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 geologic history. Topics include the geologic time scale, relative and absolute age dating, stratigraphy and sedimentary environments, the movement and development of the continents and ocean basins, and the 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
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: C or Higher in GL 101 or GL 111
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Course Fees: $10.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Pre-Anthropology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Geology, A.A. (General Transfer)

Other Courses Where This Course is a Prerequisite: None
Other Courses Where this Course is a Corequisite: None
Other Courses Where This course is included in within the Description: None

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

Assemble a geologic timeline of a rock sequence using relative and absolute dating techniques
Use rocks, geologic maps, and stratigraphy to analyze and interpret regional geology
Explore evolution and mass extinctions by documenting common fossils and their appearance in the fossil record
Apply scientific principles learned in this course to explain the evolution of continents and ocean basins, formation of cratonic sequences, and orogenic activity in mobile belts
Describe the major geologic and biologic events of each eon, era, and period of the Geologic Time Scale

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

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 30-60%

Class discussion: 10-20%

Group work: 0-30%

Laboratory activties: 25-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

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
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 6
People Soft Course ID Number: 101052
Course CIP Code: 40.06
Maximum Course Enrollment: 24
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of STEM
Department: Physical Sciences
Discipline: GL
Faculty Credential Requirements:
18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Instructors must possess a minimum of a Master’s degree in geology or related field with at least 18 semester credit hours in geology or Earth sciences.

Major Course Revisions: N/A
Last Revision Date Effective: 20250225T14:27:56
Course Review & Revision Year: 2029-2030