Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An overview of Earth's major economic resources. Topics will include geologic processes which produce significant natural resources including metals, hydrocarbons and other energy resources, industrial minerals, and groundwater. Emphasis will be placed on relations between earth sciences and aspects of economics, business, history, politics, and environmental issues. Much of the focus will be on the changing nature of resource exploration and extraction, and how this may evolve in the near to distant future. Students may not use EASC 107 for credit towards Earth Sciences major or minor program requirements. Breadth-Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

General: REQUIREMENT DESIGNATION: B-Sci
An overview of the Earth's major economic geological resources intended for non-Earth Sciences majors or minors. Background on major Earth processes which produce significant natural resources including metallic deposits, hydrocarbon and other types of energy, industrial mineral and groundwater resources. Much of the focus will be on the changing nature of how these resources have been found and exploited through history and how this may evolve (or not) in the near and distant future.

Course Topics:
1. Introduction and the origins of resources - Minerals: Society’s foundations - Resource uses - Consequences of increasing population
2. Understanding Earth Processes - Plate Tectonics - Resource formation
3. Conventional energy resources
4. Non-conventional energy resources
5. Metallic resources - How metal deposits form and how we use them
6. Industrial Resources - Non metallic minerals and mineral resources - gemstones, fertilizers, foods, medicines, chemical additives, building materials - Water
7. The Future of Earth's Resources - Challenges meeting resource needs - Resource alternatives and solutions

Course Organisation:  One 3 hour lecture per week.

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

“Equipment” for note taking (Pen and paper or laptop or tablet, etc.)

REQUIRED READING: