DIVISION: Natural Sciences Division
PCC's Geology courses are the starting point for a career in education, geoscience research, and government, where scientific and technical skills are in high demand.
Our Geology courses cover a broad spectrum, from basic physical and historical geology to classes that focus on study of geologically significant areas throughout the western United States. Take Geology courses to fulfill a general education requirement, or earn an AS-T Degree in Geology and be prepared to transfer and pursue a four-year degree in Geology.
Courses
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
C-ID: GEOL 100, 101
Principles of geology with emphasis on Earth processes with a focus on the internal structure and origin of the Earth and the processes that change and shape it. The laboratory component focuses on the identification of rocks and minerals, topographic and geologic map exercises demonstrating the work of water, wind, ice and gravity and effects of tectonic activity. Recommended enrollment in GEOL 001F. Total of 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Observation and interpretation of geological phenomena with emphasis on the origin and development of the geology of Southern California. Required four days of instructional trips (equal to an average of two hours of trips each week). Total of 18 hours TBA lecture and 18 hours TBA laboratory. This course may be scheduled using the "To Be Arranged" (TBA) scheduling format.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
C-ID: GEOL 111
History of Earth and evolution of animals and plants including fossil specimens; emphasis on geology of North America. Total of 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Observation and interpretation of geologic phenomena with emphasis on the geologic history of North America. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 18 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
C-ID: GEOL 121
Introduction to the principles and processes of earth and space sciences emphasizing the structure and composition of the solid earth, oceans and atmosphere and Earth's place within the solar system. For students planning on becoming K-12 teachers, but open to all qualified students. No credit if taken after GEOL 001 or GEOL 012. Total of 54 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Field observation and interpretation of Geologic, Oceanographic, Atmospheric and Astronomic phenomena. Required four days of instructional trips (equal to 2 hours of trips each week). Total of 18 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
C-ID: GEOL 200
An introduction to the geology of California, including tectonic processes, geologic structures, physiographic provinces, local rocks and minerals, landforms, natural resources, geologic history, and natural hazards in the state. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Produce and read geologic maps. Topics covered include analysis of topographic maps and geologic maps, measurement of thickness of sedimentary rocks, use of a Brunton Pocket Transit, and field analysis of stratigraphy, geologic structures, unconformities, and cross cutting relationships in the preparation of geologic maps. Required five days of instructional trips. Total of 36 hours lecture and 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
C-ID: GEOL 280
Identification of minerals by physical and optical properties. Introduction to crystallography, and crystal chemistry and techniques of quantitative chemical analysis of minerals. Total of 54 hours lecture and 90 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Principles and practices of marine geology and physical oceanography. Plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading, oceanic volcanism and earthquakes. Study of man's use and misuse of the ocean: human needs vs. ecological limits. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Observation and interpretation of oceanographic phenomena with emphasis on the marine environment of the Southern California area. Required four days of instructional trips (equal to an average of two hours each week). Total of 18 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Laboratory investigations of oceans, ocean basins and ocean margins. Oceanographic map and chart interpretations, rates of marine processes, ocean-atmosphere interactions, ocean structure and dynamics and coastal hazards. Total of 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU
Independent, faculty-guided student inquiry, project, research, laboratory experiment and/or field investigation. Total of 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Survey course that considers major biologic and geologic events from the formation of the Earth 4.6 billion years ago to the present day. Topics include origin and evolution of life, mass extinction and explosions in diversity, phylogenetic systematics, and orientation of major clades in the Tree of Life. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Laboratory investigations and identification of fossil groups with emphasis on major clades and their position on the Tree of Life. Topics include patterns in the fossil record, extinctions, diversification, geologic time, and character diagnosis leading to the building of a cladogram. Total of 54 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
The historical geology and paleobiology of the Mesozoic Era. Topics covered include dinosaur origins, evolution, lifestyles, extinctions, and phylogenetic systematics. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
The geologic origin and human impact of natural disasters. No credit if taken after GEOL 001 or 003. Total of 54 hours lecture.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Observation and interpretation of geologic phenomena with emphasis on the geologic history of western Cordillera. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the structural geology in a region of selected interest. Observation and interpretation of geologic phenomena with emphasis on the geologic history of western Cordillera. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Field investigations of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of two hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC
Field investigation of the regional geology in a national or international area of selected interest. Required instructional trips (an average of 2 hours each week). Total of 36 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.
Transfer Credit: CSU; UC credit limitations. See counselor.
Observation and interpretation of geologic phenomena in the field. Required four days of instructional trips. Recommended: a 001-099 lab science course. Total of 18 hours lecture and 18 hours laboratory.