course descriptions
Lower Division Courses
40 Geology and the Earth
The earth’s structure, composition and physical features create the geological environment for mankind. The physical environment such as climate also has an effect on the geological environment, and both of these in turn can affect the living environment of societies on the earth through the processes of earthquakes, landslides and floods. The major environmental problems facing mankind today, including water resources, energy and mineral resources, and geologic hazards, are studied. 3 hours of lecture per week, No prerequisites. Must be accompanied by Natural Sciences 41.
41 Geology and the Earth Laboratory
Laboratory to accompany Natural Sciences 40. 1 lab per week for 3 hours. Local field trips are part of the course. Laboratory fee $150.
50 Evolution of the Earth
A general introductory course in earth sciences, with emphasis on historical geology leading to an understanding of the geologic record of life (paleontology) and environments (stratigraphy). The course starts with a discussion of the historical development of geologic ideas that lead to an understanding of the major earth systems. Plate Tectonics, mountain building and structural deformation, the basic elements of stratigraphy, and sedimentary environments are discussed along with correlation and dating techniques. The second segment of the course focuses on the biosphere, reviewing the diversity of 6 kingdoms of life and their historic fossils. The fossil record is then integrated with the geologic record, the plate tectonic history as well as the general stratigraphy and paleontology for the various geologic eras and periods of Earth’s history. Offered in the spring semester with 3 hours of lecture per week. No prerequisites, but must be accompanied by Natural Sciences 51.
51 Lab
Laboratory to accompany Natural Sciences 50. 1 lab per week for 3 hours. Local field trips are part of the course. Laboratory fee $150.
92 Environmental Science
Physical, chemical, biological, and cultural dimensions of environmental problems
are examined in this course. It surveys the historical roots of these problems and then considers components such as population pressure, air and water pollution, global change, desertification, deforestation, biodiversity loss, habitat destruction, land use planning, energy and other resource utilization, acid rain, global warming, and public health. An introduction to ecological; principles is provided. Course fulfills the area B requirement. Must be accompanied by Natural Sciences 93.
93 Lab
Laboratory to accompany Natural Sciences 50. 1 lab per week for 3 hours. Local field trips are part of the course. Laboratory fee $150.
Upper Division Courses
100 Hydrology—Rivers and Groundwater
An introduction to hydrology, with specific emphasis on rivers and streams as well as groundwater. In the first half of the course, we examine all the facets of the water cycle, properties of water and issues related surface water problems. In the second half, we work more closely with groundwater issues, Darcy’s Law and subsurface flow problems. Groundwater contamination and general water quality issues will also be discussed. Special emphasis will be given to the hydrology of northern California. Offered every other year in the spring term. 3 hours of lecture per week. No lab, but problem sets. Prerequisites are having satisfied the Area B science and math requirements or permission of the instructor.
110 Geographic Information Systems
Maps have been used for thousands of years, but it is only within the last few decades that the technology has existed to combine maps with computer graphics and databases to create geographic information systems or GIS. GIS are used to display and analyze spatial data, which are tied to a relational database. This connection is what gives GIS its power: maps can be drawn from the database and data can be referenced from the maps. When a database is updated, the associated map can be dynamically updated as well. GIS databases include a wide variety of information: geographic, economic, social, political, environmental and demographic. Although these systems started in the earth sciences, they have rapidly expanded into the business and government arenas to the point where today, over 80% of the applications are found in city planning, business evaluations, marketing, rapid response systems and a plethora of other activities. In the class and lab exercises, students learn to use ArcView 3.3 or 8.1, one of the standard GIS application programs. Students identify and solve basic mapping problems. Examples include data base generation, map generation, interpretation of environmental and marketing data, the analysis of these data for pattern recognition and final presentation graphics. By the end of the course, a student should be a competent user of ArcView 3.3 or 8.1. Offered every other year in the fall term with 3 hours of lecture and a 3 hour lab. Prerequisites are the completion of the Area B science requirements or permission of the instructor.
140 Environmental Geology
A course that concentrates on natural
disasters and major environmental issues. Concerned with how the natural world operates, and in so doing destroys humans and their works, we examinine specific geologic hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, floods etc.) and explore how 1 might either predict their occurrence or ameliorate their results. We later examine some the major environmental issues facing the world, culminating with an extended examination of climatic change. Man’s influence on each of these areas will be examined in some detail. Offered every other year in the spring term. 3 hours of lecture or discussion. No lab but problem sets and a paper. Prerequisites: completion of Area B science and math requirements or permission of the instructor.
* Offered in alternate years.
** Offered at least once in a 3-year period.
# Does not fulfill an Area requirement.
