GE 2100 - Environmental Geology
Spring Term 2007
Instructors
Dr. Gregg Bluth, 204 Dow
(email)
Office
Hours: by appointment
Course
Overview and Objectives
This course provides an
introduction to the relationships between humans and the Earth. Besides the
classic topics of natural hazards, resources, and pollution from the textbook,
we will include topics which are currently a focus of our Department, which
include remote sensing of volcanic activity, applied geophysics, and water
geochemistry. Course topics will also include local geology, resources and
environmental protection issues.
Textbook:
Montgomery, C.W. (2006) Environmental Geology, 7th edition. McGraw Hill.
Lab: Exploring Environmental Science with
GIS (2005) M.E. Stewart et al.
Lectures:
MW: 3-4, 320 Dillman
Laboratories:
305 Dillman (room will change sometimes - see lab schedule)
Lab 1:
Tuesday, 2-5
Lab 2:
Thursday, 9-12
Grading
Labs
(13): 50%
Exams
(3) + Final + Homework: 50%
*Note:
students must achieve grades of >50% in both lab and exam portions to pass
the course
Policy
Exams: Make-ups are
allowed for excused absences only. The final exam is required of all students.
Labs and Homework:
Unless otherwise noted, these are due one week from assigned. Any written work
to hand in must be typed and in proper English. No late assignments accepted.
2007 Class Schedule
– Note Lab Meeting Locations!
|
Week/Dates |
Lecture Topics (# of lectures) |
|
Laboratories (Location) |
Exams/Notes |
|
1, Jan 15 - 19 |
Environmental Geology
Introduction (1) |
Chapter 1 pp. 1-11 |
|
No Monday lecture; no lab (King holiday) |
|
2, Jan 22 - 26 |
Earth Composition: Systems
and Cycles (1) Earth Composition: Rocks and
Minerals (1) |
Chapter 2 |
The Global Carbon Cycle (305 Dillman) |
Homework 1 assigned; due
January 31 |
|
3, Jan 29 – Feb 2 |
Plate Tectonics and the
Earth's Interior (2) |
Chapter 3 |
Rocks and Landforms (305 Dillman) |
|
|
4, Feb 5 - 9 |
Earth Resources (1) Fossil Fuels (1) |
Chapter 1 pp.12-20 Section 4 Intro, pp. 224-227 |
No lab |
Winter Carnival recess, Feb 7 (10 pm) - 11 |
|
5, Feb 12 - 16 |
Fossil Fuels (1) |
Chapter 13 |
World Demographics (722 EERC) |
Wednesday, Feb 14 Exam 1 - Earth Systems |
|
6, Feb 19 - 23 |
Mineral Resources (2) |
Chapter 12 |
Slopes and Erosion (722 EERC) |
|
|
7, Feb 26 – Mar 2 |
Waste Management (2) |
Chapter 15 |
Landfill Leak Detection (305 Dillman) |
|
|
8, Mar 5 – 9 |
Water Resources (2) |
Chapter 10 |
Water Chemistry (303 Dillman) |
|
|
Spring Break Week, March 10-18 |
||||
|
9, Mar 19 – 23 |
Natural Hazards (1) |
Remote Sensing, pp. 510-516 |
Water Quality (722 EERC) |
|
|
10, Mar 26 - 30 |
Earthquakes (2) |
Chapter 4 |
Seismic Activity (305 Dillman) |
|
|
11, Apr 2 – 6 |
Volcanoes (2) |
Chapter 5 |
Volcanic Hazards (722 EERC) |
Monday, Apr 2: Exam 2 - Earth Resources |
|
12, Apr 9 - 13 |
Flooding (2) |
Chapter 6 |
Lake Superior Watershed (305 Dillman) |
|
|
13, Apr 16 - 20 |
Global Change - Greenhouse
(1) Engineering Geology (1) |
Chapter 9 |
River Flow (Coles Creek) |
|
|
14, Apr 23 - 27 |
Global Change - El Niño and
La Niña (2) |
pp. 216-220 |
Quincy Mine Tour (Quincy Mine) |
|