SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT CITY, MESA, AND MIRAMAR COLLEGES ASSOCIATE DEGREE COURSE OUTLINE

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1 GEOL 100 CIC Approval: 12/12/2002 BOT APPROVAL: STATE APPROVAL: EFFECTIVE TERM: Spring 2003 SECTION I SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT CITY, MESA, AND MIRAMAR COLLEGES ASSOCIATE DEGREE COURSE OUTLINE SUBJECT AREA AND COURSE NUMBER: Geology 100 COURSE TITLE: General Geology Units: 3 Letter Grade or Pass/No Pass Option CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course investigates the physical characteristics of the earth as a whole, and the past, present, and future evolutionary processes affecting it. Primary topics include earth materials, geologic time, uniformatarianism, the fossil record, and plate tectonics. The course is designed for those students with a general interest in geology or earth science. REQUISITES: Advisory: ENGL 048 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent or Assessment Skill Level R5 FIELD TRIP REQUIREMENTS: May be required TRANSFER APPLICABILITY: Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU CSU General Education IGETC UC Transfer Course List TOTAL LECTURE HOURS: TOTAL LAB HOURS: STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to: 1. Describe the scope and substance of geology, including surficial processes, the rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle, geologic time, and the scientific method as applied to geology. 2. Describe the scope and substance of geology, including surficial processes, the rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle, geologic time, and the scientific method as applied to geology. 3. Explain the chemical composition, physical properties and structures of the most common rock-forming minerals. 4. Differentiate among the principal types of igneous rocks (both intrusive and extrusive) in terms of origin, mineralogy and texture, and relate plate tectonic theory to the distribution of various types of igneous rocks. 5. Compare and contrast mechanical and chemical weathering, and the climatic conditions under which each type would be most effective; indicate how soil forms, and explain how parent material, slope, climate, and time affect soil formation. 6. Differentiate among clastic, chemical and organic sedimentary rocks, explain how sedimentary rocks are classified, and describe how sedimentary rocks are used to explain Earth's history. 7. Describe the principal varieties of metamorphism and the resulting metamorphic types/textures, and explain how metamorphic rocks are classified. 8. Explain the concept of uniformitarianism, describe the basis for developing the geologic time scale, Status: Historical page 1 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018

2 and list the major types of life that dominated the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. 9. Discuss the various types of mass wasting in terms of controlling factors/causes and causative processes. 10. Describe stream action and associated landscape development, including how sediment is transported as bed load, suspended load, and dissolved load. 11. Explain why groundwater is a critical natural resource, and distinguish between porosity and permeability, indicating how these factors influence groundwater movement, groundwater pollution, and groundwater erosion (i.e., karst topography). 12. Define the term glacier, differentiate between alpine glaciation and continental glaciation; contrast the erosional and depositional features of both continental and alpine glaciers. 13. Describe common desert and coastal landforms and the underlying processes responsible for their development. 14. Explain the origin of various geologic structures, including folds, faults, joints, and unconformities, and how each type is classified. 15. Discuss the relationship between faults and earthquakes; describe the characteristics of various seismic waves, explain how seismic wave analysis contributes to our knowledge of Earth's interior; relate the concept of plate tectonics to earthquake distribution. 16. Describe the general topography and principal landforms observed on the ocean floor, and describe the geologic nature and significance of mid-oceanic ridges. 17. Outline the theory of plate tectonics, including supporting lines of evidence, and discuss the principal types of plate boundaries and their characteristic geologic features. 18. Discuss the characteristics of Earth's major mountain belts, and explain the concept of orogeny as it applies to plate tectonic theory. SECTION II 1. COURSE OUTLINE AND SCOPE: A. Outline Of Topics: The following topics are included in the framework of the course but are not intended as limits on content. The order of presentation and relative emphasis will vary with each instructor. I. The scope and substance of geology A. Surficial processes B. External heat engine and the hydrologic cycle C. The rock cycle and equilibrium theory D. Geologic time and uniformitarianism E. The scientific method in geology II. Minerals A. Atoms and elements B. Chemical composition of Earth's crust C. Minerals 1. Definition 2. Physical properties 3. Important rock-forming minerals III. Igneous rocks and extrusive/intrusive activity A. Volcanism and extrusive rocks 1. Effects on humans 2. Chemistry of volcanic rocks and eruptive violence 3. Types of volcanoes 4. Submarine eruptions and pillow basalts 5. Identification of extrusive rocks (composition and texture) 6. Sources of lava B. Intrusive activity and the origin of igneous rocks 1. Intrusive bodies 2. Identification of intrusive igneous rocks 3. How and where magma forms a. Bowen's reaction series b. Magmatic differentiation Status: Historical page 2 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018

3 c. Assimilation and mixing of magmas d. Igneous activity and plate tectonics IV. Weathering and soils A. Effects of weathering B. Mechanical weathering C. Chemical weathering D. Soil forming processes V. Sediments and sedimentary rocks A. Sediment transport and deposition B. Types of sedimentary rocks C. Sedimentary rock structures D. Interpretation of sedimentary rock source areas and depositional environments VI. Metamorphism, metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal rocks A. Factors controlling the characteristics of metamorphic rocks B. Classification of metamorphic rocks C. Types of metamorphism D. Plate tectonics and metamorphism E. Hydrothermal processes and rock types VII. Geologic time A. Relative time 1. Geologic time scale 2. Fossils 3. Stratigraphic correlation B. Radiometric dating and absolute time VIII. Mass wasting A. Factors governing mass wasting B. Classification of mass wasting processes C. Common types of mass wasting IX. Stream action and landscape development A. Drainage basins B. Drainage patterns C. Factors affecting stream erosion and deposition D. Stream erosion E. Stream transport of sediments F. Stream deposition G. Valley development H. Slope development and regional erosion X. Groundwater A. Hydrologic cycle B. Porosity and permeability of rocks C. The water table D. The movement of groundwater E. Aquifiers and wells F. Pollution of groundwater G. Groundwater erosion 1. Caves 2. Karst topography H. Geothermal energy XI. Glaciers and glaciation A. Ice age theories B. Glacier formation and movement C. Types and distribution of glaciers D. Glacier erosion E. Glacial deposition F. Effects of past glaciation XII. Desert and coastal landforms A. Desert landforms 1. Distribution of deserts 2. Characteristic desert landforms 3. Wind erosion, transportation and deposition Status: Historical page 3 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018

4 B. B. Coastal landforms 1. Shoreline processes a. Waves and currents b. Erosion c. Sediment transport d. Deposition 2. Geomorphic evolution of coastal areas a. Submergeant coasts b. Emergent coasts 3. Consequences of human interference XIII. Structural geology A. Tectonic forces (stress and strain) B. Use of structures to interpret past geological events C. Folds D. Faults E. Unconformities XIV. Earthquakes and Earth's interior A. Earthquakes 1. Causes 2. Seismic waves 3. Locating and measuring earthquakes 4. Effects of earthquakes 5. Earthquakes and plate tectonics 6. Earthquakes prediction 7. The San Andreas Fault - a case study B. Earth's interior 1. Evidence from seismic waves 2. Internal layers 3. Isostasy 4. Gravity measurements 5. The earth's magnetic field 6. Geothermal gradient and heat flow XV. The ocean basins A. Methods of study B. Features of the sea floor 1. Continental shelves and slopes 2. Submarine canyons and turbidity currents C. Passive continental margins D. Active continental margins XVI. Plate tectonics A. Continental drift hypothesis B. Paleomagnetism C. Divergent plate boundaries D. Convergent plate boundaries E. Transform plate boundaries F. Driving mechanism XVII. Deformation of continental crust A. Mountain belts and mountain building B. Origin and evolution of continental crust Writing Assignments: Writing assignments are required and may include, but are not limited to, the following: I. 1. Essays on important geologic processes. A. 2. Summaries of assigned readings and major geologic theories. II. 3. Short papers or journals covering contemporary geology issues. III. 4. Written reports applying geologic principles learned to particular topics, situations, or events. C. Reading Assignments: Reading assignments are required and may include but, are not limited to, the following: Status: Historical page 4 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018

5 D. E. I. 1. Textual material relating to topics in geology. II. 2. Readings in periodicals and journals as assigned, e.g., California Geology, Scientific American, Science News, Science. Appropriate Assignments that Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Critical thinking assignments are required and may include, but are not limited to, the following: I. 1. Critical essays that evaluate the application of basic geologic processes. II. 2. Evaluation and interpretation of geologic scenarios. III. 3. Relating landforms to the geologic processes that created them. Appropriate Outside Assignments: Outside assignments may include, but are not limited to, the following: I. 1.Library research assignments. II. 2.Internet research assignments. III. 3.Visit to San Diego Natural History Museum. IV. 4.Visits to local sites of geologic interest. 2. METHODS OF EVALUATION: A student's grade will be based on multiple measures of performance unless the course requires no grade. Multiple measures may include, but are not limited to, the following: I. Midterms, final exams, chapter quizzes Essays, reports, summaries Class participation Group collaboration projects Textbook questions assigned as homework. 3. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Methods of instruction may include, but are not limited to, the following: * Lecture * Lecture Discussion * Computer Assisted Instruction * Audio-Visual * Collaborative Learning * Other (Specify) * Distance Education * Possible local field trips and guest lectures. 4. REQUIRED TEXTS AND SUPPLIES: Textbooks may include, but are not limited to: TEXTBOOKS: 1. Davidson, John; Walter Reed, and Paul Davis. Exploring Earth, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2002, ISBN: Edward J. Tarbuck and Frederick K. Lutgens. Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, 7th ed. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2002, ISBN: James S. Monroe and Reed Wicander. Physical Geology: Exploring the Earth, 4th ed. Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA, 2001, ISBN: Stephen Marshak. Earth: Portrait of a Planet, 1st ed. W.W. Norton, New York, NY, 2001, ISBN: MANUALS: PERIODICALS: Status: Historical page 5 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018

6 SOFTWARE: SUPPLIES: ORIGINATOR: Charles Corum ORIGINATION DATE: 05/01/1987 PROPOSAL ORIGINATOR: Jerry Schad CO-CONTRIBUTOR(S) PROPOSAL DATE: 11/29/2001 Status: Historical page 6 of 6 Date Printed: 08/20/2018