DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

COURSE OUTLINE

UGRC: 143 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES

EARTH RESOURCES

SECOND SEMESTER, 2014/2015

COURSE CODE: UGRC 143

COURSE TITLE: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OUR LIVES (EARTH RESOURSES)

CREDITS: 3 CREDITS HOURS

LECTURER: DR. LARRY PAX CHEGBELEH

GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is aimed at providing students with the basic understanding of what

resources are in general and with specific emphasis on earth resources. While

some of these recourses are on earth and easily accessible, others are deeply

situated and may require advanced techniques to get assess. The course will

assist students appreciate the fundamentals of scientific thought and the

application of science and technology in gaining access to many of the resources

that are hidden deep beneath the earth. The significance of these resources to

everyday life will be greatly emphasized. Students will also be made to

understand the various environmental impacts associated with gaining access to

these resources and the need to properly control the environment for sustainable

livelihoods.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

This course is designed to let students appreciate the fact that the earth is

endowed with rich resources which can be used in diverse ways for the benefit of

human kind. However, the existence of these resources can be ruined without

pragmatic control measures. To achieve this purpose, the following objectives are

considered:

Identify some of the major earth resources

Describe the major rocks types, their composition and other resources

beneath the earth and economic benefits.

Develop the understanding of the various forms of energy , importance

and conservation

Create the awareness of the various impacts of anthropogenic activities

on the environment and preventive and remediation techniques.

COURSE CONTENT

The course covers the following topics:

Resources, Mineral resources, Energy resources, Ground resource, Fossil and

fuels.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is expected that by the end of this course students will be able:

Figure out what resources are and the various components associated with

resources.

Differentiate between renewable, non-renewable and inexhaustible

resources

Understand the major rock types, associated mineral deposits and uses

Appreciate the significance of energy transformation and applicability

Describe various units/terms associated with groundwater resources

Have good knowledge on how oil and gas are formed

Appreciate the need for sustainable use of resources

RECOMMENDED LEARNING MATERIALS

Most of the text books (physical and environmental Geology Books) can be

found in the earth science department library

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

I. The course will be delivered through lectures, class discussions and

exercises.

II. Mode of evaluation will be through continuous assessment (Class

Attendance Plus Exercises) and written examinations( Interim Assessment

and Main Exams)

III. Class attendance is compulsory and students will be rewarded for regular

attendance. Class attendance will be taken.

IV. Continuous assessment = 30 marks and main exams = 70 marks

Week 1

Introduction

introduci g stude ts to the course (What is UGRC, it’s structure a d significance)

introducing students to UGRC 143 (Earth Resources)

objectives of the course and the expected outcomes

course content and recommended learning materials

methods of instruction and mode of assessment

setting of class norms ( for effective teaching and learning)

Weeks 2,3 & 4

Resources

defining resources in general and earth resources in particular

types of resources: renewable, non-renewable and inexhaustible resources

resource management and the 3Rs of resource management

people, standard of living, world population scenario and impact on earth

resources

environment and environmental problems

resources vs. reserves

defining the major rock types

explaining the formation of the major rock types

major classification of rock types

Weeks 5 & 6

Mineral resources

Elements as building blocks of minerals

Stating the characteristics of minerals

Identifying the various formations of minerals

Explaining the types of mineral deposits

Differentiating between metallic and non-metallic materials

Identifying the mineral extraction method

Understanding the environmental problems associated with mineral

extraction

Weeks 7 & 8

Energy resources

Defining energy

Various forms of energy and conservation of energy

Alternative energy sources

Nuclei power: fission and fusion

Hydroelectric power

Solar energy

Wind energy

Geothermal energy and its applications

Biogas

Environmental considerations of geo thermal power and limitations

Week 9

Groundwater resources

Reviewing global water budgets

Understanding the hydrologic cycle

Subsurface water resources : defining basic terminologies

Factors affecting ground water ability

INTERIM ASSESMENT (SATURDAY)

Week 10

Groundwater resources (cont.)

Effects of groundwater withdrawals

Other environmental problems associated with groundwater

Defining water pollution

Causes and effects of water pollution

Controlling water pollution

Groundwater quality problems in Ghana

Weeks 11, 12, & 13

Fossils and Fuels

Defining the characteristics of fuels

Formation of oil and natural gas

Distribution of petroleum

Highlighti g so e of the orld’s ost producti e sedi e tary basins

The origin of oil and gas

Hydrocarbon expulsion and migration

The petroleum system

Describing the search of petroleum reservoirs

Oil and gas production at the refinery

Oil spillage.

Week 14

Revision

Weeks 15 & 16

Second semester exams

DESIGNED BY

SHAIBU