GL 101 - Introduction to Geology

1. Apply scientific principles learned in this course to assess the risk of geologic hazards including earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and mass wasting and be able to discuss various mitigation methods and predict outcomes
2. Describe the theory of plate tectonics and use scientific data to identify phenomenon and geographic features associated with the three types of plate boundaries (GELO 3)
3. Use observable and testable properties of common minerals and rocks to identify them and describe their environment of formation
4. Analyze data from maps to identify the processes that shape the Earth’s surface, including weathering, erosion and deposition of sediment controlled by, gravitational, fluvial and glacial processes
5. Examine data to determine the extent of human’s impact on Earth’s natural systems and its mitigation (GELO 7)
6. Extrapolate the human impact on Earth’s natural systems for future generations
7. Explain the nature, occurrence, and vulnerability of Earth resources, including water, mineral resources, and fossil fuels
8. Evaluate data from rocks and rock outcrops to compile a geologic history of an area and its place in the geologic timescale.

    A. Definition of Geology

    B. Introduction to basic geologic principles

    C. The Scientific Method

II. Theory of Plate Tectonics

    A. History of the Theory: Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading

    B. Plate Tectonics: The theory and supporting data

    C. Geologic features and phenomenon at divergent, convergent and  transform boundaries

III. Earthquakes

    A. Mechanisms and seismic waves

    B. Hazards

    C. Forecasting and Mitigation

IV. Minerals

    A. Mineral properties and diagnostic features

    B. Rock-forming mineral identification

V. Igneous Rocks and Other Igneous Activity

    A. The rock cycle

    B. Classification of igneous rocks

    C. Identification of common igneous rocks

    D. Plutonic igneous activity

VI. Volcanoes

    A. Volcanic precursors

    B. Eruption styles

    C. Types of volcanoes

    D. Volcanic Hazards

VII. Sedimentary Rocks

    A. Classification of sedimentary rocks

    B. Identification of common sedimentary rocks

    C. Sedimentary environments

VIII. Metamorphic Rocks

    A. Classification of metamorphic rocks

    B. Identification of common metamorphic rocks

    C. Metamorphic environments

IX. Mineral and Energy Resources

    A. Formation and abundance of fossil fuels:

    B. Types, formation and abundance of mineral resources:

X. Topographic Maps

    A. Interpretation and use

XI. Mass Wasting

    A. Controls on slope stability

    B. Types of mass wasting

    C. Impact of mass wasting and mitigation methods

XII. Running Water

    A. The hydrologic cycle: surface and groundwater resources

    B. Stream attributes

    C. The work of running water

        1. Depositional and erosional landforms

    D. Flooding problems and mitigation

XIII. Groundwater

    A. Aquifers and their attributes

    B. Storage and management

    C. Groundwater problems and mitigation

XIV. Glaciers and Glaciation

    A. Glaciers and their attributes

    B. Glacial landforms

    C. Climate and geology: The Ice Ages

XV. Global Climate Change

    A. Human and natural controls

    B. Consequences of Climate Change

    C. Mitigation and Adaptation

XVI. Geologic Time

    A. Principles of relative and absolute age dating

    B. The Geologic Timescale

XVII. Earth’s Evolution through Geologic Time

    A. Formation of the Universe, Solar System, and planet

    B. Major events of the PreCambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and  Cenozoic

Class Discussion: 10-20%

Group Work: 0-30%

Laboratory/Hands on Activities: 25-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None