GEOL 34 - Historical Geology with Lab

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

4.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 102.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/204.00 Total hours/4.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: Historical geology with lab introduces students to Earth’s geologic history and the history of life on Earth. Drawing on concepts from plate tectonics theory, evolution, geologic dating methods and stratigraphy, students explore the planet’s origin and the processes that have repeatedly re-shaped the global environment during the past 4.6 billion years. It also covers the history of life on this planet and investigates the complementary roles played by natural selection and environmental change in shaping both modern and ancient ecosystems. These concepts as well as fossil identification, study of sedimentary rocks, and interpretation of geologic maps will be reinforced with an integrated laboratory program. (C-ID GEOL 111).

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

1. Explain and practically apply the principles of the scientific method.
2. Demonstrate and practically apply a fundamental understanding of concepts and principles of Historical Geology including: Fossilization, The fossil record, Ecology, evolution and extinction, Plate tectonics, Geologic time and dating methods, and The Supercontinent Cycle and paleoclimate
3. Identify and interpret representative fossil samples, rocks and minerals.
4. Explain and practically apply knowledge of tectonic processes to interpret geologic events throughout geologic time.
5. Interpret geologic maps, cross sections and stratigraphic columns.
6. Practically apply the principles of relative dating to interpret sequences of geologic events.
7. Communicate complex course concepts effectively in writing and using diagrams.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lab

1. Demonstrations
2. Field Trips
3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
4. Laboratory Experiments
5. Lecture
6. Multimedia Presentations
7. The 2500-word writing requirement will be met through a combination of written quizzes and exams, the term project and written homework assignments.

1. Exams/Tests
2. Quizzes
3. Projects
4. Homework
5. Lab Projects
6. Written Assignments
7. Written examinations and quizzes, Term project, One final examination, Class participation and in-class written assignments

Reading Assignments

1. Read the chapter in your text on geologic time and complete the corresponding homework assignment provided. Be prepared for an in class discussion on the following: a. Relative dating methods. b. Radioactive decay, the half life and parent-daughter atoms. c. Uranium-lead and potassium-argon dating methods.
2. Read the assigned chapter of Cordell Durrell’s Geologic History of the Feather River Country, California and be prepared for an in-class discussion on the major rock units and dating methods covered in the chapter. Be able locate these rock units on the 1:250,000 scale geologic map.

Writing Assignments

1. Write a 3-5-page essay describing the extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous. Evaluate the competing hypothesis regarding the specific cause or causes of this extinction. Use in-class notes, your text and supplemental information available online including PBS’s “What Killed the Dinosaurs.”
2. Write a 3-5-page essay describing the tectonic history of North America starting with the break up of Pangea. Compare and contrast east coast and west coast geology during this time. Carefully document the timing of significant events and cite all sources using MLA criteria.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Take 5 local photographs that exhibit relative dating methods such as inclusions, cross-cutting relationships and superposition. Write a 3-5 sentence informative, geologically correct explanation on how the dating method works for each photo. You must use your own photos (no photos from the internet or other students) and your project should be presented on a small poster board.
2. Collect 2 rock samples from the Central Belt limestone blocks, the Tuscan formation or the Chico formation. Write a brief (one page) description of each sample and describe the depositional environment for each sample. Be sure to describe composition, sorting and grain size and shape when justifying your interpretation. Use the fieldtrip guidebooks available online to help you locate good collection sites.

Stanley and Luczaj. (2015). Earth System History. W.H. Freeman and Company, 5th. 978-1429255264.

Wicander, R., and Monroe, J.S. (2016). Historical Geology: Evolution of Earth and Life Through Time. Cengage Learning, 8th. 978-1305119567.

Harold Levin and Michael Smith. (2014). laboratory Studies in Earth History. McGraw Hill, 10th. 9780078096129.

Earth Science (Masters Required)