ESCI 161L — ESCI-161L Lab in Geology of the National Parks
An introductory laboratory course in geologic concepts with special focus on United States National Parks. Through a series of hands-on labs and literature reviews, students explore how geologic processes are responsible for the physical features in our national parks. Included in this course are the concepts of proper scientific methodologies, measurements, geological history, endogenic and exogenic processes, plate tectonics, and how the geological record can be used to reconstruct the story of select national parks. Laboratory studies include following the scientific method, including topographic maps, satellite imagery analyses, rock and mineral sample identifications, and interactive earth science web-based applications.