Course: GEOL 314/L. Earth Systems and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Any 3-unit 100-level GEOL course. Corequisite: GEOL 314L. This course focuses on the four Earth systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere) and interactions between these systems and humankind. Major course topics include water and energy resources, global climate change, sedimentary processes at the Earth’s surface, and how the fossil record is used to understand Earth history and the geologic timescale. Special focus will be placed on feedbacks between each system and the role of humans in these interactions. The laboratory will reinforce and expand concepts introduced in the lecture. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab, field trips, fee required.