Instructor: Gates
Terms Taught: Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
Course Description
Science and societal impact of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, landslides, and storms. The science includes the processes that control the disasters using worldwide examples as illustrations. The societal impact includes direct loss of life and economic life as well as long-term societal and historical adaptations. Also focuses on how people cope with such disasters.
Prerequisite: none
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to:
1) Understand the science behind earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides and meteorite impacts
2) Be able to identify several key events that illustrate each of the natural disaster types.
3) Understand how society deals with such disasters both in the short term and long term
4) Understand the locations of where each hazard is prevalent and what can be done to protect local populations from them.