Why Geology

Why Geology Physical Geology - University of Houston Why Geology?

Fall Semester, 2001

""Earth is a unique place, home to more than a million life forms, including ourselves. No other planet yet dscovered has the same delicate balance necessary to sustain life. Geology is the science that studies the Earth -- how it was born, how it evolved, how it works, and how we can help it." [Press and Siever, Third Edition, 2001]"

Why Geology? ..... Why Not?

The quote from the author's of our text nicely introduces the subject of geology and at least partially answers the question, Why Geology?

Geology is the study of the Earth and I include the planets as well. Physical Geology focuses on processes -- those that operate at or near the surface and those that operate within the Earth -- and the response of Earth materials to those processes.

The University of Houston has a requirement for six (6) hours of Natural Sciences as part of its Core Curriculum. "The objective of the study of a natural sciences component of a core curriculum is to enable the student to understand, construct, and evaluate relationships in the natural sciences, and to enable the student to understand the bases for building and testing hypotheses and theories." GEOL 1330, Physical Geology, can be used to meet three (3) hours of the Natural Sciences Core requirement.

Life experiences have given you some background in geology already. If you live next to a Bayou you might get flooded. If you own property on the Piney Point fault your foundation may crack and move.

The Earth is a dynamic planet. Stuff happens. Continents move with respect to other continents. Rocks beneath the surface break, energy is released and an earthquake is initiated. What drives the Earth? How does the Earth work?

The only prerequisite for this course is MATH 1310 - College Algebra. During the course we will use principles from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics. I believe that there is sufficient coverage of these topics in the text and other course resources that you will not be at a disadvantage if you have not had these courses or if you had them some time ago.

The following list is offered as a broad brush overview of the course, its contents and how we shall proceed.

Science comes from observations

The Earth is a planet

The Earth is very old

Planet Earth is a unique, evolving system

Plate tectonics serves as a grand unifying theory to explain Earth processes

Landscapes reflect the complex interaction between internal and external processes

Geological phenomena affect our environment

The physical aspects of Earth systems are linked to life processes

Study of geology can increase geneal science literacy

If you are contemplating taking the course take a few minutes and read About This Course. See what will be expected of you and how your learning will be evaluated.

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