LF logo
by learnformula
search
Log in
search
Courses/Engineering/Environmental Engineering

Current Issues in the Practice of Geology and Geoscience

Navigate critical issues in geology and geoscience, from carbon capture to environmental regulations, ensuring professional integrity and public safety in an evolving field.

Created byHalfMoon Educationworkspace_premium
BeginnerUpdated Oct 21, 2025
Current Issues in the Practice of Geology and Geoscience

What You'll Learn

check_circleUnderstand CO2 capture and sequestration motivations.
check_circleIdentify geological carbon sequestration methods.
check_circleAssess the costs associated with carbon capture.
check_circleEvaluate concerns like leakage and induced seismicity.
check_circleExplore current carbon capture technologies.
check_circleAnalyze case studies in geological storage.

About This Course

Explore the pressing issues shaping the modern geological and geoscience landscape in "Current Issues in the Practice of Geology and Geoscience." This course, aligned with the latest industry advancements and environmental concerns, delves into critical topics ranging from carbon capture and geological sequestration to environmental remediation and the ethical responsibilities of geoscientists.

You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of:

  • The compelling motivation and public perception surrounding carbon capture and geological sequestration, including detailed processes, costs, and current challenges.
  • An in-depth look at site remediation, waste identification, and characterization, alongside diverse treatment technologies for soil, sediments, sludges, and groundwater.
  • Groundwater treatment challenges, particularly those associated with organic and inorganic contaminants and the emerging threat of PFAS, based on the insightful case study of the TCE hex chrome site.
  • The intricate relationship between surface and mineral estate ownership, including various rights, common uses of surface by mineral estates, and mechanisms for resolving disputes.
  • The historical context and contemporary regulations governing surface and groundwater in Texas, and the crucial role of groundwater conservation districts.
  • Essential ethical considerations, professional responsibilities, and licensing requirements for geoscientists, referencing AGI guidelines and real-world examples of ethical dilemmas and their resolutions.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge to navigate complex geological challenges, contribute to sustainable practices, and uphold the highest ethical standards in the geoscience profession.

Your Instructors

HalfMoon Education
HalfMoon Education

Online Courses for Engineers

menu_book128 courses
star796 reviews

HalfMoon Education is a nonprofit continuing education provider offering live webinars and on-demand courses for engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors, attorneys, paralegals, accountants and others. Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of professionals nationwide stay current with industry standards and codes, earn CE hours, and advance their expertise through practical, expert-led learning experiences. Learn more about us at: www.halfmoonseminars.org

Charles Werth
Charles Werth

Professor and Bettie Margaret Smith Chair in Environmental Health Engineering University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Charles J. Werth is a Professor & Bettie Margaret Smith Chair of Environmental Health Engineering in the Department of Civil, Architecture and Environmental Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He joined the UT faculty in August of 2014, after spending 17 years on the faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Dr. Werth’s research and teaching focus on the fate and transport of pollutants in the environment, the development of innovative catalytic technologies for drinking water treatment, and the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with energy production and generation. He is presently the Principal Investigator of an NSF NRT on “Reducing Energy Barriers for Novel Water Supply Use in Sustainable Agriculture”, as well as on other NSF, DOD and DOE grants

Subijoy Dutta
Subijoy Dutta

Managing Director, S&M Engineering, LLC

Mr. Dutta is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) who is fully engaged in water and environmental protection through his leadership in S&M Engineering, LLC (SNM), a Maryland Corporation. He worked as the lead engineer in a superfund site remediation project and various RCRA sites involving design and installation of landfill cover systems, planning and implementing exhumation of a radioactive waste site in a DoD facility. He worked in developing regulations and guidance later at a national level while with the US EPA for 20 years. He designed an innovative well interception plan, based on the bathymetric profile of the seabed to successfully kill the 1.4m gal/day Deepwater Horizon oil spill (Macondo Well) in Aug 2010. His most recent book Environmental Treatment Technologies for Municipal, Industrial and Medical Wastes, Remedial Scope and Efficacy, 2nd edition, Taylor & Francis (CRC Press), was published in September 2021

Audra Smith
Audra Smith

Attorney & Founder at Audra Smith Law, El Campo, TX

Ms. Smith is an attorney based in Wharton County, Texas. Her practice focuses on a wide variety of agricultural issues, especially those involving cattle. She additionally spends a significant portion of her time on oil and gas title examination, farm and ranch transactions, and real estate litigation. Ms. Smith also assists clients with estate planning, probates, and business planning needs. Ms. Smith is a graduate of El Campo High School. She received her bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Science from Texas A&M University in 2009, and received her doctor of jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in 2014. She was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2014 and is also admitted to the Southern District of Texas. Ms. Smith is a member of the Wharton County Bar Association, formerly serving as president, and she is a member of the Texas Bar College.  

Mark Varhaug
Mark Varhaug

Geoscientist in Dallas, TX

Mark N. Varhaug has more than forty‐five years’ experience in the practice of geoscience in the US and internationally. He is currently President of Beacon Hill Energy, an independent exploration firm in Dallas. He is a licensed Professional Geoscientist in Texas (#12433) and Louisiana (#952) and a member of the Division of Professional Affairs of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (CPG #6250). He is a member of the Geological Societies of Dallas, Houston, and West Texas, the Geological Society of America, and is a Life Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Varhaug received a Bachelor of Science in geology from Southern Methodist University

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

0.0
Student's Choice
0 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.