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.
Prerequisite
Pre- or corequisite:
ENGL 121
Hours Weekly
3
Course Objectives
- Communicate geologic concepts and terminology using appropriate symbols, notations,
and vocabulary.
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Evaluate and explain the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to geology.
Course Objectives
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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