Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - EASC 300 D100

Selected Topics in Earth Sciences (3)

Geological Resources:Explor to Sust

Class Number: 3891

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 16, 2023
    Sun, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be determined by instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An in-depth treatment of selected topics of earth sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Pre-req:  60 unit hours 

An overview of the Earth's major economic geological resources and how society affects these resources.  Background on major Earth processes which produce significant natural resources including metallic deposits, hydrocarbon and other types of energy, industrial mineral and groundwater resources. A discussion of where resources occur, how they are concentrated, how they are extracted, and the extent of their supply and usage.  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

One 3 hour lecture per week.
Two “mid-term” in-class tests. Final exam scheduled by Registrar’s office

Grading

NOTES:

 

Students with credit for EASC-107 may not take this course for further credit.

Absence from class can make learning the course material challenging and thus missing classes may result in missed material and poorer grades.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

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

RECOMMENDED READING:

Earth Resources and the Environment, J.R. Craig, D.J. Vaughan, and B.J. Skinner, 4th Edition, 2011. Prentice-Hall Publications.
ISBN: 978-0-32-167-6481

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html