Minerals and Human Health

Undergraduate

Earth Materials (Minerals) and Human Health is an introduction to the rapidly expanding fields of Medical Geology and Medical Mineralogy/Geochemistry and is concerned with the environmental and human health consequences of naturally-occurring geological materials and their spatial relations with impacted human populations. Overarching goals are to impart an understanding of Earth as the source of all materials that support and permit daily life and the chemical, physical and biological processes that shape the environment and impact human health. Topics will cover the transport and transformations of elements in rocks/soil/air/ water; their uptake and cycling by microbes, plants and animals; and changes generated through human activities. High school chemistry minimum, introductory college-level chemistry preferred. Background in geology, geochemistry, biology, biochemistry, statistics, GIS, etc. will be useful for discussions on environmental issues, societal/health impacts etc... A writing course (e.g. ENG 1014) will be useful for preparing term papers and weekly short reports. SC TTh 1:05pm-2:20pm