Table of Contents - Hartwick College

Careers are available in several areas for graduates with undergraduate
degrees in geology; however, better opportunities are available to
individuals with a graduate degree. Consequently, capable geology
students at Hartwick are encouraged to attend graduate school, and a
number of recent graduates have done so. Others are employed in the
energy, mineral and environmental science industries.
Faculty
Eric Johnson, chair; David Griffing; Meredith Newman; Robert Titus
Courses
107 Physical Geology (4 credits, 3 one-hour lectures weekly plus one 1
two-hour lab weekly, one weekend day field trip) Origin, composition, and
structure of Earth. Also covers the rock cycle, identification of common
minerals and rocks, formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
rocks, determination of rock ages, plate tectonics, local geology, earth
resources, and climate change. (LAB)
108 Historical Geology (4 credits, 3 one-hour lectures, 1 two-hour lab
weekly) A history of Earth since its origin. Topics include the origin and
development of the continents, the origin and evolution of life, the
appearance of evolution of man, and major climate changes and their
effects on man. (LAB)
109 The Global Environment (4 credits, 3 one-hour lectures, 1 twohour
lab weekly) This course focuses on the whole environment, from the
center of the Earth’s core to the top of its atmosphere. We examine the
scientific aspects of processes thought to be responsible for global change,
with emphasis on interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere,
atmosphere and biosphere. Topics include the history of global change
from the formation of the Earth to the present, the magnitude and rate of
change, the processes of plate tectonics and the physical environment as
driving mechanisms for change, global catastrophes as catalysts for
change, and human intervention and how it affects the rate and
magnitude of change. (LAB)
110 Environmental Geology (3 credits, 3 one-hour lectures) This
course is a general survey of the role geology plays in the environmental
sciences. A description of the major geologic hazards, earthquakes,
volcanoes, landslides, erosion, etc. An introduction to hydrogeology from
the point of view of water use problems. A discussion of energy, mineral
and soil resources. Problems of air, soil and water pollution.
202 Meteorology (4 credits, 3 one-hour lectures, 1 two-hour lab
weekly) This course covers the structure and dynamics of the Earth’s
atmosphere. Topics include the development and prediction of weather
systems, thermodynamics of atmospheric stability, and dynamics of
global climate change. Students will learn to use the Hartwick College
weather station to collect and analyze atmospheric data and use these
data along with forward atmospheric modeling programs (NCAR, NWS)
to construct forecasts.
203 Planetology (3 credits, 3 one-hour classes weekly) This course
covers the geology, chemistry, and physics of the sun, planets, meteorites
and moons of our solar system. The course focuses on the origin and
evolution of the solar system and the geologic development of the planets
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