PREREQUISITE:

Placement into ENG101, college level reading or completion of ENG101S and RDG095

COREQUISITE:

MAT 100 or the equivalent

 REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

1. Essentials of Geology, 3^rd ed. Stephen Marshak, (W.W. Norton & Company)  
   
   ISBN #978-0-393-93238-6
   
   
2. Lab Manual: Zumberge’s Lab Manual for Physical Geology, 15^th ed., Rutford/Carter, (McGraw-Hill.)
   
   ISBN #978-0-07-352415-3

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Safety glasses are required for all on-campus sections

 As the result of instructional activities, students will be able to:

1. Describe the different branches of geology and the major theories and cycles involved.
   1. Define physical and historical geology.
   2. Define catastrophism and uniformitarianism.
   3. Describe the rock cycle.
   4. Discuss the origin of Earth.
2. Describe the formation and physical properties of minerals and rocks.
   1. Describe the structural and physical properties of minerals.
   2. Define and describe crystallization and Bowen's reaction series.
   3. Describe the process involved in creating sedimentary rocks.
   4. Describe sedimentary environments and structures.
   5. Describe metamorphism and metamorphic agents.
   6. List the three major metamorphic environments.
3. Describe the causes, types, and effects of volcanoes.
   1. Discuss how volcanic eruptions can affect the Earth's climate.
   2. Name the three types of volcanoes and how the composition, temperature, and other properties of magma affect the type of eruptions each can produce.
   3. List the primary and secondary effects from volcanic eruptions.
4. Describe the causes and types of weathering and erosion.
   1. Define mechanical and chemical weathering.
   2. Define erosion.
   3. Describe soil and list the different horizons.
   4. Explain mass wasting, its causes, classifications, and relation to people.
5. Discuss geologic time including relative and absolute dating and the techniques, principles, and laws involved.
   1. Explain the difference between relative and absolute dating.
   2. Define and use the major principles and laws for relative dating.
   3. Define the three types of unconformities.
   4. Describe correlation and fossil succession.
   5. Discuss radioactivity and radiometric dating.
   6. Discuss the major Eons, Eras, and Periods of the geologic time scale.
6. Describe the hydrologic cycle.
   1. Explain the hydrologic cycle, including the distribution of Earth's water.
   2. Discuss stream flow, erosion, transport, and deposition.
   3. Identify drainage valleys and stream networks.
   4. Identify types, causes, and controls of flooding.
   5. Define and understand water tables, aquifers, and wells.
   6. Discuss groundwater withdrawal and contamination.
7. Describe and define the different kinds of glaciation, erosional features, landforms, deposits, and their relationship to climate.
   1. Describe the difference between continental and mountain glaciation.
   2. List the landforms and deposits caused by glaciers.
   3. List the erosional features caused by glaciation.
   4. Explain the connection between glaciation and climate.
8. Describe the geologic processes in arid climates.
   1. Describe the depositional features found in deserts.
   2. Describe the erosional features found in deserts.
9. Describe and define shoreline features and processes.
   1. Describe the characteristics of waves and how they erode.
   2. Identify coastal processes, shoreline features, and erosion.
   3. Explain the cause and types of tides.
10. Describe the features of the ocean floor, continents, and mountains.
    1. Describe active and passive continental margins.
    2. Define submarine canyons and turbidity currents.
11. Discuss plate tectonics, the evidence to support it, the types of boundaries, and causes.
    1. Define continental drift and cite the evidence used to support it.
    2. Discuss how continental drift and new evidence led to the theory of plate tectonics.
    3. Explain how paleomagnetism relates to the theory of plate tectonics.
    4. Define and understand divergent, convergent, and transform plate boundaries.
    5. Explain ways to test the model of plate tectonics.
    6. Explain the driving mechanism and importance of plate tectonics.
12. Describe and define deformation, folds and faults, and techniques used in structural geology.
    1. Define deformation, including force, tensional stress, compressional stress, shear stress, and strain.
    2. Define strike and dip of a rock layer.
    3. Define the different kinds of folds and faults.
13. Discuss the causes and effects of earthquakes, including seismology, detection, and classifications.
    1. Discuss what causes earthquakes
    2. Define epicenter and focus.
    3. Define surface waves and the main types of body waves.
    4. Explain how plate tectonics relate to earthquakes.
    5. Explain the Richter scale.
    6. Discuss the destruction caused by earthquakes, including landslides and tsunamis.
14. Describe the earth's interior, including the structure, composition, and magnetic field.
    1. Describe the Earth's core, mantle, and crust.
    2. Describe the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and mesosphere.
    3. Discuss the Earth's magnetic field and internal heat engine.
15. Discuss energy and mineral resources, including origin, uses, and environmental consequences.
    1. Explain the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
    2. Discuss the origin, use, and environmental effects of fossil fuels, including the topic of global warming.
    3. Discuss alternate energy sources.
    4. Compare the differences between mineral resources, reserves, and ores and their importance to society.

 LAB OBJECTIVES:

1. Read and interpret a topographic map.
2. Read and interpret a geologic map.
3. Identify minerals and rocks.
   1. Use proper terminology and physical properties to identify common minerals.
   2. Use proper terminology and physical properties to identify igneous r
   3. Use proper terminology and physical properties to identify sedimentary rocks.
   4. Use proper terminology and physical properties to identify metamorphic rocks
4. Simulate the effects of different variables on a magma's viscosity
5. Use stratagraphic principles to determine relative age.
6. Prove that radioactive decay happens at the given half-life of a substance.
7. Calculate plate motion.
8. Apply geologic principles in the field to identify outcrops and possible geologic history of the region.
9. Simulate earthquake hazards to estimate risks.
10. Calculate a streams gradient and discharge.
11. Analyze glacial features and calculate the rate of glacial retreat.
12. Identify mineral resources and their uses.

GENERAL TOPICS OUTLINE:

1. Earth as a Planet
2. Earth Materials
3. The Rock Record and Geologic Time
4. Plate Tectonics
5. Earthquakes and Earth's Interior
6. Volcanoes and Igneous Rocks
7. Weathering and Erosion
8. From Sediment to Sedimentary Rocks
9. Folds, Faults, and Geologic Maps
10. Metamorphism
11. Water on and Under the Ground
12. The Oceans and the Atmosphere
13. Deserts, Glaciers, and Climate Change
14. Understanding Earth's Resources

Feel free to contact a member of the Science Department or the Science Department Chair.