Geology

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

• <strong>SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating geologic processes.</strong>
• Examine scientific inquiry as a platform for exploring our world objectively.
• Illustrate a historical instance in geology where scientific ideas were improved upon through inquiry using the scientific method.<p>
• <strong>SLO#2: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth originated and exists.</strong>
• Discuss the basic narrative of Earth origin and ocean and atmospheric development based on known scientific evidence.
• Use basic concepts and tools of geologic time -- uniformity, geometric principles of relative age dating, radiometric dating -- to solve problems of geologic timing.
• Analyze the standard geologic time scale as a means for organizing Earth history.<p>
• <strong>SLO#3: Examine how we can determine Earth's interior and surface compositions.</strong>
• Synthesize data from geophysics, seismology, and petrology to produce a comprehensive view of Earth's interior layered structure.
• Recognize what minerals are and how to identify important rock forming varieties.
• Define and give examples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• Identify environmental influences on rock formation based on textural, compositional, and structural features in the rock.
• Evaluate the importance, availability, and rate of usage of those natural resources which are geologic in nature.<p>
• <strong>SLO#4: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes.</strong>
• Discuss evidence that contributed to the development of plate tectonics.
• Evaluate divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries and describe the characteristics of each.
• Identify the main features of ocean floor topography.
• Evaluate how volcanic activity, mountain building, and earthquakes are related to each other.
• Contrast and assess evidence of orogenesis and explain how continents grow by accretion.<p>
• <strong>SLO#5: Assess the potential threats of geologically-related natural disasters.</strong>
• Recognize and appraise the hazards associated with earthquakes.
• Evaluate the conditions that generate floods and landslides.
• Assess how good long and short term predictions are for major natural disasters.
• Explain some environmental disasters that humans can potentially create.<p>
• <strong>SLO#6: Evaluate the various depositional and erosional features associated with different agents of erosion -- wind, glaciers, rivers, gravity, and waves.</strong>
• Critique how features of these environments can indicate climate change.<p>
• <strong>SLO#7: Communicate geologic concepts and information effectively in various forms (e.g., verbal, written, graphic).</strong>
• Research credible sources of geologic information.

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

• <strong>SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating Earth science processes.</strong>
• Note how the scientific method is followed in various experiments.
• Evaluate a data set with conscious reference to the scientific method.<p>
• <strong>SLO#2: Examine Earth's interior and solid surface compositions.</strong>
• Identify rock and minerals specimens in hand samples to determine their geologic origin.
• Deduce the properties and compositions of Earth's interior layers based on various types of evidence observed at Earth's surface.
• Interpret the geologic processes which produce specific rock types.<p>
• <strong>SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes.</strong>
• Discuss how earthquakes are connected to tectonic settings.
• Calculate rates of plate motion and sea floor spreading.
• Distinguish between different plate boundaries and the rock types produced by tectonic processes.
• Compare and contrast the rate of seafloor spreading and explain the physiographic features produced.
• Evaluate the affect of hot spots on continent and ocean-floor evolution.<p>
• <strong>SLO#4: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth history is explored.</strong>
• Assess the time-event sequence on a geologic column by utilize both relative and absolute time.
• Assemble a geologic map and evaluation the relative and absolute time sequencing.<p>
• <strong>SLO#5: Assess the impact of earthquake activity at a human scale.</strong>
• Calculate and model the speed of P and S waves to derive an earthquake's epicenter.
• Analyze the factors that cause earthquake destruction and how serious damage can be avoided.<p>
• <strong>SLO#6: Confirm the effects of surface geologic processes on terrain landscape.</strong>
• Construct and interpret topographic maps and compute gradient from them.
• Inspect and evaluate aerial/satellite photos and determine the geologic structures present.
• Recognize, describe, and illustrate groundwater processes and the formation of karst topography.
• Illustrate, examine, and interpret erosional and depositional features produced by stream, glacial, and wind processes.

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

• <STRONG>SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating Earth science processes.</STRONG>
• Examine scientific inquiry as a platform for exploring our world objectively.
• Illustrate historical instances where scientific ideas were improved upon through inquiry using the scientific method. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#2: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth originated and exists.</STRONG>
• Discuss the basic narrative of Earth origin and ocean and atmospheric development based on known scientific evidence.
• Compare and contrast Earth as a planet to other planets and objects in the Solar System.
• Use basic concepts and tools of geologic time -- uniformity, geometric principles of relative age dating, radiometric dating -- to solve problems of geologic timing.<P>
• <STRONG>SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes.</STRONG>
• Discuss evidence that contributed to the development of plate tectonics.
• Analyze how plate tectonic theory explains the development and break up of continents, and of the growth and shrinkage of oceans.
• Identify the main features of ocean floor topography.
• Evaluate how volcanic activity, mountain building, and earthquakes are related to each other. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#4: Examine how we determine Earth's interior and solid surface compositions</STRONG>
• Synthesize different data sets to produce a comprehensive view of Earth's interior layered structure.
• Discuss how different minerals form in different environments to produce the three categories of rocks.
• Deduce past surface environments from textures and features in sedimentary rocks.<P>
• <STRONG>SLO#5: Investigate how different aspects of atmospheric change contribute to weather and climate.</STRONG>
• Describe Earth's atmosphere's origin, composition, and structure.
• Delineate the various factors that affect how Earth is heated.
• Assess how changes in the atmosphere's moisture/humidity content with temperature bring about observable changes in weather.
• Evaluate how changes in atmospheric pressure produce different weather results.
• Explain how changes in the atmospheric characteristics mentioned above produce different weather systems. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#6: Survey Earth's basic marine processes.</STRONG>
• Explain the formation of three basic types of water movements (tides, currents, waves) and how they affect human activity.
• Investigate the characteristic physical properties of ocean water. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#7: Assess the impacts of Earth processes on human activity, and human activity on Earth processes.</STRONG>
• Analyze the causes and impacts of global warming and global climate change.
• Assess how earthquakes are a danger to humans.
• Examine how human activity contributes to or mitigates beach erosion.

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

• <STRONG>SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating Earth science processes.</STRONG>
• Note how the scientific method is followed in various experiments.
• Evaluate a data set with conscious reference to the scientific method. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#2: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth originated and exists in the solar sytem.</STRONG>
• Construct a model of the solar system in order to observe characteristics of distance among the plantets and sun.
• Relate Earth, Sun, and Moon motions to observable phenomena on Earth, such as tides and lunar phases.
• Describe the position and motion of the planets using key constellations as reference.
• Explain why the moon exhibits all of its phases and surface textures.
• Investigate methods for determine ages and sequences of geologic events.<P>
• <STRONG>SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes.</STRONG>
• Calculate rates of plate motion and sea floor spreading.
• Discuss how earthquakes are connected to tectonic settings.
• Relate igneous activity to the tectonic context of the area. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#4: Examine how we determine Earth's interior and solid surface compositions.</STRONG>
• Identify rock and minerals specimens in hand samples to determine their geologic origin.
• Deduce the properties and compositions of Earth's interior layers based on various types of evidence observed at Earth's surface. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#5: Investigate how different components of atmospheric change contribute to weather and climate.</STRONG>
• Analyze how noon-time sun angle and duration of sunlight influence the distribution of heat on Earth.
• Compute the quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere and evaluate its signifcance on weather trends.
• Measure atmospheric pressure and evaluate its affect on weather trends.
• Integrate the above atmospheric measurements to determine conditions for weather storms.<P>
• <STRONG>SLO#6: Survey Earth's basic marine processes.</STRONG>
• Define the prominent sea floor features of ocean floor topography.
• Show how wind and gravitational forces produce wave, current, and tidal effects.
• Assess the effect of salinity and temperature on density of seawater.<P>
• <STRONG>SLO#7: Collect, measure, and/or analyze geologic information using common instruments and tools.</STRONG>
• Collect and analyze data using common meteorological instruments (e.g. thermometer, barometer, sling psychrometer), geomorphic instruments (e.g., stereoscopie imagery, stereoscope) and mapping tools (e.g., latitude/longitude, scale, USGS quad maps).

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

• <STRONG>SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating Earth history.</STRONG>
• Evaluate the Scientific Method as a means to acquire and verify knowledge.
• Explain specific instances where the Scientific Method advanced how geologists understand Earth history (e.g., uniformity, catastrophism, faunal succession).
• Show instances where the Scientific Method identifies gaps or limits in our knowledge of Earth history (e.g., stratigraphic uncomformities, lack of fossil specimens). <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#2: Evaluate temporal rates and spatial scales of geologic processes in Earth history.</STRONG>
• Explain and apply methods used to determine the numerical and relative ages of geologic events.
• Analyze how the Geologic Time Scale is constructed, and place significant events in Earth history within that timeline.
• Correlate changes in fossil distribution, isotopic ratios, elemental concentration in rocks to changes in sea level, climate change, and atmospheric composition in Earth history.
• Predict possible short term and long term trends for Earth's future environment (climate trends, sea level, atmospheric composition) based in part on the past geologic record. <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#3: Assess theories of evolution and extinction and the logic and evidence leading to their development and application.</STRONG>
• Discuss Darwin's basic theory of evolution in the context of the development of scientific thinking of the time.
• Critique subsequent modifications that have been made to our understanding of Darwinian evolution (e.g., DNA analyses, punctuated equilibrium).
• Identify key fossils that are characteristic of particular periods in the geologic time scale
• Validate evolutionary changes in life forms and ecosystems to changes in Earth environment, with specific focus on types of extinction events (e.g., meteorite impact) and periods of diversification in life forms (e.g., "Cambrian explosion"). <P>
• <STRONG>SLO#4: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate past, present, and future changes on Earth.</STRONG>
• Examine how tectonic environments and processes have changed throughout Earth history
• Illustrate how paleomagnetism is used to locate the positions of crustal fragments in the past.
• Deduce how rock sequences and units indicate specific mountain building events which add crust to continental masses.
• Construct a general history of ocean basin development from specific examples identified in Earth history (e.g., Tethyan, proto-Atlantic).
• Formulate a tectonic and geologic history of California and North America from geologic features found in the region.

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

• <strong>SLO#1: Evaluate temporal rates and spatial scales of geologic processes in Earth history.</strong>
• Explain and apply methods used to determine the numerical and relative ages of geologic events.
• Correlate changes in fossil distribution, isotopic ratios, elemental concentration in rocks to changes in sea level, climate change, and atmospheric composition in Earth history.<p>
• <strong>SLO#2: Evaluate sedimentary environments through geologic time.</strong>
• Resolve lithologic changes within a sedimentary basin.
• Correlate strata over multiple stratigraphic sections.<p>
• <strong>SLO#3: Incorporate fossil evidence to decipher geologic history.</strong>
• Identify major groups and key examples of fossils and their ages.
• Use index fossils to constrain the age of a geologic event.<p>
• <strong>SLO#4: Assess information from geologic maps.</strong>
• Extrapolate cross-sections from geologic maps.
• Interpret geologic history from map information.<p>
• <strong>SLO#5: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate past, present, and future changes on Earth.</strong>
• Examine how tectonic environments and processes have changed throughout Earth history.
• Deduce how rock sequences and units indicate specific mountain building events which add crust to continental masses.

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

• <b>SLO#1: Apply the scientific method to evaluating Earth processes.</b>
• Evaluate the Scientific Method as a means to acquire and verify knowledge.
• Explain specific instances where the Scientific Method advanced how Earth scientists understand ocean processes. <p>
• <b>SLO#2: Evaluate temporal rates and spatial scales of Earth process.</b>
• Discuss the basic narrative of Earth origin and ocean development based on known scientific evidence.
• Compare rates of change of ocean processes, including sea level, ocean chemistry, and temperature variations. <p>
• <b>SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate past, present, and future changes on Earth.</b>
• Explain how exploration of features of marine geology refined plate tectonic theory.
• Analyze how plate tectonic theory explains the development of oceans, their growth, and their shrinkage and collapse.
• Identify the main features of ocean floor topography. <p>
• <b>SLO#4: Assess how Earth processes affect the physical environments and resources of living organisms, and analyze evidence that living organisms have changed their physical environments.</b>
• Categorize different marine communities based on depth, available sunlight, salinities, and temperatures.
• Assess evidence of global climate change and how ocean processes are involved.
• Evaluate instances in which human activity caused positive and negative effects on ocean environments. <p>
• <b>SLO#5: Determine the kinds and degrees of interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean and between the solid earth and ocean.</b>
• Describe how winds help to determine direction of major currents.
• Explain how winds affect wave dimensions.
• Investigate how coasts form in interactions of waves with various rocks.
• Explain how storms strengthen over water, weaken over land.
• Relate how temperature differentials between land and water generate certain kinds of breezes.

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

• examine the surrounding physical and/or human environment and formulate explanations for the geologic patterns and processes observed.(SLO 1)
• apply concepts and processes discussed in lecture to the real world. (SLO 2)
• compose field notes and collect and analyze field data.
• integrate geologic information with other disciplines (geography, biology, ecology, urban studies, anthropology, history, economics, cultural studies, and others), as appropriate, in order to develop a comprehensive view of landscapes and processes. (SLO 3)

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

• SLO #1: Actively engage in intellectual inquiry beyond that required in order to pass a course of study (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 4).
• Discuss and outline a proposal of study (that can be accomplished within one semester term) with a supervising instructor qualified within the discipline.
• Design an independent study (to be completed individually or by collaboration of a small group) to foster special knowledge, skills, and experience that are not available in any one regularly scheduled course.
• Use information resources to gather discipline-specific information.
• SLO #2: Utilize modes of analysis and critical thinking to apply theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study to significant problems and/or educational activities (College Wide Learning Outcome – Area 3).
• Analyze and apply the knowledge, skills and experience that are involved in the independent study to theoretical perspectives and/or concepts in the major discipline of study.
• Explain the importance of the major discipline of study in the broader picture of society.
• SLO #3: Communicate a complex understanding of content matter of the major discipline of study (College Wide Outcome – Area 3).
• Demonstrate competence in the skills essential to mastery of the major discipline of study that are necessary to accomplish the independent study.
• SLO #4: Identify personal goals and pursue these goals effectively (College Wide Outcome – Area 4).
• Utilize skills from the “academic tool kit” including time management, study skills, etc., to accomplish the independent study within one semester term.