G 201 Earth Materials and Plate Tectonics

G 201-202-203 for science majors. Global plate tectonic influences on Earth’s internal structure, mountains, deformation, magnetism, earthquakes, volcanism, minerals and rocks. Labs explore rocks and minerals, geologic maps, structures, and resources. Take G 201 and 202 in any order. Lab included.

Credits

4

General Education Requirements

Sci/Math/CS-Lab

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Classify minerals, igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, and common ore rocks, while applying appropriate terminology

2. Summarize rock forming processes from melt through metamorphism in context of plate tectonics using existing models

3. Apply quantitative methods of evaluating Earth internal processes

4. Evaluate anthropogenic issues and claims, such as climate change and resource availability, citing peer-reviewed science

5. Create hypotheses regarding rock forming processes–such as volcanism, weathering, or deformation–from initial observations of rocks or geologic maps in context of plate tectonics