Overview
Geology 313: Our Physical Resources explores the nature and uses of numerous physical resources of the world, emphasizing the resources of Canada, and Alberta in particular. The course covers such topics as formation, distribution, extraction, and use of fossil fuels, and nuclear and other energy resources. GEOL 313 examines water, soil, metallic, and industrial resources, as well as the political, economic, and social impacts of their development.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to
- explain the interrelated nature of resource use and describe the irregular distribution of world resources and the resulting trade in mineral commodities; differentiate between renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
- outline the role of geochemical cycles in the recycling of materials in the Earth’s crust, as well as in the forming, concentrating, redistributing, and altering mineral resources.
- describe the structure of the Earth’s interior and outline the driving mechanism behind plate tectonics and plate motion.
- explain the links between the extraction and use of resources and the associated environmental effects.
- describe and differentiate between the formation and composition of hydrocarbon energy resources, including coal, oil sands, and oil shales, and describe the recovery techniques that apply to each.
- discuss the methods of energy generation needed for alternative energy sources and their the advantages and disadvantages, including nuclear, solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen.
- describe the processes by which major ore deposits of geochemically abundant and geochemically scarce metals are formed, and indicate their occurrences and applications.
- describe the formation, occurrence, extraction and applications of industrial minerals and dimension stones.
- describe the hydrologic cycle and the various uses of water, and discuss the causes and possible solutions for the major water problems.
- describe soil formation processes and the role of soil type on land use; explain erosion and basic techniques used in soil conservation.
Evaluation
To receive credit for GEOL 313, you must complete all five assignments, a course project, and two examinations. The passing course composite grade for GEOL 313 is 60 percent. You must average 60 percent on the assignments and receive a grade of at least 60 percent to pass each examination.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| 5 assignments (8% each) | 40% |
| Midterm exam | 20% |
| Course project | 15% |
| Final exam | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Canadian Centre for Energy Information. (2013). Our petroleum challenge: Canadian resources; global markets (8th ed.).
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. (2015, September). The facts on: Canada’s natural gas.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Craig, J. R., Vaughan, D. J., & Skinner, B. J. (2010). Earth resources and the environment (4th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you 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 about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the GEOL 313 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C– (60 percent)on the examination.
| Activity | Weight |
| Examination | 100% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form