Specific Guidelines and Criteria for Courses Submitted in
GEOLOGY, PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, AND EARTH SCIENCE
Specific guidelines and criteria in the natural sciences require that courses in the natural sciences should be broad in scope and content rather than specific to an aspect of a discipline, and may include interdisciplinary science courses. Courses in the natural sciences must include laboratory experiences which emphasize the scientific method. General studies courses in Geology, Physical Geography, and Earth Science must include at least one designated period per week that involves hands-on laboratory or field experiences with emphasis on the scientific method. Courses in this area may include courses in Environmental Science.
Topics covered in an introductory course in Geology include rocks and minerals, composition of Earth's interior, plate tectonics, geomorphic processes and the development of the present day landscape, natural resources, origin and evolution of Earth through time, and life on Earth through time as recorded in rocks and fossils.
Topics covered in an introductory course in Physical Geography include weather, climate and climate regions, natural vegetation and vegetation regions, natural landscape processes and natural landscape regions, natural resources, soils and soil regions, and water resources.
Topics covered in an introductory course in Earth Science include astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
Topics covered in an introductory course in Environmental Science include the interactions of natural systems, human population growth, natural resources, natural and human-induced environmental problems, and the use of scientific principles to solve environmental problems. Course syllabi should include a description of the laboratory experiences and their relationship to the course content.
The following course titles suggest content appropriate for general studies:
Introduction to Geology Environmental Science General Earth Science Introduction to Physical Geography The following course titles suggest content NOT appropriate for general studies:
Crystallography Mineralogy
