Geology Courses

GEOL 1 Physical Geology 3 units

The Earth, its materials, its internal and external processes, and its development through time. Emphasis is placed on a thorough global understanding of Plate Tectonics as a framework and foundation for subsequent geologic topics and concepts. Topics include volcanoes, earthquakes and seismology, the Geologic Time Scale and the formation of the earth, rocks and minerals, hydrology, erosion, beach systems, environmental geology, glaciation, groundwater, etc. Course content includes the difference between theory and fact and the historical development of key geologic concepts. This is the foundation course for almost all subsequent geology courses for both geology majors and non-majors. 3 hours.

• AA/AS GE.
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1; IGETC: Area 5A
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: OP

GEOL 1L Physical Geology Lab 1 unit

Laboratory course to supplement the physical geology lecture course. Introduction to the materials and techniques of geology. Includes minerals, rocks, topographic and geologic maps, structural geology, identification and interpretation of landforms, geologic time and relative age dating analysis, etc. Prerequisite: Geology 1 (may be taken concurrently). 3 hours laboratory.

• AA/AS GE
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1 & B3; IGETC: Area 5A & Lab
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: OP

GEOL 3 Historical Geology 3 units

Formation and development of the earth, its oceans, atmosphere and life through time. Emphasis on the Geologic Time Scale, the fossil record, introductory biostratigraphy, radiometric dating, index fossils, fossil assemblages, mass extinctions, types of fossil preservation, Ice Ages and glacial events through time, paleogeography: plate tectonic configurations throughout time, etc. Prerequisite: Geology 1 (completed with a grade of “C” or higher). 3 hours.

• AA/AS GE.
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1; IGETC: Area 5A
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: OP

GEOL 3L Historical Geology Lab 1 unit

Laboratory exercises to support and reinforce the Historical Geology lecture course. Includes lab exercises in relative and absolute age-dating, biostratography, radiometric dating, the construction of geologic histories from geologic map data, types of fossil preservation, fossil identification and morphology of the common and important fossils throughout the Geologic Time Scale. Formation and development of the earth, its oceans, atmosphere and life through time. Prerequisite: Geology 3 lecture (may be taken concurrently) 3 hours laboratory.

• AA/AS GE
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1 & B3; IGETC: Area 5A & Lab
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: OP

GEOL 12 Introduction to Oceanography 3 Units

Introduction to the oceans, the history of oceanic science, instrumentation and exploration; marine geology including Plate Tectonics and shoreline processes; physical and chemical properties of sea water; causes and effects of currents, tides, and waves; introduction to the basic types of marine life, the basic marine habitats and ecosystems; distribution of marine resources and the Law of the Sea. 3 hours.

• AA/AS GE.
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1; IGETC: Area 5A
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: OP

GEOL 12L Introduction to Oceanography Laboratory 1 unit

Laboratory course to supplement the oceanography lecture course. Introduction to the materials and techniques of oceanic science. Includes sea floor rocks, oceanic geography, bathymetric maps, seismic reflection, seawater physics and chemistry, beach sand, tides, waves, marine life and marine fossils, sea floor spreading rates, etc. Prerequisite: Geology 12 lecture (may be taken concurrently). 3 hours laboratory

• AA/AS GE.
• Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: B1 & B3; IGETC: Area 5A & Lab
• Degree Applicable, Credit Grading Option: C/N

GEOL 5 Environmental Geology: Hazards and Disasters 3 units

Understanding and planning for the effects of natural disasters on human populations and the ecosystem. Land use planning, and mitigation tactics for rivers/flooding, volcanoes, landslides, coastal erosion, tsunami and earthquakes, sinkholes and caves, etc.

• AA/AS GE

GEOL 7 Environmental Geology: Resources, Use Impact and Pollution 3 Units

Understanding how and where Earth's resources are created and located. Topics include minerals, mining, energy resources, groundwater, waste disposal, air and water pollution, global climate change, and mitigation tactics.