COURSES

G202 Geology

G454 Cascade Volcanoes

G410/510 Environmental Geochemistry

G443/543 Groundwater Hydrogeology

G448/548 Chemical Hydrogeology

UNST 171-173 Freshman Inquiry: Sustainability

G202: Geology

Study of the Earth's materials, structures, and the processes that have changed the Earth's surface throughout geologic time, in the light of the unifying plate tectonics model.

G454: Cascade Volcanoes

One-credit field course in the study of one or more Cascade volcanoes, including the origin and development of volcano, eruptive mechanism, deposits, rock types, and hazards.

G410/510: Environmental Geochemistry (Spring Term, Alternate Years)

This topics course is intended to introduce students to applied geochemistry. We will look at the chemical interactions occurring between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, focusing on water chemistry, the common link. We will consider fundamental geochemical cycles acting at the Earth’s surface and the associated impacts of & on anthropogenic activities.

G443/543: Ground Water Hydrology (Winter Term)

Study of the physical and chemical properties of underground water; the physical properties of aquifers and their control and effect on the contained waters; water movement and the conservation and utilization of existing ground water bodies as well as development of new water bodies and rejuvenation of depleted and starved aquifers.

The study of low temperature aqueous geochemistry with emphasis on factors which change chemical composition of groundwater and factors which influence the transport of both inorganic and organic contaminants. Topics covered include geochemistry of equilibrium reactions, mineral solubility, complexing, oxidation-reduction reactions, surface reactions and vadose zone processes.

UNST 171-173: Sustainability

Year-Long Freshman Inquiry Course

There is growing evidence that human activity is significantly transforming the natural systems that sustain us. Although we may often think of the natural world as something separate from our largely urban lives, our most basic needs such as nutritious food to eat, clean air to breath, and clean water to drink depend on the health of the natural systems of which we are a part. The focus of this course will be on exploring the possibility of maintaining a sustainable relationship between human communities and the natural world. To investigate this question we will explore the interconnectedness of global systems (including physical, ecological, cultural, and economic).

This course is designed to support the four University Studies Goals to promote Critical Thinking, Communication, Appreciation of the Variety of Human Experience, and an Understanding of Ethical Issues and the Idea of Social Responsibility.