Course

Introduction to Earth Sciences

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Course code
EAES 1120
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Winter
Summer

Overview

Course description
This is an introductory course focusing on physical geology. Topics include minerals, rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic), plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanic activity, Earth resources, and the many processes that have shaped the Earth. The course includes practical hands-on labs. A field trip may be required.
Course content
  • Earth Science: Atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, rock cycle, Earth time, scientific theory, uniformitarianism, Earth science and society, careers
  • Minerals: Composition, crystal structure, physical properties, classification and identification
  • Igneous Rocks: Composition, texture, classification, identification, formation, intrusive and extrusive activity (volcanoes) and structures
  • Sedimentary Rocks: Composition, texture, classification, identification, formation, weathering and erosion, soils, sedimentary processes and structures, depositional environments and erosional/transport agents
  • Metamorphic Rocks: Composition, texture, classification, identification, formation, agents of change
  • Interior of the Earth: Structure of the Earth, plate tectonics, earthquakes, composition and structure of oceanic and continental crust, structural deformation
  • Surface of the Earth: Mass wasting, running water, ground water, glaciation, wind, deserts, shorelines and nearshore environments, ocean floor
  • Resources and the Environment: Minerals, fossil fuels, groundwater, global environmental issues
Learning activities

This course will be presented using lectures and lab activities that illustrate the practical aspects of the lecture material. A field trip may be required.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Lecture assignments and quizzes: 0-20%

Homework: 0-20%

Projects and/or term paper: 0-20%

Lab assignments: 9-15%

Lab tests (no more than 20% per test): 20-40%

Term tests: 20-30%

Final exam: 30%

Total 100%

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

  • Describe, identify and classify rocks and minerals;
  • Explain how rocks and minerals form;
  • Place rocks and minerals in the context of the rock cycle;
  • Describe the theory of plate tectonics;
  • Describe how plate tectonics relates to rock forming processes;
  • Describe and identify surface landforms;
  • Explain the relationship between subsurface and surface processes and surface landforms;
  • Describe the relationship between natural processes and natural hazards;
  • Describe the link between natural resources, human activity, and environmental issues.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

Fletcher, Gibson and Ansdell, Introduction to Physical Geology, Canadian Edition, Wiley Canada.

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for EAES 1120
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX SOSC 1XX (3)
Athabasca University (AU) AU GEOL 200 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU GEOG 112 (4)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR GEOL 105 (3)
North Island College (NIC) NIC GEO 1XX (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC EESC 111 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) DOUG EAES 1120 (3) & DOUG GEOG 1110 (4) = SFU EASC 101 (3) & SFU GEOG 111 (3) & SFU GEOG 1XX (1)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU EASC 101 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU GEOL 1110 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU GENV 109 (3)
University Canada West (UCW) UCW SCIE 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO EESC_O 111 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV EOSC_V 110 (3) & UBCV EOSC_V 111 (1)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV GEOG 116 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) DOUG EAES 1120 (3) & DOUG EAES 1121 (3) = UVIC EOS 120 (1.5) & UVIC EOS 1XX (1.5)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EOS 1XX (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU GEOL 111 (4)

Course Offerings

Summer 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
14
Remaining seats:
21
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3805
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3805
Times:
Start Time
13:30
-
End Time
15:20
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3805
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

EAES 1120 001 will run in an accelerated format from May 7 to June 25. Course will have a morning lecture followed by an afternoon lab every Wednesday and Friday. The final exam will be held on June 25 during regular class time.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
36
Remaining seats:
-1
On waitlist
5
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S3805
Times:
Start Time
17:00
-
End Time
20:50
Section notes

EAES 1120 002 includes lecture and lab.