GEOL 1140 - Introduction to Physical Geology

Credit Hours: 4.00

Objectives:

1. Describe the chemical structure and physical properties of the common rock-forming minerals.
2. Identify common rock-forming minerals in the Earth’s crust.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of common rocks and their properties.

Objectives:

1. Identify the chemical and physical components of Igneous Rocks.
2. Identify the chemical and physical components of Sedimentary Rocks.
3. Identify the chemical and physical components of Metamorphic Rocks.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of Surficial Processes.

Objectives:

1. Describe the Weathering process to the Chemical and Physical resulting materials that make up the Earth’s surface formation.
2. Describe modes of erosion, transportation and deposition of sediments.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of internal processes of the Earth.

Objectives:

1. Describe origins of Intrusive and Extrusive Igneous Rocks.
2. Recognize the basic Geologic structures in the Earth’s crust related to tectonic stresses.
3. Recognize elements of Seismicity that characterize earthquake activities.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the relationship between basic geological principles and the theory of plate tectonics

Objectives:

1. Relate theories of Earth’s structure to energy and motion of the lithospheric plates.
2. Relate plate boundaries to the structure of continental and oceanic crust.
3. Relate rock cycle materials to plate tectonics.
4. Relate tectonic activities to results such as volcanism, mountain building, and earthquakes.

• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

1. Planet Earth
2. Atoms, Elements, & Minerals
3. Igneous Processes & Rocks
   1. Intrusive Igneous Rocks
   2. Volcanism & Extrusive Igneous Rocks
4. Weathering and Soil Formation
5. Mass Wasting
6. Stream Action and Landscape
7. Ground Water
8. Glaciers and Ice Ages
9. Wind & Wave Action Landforms
10. Sedimentary Rocks and Geologic Principles
    1. Clastic Sedimentary Rocks
    2. Chemical Sedimentary Rocks
    3. Organic Sedimentary Rocks
11. Metamorphic Processes & Rocks
    1. Regional Metamorphic Rocks
    2. Contact Metamorphic Rocks
    3. Hydrothermal Metamorphic Rocks
12. Structural Geology
    1. Folding
    2. Faulting
13. Earthquakes & Earth’s Interior
14. Plate Tectonics

Laboratory Core:

1. Mineral Identification
2. Igneous Rock Identification
3. Sedimentary Rock Identification
4. Metamorphic Rock Identification
5. Topographic Map Use
6. Stream Landforms
7. Ground Water
8. Glacial Landforms
9. Landforms related to Wind Action
10. Geologic Maps