Fall 2019

Principles of Geology

Listed in: Geology, as GEOL-111

Formerly listed as: GEOL-11

Faculty

Victor E. Guevara (Section 01)
Tekla A. Harms (Section 01)

Description

How well do you know the planet on which we live? In this course we will explore Earth from its core to its surface, from the mountains to the deep ocean basins, from the past and present to the future. The earth is an evolving and dynamic system, changing on time scales that range from seconds, to millennia, to eons: volcanos erupt, earthquakes vibrate the globe, continents separate and collide, and mountains rise only to be worn away and rise again. What physical processes drive this dynamism? How does the restless nature of Earth impact our residency? Studying active geologic processes will provide us with a means to decode the history of Earth as written in rocks; analyzing the rock record allows us to test hypotheses about the formation and continual modification of the planet. New England’s complex and varied geologic history — which includes continental collision and mountain building, the birth of an ocean, massive volcanic eruptions, and erosional sculpting of the landscape — provides a unique natural laboratory that the class will access on field trips. With a geologic understanding of your home planet, you will emerge from the course with an expanded notion of what it is to be human. This is a science course designed for all students of the College

Three hours of class and two hours of lab in which the student gains direct experience in the science through field trips, demonstrations, examination of earth materials, and projects.

Limited to 60 students with 20 students per lab. Fall semester: Professors Harms and Guevara. Spring semester: Professors Harms and Guevara, and Visiting Professor Bernard.

GEOL 111 - L/D

Section 01
M 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM BEBU 107
W 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM BEBU 107
F 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM BEBU 107

GEOL 111L - LAB

Section 01
W 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM BEBU 100

Section 02
Th 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM BEBU 100

Section 03
Th 02:30 PM - 04:30 PM BEBU 100

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
Earth, portrait of a planet, 6th ed. Marshak Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014, Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024