GEOL 118 Historical Geology Laboratory

Students will analyze rock and fossil data, and apply the basic principles of stratigraphy to reconstruct geologic events. Topographic maps, stratigraphic columns, geologic maps, and cross-sections illustrating various geologic settings will be interpreted. This course has required weekend field trips.

Credits

1

Prerequisite

Pre- or corequisite: GEOL 108

Hours Weekly

3 hours lab

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, unit conversion, mapping,
   tectonic plate movement, isotopic dating and deep time, stratigraphic correlation, relative
   time, and evolutionary theory.
3. Identify and classify common microfossil and invertebrate macrofossil groups, interpret their
   paleoenvironments, and using relative and absolute dating techniques, correlate and date
   rock units across distances.
4. Using hands-on analysis techniques, differentiate and classify common rocks and minerals,
   analyze sediment samples, and identify common sedimentary structures in order to interpret
   depositional environments.
5. Apply the basic principles of lithostratigraphy and biostatigraphy to interpret and construct
   block diagrams, stratigraphic columns, geologic cross-sections, and geologic maps.
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)
   • Lab report 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, unit conversion, mapping,
   tectonic plate movement, isotopic dating and deep time, stratigraphic correlation, relative
   time, and evolutionary theory.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Lab quiz questions

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR2
3. Identify and classify common microfossil and invertebrate macrofossil groups, interpret their
   paleoenvironments, and using relative and absolute dating techniques, correlate and date
   rock units across distances.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

4. Using hands-on analysis techniques, differentiate and classify common rocks and minerals,
   analyze sediment samples, and identify common sedimentary structures in order to interpret
   depositional environments.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

5. Apply the basic principles of lithostratigraphy and biostatigraphy to interpret and construct
   block diagrams, stratigraphic columns, geologic cross-sections, and geologic maps.

   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)
   • Lab quiz questions

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Scientific Reasoning Rubric

   Scientific Reasoning

   • SR3