Case studies of the environmental consequences of using natural resources, focusing on the balance and interactions of natural and anthropogenic activities. Students are introduced to ways of gathering and interpreting data and to developing ideas for senior research projects. For juniors majoring in Geology or comajoring in Studies in the Environment. The types of geologic faults and their effects on surface topography. Measurements of surface uplift and strain, including radiometric dating techniques.
Laboratory exercises in techniques of structural interpretation.
A detailed survey of the evolutionary history of plants through geological time, the origin and diversification of their major lineages and of plant communities, and the interactions of plants and their physical environment. Laboratory exercises involve fossil and modern plants and include a field trip to study an ancient plant community. After PHYS 181b and MATH 120a or equivalents. An introduction to ocean dynamics. After PHYS 181b and MATH 120a or b, or with permission of instructor.