GEOL 1404 - Historical Geology

Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours - Lecture: 3 Lab: 3
A comprehensive survey of the history of life and major events of the physical development of Earth as interpreted from rocks and fossils. CIP Code: (4006015403)
Prerequisite: College Level Readiness in Reading AND Writing; GEOL 1403 or departmental approval; MATH 0308
Student Learning 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.
Core Category Life & Physical Sciences [30]