GEOL 108 Historical Geology

In this course the principles of physical geology and stratigraphy are used to study the history of the Earth and its inhabitants. Geologic features such as rocks and fossils are used to interpret and date past events. The formations and geologic periods of North America will be emphasized. For Historical Geology Laboratory, see GEOL 118.  

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Communicate geologic concepts and terminology using appropriate symbols, notations,
   and vocabulary.
   
2. Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
   solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, measurement, isotopic dating and deep
   time, stratigraphic correlation, relative time, evolutionary theory, and climate change.
3. Evaluate the global evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics, and propose
   interrelationships between plate tectonics, sedimentary rock types, environments of
   deposition, and the evolution of various species of life.
4. Apply stratigraphic principles to the interpretation of the rock record and recreate the
   sequence of events for given national or international locales based on geologic evidence.
5. Examine the fossil record throughout geologic time, and using the fossil evidence, construct
   the Geologic Time Scale, indicating major evolutionary, geologic, and climate change
   events.
6. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to geology.

Course Objectives

1. Communicate geologic concepts and terminology using appropriate symbols, notations,
   and vocabulary.
   

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Exam questions

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR1
2. Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
   solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, measurement, isotopic dating and deep
   time, stratigraphic correlation, relative time, evolutionary theory, and climate change.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Exam questions

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR2
3. Evaluate the global evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics, and propose
   interrelationships between plate tectonics, sedimentary rock types, environments of
   deposition, and the evolution of various species of life.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

4. Apply stratigraphic principles to the interpretation of the rock record and recreate the
   sequence of events for given national or international locales based on geologic evidence.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

5. Examine the fossil record throughout geologic time, and using the fossil evidence, construct
   the Geologic Time Scale, indicating major evolutionary, geologic, and climate change
   events.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to geology.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Exam questions

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR3