Geology
12 courses · El Camino College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
GEOL 1 Physical Geology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides an introduction to geology, including the scientific method and the history of geology. It examines the materials, structures, and processes that compose and shape the Earth. It includes a survey of minerals, rocks, and soils; a study of plate tectonics and the forces that create volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountains; and a study of surface features due to weathering and erosion, streams, mass wasting, ground water, glaciers, wind, desert processes, and ocean waves. The course examines concepts of geologic time, relative and absolute age dating, and fossils. The course also investigates renewable and non-renewable resources as well as mining provinces that produce metals important for industry and technology. Note: 1 unit of laboratory science credit will be granted with concurrent or subsequent enrollment in a geology laboratory course.
GEOL 2 History of Planet Earth
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- GEOG 1 and ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a study of the history of the Earth since the time of its formation to the present day. It integrates plate tectonics into a detailed investigation of the dynamics of the Earth's geologic forces and their effect on the atmospheric, oceanic, and biologic realms. The effect of extraterrestrial events such as asteroid impacts that have shaped our habitable world are also covered.
GEOL 3 Physical Geology Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOL 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a laboratory study of geologic exercises and the use of topographic maps. Laboratory exercises will include identification of rocks and minerals, map exercises, structure problems, field studies and recognition of land forms created by various processes working on and in the earth.
GEOL 4 History of Planet Earth Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- GEOL 2 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course utilizes laboratory exercises and field study to apply geologic principles in identification of minerals, igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and fossils and their use in interpreting earth history, age relationships, and paleogeography of selected regions.
GEOL 6 Earth Science in Education
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A (now ENGL C1000) or qualification by appropriate assessment
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a broad-based introductory study of earth science for future educators and will include teaching techniques to engage students in science. The topics covered are part of the California science standards and are designed to introduce geology, oceanography, meteorology, and solar system astronomy. It includes the study of earth materials, geologic history, ocean basins and coastlines, weather and climate, pollution and earth resources, planetary geology, and the scientific method. The laboratory component includes study of rocks, maps, scientific instruments, earthquakes, and local geologic features.
GEOL 7 Environmental Science I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a multidisciplinary introduction to environmental and natural resource issues, with an emphasis on how they can be understood in terms of physics, chemistry, and biology. This course examines human population growth through history, resources, pollution, and sustainability, and relates them to how humans use and affect the hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
GEOL 15 Natural Disasters
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- ENGL 82
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course presents a study of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanism, hurricanes, landslides and floods and how we can prepare for and possibly mitigate these phenomena in order to lessen their impact on society. In addition, this course will address global climate change and associated earth science processes, as well as the misuse and pollution of vital natural resources such as freshwater.
GEOL 30 Geology Laboratory of Death Valley
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab per week to be arranged
- Prerequisite
- Geology 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Advisory
- Eligibility for ENGL C1000 or equivalent
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a field and laboratory study of the geologic history, rock types, and structural and geomorphic features of the Death Valley region, with special emphasis on seismic activity and desert processes.
GEOL 32 Geology Laboratory of Owens Valley and Sierra Nevada
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab per week to be arranged
- Prerequisite
- Geology 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent Enrollment
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a field and laboratory study of the geologic history, rock types, and structural and geomorphic features of the Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley with special emphasis on volcanic and glacial processes. Note: Credit may be earned in Geology 30, Geology 32, Geology 34, and Geology 36; however, only one course (one unit) will be transferable.
GEOL 34 Geology Laboratory of Southeastern California
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab per week to be arranged
- Prerequisite
- Geology 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a field and laboratory study of the fault history, rock types, and structural and landform features of the deserts of Southeastern California with a focus on volcanic processes and desert landforms in the Mojave Desert and Anza-Borrego regions.
GEOL 36 Geology Laboratory of Coastal California
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab per week to be arranged
- Prerequisite
- Geology 1 with a minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment
- Advisory
- Eligibility for English 1A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a field and laboratory study of the geologic history, rock types, structural and geomorphic features and mountain building processes along the central and southern California coast with special emphasis on the geologic history of the Salinian Block, the subsequent impact of the San Andreas Fault, and coastal erosional processes.
GEOL 99 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- hours to be arranged
- Formerly
- Geology 99abc
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides special advanced studies in a subject field of Earth Sciences not covered in the regular departmental offerings. Regular conferences with the instructor are coordinated with assigned Earth Science projects (54 hours per unit).