GL 111 - Earth Science

1. Apply theory and scientific principles learned in this course to hypothesize about hazardous scenarios related to geology facing the human population in the near future. (GELO7)

2. Describe the theory of plate tectonics and use scientific data to identify the three major types of plate boundaries in plate tectonics theory. (GELO3)

3. Identify common rocks and minerals based on their observable properties.

4. Determine the processes that create igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks from the properties of the rock.

5. Use sedimentary structures and a sedimentary rock’s composition and texture to infer an environment of deposition

6. Discuss how the processes of weathering, erosion and deposition form sediments and the features created by streams and glaciers.

7. Describe the water cycle and understand water’s role as both a resources and a hazard.

8. Discuss how humans use natural resources such as water, soils, energy or mineral resources and the impact that has on the Earth and its systems.

9. Be able to analyze and use measurements from topographic maps to calculate parameters relevant to estimating the risk of geologic hazards and develop solutions based on the acquired data. (GELO7)

10. Explain the weather caused by cold fronts, warm fronts, low pressure systems, and high pressure systems.

11. Analyze climate data to determine its relevance and to formulate possible solutions to climate change. (GELO7)

12. Use theory and data to understand the major natural and human controls on global climate and explore the human impact of rapid climate change. (GELO3)

13. Describe the objects in the Solar System and how they move relative to each other.

14. Describe the principles of relative and absolute age dating and be able to use them to solve problems and to describe the geologic history of an area.

15. Describe major geologic and biologic events that define the PreCambrian Eon and the eras of the Phanerozoic Eon and their boundaries.

II. Plate Tectonics

III. Earthquakes

IV. Minerals and Mineral Resources

V. Igneous Rocks

VI. Volcanoes

VII. Sedimentary Rocks and Energy Resources

VIII. Metamorphic Rocks

IX. Topographic Maps

X. Running Water

XI. Groundwater 

XII. Glaciers and Glaciation

XIII. Global Climate Change

XIV. Weather

XV. Stars and Galaxies

XVI. Star Evolution

XVII. Solar System

XVIII. Geologic Time

XIX. Earth’s Evolution through Geologic Time

XX. Fossils and Evolution

Laboratory exercises: 30-50%

Class discussion, including collaborative learning: 5-20%