solar System.
2. A knowledge of the structure and composition of Earth from the inside out.
3. Understanding of the terrestrial foundation on which societies are built.
4. A general understanding of Earth systems, processes, and the multivariate character of nature.
5. An understanding of the vastness of geologic time, and the varying rates of geologic processes.
6. An understanding of the range of scales of geologic problems, from the global to the microscopic.
7. Appreciation that Earth resources are limited and Earth has a limited capacity to sustain life.
8. A better appreciation of Earth's beauty.

References:
(1) Bernard W Pipkin, Geology And The Environment, Second Edition.West/Wadsworth:1997.pg1.