Lecture and seminar. A field trip may be scheduled.
1. Earth resources and society: Population and economic growth, exploitation and consequences, resources versus reserves, economic cycles.
2. Plate Tectonics and resources: rock cycle, plate tectonics overview, igneous and metamorphic processes, shallow subsurface processes, surface processes, marine processes.
3. History of Earth resources: early exploitation of resources, the colonial era, modern resource trends, history of resources in Canada.
4. Environmental impacts related to earth resources: resource extraction, usage, and waste disposal.
5. Resources, their properties, occurrence and use:
a) Energy: Fossil fuels, nuclear energy, geothermal energy, other renewable energy resources.
b) Metals and metaloids: Iron, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, silicon, nickel, chromium, base metals, precious metals, exotic metals.
c) Industrial Minerals used in fertilizers, chemicals, building materials, others.
d) Gemstones: diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, others.
e) Water and groundwater: hydrologic cycle, occurrence, quality, production, conservation.
f) Soil: formation, properties, uses, conservation.
6. Future of Earth resources.
Upon completing the course, a student will be able to:
1. describe the relationship between society and the demand and use of Earth resources;
2. describe the concept of plate tectonics and the major related Earth processes, and explain how occurrence of important resources is related to tectonics;
3. understand that environmental impacts follow from use of resources, and be able to discuss important impacts and mitigating activities;
4. name important mineral and metal resources and discuss how they are extracted and used;
5. name important energy resources and discuss how they are harnessed or extracted;
6. describe the occurrence, use and extraction of groundwater and water;
7. describe uses and conservation of soil.
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College 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:
Term papers, projects 10 - 40%
Assignments 0 - 20%
Midterm Exam 20 - 30%
Final Exam 30%
Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including textbook.
Textbook: Craig, J.R., Vaughn, D.J., Skinner, B.J; Earth Resources and the Environment; Prentice Hall or an equivalent text.
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