The eCore® project of the University System of Georgia (USG) is an innovative educational initiative consisting of online courses from the first two years of undergraduate instruction, developed by a collaborative team using WebCT, and made available for preview and adoption by University System of Georgia faculty.

The online physical geology course combines lecture and laboratory, and provides students with an introduction to the Earth System approach, the perspective of the Earth's place in the solar system, and geologic time. Topics covered include metric system, topographic maps, minerals, rocks, weathering, volcanism, crustal deformation, geologic maps, earthquakes, Earth's interior, plate tectonics, and water, with an overview of the geology of the US and Georgia. Students purchase a laboratory manual, mineral and rock sets, and maps that allow them to participate in hands-on laboratory activities. Students also investigate geologic processes operating near their homes, the source of their drinking water, where their waste water goes, and how it is treated as part of the laboratory activities of the course.

The online course was developed by a collaborative team consisting of a faculty member with online course development and teaching experience, a project coordinator/instructional designer, and a web course designer/graphic artist, under the sponsorship of the Advanced Learning Technologies unit of the Board of Regents Office of Academics and Fiscal Affairs.

The course is offered on a semester-based schedule by USG institutions, and is taught by USG faculty who have been trained in online teaching and learning. USG faculty can preview and adopt eCore® courses through the SCOUT (Sharing Content Online for University Teaching) website, http://alt.usg.edu/scout/index.html.