COURSE DESCRIPTION

Traces the evolution of the earth and life through time. Presents scientific theories of the origin of the earth and life and interprets rock and fossil record. Lecture 3 hours per week. Laboratory 3 hours per week. Total 6 hours per week.

GENERAL COURSE PURPOSE

This is an introductory course in geology that is intended to meet the needs of the student pursuing a career in earth or natural sciences or a student working to fulfill a science requirement for other majors. The course covers the processes and events that have shaped the earth since its formation 4.5 billion years ago.

ENTRY LEVEL COMPETENCY

The student is assumed to have had GOL 105.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1. discuss alternatives theories for the origin of the universe
2. describe how the earth formed, differentiated into three structural zones, and gave rise to the atmosphere and oceans
3. trace the events of the origin and early history of life
4. understand the pattern and rate of growth of the continents
5. outline the history of life (particularly the vertebrates) over the last 500 million years
6. discuss the plate movements of the world's continents over the past 500 million years
7. list the sequence of mountain building events that have affected the North American continents over the past 3 billion years
8. understand the pattern of changing environment in the North American continent over the past 3 billion years
9. collect and identify fossils from a nearby geological locality

1. Geologic dating
2. Stratigraphic analysis
3. Origin of the universe
4. Origin and differentiation of earth
5. Origin and early history of life
6. Precambrian history of North America
7. Paleozoic history of North America
8. Mesozoic history of North America
9. Cenozoic history of North America
10. History of invertebrate and vertebrate animals

None

Revised 2/93