Geology
5 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Winter 2027 · Spring 2027
GEOL 150 Physical Geology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 100
This introductory course covers the principles of geology, with emphasis on Earth processes, and fulfills the physical science general education requirement. The course focuses on the internal structure and origin of the Earth and the processes that change and shape. Earthquakes, volcanoes, oil, beaches, tsunamis, rocks, rivers, glaciers, plate tectonics, minerals, and continent and mountain building are among the topics that are explored.
GEOL 151 Physical Geology Laboratory
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 100L
This lab engages students with a hands-on review of the principles presented in GEOL 150 and their application to everyday life. Laboratory exercises will include but are not limited to the identification of minerals; igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; topographic and geologic map exercises demonstrating the work of water, wind, ice, and gravity; and the effects of tectonic activity.
GEOL 152 Historical Geology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 110
This introductory course covers the history of Earth and the life it supports. Topics include geologic dating, global tectonics, stratigraphy, fossils, biological evolution, the planet’s origin, and the processes that have influenced paleogeography during the past 4.6 billion years.
GEOL 152L Historical Geology Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 54 Lab
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- GEOL 110L
This lab engages students with a hands-on review of the principles presented in GEOL152. Topics include geologic dating, plate tectonics, stratigraphy, fossils, biological evolution, the planet’s origin, and the processes that have influenced paleogeography during the past 4.6 billion years.
GEOL 299 Directed Study: Geology
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title V regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.