The University of British Columbia

Course Description

Earth's origin, composition, structure, and natural resources. Global and local examples of plate tectonics as the driving force for volcanism, mountain building, and earthquakes. Imaging Earth's interior and exploring its dynamic interaction with the surface. Environmental geoscience and sustainability. [Credit cannot be obtained for both EOSC 110 and GEOG 101,103]

UBC Calendar

For a full listing of course offerings please see the UBC calendar description

Learning Goals

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the dynamic processes that form Earth’s materials, produce its internal structure, and shape its surface features

2. Appreciate the influence of geologic time on the processes that shape our planet

3. Apply their knowledge of geoscience to environmental, socio-economic, and political concerns

 

The instructors' goal in teaching this course is to:

1. Excite students about our fascinating, dynamic planet.

 

See also learning goals for non-specialist courses.

Instructors

Section 101 - Dr. Randal Mindell
Section 201 - Dr. Kurt Grimm

Section 951 (Summer) - TBA

 

Textbook

Section 101- Plummer et al. 2012. Physical Geology, 14th Ed. McGraw Hill.

 Older editions will work fine, as well. 

 

Course Content

Section 101
Course content is available through UBC Connect

Syllabus for Fall 2012 is posted here


Section 201

 

Section 951 (Summer)

Lecture Topics

Please note that the weight and time assigned to topics may vary between sections.

Topics
Intro
Early origins / Unifying Theories / Minerals & Rocks
Plate Tectonics
Igneous Rocks and Processes
Sedimentary Rocks and Processes
Metamorphism & Deformation
Mountain Building
Surficial Processes (mass wasting, landscape development, glaciers, groundwater)
Tectonic History of British Columbia
Fossils (paleontology) /Geological Time
Earth's Internal Structure / Earthquakes
Economic Geology / Earth System Science & Gaia

Labs

If you are also taking EOSC 111 (1 credit), which is an optional but recommended course, there will then be 3 lab hours per week.
Go to http://www.eos.ubc.ca/courses/eosc111/ for information on this 1-credit lab course.

Lab exercises include the following topics (may vary slightly): Earthquakes, Minerals & Diamond Exploration, Volcanic Hazards, Waves, Estuaries, Fossils, Plankton, Sediments & Sedimentary Rocks, Groundwater Contamination, and Dinosaurs.