Course Descriptions

These descriptions were submitted by participants in preparation for the Getting the Most out of Your Introductory Courses virtual workshop held in March 2014.


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Introduction to Earth and Environmental Science (SIO 50)
Geoffrey Cook, University of California-San Diego
The course is an introduction to how our planet works, focusing on the formation and evolution of the solid earth, the dynamic nature of earth systems, and the environmental issues pertinent to society. Students ...

Physical Geography - The Atmosphere
Jill Trepanier, Louisiana State University
The topical focus of GEOG 2050 "Physical Geography: The Atmosphere" includes: (1) basic concepts in atmospheric science, including atmospheric structure and composition, energy balances, and atmospheric ...

Geology 102: Introduction to Geology
Scott Johnston, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
This is a lecture-based course in which students are introduced to the broad field of geology including processes related to plate tectonics, petrology, and geomorphology. This class is supported by weekly ...

Meteorology
Elizabeth Malcolm, Virginia Wesleyan College
This lecture/lab course explores topics of weather, climate and air pollution and is taken by majors and non-majors. The goal of the laboratory is to develops students' understanding of the atmosphere through ...

Physical Geology (GEOL 121)
Joel Moore, Towson University
This introductory physical geology course meets the core curriculum (gen ed) requirement for a laboratory science. The lecture portion of the course meets for 3 hours weekly and the laboratory portion meets for 3 ...

Search for Our Past
Christina Belanger, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
"Search for Our Past" is an introductory Earth history course. The first third of the course focuses on methods of exploring Earth history through discussions of hypothesis testing and paper-based geology ...

Our Dynamic Weather
Dave Dempsey, San Francisco State University
"Our Dynamic Weather" explores the nature of weather and how and why it changes. It describes how atmospheric scientists display and interpret weather information and use that information to identify ...

Physical Geography: The Atmopshere
Kristine DeLong, Louisiana State University
This course covers introductory atmospheric science including ocean circulation and the hydrological cycle. It is the the first course in the Physical Geography sequence with Physical Geography: The Land as the ...

GEOL 1122: Introductory Geosciences II
Christy Visaggi, Georgia State University
This course is designed to present a body of knowledge regarding the origin, development, and human interaction with materials in and near the surface of the earth. This knowledge will provide important ...

GEO 303 Introduction to Geology
Laurie Duncan
GEO 303 is a comprehensive survey of geological science that includes physical and historical geology in one semester. Emeritus UT geology professor, Leon E. Long, designed GEO 303 and has taught the course in our ...

Geology of Washington
Nick Zentner, Central Washington University
Fundamentals of geology applied to the rich catalog of Washington Geology.

California Water (GEOL 370)
Jason Gurdak, San Francisco State University
Human interaction with the hydrologic environment. Science and politics of water issues facing California. Hydrologic cycle, floods, droughts, groundwater, contamination. Water needs of cities, farms, ecosystems. ...

Intro to Geology, and Physical Geology
Michael Guebert, Taylor University-Upland
A general introduction to the Earth's internal and external physical, dynamic systems. Topics include occurrence and formation of minerals and rocks, processes that shape the earth's surface, and the ...

G101: Introduction to Geology: Solid Earth
Deron Carter, Linn-Benton Community College
An introductory course in Physical Geology, focusing on the formation of earth materials in the context of plate tectonics. The lab and lecture are integrated to promote active learning.

Dynamic Planet
Steve Mattox, Grand Valley State University
This physical geology course is a traditional lecture/lab course that needs updating/modification. Students commonly have three 1-hour lectures per week and one 2-hour lab. The course covers materials, landforms, ...