COURSE OUTLINE. Lecture 3 x 16 = 48 = 3. Laboratory x = = Workshop x =

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1 College of Micronesia-FSM PO Box 159 Pohnpei, FM COURSE OUTLINE Course Title : Introduction to Geology Department & Number: SC 220 Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the natural and physical environment: landscape, rocks and minerals, rivers, volcanism, earthquakes, and other processes inside the earth. Course Prepared by: Dr. Kathy Hayes State: National Campus, Pohnpei Hours per week No. of week Total Hours Semester Credits Lecture 3 x 16 = 48 = 3 Laboratory x = = Workshop x = Purpose of Course: Degree Requirement X Degree Elective Certificate Other X This course also meets PLO #(s) of program. Prerequisite Courses: ESL 089 Signature, Chairperson, Curriculum Committee Date Approved by Committee Signature, President, COM-FSM Date Approved by President

2 A. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs): 1. Define concepts, principles and theories of science. 2. Perform experiments that gather scientific information and utilize, interpret and explain the results of experiments and field work in a field of science. B. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs): 1. Describe the main concepts of geology, why we should study it and why it is important in the modern world. 2. Describe the structure of the earth, earth systems and earth s cycles. 3. Describe the composition of the earth including earth chemistry, minerals, rocks and the rock cycle. 4. Identify and classify minerals and rocks from samples. 5. Describe earth s available resources such as minerals, renewable energy, and nonrenewable energy and discuss conservation issues. 6. Describe the rock record. 7. Describe geological time. 8. Explain the dynamics of the earth including plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earthquakes and volcanoes. 9. Describe processes that re-shape the crust of the earth such as weathering and erosion, rivers, groundwater and glaciers. 10. Describe the geology of Micronesia and the formation of the islands. CLO PLO1 PLO2 1 IDM 2 IDM 3 ID I 4 ID ID 5 I 6 I ID 7 I ID 8 IDM 9 ID 10 I ID C. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs): CLO 1: Describe the main concepts of geology, why we should study it, and why it is important in the modern world. 1.1 Outline the applications of geology in the Oral presentation scored with a rubric. modern world. 1.2 Describe the history of geology. Written assignment scored with a rubric. 1.3 List and describe the different branches Written research report on different

3 of geology such as geophysics, field geology, sedimentology, volcanism, engineering, seismology, paleontology etc. and describe what each entails. employment opportunities within the field of geology and decide which one they would be interested in following. Scored with a rubric. CLO2: Describe the structure of the earth, earth systems and earth s cycles. 2.1 Draw and fully label the structure of the earth and recall the function of each part of the earth from the core to the crust. 2.2 Name and describe open and closed earth systems. 2.3 Name, describe, draw and fully label earth s cycles (carbon, water, nitrogen and phosphorus cycle). CLO3: Describe the composition of the earth including earth chemistry, minerals, rocks and the rock cycle. 3.1 Describe the general composition of the and written assignments (scored with earth e.g., what is the earth made of by rubric). outlining common minerals and rocks from the core to the crust of the earth. 3.2 Demonstrate and understanding of earth Oral presentation (scored with rubric) and chemistry by defining and discussing the quiz. following terms: matter, elements, atoms, protons, electrons, neutron, isotopes, compounds, molecules, ion, bonding and mixtures. 1.3 Draw, label and explain the rock cycle. and practical assessment where students will use the rock cycle to describe how a rock sample has been formed. CLO4: Identify and classify minerals and rocks from samples. 4.1 Identify and classify the basic Students will able to identify a mystery rock sedimentary rocks. 4.2 Identify and classify the basic Students will able to identify a mystery rock metamorphic rocks. 4.3 Identify and classify the basic igneous Students will able to identify a mystery rock

4 rocks 4.4 Identify and classify some basic fossils Students will able to identify a mystery rock CLO5: Describe earth s available resources such as minerals, renewable energy, and nonrenewable energy and discuss conservation issues. 5.1 Describe the following energy resources: minerals, renewable energy, and nonrenewable energy. 5.2 Outline and discuss the following conservation issues: Climate change/global warming and sea level rise. Oral presentation (scored with rubric), written assignments (scored with rubric) and quiz. CLO6: Describe the rock record. 6.1 Define and elaborate upon the meaning of Written assignments (scored with rubric). uniformitarianism 6.2 Cite and define the law of superposition. Written assignments (scored with rubric) 6.3 List and describe the following types of Written assignments (scored with rubric) unconformities: nonconformity, angular conformity and disconformities. CLO7: Describe geological time. 7.1 Describe and the following techniques, creating a poster to explain a chosen used for dating rocks: varves, radiometric form of dating and calculating half life dating and carbon dating. (scored with a rubric). 7.2 List, define and describe the following and written assignment (scored with a geological era s: Precambrian, Paleozoic, rubric) using a case study. Mesozoic, Cenozoic, 7.3 Describe evolution and mass extinction., written assignments and poster presentation (scored with a rubric).

5 CLO8: Explain the dynamics of the earth including plate tectonics, deformation of the crust, earth quakes and volcanoes. 8.1 Describe the following concepts: plate tectonics including Wegner's Hypothesis, seafloor spreading, continental drift, paleomagnetism, supercontinent cycle and mid ocean ridges. 8.2 Outline the general processes involved in deformation of the crust and define the following terms: deformation, isostasy, stress, strain, folds and faults. 8.3 Describe the following: how earthquakes happen, elastic rebound, seismic waves, fault zones and tsunamis. 8.4 Describe the following: formation of magma, volcanic zones, subduction zones, mid ocean ridges, hotspots, intrusive activity, types of eruptions (quiet and explosive), lava flows, pyroclastics and types of volcanoes. Written assignments, poster presentations and oral assessments (all scored with a rubric), research based reports on recent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, written assignments on the history of earthquakes/tsunamis and volcanic eruptions in the pacific islands and case studies of volcanic eruptions in Hawaii. (written assignment scored with a rubric) CLO9: Describe processes that re-shape the crust of the earth such as weathering and erosion, rivers, groundwater and glaciers. 9.1 Define the following weathering processes: Biological, physical and chemical weathering. 9.2 Outline rates of weathering processes. 9.3 State ways in which rivers erode and shape the earth. 9.4 Explain the main concepts of groundwater including porosity vs. permeability, aquifers and the water table. 9.5 Discuss the processes of glacial erosion by defining basal slip and internal plastic flow and defining the following landforms glacial erosion creates: cirques, arêtes, erratics, glacial drift, till, moraine, kettles and eskers., case study based reports, written assignments and oral presentations. (rubrics used for scoring), case study based reports, written assignments and oral presentations.. (rubrics used for scoring)

6 CLO10: Describe the geology of Micronesia and the formation of the islands Explain and describe the formation of atolls, volcanic islands, low limestone islands and raised limestone islands Outline the geology of these 4 types of islands Describe in detail the geology of Pohnpei. and written assignments (scored with a rubric). Poster presentation showing the geology and formation of Pohnpei. (scored with a rubric) D. REQURIED TEXT(S) AND COURSE MATERIALS Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (10 th Ed.), Lutgensm, Tarbuck and Tasa. Prentice Hall 2010 (or most recent edition). E. REFERENCE MATERIALS Earth Science, Allison, Degaetano, Pasachoff (2008). Geography: An Integrated Approach (3 rd Ed.), Waugh (2002). The Pacific Islands: Environment and Society Moshe Rapaport. Bess Press. F. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION Lecture, class discussion, oral presentation, hands-on practicals and audio-visual material. G. COURSE CONTENT 1) Introduction to geology a) What is geology? b) Why study geology c) Why is geology important? d) What are the different fields of geology? 2) Earth Basics a) Structure of the earth. b) Earth system. c) Earth cycles 3) Composition of the earth a) Earth chemistry b) Minerals c) Rocks (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary) d) The Rock Cycle 4) Earths resources a) Minerals b) Renewable resources.

7 c) Non renewable resources d) Resources and conservation. 5) Rock record 6) Geological time 7) Dynamic earth a) Plate tectonics b) Deformation of the earth s crust. c) Earthquakes d) Volcanoes 8) Reshaping the crust a) Weathering and erosion. b) Rivers c) Groundwater d) Glaciers 9) Formation of the Micronesian islands. 10) Geology of Pohnpei H. INSTRUCTIONAL COSTS None I. EVALUATION The final grade will be determined by calculating an overall average, combining results from all items as listed in the assessment strategies and using the scale listed below. Grade % A B C D F <60 J. ATTENDANCE POLICY As stated in the current college catalog, or per individual instructor s policy, to be clearly stated on each course syllabus. K. HONESTY POICY COM-FSM honesty policy applies. L. CREDIT BY EXAMINATION None