Geology 313: Our Physical Resources is a three-credit course that examines the occurrence and exploitation of major Earth resources used by modern society, including energy, metallic resources, non-metallic resources, water, and soil. The course examines geological aspects of resource formation, global distribution, and the environmental issues associated with the extraction and use of resources. In addition to the scientific perspective, the course will consider economic and historical viewpoints. While the main focus of the course is global, it also takes a detailed look at Canada’s role as both a producer and a consumer of resources, when appropriate.

Geology 313 is designed to help you better understand mineral resource origin, location, production, and use. This knowledge will enhance your appreciation of the great role these minerals assume in our everyday lives and of the often complex international economic and political interactions needed to assure satisfactory distribution of mineral resources.

Each unit in the Study Guide begins with a short introduction and a list of unit objectives. Unit objectives set out what you are expected to understand at the completion of the unit. These objectives can serve as a valuable guide as you proceed through each unit and as you study for the examinations.

The units are divided into sections, each of which contains one or more reading assignments, comments on the readings, and a series of study questions. Answers to the study questions can be found at the end of each unit.

There are five written assignments that must be submitted to your tutor for credit. Each assignment covers two units in the Study Guide. These assignments can be found in your Assignment Manual.