Faculty of Science

Objectives

To examine the nature of the physical and geologic environments, the creation of the Universe and Solar System and the evolution of animal and plants life throughout geologic history in different environments until present.

Contents

Definition of environment; the ecosphere and the geologic environments; The growth of knowledge on geology and past environments; The Universe, origin and age of the Solar System and planet Earth; the rock record; geologic history of the Earth; Past environments on Earth from Pre Cambrian to Recent and the evolution of plant and animal life until the appearance of man; Present environments (ecosystems) and associated flora and fauna; and projected trends; Composition of the Earth’s interior; the oceans and the atmosphere; Distribution of elements in various geologic terrains and the toxic levels of these elements; Environmental impacts and assessments; Need for a global legislative control and preservation of the environment.