GL 104 - Historical Geology

Description
This is a general geology course examining how our planet has changed over time. The course focuses on the methods and techniques used to interpret Earth’s history, including rock and fossil identification, interpretation of sedimentary environments, stratigraphic correlation, interpretation of geologic maps and cross-sections. Topics include geologic time, evolution of continents and ocean basins, and history of life on Earth. This course is the second semester of a geology sequence for students majoring in geology or related fields.

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 6

School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: GL

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20240226T10:41:05
Course Review & Revision Year: 2028-2029

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios

General Education Requirement: None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA

Course Learning Outcomes:

Describe and correctly apply the scientific method as it relates to historical problems in geology.
Define and apply the concept of uniformitarianism.
Correctly explain the processes that create igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Determine the sequence of events on a geologic cross section by using the principles of relative age dating.
Understand and apply the principles of absolute age dating.
Describe the major geologic and biologic events of each eon, era, and period of the Geologic Time Scale.
Determine the environment of deposition for sedimentary rocks based on their composition and properties.
Correlate stratigraphic sections.
Learn the basic concepts of evolution and evolution of species as reflected in the fossil record.
Explain mass extinctions using theories discussed in class.
Classify and identify various types of fossil organisms.
Describe geologic processes and features at the three main types of plate boundaries.
Discuss the role of plate tectonics in the formation of continents and ocean basins.
Explain the evolution of continents, formation of cratonic sequences, and orogenic activity in mobile belts

Approved for Online Delivery?: No

Course Outline:
I. Introduction to the Dynamic and Evolving Earth

A. Introduction to basic geologic principles and themes

B. The scientific method

II. Minerals and Rocks

A. Identification and classification of common rocks and minerals

B. Interpretation of rocks in ancient geologic sequences

III. Plate tectonics: A Unifying Theory

A. Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading

B. The theory and supporting data

C. Geologic features and phenomenon at plate boundaries

D. Recognizing ancient boundaries and interpreting the geologic record

IV. Geologic Time

A. Relative age dating principles

B. Absolute age dating history and tools

C. Rocks, fossils, and time

V. Sedimentary rocks and Stratigraphy

A. Recognizing sedimentary rocks, structures, and facies

B. Identifying sedimentary environments

C. Interpreting stratigraphic columns

VI. The Theory of Evolution

A. The theory and its supporting evidence

B. Fossil succession

VII. Precambrian Earth History

A. Archean and Hadean Earth History

B. Proterozoic Earth History

C. Precambrian Life History

VIII. Phanerozoic Earth History

A. Paleozoic Earth History

B. Paleozoic Life History

C. Mesozoic Earth History

D. Life of the Mesozoic Era

E. Cenozoic Earth History

F. Life of the Cenozoic Era

G. Primate and Human Evolution

Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
None

Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 30-60%

Class discussion: 10-20%

Group work: 0-30%

Laboratory activties: 25-50%

Mandatory Course Components:
None

Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: C or Higher in GL 101 or GL 111
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required

Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: Standard requirements for the Physical Sciences Department apply, with specialization in geology.

Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit Accepted: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
Pre-Anthropology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Geology, A.A. (General Transfer)
Course Fees: $10.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 101052
Course CIP Code: 40.06

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA