Geology
11 courses · Lake Tahoe Community College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
GEL 101 Geology of California
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture weekly, 48 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a general introduction to the geological sciences with emphasis on the geology of California. Topics covered will include tectonic provinces, natural resources, geologic history, and the related geologic and environmental problems of the state.
GEL 102 Physical Geology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture weekly, 3 hours lab weekly, 84 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 101
This course is an introduction to our physical environment, its natural features, distribution, and significance to humans. Primary emphasis will be placed on the tectonic and surface processes that shape the Earth's landscape, and the minerals and rocks that form the Earth.
GEL 103 History of the Earth and its Life
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture weekly, 3 hours lab weekly, 84 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 111
This course studies the development of the Earth and its life through examination of the rock and fossil record. In addition, geologic processes, geologic maps, and fossil structures will be studied while tracing the changes in the configuration of the Earth.
GEL 106 Geology of Death Valley
- Units
- 1.25
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture weekly, 1 hours lab weekly, 24 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field-based course introduces students to geology and geologic field methods while exploring Death Valley National Park. A variety of geologic formations will be visited to demonstrate how this unique environment is created and destroyed throughout geologic time.
GEL 107 Geology of the Eastern Sierra Nevada
- Units
- 1.25
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture weekly, 1 hours lab weekly, 24 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field-based course introduces students to geology and geologic field methods while exploring the Eastern Sierra Nevada. A variety of geologic formations will be visited to demonstrate how this unique environment is created and destroyed throughout geologic time.
GEL 110 Geology of National Parks and Monuments
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture weekly, 48 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces the basic concepts of geology in the context of National Parks and Monuments of the United States. Topics will include rocks and minerals, volcanoes, mountain formation, shorelines, rivers, deserts, glaciers, caverns, fossils, earthquakes, and plate tectonics.
GEL 110L Geology of National Parks and Monuments Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab weekly, 36 contact hours total
- Corequisite
- GEL 110 (Geology of National Parks and Monuments) GEL 110 or equivalent. Prior completion of GEL 110 with a grade of "C" or better also satisfies this corequisite.
- Advisory
- Students should be both physically and mentally prepared to spend multiple days in an outdoor setting. Students should be comfortable performing the activities associated with camping and be capable of hiking over steep or uneven terrain.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This is the lab component to Geology of National Parks and Monuments (GEL110). Topics will include rocks and minerals, volcanoes, mountain formation, shorelines, rivers, deserts, glaciers, caverns, fossils, earthquakes, and plate tectonics. All, or part of this course may be conducted in the field. Students will demonstrate an understanding of geologic concepts while visiting a variety of field locations. Some of, or all of the course hours may be TBA in order to achieve the stated student learning outcomes.
GEL 111 Geology of Yosemite and the Mother Lode
- Units
- 1.25
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture weekly, 1 hours lab weekly, 24 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field-based course introduces students to geology and geologic field methods while exploring the Yosemite National Park and the Mother Lode. A variety of geologic formations will be visited to demonstrate how this unique environment is created and destroyed throughout geologic time.
GEL 113 Coastal Geology and Oceanography
- Units
- 1.25
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture weekly, 1 hours lab weekly, 24 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field-based course introduces students to geology, oceanography, and scientific field methods while exploring Monterey and the Central California Coast. A variety of formations will be visited to demonstrate how coastal and marine processes operate in this unique environment.
GEL 114 Introduction to Earth Sciences
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture weekly, 3 hours lab weekly, 84 contact hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 121
This course for non-science majors is an introduction to the essentials of Earth Science including the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and solar system. The focus will be on the interactions between physical and chemical systems of the Earth such as the tectonic cycle, rock cycle, hydrologic cycle, weather, climate, and the solar system. *UC unit/course limit
GEL 115 A Brief Geologic History of the Tahoe Basin
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hours lecture weekly, 0.5 hours lab weekly, 18 contact hours total
- Advisory
- During this field course, students will need to provide their own transportation to field locations and be prepared to hike over potentially steep or uneven terrain.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This field-based course introduces students to geology while exploring the Lake Tahoe Basin. A variety of geologic formations will be visited to demonstrate how this unique environment has evolved over geologic time.