Course Prerequisite/Co-requite – None

Course Description

Course Objectives:

On successful completion of this course the student should know:

1. Recognize terminology, natural laws pertaining to geology, mapping techniques, and recognize different types of strata in the field.
   
2. Understand the driving mechanisms behind the rock, air, and water cycles.
   
3. Understand the principles behind the theory of plate tectonics and its repercussions in the rock cycle.
   
4. Identify and apply rock forming mineral and their assemblages to interpret igneous environments.
   
5. Apply mapping techniques to reconstruct paleogeological environments.
   
6. Apply the scientific method to the laboratory activities.
   

CCC System Course Description (copied in verbatim):

This course is one of the Statewide Guaranteed Transfer courses. GT-SC1

CCC system COURSE OUTLINE (Copied in verbatim--Major Topics and Sub-topics):

1. Introduction to Geology
   1. Scientific Method
   2. Early geological application to the scientific method
2. Matter and Minerals
   1. Basic Chemistry
   2. Physical and Chemical Properties of Minerals
3. Igneous Rock
   1. Intrusive and Extrusive Rocks and Processes
   2. Generation of Magmas
4. Weathering and Soils
   1. Physical and Chemical Weathering and Soils
5. Sedimentary Rocks
   1. Detrital, Chemical and Biochemical
   2. Interpreting Earth History
6. Metamorphic Rocks
   1. Foliated and Non-foliated
   2. Types of Metamorphism
7. Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior
   1. Causes of Earthquakes
   2. Seismology
   3. Characteristics of Earth’s Interior
8. Rock Deformation and Mountain Building
   1. Faulting and Folding
   2. Orogeny
9. Ground Water
   1. Hydrologic Cycle
   2. Porosity, Permeability, and Water Table
   3. Spring, Artesian and Hydrothermal Systems
   4. Geological Work of Ground Water - Solutions
10. Mass Wasting
    1. Types of Down-slope Movement
    2. Causes of Down-slope Movement
11. Streams
    1. Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition
    2. Drainage Patterns and Systems
    3. C. Stream and Landscape Evolution
12. Glaciers
    1. Origin and Classification of Glaciers
    2. Effects of Glacial Movement
    3. Glacial Erosional and Depositional Landforms
    4. Types of Metamorphism
13. Deserts and Wind Actions
    1. Causes and Locations of Deserts
    2. Origin of Desert Landforms
    3. Erosional and Depositional Work of Wind
14. Oceans and Shorelines
    1. Waves, Tides, and Currents
    2. Shoreline Evolution
15. Plate Tectonics
    1. Continental Drift
    2. Sea Floor Spreading
    3. Plate Boundaries
    4. Mantle Plumes
16. Natural Resources
    1. Fossil Fuels
    2. Ore Minerals
17. Extra-terrestrial Geology

CCC System STUDENT OUTCOMES (copied in verbatim):

1. Recognize and appreciate the vastness of geological time and illustrate this by example and/or metaphor.
   
2. Recognize and classify the common minerals and rocks by their observable characteristics.
   
3. Locate and identify geologic features using topographic and/or geologic maps.
   
4. Discuss the origin of intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks and recognize landforms associated with each.
   
5. Describe the weathering processes involved in the transition from bedrock to soil and sediment.
   
6. Discuss the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks and relate them to modern and ancient depositional environments.
   
7. Describe the agents and processes of metamorphism and relate these to the various metamorphic rocks.
   
8. Analyze the causes and effects of earthquakes and relate seismology to the structure of the earth.
   
9. Describe the hydrological cycle and relate this concept to both the surface and subsurface waters.
   
10. Discuss the mechanics of Earth’s waters (e.g., running water, waves, tides, and currents, groundwater), mass wasting, wind and glacial ice and relate these agents and processes to the origin of landforms.
    
11. Classify folds, faults, and mountains and discuss their origin.
    
12. Discuss the basic lines of evidence for continental drift, sea floor spreading, and plate tectonics.
    
13. Discuss the characteristics of plate boundaries and heat plumes and their relationships to earthquakes, volcanic and mountain building activities.
    
14. Read, analyze, and apply to new situations, written material related to the study of Geology.
    
15. Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays about topics related to Geology.
    
16. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information in the study of Geology.