GEOL 1404 - Historical Geology

4 Credits (3 hrs. lec., 3 hrs. lab.) A comprehensive survey of the history of life and major events of the physical development of Earth as interpreted from rocks and fossils. (4006015403) Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing; GEOL 1403 or departmental approval; MATH 0308
Course Outcomes
1 - Describe how the application of the scientific method has led to our current understanding of Earth history.
2 - Explain the historical development of Geology as a science and how it was influenced by early interpretations of fossil and the theory of evolution.
3 - Communicate how principles of relative and numerical age dating have been used to develop the Geologic Time Scale.
4 - Describe the processes involved in the formation and differentiation of the Earth and identify major milestones in the physical evolution of the planet.
5 - Identify the major milestones in the evolution of life from its initial inorganic stages, through envelopment of the major animal and plant groups,to mass extinctions.
6 - Explain how rocks and fossils are used to interpret ancient environments.
7 - Identify the major tectonic events in the geologic evolution of North America.
8 - Lab: Classify and interpret depositional environments using sedimentary rocks and fossils.
9 - Taxonomically classify samples of geologically important fossil groups and use them to interpret the age of rocks on the Geological Time Scale.
10 - Apply relative and numerical age-dating techniques to construct geological histories including the correlation of stratigraphic sections.
11 - Reconstruct past continental configurations.
12 - Integrate multiple types of data to interpret Earth history.
13 - Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written, oral, and/or visual communication.
14 - Work effectively with others to support and accomplish a shared goal.