GEOL 1030 - Survey of Geology

4 sem hrs cr

(3 hours lecture-3 hours lab)

This course focuses upon the earth’s structure, function, physical processes, and location in space. Emphasis is given to the external and internal forces that mold the face of the earth and its atmosphere. Prerequisite: Exemption from or completion of learning support competency courses. 

In rare and unusual circumstances, a course prerequisite can be overridden with the permission of the Department Lead for the discipline.

This course may include proctored exams which must be completed on campus or at an instructor approved proctoring center which may require additional costs to the student. Please consult your instructor for additional details.

  Formerly/Same As (Formerly GEO 1200)

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

By the end of the course, students will be able to…

• list and understand the sciences traditionally included in Earth science.
• summarize some of the relationships between people and the natural environment.
• describe the nature of scientific inquiry and list the basic steps of the scientific method.
• describe the myriad ways we learn about the Earth, and provide examples of Earth spheres at work.
• diagram the rock cycle and discuss the geologic processes and energy sources that contribute to each rock group.
• understand the importance of rocks and how their characteristics provide clues to geologic events and as indicators for exploration of metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources.
• examine the worldwide distribution of earthquakes including how scientists determine the location and size of the earthquake.
• compare and contrast the scientific ideas and definitions for the continental drift hypothesis and the theory of plate tectonics.
• explore the contributions of prominent scientists to the science of historical geology, including the doctrine of uniformitarianism.
• give the definitions of numerical and relative dating and apply relative dating techniques to understand how scientists reconstruct Earth’s history.

Student Objectives

Students will…

• analyze and recognize the internal processes under Earth’s crust.
• identify and interpret the external processes above Earth’s crust.
• explore scientific processes and make inferences based on their observations.
• develop a global perspective and examine Earth’s processes as a whole system.
• examine and identify rocks and minerals, determine the ways they are produced, and describe and explain their placement in and on Earth.
• study the development, locations, and importance of fossils as they apply to determining relative time.