GEOL 581 - Critical Minerals and Society

Description:
What makes a resource critical? This interdisciplinary course centers around processes that control the formation of economic deposits and explores the challenges involved in critical mineral extraction from geological, environmental and societal viewpoints. GEOL 481 and GEOL 581 are layered courses; students may not receive credit for both.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: graduate standing.

Credits:
(4)

Learner Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Explain what makes an element or mineral critical and economic
Describe the global distribution of extractable mineral resources.
Evaluate how the media have influenced public perception of mineral resource extraction.
Analyze and interpret data from multiple sources to assess the fate and transport of pollutants and impacts of remediation.
Evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of mineral resource extraction.
Read and evaluate the primary scientific literature on mineral resources and the environment. (GEOL 581)

Learner Outcomes Approval Date:
1/6/2022

Anticipated Course Offering Terms and Locations:
Winter Locations Ellensburg