Geology (GEOL) 207

Overview

As a discipline, environmental geology deals with using geological knowledge to address interactions between humans and the physical environment: the biosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and, to some degree, the atmosphere.

Environmental geology is a multidisciplinary subject that covers a broad range of topics, ranging from Earth materials and their use to Earth processes, including natural hazards and their impact on human lives. The environmental effects of exploring Earth resources is also an integral component of the course.

Outline

The course is divided into 18 units.

Unit 1: Basic Concepts in Environmental Geology

Unit 2: The Internal Structure of Earth

Unit 3: Minerals and Rocks

Unit 4: Ecology and Geology

Unit 5: Introduction to Natural Hazards

Unit 6: Earthquakes and Related Phenomena

Unit 7: Volcanic Activity

Unit 8: Rivers and Flooding

Unit 9: Slope Processes, Landslides, and Subsidence

Unit 10: Coastal Processes

Unit 11: Water Resources

Unit 12: Water Pollution

Unit 13: Mineral Resources

Unit 14: Energy Resources

Unit 15: Soils and the Environment

Unit 16: Global Climate Change

Evaluation

Your final grade in GEOL 207 will be based on your performance in 10 laboratory assignments and two examinations. The passing grade for GEOL 207 is "C−"(60%). You must average 60% on the assignments, and you must receive a grade of at least 60% to pass an examination. The table below lists the components that contribute to your grade and the credit weight of each.

10 Lab Assignments (5% each)	Midterm Exam	Final Exam	Total
50%	20%	30%	100%

The midterm and final examinations for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Other Materials

The course materials include a study guide, student manual, and a laboratory assignment manual.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the GEOL 207 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “C-” (60 per cent) on the examination.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form