GEOL& 101: Introduction to Physical Geology

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Class Program

Geology

Credits

Weekly Contact Hours

Course ID

091601

Meets Degree Requirements For

Natural Science with Lab

Description

Study the geologic processes that shape the earth. Determine how the earth works and its history by applying principles of geology, chemistry and physics. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks, minerals, glaciers, rivers, geologic maps and the structure of the earth. May include field trips. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites: MATH 093 or higher.

Grading Basis

Graded

Prerequisites

MATH 93 or higher

Course Learning Outcomes

Describe (orally or in writing) the major topics studied in geology.

Distinguish a scientific theory from a hypothesis, and distinguish the colloquial meaning of theory from the scientific meaning.

Describe practical and economic benefits of geology to human society.

Describe how geology is unique among sciences in its emphasis on history.

Explain observations of geologic phenomena in terms of geologic theory, as demonstrated in lab reports and field trip reports.

Describe how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain ranges, and the creation of the earth’s crust.

Determine the physical properties of minerals and identify several common types of minerals.

Describe the earth as a system of interaction and feedback between life, rock, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Work through diagrams and concept formulations involving cycles involving a system and exchanges between systems. For example, describe and model processes involved throughout Earth’s hydrologic cycle.

Diagram the rock cycle, show how it connects to all other earth systems at various points, and name and describe the main categories of rocks.

Identify several common types of rock and explain how each rock formed in terms of geologic processes.

Read elevations, directions, and distances on topographic maps, and draw a topographic profile along a designated line.

Identify rock types, rock ages, faults, and folds on geologic maps and geologic cross-sections.

From geologic maps and cross-sections, write a geologic history of the area depicted.

Make systematic observations of minerals, rocks, and geologic sites in the real world, and identify some basic geologic aspects of what they see using appropriate geological terminology.

List rock formations and geologic structures in correct relative age sequence, based on evidence in maps, cross-sections, or the actual world, using geologic principles

Describe how the geologic timescale was constructed by relative age determination methods.

Explain the methods of absolute age measurement, including more than one of the sources of data that are used to measure the age of the earth.

Identify, classify and describe types of mass movement. Identify and interpret driving and resisting forces on various slopes composed of various geologic materials.

Investigate the formation glacial ice, compare and contrast glacier types and past and present locations of glacial ice, and explain how glaciers and ice ages have impacted Earth and local regions.

Recognize geologic topics in news reports and explain the geologic topics in a broader or more detailed geologic context than presented in the news reports.

Core Topics

absolute and relative geologic time
principles of relative geologic age
origin of earth in the solar system
radioactive isotopes in minerals and rocks (used for measuring ages)
minerals
rocks
the rock cycle
weathering
erosion and mass wasting
sediment deposition, sedimentary structures, and stratigraphic sequences
streams
floods (optional)
groundwater (optional)
glaciers
climate change in earth history
earthquakes
volcanoes
plate tectonics
earth’s interior
(optional) earth resources