Sign up for the free online course ‘The Earth in My Pocket: An Introduction to Geology’ – starting 5 March

Would you like to study geology? The Open University offers a free online course entitled ‘The Earth in My Pocket: An Introduction to Geology’. In this course, you will explore basic geological processes and focus on how, where and why different rocks and natural resources form across the Earth. The course starts on March 5, 2018.

Target audience

The course is open to anyone with an interest in geology and the natural environment. It will be particularly useful for anyone considering an environmental science degree course or teachers who are looking for additional geology and geography resources to use in the classroom.

Topics that will be covered

  • Identifying igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
  • The rock cycle.
  • Plate tectonics.
  • Sources of metals and some of their uses in everyday life.
  • The origins, exploration, and uses of oil.
  • Environmental impacts of using the Earth’s resources.
  • Some methods of mitigating environmental issues.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

  • Identify different igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
  • Assess and understand the origin, occurrence, and availability of some natural physical resources associated with metals, oil, and building stones.
  • Apply and use numerical and graphical methods to interpret quantities and concentrations of different natural resources.
  • Describe and appreciate societal and environmental issues associated with the sustainability of the Earth’s physical resources.

Does this sound interesting? Go to the website and sign up!

Share this article