Earth and Environmental Sciences Courses
GEOL 1120 Introduction to Earth Sciences (3 credits)
An introductory course focusing on physical geology, with topics including minerals, rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic), plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanic activity, Earth resources, geologic time, and the many processes that have shaped the Earth. The course includes practical hands-on labs and some sections may have a field trip scheduled outside class time.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer TBA
Note: Credit will not be given at SFU for both GEOL 1120 and GEOG 1120
GEOL 1121 History of the Earth (3 credits)
This course is concerned about Earth history and the events that have shaped the development of the Earth. Topics include: the origin of the Earth, origin and evolution of life, mass extinction events, dinosaurs, Ice Age mammals, and ancient climates. Techniques used to date and interpret events of the past and reconstruct ancient environments will be discussed. Field trips may be required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer TBA
GEOL 1130 Dinosaur Planet (3 credits)
This course is about Dinosaurs: their behavior, evolution, and extinction. We will discuss public perception of dinosaurs, how new discoveries have changed scientific ideas about dinosaurs, and how the study of these creatures fits into science overall. Although there are no prerequisites, this course will also be of interest to those who have taken other courses in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2
Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer TBA
GEOL 1150 Introduction to Engineering Geology (3 credits)
In this course emphasis is placed on the origin and nature of earth materials and on geological phenomena which affect engineering and construction projects. Topics such as rocks and minerals, soils, slope stability, permafrost, flood control and earthquake activity are discussed with special reference to local geological problems. Credit will not be given for both GEOL 1120 or GEOG 1120 and GEOL 1150.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Offered: TBA
GEOL 1200 Natural Disasters (4 credits)
This course examines a variety of natural disasters such as landslides, floods, volcanic eruptions and meteor impacts. The course will consider the origin, geomorphology, prediction and mediation of these dangerous events. Participation in field trips is required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 2; Laboratory/Field trip: 4
Offered: Fall, Summer TBA
GEOL 2201 Marine Geology (4 credits)
The oceans cover some 70 percent of the Earth's surface and have an enormous impact on the climatic, physical and biological character of the planet. The character and history of development of the ocean basins will be discussed in topics such as ocean sediments, circulation patterns, topography, coastal processes and marine pollution. Occasional weekend field trips may be required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: GEOL 1120 or GEOL 1121
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 4
Offered: Fall or Winter
GEOL 2300 Introduction to Mineralogy (4 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the physical, chemical and optical properties of minerals. Crystals, their symmetry and classification will be discussed. The occurrence and classification of rock-forming and economic minerals will be discussed.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: GEOG 1120 or GEOL 1120 or GEOL 1121 or permission of instructor
Corequisite: CHEM 1110 or permission of instructor
Lecture: 3; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Fall
GEOL 2320 Paleontology: Life Through Time (4 credits)
This course investigates the nature and interpretation of the fossil record. Students will learn how fossils are used to indicate evolutionary changes, the structure of ancient populations and the nature of ancient environments. A wide variety of invertebrate, vertebrate and plant fossils will be examined in the lab to show how they are identified, named and classified and how the lifestyles of the original organisms are reconstructed. Field trips may be required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: GEOL 1120 or GEOL 1121 and BIOL 1110 or permission of instructor
Lecture: 2; Laboratory: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Fall
GEOL 2410 The Solid Earth? A Close Up Look at Rocks (4 credits)
This course will investigate the fundamental character of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, how they can be identified in the field and used to interpret conditions on the Earth in the past. Field trips may be required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: GEOL 2300 or permission of instructor
Lecture: 3; Laboratory: 3
Offered: Winter
GEOL 2420 Ancient Environments (4 credits)
This course is an introduction to the reconstruction of ancient environments using information from sediments and rocks. The principles of stratigraphy and sedimentology will be used to show how environmental information can be interpreted from the rocks. Students will learn how information from the past can contribute to our prediction of future environmental conditions. Field trips may be required.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: GEOL 1120 or GEOL 1121 or permission of instructor
Lecture/Laboratory/Field trips: 6
Offered: Winter