Geoscience
Earth, Wind, and Fire: An Introduction to Geoscience
Earth, Wind, and Fire is a course in geoscience literacy. It covers the fundamentals of how the Earth works, and how its various systems—the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere—interact to form the complex world in which we live. Geoscience is the study of the Earth. In this course, students will study the Earth as an integrated science, applying the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and geosciences to explain Earth processes. Many of the most complex and interesting scientific problems of this century, such as energy resources, water supply, and climate change, require geologic thinking skills to solve. This class introduces students to the major areas in geoscience and helps them develop critical, creative, and geologic problem-solving skills, as applied to current scientific problems.
Students will experience curriculum designed by the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). Students can earn three hours of UT Austin credit with feedback and assessment provided by UT Austin course staff.
BIG IDEAS
HOW THE SOLID EARTH FUNCTIONS
The Earth as a system, plate tectonics, the rock record, geologic time, geologic hazards
HOW THE FLUID EARTH FUNCTIONS
Water cycle, groundwater, rivers, ocean and atmospheric circulation, climate, climate change, feedback loops
HOW HUMANS INTERACT WITH THE EARTH
Earth resources, sustainability, stewardship, climate change, scientific debate and discussion
HOW LIFE ON EARTH EVOLVED
Earth and life origins, change through time, extinction, population growth theory
- UT Course Code: GEO 302E
- 3 College Credits