Geology GEOL

GEOL-8 Earth Science

Units

3

Hours

54 lecture hours

Transfers to

CSU, UC

C-ID

GEOL 120

Letter Grade Only

Limitations on Enrollment: Not open for credit to students with credit in PHYSC10A

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5A

Survey course with topics chosen principally from oceanography, geology, physical geography, meteorology, and astronomy. Topics are presented within a theme of understanding the earth.

Offered: Fall 2026 (2 sections)

GEOL-8L Earth Science Laboratory

Units

1

Hours

54 lab hours

Prerequisite

Concurrent enrollment in or satisfactory completion of GEOL8

Transfers to

CSU, UC

C-ID

GEOL 120L

Letter Grade Only

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5C

Laboratory activities in Earth Science to reinforce and complement the materials presented in GEOL 8.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

GEOL-10L Physical Geology

Units

4

Hours

54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours

Transfers to

CSU, UC

C-ID

GEOL 101

Letter Grade Only

Limitations on Enrollment: Not open for credit to students with credit in GEOL10

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5A, 5C

Physical geology introduces the processes that are at work changing the Earth today. Covers rocks and minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes and plate tectonics. It also examines how water and wind shape the Earth’s surface.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)

GEOL-11L Historical Geology

Units

4

Hours

54 lecture hours, 54 lab hours

Transfers to

CSU, UC

C-ID

GEOL 111

Letter Grade Only

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5A, 5C

Historical Geology is the study of the evolution of life and landforms through geologic time through the examination of the rock record. In this course one will learn how the study of fossils, rocks, tectonic processes, and geologic structures can provide us with information regarding Earth’s geologic and biologic history.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

GEOL-12 Oceanography

Units

3

Hours

54 lecture hours

Transfers to

CSU, UC

Letter Grade Only

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5A

General introduction to the basic principles of oceanography including the study of geological, physical, and chemical oceanography. Topics will include the origin of Earth and the oceans, plate tectonics, marine provinces, sediment, seawater composition and geochemical distributions, surficial and deep-water oceanic circulation, waves, tides, coastal erosion and deposition, marine ecosystems and human’s effects on the oceans.

Not on the Fall 2026 schedule.

GEOL-20 Geology of California

Units

3

Hours

54 lecture hours

Transfers to

CSU, UC

C-ID

GEOL 200

Letter Grade Only

Counts toward WCC Graduation Area 5

Cal-GETC: 5A

General introduction to the geological sciences with emphasis on the geology of California. Topics covered will include the tectonic provinces, landforms, natural resources, geologic history, natural hazards, and related geologic environmental problems in the state.

Offered: Fall 2026 (1 section)