GEOL 107 Introduction to Physical Geology
Students will be introduced to the composition and structure of the earth, its rocks and minerals, and the geologic processes that shape the earth’s interior and the land’s surface. For Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory, see GEOL 117.
Prerequisite
Pre- or corequisite:
ENGL 121
Hours Weekly
3
Course Objectives
- Compare and contrast the layers of the earth and describe its dynamic nature.
- Analyze the interrelated nature between the earth’s interior and exterior processes.
- Investigate geologic processes that shape and reshape the surface landforms.
- Investigate and synthesize issues relevant to our present-day lives including availability of
natural resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards. - Analyze how the earth and its inhabitants have evolved since its formation over 4 billion
years ago and what types of processes have contributed to these changes.
- Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, isotopic dating, relative time, volcanic
compositions, rock and mineral relationships, stream and groundwater movement, and
geologic structures. - Communicate geologic concepts using appropriate symbols and vocabulary.
- Analyze, evaluate, and justify the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to
geology.
Course Objectives
- Compare and contrast the layers of the earth and describe its dynamic nature.
This objective is a course Goal Only
- Analyze the interrelated nature between the earth’s interior and exterior processes.
This objective is a course Goal Only
- Investigate geologic processes that shape and reshape the surface landforms.
This objective is a course Goal Only
- Investigate and synthesize issues relevant to our present-day lives including availability of
natural resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards.This objective is a course Goal Only
- Analyze how the earth and its inhabitants have evolved since its formation over 4 billion
years ago and what types of processes have contributed to these changes.
This objective is a course Goal Only
- Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, isotopic dating, relative time, volcanic
compositions, rock and mineral relationships, stream and groundwater movement, and
geologic structures.
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- Communicate geologic concepts using appropriate symbols and vocabulary.
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- Analyze, evaluate, and justify 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