EASC 101 Geology: Earth as a Planet This course examines the basic scientific principles governing Earth and its operation. Through numerous hands-on activities, students study earth materials and how they form, surface processes and how they shape the land, and internal processes and how they lead to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and even movement of whole continents. Topics also include geologic time, the history of Earth and life on it, climate and climate change, and the impact of human activities on Earth.