Classes

Environmental Earth Science (GEOL 21062)

Course Description: This course focuses on the fundamentals of physical geology (rock types, mineral identification, plate tectonics, etc.), with an emphasis on human interaction with their environment.  We explore natural processes and anthropogenic (human-impacted) effects on those processes in the context of natural hazards, natural resources and sustainability.  We discuss issues related to human population growth and its impact on the natural world; describe the interactions between tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions and earthquakes; explain the ways that people contribute to and mitigate damage as a result of natural disasters like tsunamis, landslides, and flooding; discuss evidence of global climate change and possible impacts of anthropogenic warming; discuss the coastal processes and ways to prevent erosion; describe appropriate locations for waste disposal; and explain the causes of soil, air and water pollution.

Earth Materials I (GEOL 23063)

Course Description: Occurrence, associations, characteristics, crystallography and crystal chemistry of common and important minerals. Laboratory projects will emphasize identifying minerals by physical properties, and practical experience with analyzing mineralogical data. Lecture Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of physical properties and classification of minerals and mineral systems and their relevance to society; 2. Demonstrate an understanding of atomic structure and bonding; 3. Demonstrate an understanding of basic crystal chemistry and crystallography; 4. Interpret phase diagrams and mineral stability; and 5. Identify mineral associations relative to their geological environment. Lab learning outcomes: 6. Develop skills in microscopy and/or other instrumentation through observation of physical geological materials; 7. Identify and classify minerals and mineral groups; and 8. Demonstrate proper and safe use of experimental techniques and tools/instruments.

Environmental Mineralogy (GEOL 40095/50095)

Course Description:  Based on the foundation of mineralogy and (bio)geochemistry, this class will explore reactions between minerals and aqueous solutions, including growth and dissolution, surface complexation, and redox reactions.  We will focus on the role of these reactions in chemical weathering, contaminant mobility, microbe-mineral interactions, and an understanding of mineral-water interface processes and mechanisms at the molecular level.  Common analytical methods used in mineral-water interface studies will be introduced throughout the course.  A series of cases studies will be placed in a historical and geological context.  The underlying mineralogy and (bio)geochemistry of each case study will be emphasized.  An emphasis will also be placed on the potential role of remediation and the societal impacts of each contaminant. 

Environmental Geochemistry (GEOL 43042/53042)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the solid, aqueous, and gaseous phases comprising the environment, their natural compositional variations, and their chemical interactions, emphasizing the contrast between natural sources of hazardous elements and compounds and the types and sources of anthropogenic contaminants and pollutants.  The course will on four areas of environmental geochemistry: Atmosphere Chemistry; The Carbon Cycle and Energy; Water Chemistry; and Surface/terrestrial chemistry.  A major emphasis will be placed on processes that control the release, mobility, and fate of contaminants in surface environments.  Through lectures, classroom discussion, readings, and problem sets, and quizzes/exams, you will be introduced to the scientific basis for evaluation of the impact of contaminants and the design of remediation strategies.  Case studies focusing on a specific contaminant or group of related contaminants will be discussed throughout.