Course

Introduction to Geology

Time limit: 30 days
3 credits

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Course Description

Geology is the study of the world around us and the way it was formed. The study expands beyond the earth and includes the building blocks of the whole universe. Without the study of geology, it would have been very difficult to build the modern world around us. For one thing, it would have been impossible to locate building materials for our roads, houses, and office buildings. Without ready access to metals like gold, we would never have been able to make the wide range of electrical devices like cell phones and digital cameras that we all depend on.

The study of geology is about more than just identifying rocks or finding mineral deposits. It is the study of how all Earth's systems work together so that we can work with nature instead of against it, and we can have a better grasp of the future implications of our actions on the world around us.

An understanding of geology and the Earth's systems has become critical in a wide range of fields. It's not just miners, oil riggers and college professors who study the story of the rocks: it is also civil engineers, architects, urban planners, government officials, and investors.

In this course, you will learn about: Geology History; Fossils and Earth History--Geologic Time; Fossils and Earth History--The  Eons and Eras; Rock types; Geomagnetism; Plate Tectonics; Recycling and Renewal; Erosion; The Rock Cycle; Rocks and Minerals; Gemstones and Mining.