Hydrology and Environmental Science Teaching

William P. Anderson, Jr.

Current Courses

I primarily teach a General Education Science Inquiry class, GES 1104 - Water: Mountains to Sea and an upper-level required class for some of our majors, GES 4705 - Engineering Geology. I also occasionally teach another upper-level required class, GES 4630 - Hydrogeology.

Here is a more detailed description of these courses:

GES 1104 - Water: Mountains to Sea (Fall, Spring and Summer I semesters)

  • GES 1104 is a General Education Science Inquiry class that fits into two themes: The Blue Planet and Global Environmental Change.

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: A study of the interaction between terrestrial water and geological phenomena. The course applies the scientific method to the study of the continental components of the hydrologic cycle. It also focuses on the interaction of water with the rock and plate tectonic cycles. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

GES 4630 - Hydrogeology (I teach this in some Fall semesters)

  • GES 4630 is an upper-level course that is a required class for Quantitative Geoscience and Environmental Geology majors. I also recommend it as an elective for Environmental Science majors.

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: The occurrence of groundwater resources, factors governing groundwater movement through aquifers, and an analysis of techniques for measuring a water resource are the focus of this course. Groundwater contamination and remediation methods will be introduced. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite or co-requisite: GES 2250, MAT 1110, and PHY 1103 or PHY 1150.

GES 4705 - Engineering Geology (Spring semesters)

  • GES 4705 is an upper-level course that is a required class for Quantitative Geoscience and Environmental Geology majors. I also recommend it as an elective for Environmental Science majors.

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: Field and laboratory analysis of problems arising from interactions between humans and Earth and application of geologic knowledge to the mitigation of these problems. Lecture two hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisites: at least junior standing and a minimum of six semester hours of geology courses above the 1000 level, or permission of the instructor.

Other Courses

Other courses that I have taught during my tenure at Appalachian:

GES 1010 - Introduction to Environmental Science

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of environmental science through case studies that emphasize the application of the scientific method toward understanding human and natural systems, analyzing the human-nature interface, and developing sustainable solutions. Topics include information literacy; environmental economics, policy, and planning; ecology and complex systems; natural resources management; energy; and sustainability.

GES 1101 - Introduction to Physical Geology

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: Introduction to the composition, origin, and modification of Earth materials through the study of the Earth’s interacting dynamic systems; study and application of the scientific method with reference to the principles of geology as demonstrated through use of case histories and laboratory material. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

GES 1103 - Environmental Change, Hazards, and Resources

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: A survey of the chemical and physical processes that change the Earth’s crust and surface creating geologic hazards and environmental problems for people; human perturbations of the environment that directly and indirectly affect geological change and human life, such as mining, waste disposal, and agricultural practices; and the principles of origin, distribution, availability, environmental Geology consequences of use, and exploration of the Earth’s mineral and water resources. Lecture three hours, laboratory two hours.

GES 4210 - Geology Seminar

  • Undergraduate Bulletin Description: Scientific journal reading, including writing, presentation, and discussion of current topics in geology. Discussion topics synthesize previous course knowledge and explore emerging big ideas across geologic sub-disciplines. Prerequisite: senior standing geology major.

Contact Information

Email: andersonwp@appstate.edu

Phone: (+1) 828.262.7540

Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, ASU Box 32067, Boone, NC 28608-2067