Discussion and observation of the physical and historical geology and natural history of the Great Basin province of the United States, with specific emphasis on the geology of Death Valley National Park. Lectures preparatory to the field study and geologic tools will be utilized to explore, understand, and observe the geology in the Great Basin and around Death Valley. Tools of geologic inquiry include field notes, hand lens, Brunton compass, topographic maps, aerial photographs, remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positional Systems (GPS). Students must attend the field study to successfully complete the course.