Course Descriptions - Earth and Environmental Science

A course examining the earths formation, composition, structure and natural systems. Learners will practice making observations, forming scientific questions and posing hypotheses as they explore the earths internal and external processes and how they shape the surface of the earth. Topics include: geologic time, plate tectonics, rock and mineral identification, introduction to topographic and geologic maps, surficial processes, climate change and environmental concerns. Course is open to all students. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) 4 Credits.

This course is designed for people interested in learning about basic principles of astronomy, geology, and meteorology in an applied setting. This course is offered as a component of our Outdoor Education Program, usually during summer session. Classes meet on campus for several weeks followed by 7-10 days in the Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas. Topics include: rock and mineral identification, geologic history of the area, geologic time, plate tectonics, topographic maps, surficial processes, physical processes of weather and astronomical features.

A temporal survey of the development of Earth as we know it today, and the evolution of life as deciphered from the sedimentary rock and fossil record. By using the process of science to examine how the Earth and life have changed through the geologic past we can begin to get a glimpse into the effect which humans may have on it now and in the future. Topics include: principles of geology, sedimentary rocks, fossil identification and classification, plate tectonics, sea level change, geologic time, topographic and geologic maps, evolution of life, climate change, hominid development and mass extinctions.

This lecture, lab & field-based course is designed for people interested in learning about basic principles of astronomy, geology, and meteorology in an applied setting. This course will be offered as a component of our Outdoor Education Program, usually during summer session. Topics include: rock and mineral identification, geologic history of the area, geologic time, plate tectonics, topographic maps, surficial processes, physical processes of weather and astronomical features. Students will participate in an 8-9 day mandatory field trip to BWCA-Quetico Wilderness Area.

An introduction to environmental geology with emphasis on the impact that globalization has on the environments and on geologic resources of various regions of the world, including the United States. Students will examine the geologic development of a particular region and how various cultures and societies approach environmental and geologic resource management problems. Students will explore their own community for the presence of globalization and they will travel to the country or region of study to meet with environmental experts and to observe first-hand the issues covered in this course.

This course is an interdisciplinary survey of the biological, chemical, physical and geologic processes at work in the worlds oceans. Learners will practice making observations, forming scientific questions and posing hypotheses as they explore the interplay between these processes and the implications of these interactions for life on Earth, the Earths climate and marine environments. Topics may include waves, tides, seafloor sediments, marine biology, seawater chemistry, plate tectonics, ocean currents, El ni�o, productivity and dead zones, sea level change, coastal processes and effects of mans influence on oceans.

Come explore the oldest rocks in Minnesota! This course will examine the earliest geologic history of Minnesota, which includes greenstone belts, iron ore deposits, and flood and pillow basalts. Topics include: geologic time, plate tectonics, rock cycle, rock classification and identification. Mid-continental rift, intrusive and extrusive igneous processes and products, metamorphism and mineral resources, and topographic map usage. This course is a field experience including observations, hypothesis, predictions, and evaluation of scientific data and results. Three-day field trip around Minnesota is mandatory. Course is open to all students.

This course will provide flexibility in offering an in-depth review of topics of immediate importance and topical interest. These topics will go beyond the introductory courses in examining specific aspects of the subject matter.

This course focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of environmental science by including the biological, geological, and physical-chemical of the discipline. It provides a case-study based examination of the intersection of science, policy, economics, society, culture and diversity as they relate to today's environmental problems. Students will use the process of science to understand global environments and the human impacts on them by the application of primary literature, graphical skills and lab-like data analyses.