GEOL& 115 Geology National Parks (5 credits)
Distribution Area Fulfilled Natural Sciences with Lab; General Transfer Elective
Formerly GEOL 120 -CCN
Course Description
Introduces the student to basic geologic processes and history, using the variety of features preserved in our National Park and Monument system. Appropriate for non-science and science majors. Field trips required. Lab included.
Course Content
A. Introduction to geology and the National Park and Monument Systems
B. Minerals and rocks
C. Plate tectonics and geologic structures
D. Geologic time
E. Geography, physiography, and climate of the selected national parks and monuments
F. Stratigraphy and structure of the selected national parks and monuments
G. Geologic history of the selected national parks and monuments
H. Resources, hazards, environmental issues, and other special topics of the selected national parks and monuments
Student Outcomes
1. Describe the basic relationships between the solid earth, water, atmosphere, and life of the Earth through geologic time.
2. Describe the difference between the National Park and Monument Systems and other related government agencies.
3. Apply the scientific method and relate basic scientific concepts to geologic processes (e.g. plate tectonics or other examples).
4. Evaluate the validity of uniformitarianism and catastrophism.
5. Use mineral properties to identify common rock-forming minerals.
6. Explain the rock cycle; classify and identify common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
7. Describe the origin and occurrence of plutonic and volcanic rocks in selected parks and monuments.
8. Discuss important weathering processes and explain sedimentary rock formation in selected parks and monuments.
9. Describe the origin and occurrence of metamorphic rocks in selected parks and monuments.
10. Describe plate tectonic processes.
11. Identify geologic structures. Relate the stresses created by tectonic plate movements to the formation of geologic structures in selected parks and monuments.
12. Explain and apply the methods of relative and absolute dating; and reproduce the primary subdivisions of the geologic time scale.
13. Describe the important geographic and physiographic features of the selected region parks and monuments.
14. Relate the geography and physiography of the selected parks and monuments to their climate and weather.
15. Describe the important rock and sediment units of the selected parks and monuments and discuss their origin and age.
16. Describe the important geologic structures of the selected parks and monuments and discuss their origin and age.
17. Relate the geologic history of the selected parks and monuments to important geologic processes through geologic time, and to the evolution of its present-day landscapes.
18. Assess the significance of geologic hazards of the selected parks and monuments; analyze any other pertinent interactions between humans and the environment for the selected parks and monuments.
19. Critical, Creative, and Reflective Thinking: Integrate and analyze quantitative data and qualitative information in several contexts. Examine assumptions; integrate experience, reason, and information to draw scientific conclusions. Examples: map and photo interpretation, or evaluation of mitigation strategies for human impacts on the national parks.
20. Effective Communication: Appropriately communicate geologic or environmental data to an audience through reports or presentations.
21. Information Competency: Evaluate and selectively use appropriate tools and sources in order to access and manipulate geologic and environmental information including library research, the Internet, and field research with respect to the selected national parks and monuments.
Degree Outcomes
Natural Sciences: Graduates use the scientific method to analyze natural phenomena and acquire skills to evaluate authenticity of data/information relative to the natural world.
Critical, Creative and Reflective Thinking: Graduates will evaluate, analyze and synthesize information and ideas in order to construct informed, meaningful and justifiable conclusions.
Lecture Contact Hours 40
Lab Contact Hours 20
Clinical Contact Hours 0
Total Contact Hours 60
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