Geologic Evolution of Vermont This course explores the fascinating geology of Vermont. Students learn the geology through six field problems, involving extended trips around western Vermont. Lectures on the meaning of rocks support the fieldwork. The last few indoor labs are devoted to understanding the geologic map of Vermont. Emphasis is on descriptive writing and on use of data to interpret origin of rocks. Culminates in a written report on the geologic and plate tectonic evolution of Vermont.

Mineralogy (formerly GEOL 0211) This course covers the nature, identification, composition, and meaning of minerals and mineral assemblages. Introduction to crystallography, hand-specimen identification, optical mineralogy, x-ray analysis, and electron microbeam analysis. Laboratory: study of minerals in hand-specimen and under the polarizing microscope; use of x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in mineral analysis.

Energy and Mineral Resources The global economy, world politics, and many aspects of our daily lives are dependent on the extraction and use of materials taken directly from the Earth.  Within our lifetimes we will be faced with significant shortages of many of these resources.  In this course we will focus on how energy resources (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas), and mineral resources (e.g., aluminum, gold, rare earth elements) are generated by geological processes, how they are extracted and processed, and how these activities impact the environment.  Field trips during the laboratory portion of the course will allow us to view first-hand the impacts of resource extraction, processing, and use. (Not open to students who have taken FYSE 1120 or GEOL 0112 or GEOL 0170). 3 hrs lect./disc.; 3 hrs lab

Earth Resources: Origin, Use, and Environmental Impacts The global economy world politics, and many aspects of our daily lives are dependent on the extraction and use of materials taken from the Earth.  Unfortunately, within our lifetimes, we will be faced with significant shortages of many of these resources.  In this course we will focus on how resources such as oil, coal, aluminum, and even gem minerals are generated by geological processes, how they are extracted and processed, and how these activities impact the environment.  Several field trips will allow us to view first-hand the impacts of resource extraction and use in the local area.

Mineralogy This course covers the nature, identification, composition, and meaning of minerals and mineral assemblages. Introduction to crystallography, hand-specimen identification, optical mineralogy, x-ray analysis, and electron microbeam analysis. Laboratory: study of minerals in hand-specimen and under the polarizing microscope; use of x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in mineral analysis.

David West

Reviews and ratings for David West at Middlebury College.David West teaches Geologic Evolution of Vermont, Mineralogy, Energy and Mineral Resources and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is David West good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This is a very interesting ECSC course. Dave is very enthusiastic and makes class and lab engaging every day. There were frequent quizzes but they were on relevant important material and graded fairly. 

I had a hard time understanding the material from the lectures and field trips alone, so I found TA hours extremely helpful in fully understanding the material. The lab reports were a lot of work and I was sometimes unsure what he wanted to be included. 

Dave is an amazing professor, and this course is his baby. Geo Evo will challenge you; there is no doubt in this. You will have to write a lab report every week. There will be hard subjects, but Dave will also help you along the way. This class was extremely valuable in learning how to write for geologic sciences, write better overall, and become strong in your understanding of the geology around us. This class is required, but you are going to love it. 