Department
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Geology - Portland State University
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G448/548 Chemical Hydrogeology
UNST 171-173 Freshman Inquiry: Sustainability
UNST 232 Global Environmental Change
COURSES
PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT
G200, Portland Geology, Columbia River Gorge, Cascade Volcanoes
G200, Portland Geology, Columbia River Gorge, Cascade Volcanoes
G410/510 Environmental Geochemistry
G461/561 Environmental Geology
UNST-1xx: Various....Cyborg Millennium,
Ways of Knowing, System Earth, Power and Knowledge
G443/543: Ground Water Geology (Winter Term, Alternate Years)
Study
of the physical and chemical properties of groundwater; 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.
G448/548 Chemical
Hydrogeology (Winter Term,
Alternate Years)
The study of low temperature aqueous groundwater geochemistry with emphasis on factors which change chemical composition ofgroundwater and factors which influence the transport of both inorganic and organic contaminants. Topics will include geochemistry of equilibriumreactions, mineral solubility, complexing, oxidation-reduction reactions, surface reactions and vadose zone processes. Two lectures, one 2-hourlaboratory.
UNST
124-6: 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 Inquiry & Critical Thinking, Communication, Diversity, Equity & Social Justice, and Ethics, Agency & Community.
UNST 232: Global Environmental Change
Students are barraged on a daily basis with news stories of El Nino, global warming, CO2 increasing, greenhouse effects, ozone hole, etc. This cluster will introduce some of the scientific concepts and issues of natural global cycles and how the systems have changed in the past. We will discuss the physical, chemical and biological changes of the earth's environment in the past, present and future. The past will concentrate on the physical, chemical and biological changes that are recorded in the rock, ice and sediment record. The present will concentrate on recent changes on the oceans and atmosphere, and discuss the human dimension. The future will discuss the merits and limits of global models. Students are barraged on a daily basis with news stories of El Nino, global warming, CO2 increasing, greenhouse effects, ozone hole, etc. This cluster will introduce some of the scientific concepts and issues of natural global cycles and how the systems have changed in the past. We will discuss the physical, chemical and biological changes of the earth's environment in the past, present and future. The past will concentrate on the physical, chemical and biological changes that are recorded in the rock, ice and sediment record. The present will concentrate on recent changes on the oceans and atmosphere, and discuss the human dimension. The future will discuss the merits and limits of global models.
G200: Field Studies - Portland Geology, Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Saint Helens
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.
G201 Explores the Earth’s structure and composition, why continents and oceans form, and how plate tectonics provide a unifying model to explain geological observations. Topics include the concept of deep time, the relationship between geology and topography, plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes, magnetism, rocks and minerals, mountain building, basin formation. Explores how weather and climate alter the Earth’s surface and landscapes over time due to rock weathering, mountain building, the action of streams, glaciers, wind, and ocean waves and currents. Embedded in these topics is the discussion of human practices impacting the natural environment. Both classes have associated labs.
G410/510: Environmental Geochemistry (No Longer Taught)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.
Field course in the study of one or more Cascade volcanoes-origin and development of volcano, eruptive mechanism, deposits, rock types, and hazards. Course may be repeated for different volcano studies. Offered summers. May be used to meet requirements for the B.A. in geology. May not be used to meet requirements for the B.S. in geology.
G461/561: Environmental GeologyStudy of natural hazards and related land use planning (flooding, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic, coastal) waste disposal and pollution in the geological environment, water supply, mineral and energy resources, environmental law related to geology, medical geology, climatic change. Two 75-minute lectures and one 2-hour laboratory.