• Geology
• After Geology 105

After Geology 105

If you enjoyed Geology 105, you can take any of the following classes to get a more in-depth view of geology and environmental science (and finish your science requirements).  These courses build on what you learned in Geology 105, and count toward the Geology major, minor, and Environmental Science concentration. All these courses are open to anyone who has taken Geo. 105.

Evolution of the Earth  Uses the principles you used in Physical Geology to interpret the history of the Earth and its life. Many of the topics we touch on in Geo 105 (ice ages and climate change, mass extinctions, geological history of North America) and some we don’t (especially fossils and the history of life) get the attention they deserve here.  One lab per week, with several field trips including one to the Grand Canyon! 

Introduction to Field Methods  Here’s a chance to really do some geology. You will visit spectacular localities in the Mojave desert or eastern Sierra and learn how to interpret the history of the rocks, make a geological map, and write a scientific report. Take a break from Los Angeles and enjoy some delightful evenings around the campfire under crystal-clear desert skies! One day trip and two weekend field trips. (Geo. 225, Margi Rusmore)

Global Geophysics and Tectonics   Learn more about plate tectonics, with special emphasis on actually doing plate tectonics:

• Use computers to open the Red Sea, or move Bombay back to its position 60 million years ago;
• Learn how fault orientation and offset can be inferred from seismograms; or
• Interpret marine magnetic anomalies from the Antarctic Ocean.

One lab per week. (Geo. 235, Scott Bogue)

Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans  Get an introduction to the fields of meteorology and physical oceanography that are essential background for anyone wanting to understand the current scientific debate about global climate change. Some of the topics we touch on are polar stratospheric clouds and ozone depletion, the effort to predict occurrences of “El Nino,” the changing chemistry of Earth’s atmosphere and greenhouse warming, and the history of Earth’s climate. (Scott Bogue)