# Geology (GEL) courses

Palo Verde College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 6 courses

Source: https://catalog.paloverde.edu/index.php?catoid=2

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### GEL 101 — Physical Geology

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 72 hours total, 4 hours lecture weekly
- **Corequisite:** GEL 102
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Use the theory of plate tectonics to explain the origin and pattern of volcanoes, mountains and earthquakes. Explain how geological environments form, change, and erode through time in word or diagrammatic form. Describe how geologists understand Earth's past by studying rocks, fossils, and the present-day landscape. Outline ways geology influences where it is safe to live.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5A: Physical Science )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course focuses on the internal structure and origin of the Earth and the processes that change and shape it. Topics include plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, faults and folds, erosion, surface water, groundwater, desert landforms, and glaciers. The course may include extra credit field trips to areas of interest or alternative assignments as noted in syllabus.

### GEL 102 — Physical Geology Laboratory

- **Units:** 1
- **Hours:** 54 hours total, 3 hours lab weekly
- **Corequisite:** GEL 101
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Identify and classify common minerals and rocks that make up the Earth's crust from hand specimens and geologic maps. Analyze and interpret erosional landforms, depositional landforms, and geologic structures from topographic maps, geologic maps, and aerial and satellite imagery. Determine the relative and absolute ages of rock layers and geologic structures from diagrams, images, and radiometric decay data.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5C: Laboratory )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course supplements GEL 101 lectures with exercises in rock and mineral identification, reading and construction of topographic maps and profiles, interpretation of geologic maps and diagrams, and the recognition and evaluation of landforms from topographic maps and aerial photos. The laboratory component studies aspects of geology on a practical and applied basis with possible field trips that emphasize the study of local geological systems. The course includes field trips (video, online, or in-person) during class time. There is a kit cost for online students.

### GEL 103 — Environmental Geology

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 72 hours total, 4 hours lecture weekly
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000), GEL 104, MAT 095
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Describe how Earth's natural processes impact Earth systems, life, and property. Evaluate hazards to life and property caused by human activities. Describe major environmental effects of extraction, processing, and use of Earth's resources.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5A: Physical Science )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

An introduction to the fundamentals of Environmental Geology including the interactions between and impacts of humans with the environment in a geologic context. Course emphasizes the Earth system and connections between the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The course may include extra credit field trips to areas of interest or alternative assignments as noted in syllabus. (GEOL 130)

### GEL 104 — Environmental Geology Lab

- **Units:** 1
- **Hours:** 54 hours total, 3 hours lab weekly
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000), GEL 103, MAT 095
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Identify hand specimens of common rocks and minerals. Analyze and interpret geologic structures and potential groundwater pollution from topographic maps, geologic maps, and aerial and satellite imagery. Identify mitigation methods for geologic hazards.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5C: Laboratory )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

The laboratory component to an introduction to the fundamentals of Environmental Geology including the interactions between and impacts of humans with the environment in a geologic context. Field and laboratory techniques are introduced through examination of case studies. Course emphasizes the Earth system and connections between the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The course includes field trips (video, online, or in-person) during class time. (GEOL 130L)

### GEL 105 — Natural Hazards and Disasters

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 72 hours total, 4 hours lecture weekly
- **Corequisite:** GEL 106
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000)
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Describe the role of scientific inquiry in the identification and understanding of natural hazards and disasters. Describe mitigation options for a variety of natural hazards and disasters. Evaluate the hazard risk for different geographical regions based on their tectonic and climatic environments.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5A: Physical Science )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

This course examines the physical forces responsible for Earth's destructive natural processes and the impacts on humans and the environment. Course emphasizes the Earth system and connections between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. The course may include extra credit field trips to areas of interest or alternative assignments as noted in syllabus.

### GEL 106 — Natural Hazards and Disasters Laboratory

- **Units:** 1
- **Hours:** 54 hours total, 3 hours lab weekly
- **Corequisite:** GEL 105
- **Advisory:** ENG 100 (now ENGL C1000) or student meets with an English tutor for extra help on reading comprehension and writing.
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules
- Student Learning Outcomes: Illustrate geologic, atmospheric, oceanographic, and astronomical processes responsible for natural hazards and disasters. Explain how natural hazards and disasters can be mitigated. Use the scientific method to evaluate the hazard risk for a variety of natural disasters.
- General Education: CalGETC: Transfer General Education Requirements ( 5- Physical and Biological Sciences- 5C: Laboratory )
- Course Duration (Weeks): 18

The laboratory component to an introduction of Natural Hazards and Disasters including the interactions between and impacts of humans with the environment. Course emphasizes the Earth system and connections between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere (life). The course may include field trips (video, online, or in-person) during class time.