GEOL 323: Minerals, Energy, and the Environment

Course Description

A course in environmental and economic geologic principles as they relate to society’s quest for earth materials for various applications. Interactive lectures and a field trip to review geologic processes that lead to mineral and energy resource deposit formation and redistribution. Students will learn scientific approaches to mineral and energy exploration, and review global and local economic and environmental factors that influence energy and metals markets driving these industries. Special attention will be given to environmental topics by examining the long and short-term environmental impacts for specific case studies of historic and modern mining and energy resource development. Cross-listed: ENV STDS 323/GEOLOGY 323. Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 102, 150 or 110; Recommended: CHEM 105.