Whether you’re interested in pursuing courses in Earth Sciences, just browsing our website, or looking to take “that” Natural Science Course to complete your Gen-Ed requirements at UA, our department offers five directed GEO 100-level courses that span the broad and interesting range of topics covered by the umbrella of Earth Sciences.

All of these courses are 4 credit hours, with both a lecture and a lab component, and some quick overviews are provided below.

To sign up for one of these courses, log onto mybama and navigate to the Banner-Self-Service Tab to start the Registration process. For information and tips on how to do this, please click here.

In addition:

• If you’re interested in learning more about the Undergraduate Program and degrees offered in Geological Sciences in our department, please click here.
• If you are an academic advisor in another department, and would like a summary document of this information to help with advising, you can find that here.

GEO 101: The Dynamic Earth

A study of the Earth including materials, internal and external processes, deformation events, and plate tectonics.

This course if offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

GEO 102: The Earth Through Time

A survey of Earth’s history, including the origin of the Earth, plate tectonics, evolution of the continents and ocean basins, and the development of life.

This course is offered in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

GEO 103: Introduction to Oceanography

An introductory study of the Earth-Ocean system, including: processes shaping the ocean floor and coastlines; basic physical and chemical properties of seawater; ocean circulation and climate change; and biological productivity and marine life.

This course is offered in the Spring semester.

GEO 104: Hazardous Earth

This course examines geologic and other Earth hazards that impact humans, and the ways that human activities often increase these hazards. As well as a lecture and lab component, this course also includes fieldtrips and video studies that illustrate various natural hazards.

This course is offered in the Fall semester.

GEO 105: Sustainable Earth

This course provides an understanding of important Earth resources (rocks and minerals, soil, water, fuels, alternate energy), and how their utilization by humans impacts the environment. The course includes discussion of water pollution, air pollution and waste disposal as primary issues related to resource utilization.

This course is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters.