GS 142 Earth Science: Earth Revealed

Introduces geology and integrates topics of Earth's history, plate tectonics, minerals, rocks, volcanism, earthquake activity, weathering, rivers, groundwater, glaciers, and coasts. Lab included.

Credits

4

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Discuss the whole earth structure and relate to the theory of plate tectonics and the rock cycle
2. Describe mountain building processes and the relationship to tectonic plate boundaries
3. Explain the formation of volcanoes at plate boundaries and at intraplate locations, and classify basic volcano types
4. Describe concepts of ocean waves, coastal erosion and deposition
5. Relate the processes of weathering, erosion, transport and deposition in the context of the rock cycle and geologic surface processes
6. Identify and classify mass wasting events
7. Be familiar with soil horizons and soil-forming processes, and the importance of soil preservation
8. Use physical mineral properties to describe and identify common rock forming minerals
9. Apply textural and compositional properties to identify common rock types (Igneous and/or Sedimentary)
10. Discuss and analyze common surface water and groundwater settings, and integrate the importance of these natural resources
11. Utilize common coordinate systems to locate geographic features on a topographic map and describe general topographic features based on contour lines
12. Identify and research potential hazards related to geologic natural disasters, flooding, desertification and climate change