GEOL 3230 - Environmental Geology

(4) Credit Hours

This course examines basic to detailed geological principles and applications of geology toward understanding the interaction between humans and the geologic environment. Course will explore geologic phenomena such as volcanism, seismicity, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, shoreline processes, soil erosion, and karst. Students will be introduced to basic soil and rock engineering principals. Environmental topics include surface water and groundwater pollution, geologic constraints on sewage, solid, and hazardous waste disposal, resource management, acid precipitation, climate change, human-induced hazards such and mining, urbanization, and flooding. Students will study current and proposed approaches to reducing risks from geological hazards, and will evaluate various legislative issues associated with environmental geological matters. Students gain a strong understanding of how geology influences many environmental problems. Laboratory and field trips. Current events in environmental geology are discussed as they arise. Alternating Fall semesters. Lecture 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites: A previous 3-4 credit course in geology (excluding GEOL 2100). CHEM 1110/CHEM 1110L or CHEM 1050 or equivalent is recommended. Laboratory/studio course fee will be assessed.

Effective Spring 2026.