GEOS 130 - General Geology
Description: In this introductory course the students will survey the geologic processes
that form and shape the earth over geologic time using the models of the
rock cycle, the hydrologic cycle and the tectonic cycle. In the
laboratory they will conduct hands-on activities designed to enhance and
reinforce the geologic concepts they have studied. 4 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs.
lab/wk. Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required. Prerequisites: NONE Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net Course Fees: NONE Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:
Content Outline & Competencies: I. Introduction to General Geology
A. Development of geology as a science
1. Distinguish between physical, historical and environmental
geology.
2. Contrast catastrophism and uniformitarianism.
3. Describe the contributions of Hutton, Playfair and Lyell to
geology.
4. Describe the nature of scientific inquiry in terms of its basic
assumptions and components: observation, hypothesis and theory.
B. Basic concepts of geology
1. Outline the nebular hypothesis explaining the origin of the
Earth.
2. List and identify the four main spheres of the Earth’s
environment.
3. Name and describe the structural subdivisions of the Earth’s
interior.
4. Identify the major submarine features of the ocean’s floor.
5. Outline the Plate Tectonics theory.
6. Sketch separate diagrams of the rock cycle and of the hydrologic
cycle and relate them to the plate tectonics model.
II. The Earth’s Composition and the Rock Cycle
A. Matter and minerals
1. Define a mineral.
2. Explain the bases for mineral composition.
3. Identify the common minerals in each major chemical group using
their physical properties.
4. List and distinguish among the common silicate minerals.
B. Plutonic igneous rocks
1. Contrast magma and lava.
2. Describe the process responsible for the textures of igneous
rocks.
3. List the fine igneous rock textures and explain the origin of
each.
4. Discuss the contribution of N.L. Bowen to the explanation of the
formation and compositions of igneous rocks.
5. Contrast granitic, audesitic, basaltic and ultramafic
compositional groups.
6. Identify igneous rocks based on their texture and mineral
composition.
7. Explain the origin of magma.
8. Explain the concept of partial melting.
9. Contrast plutons in terms of size and relationship to the
surrounding host-rock.
C. Volcanic igneous rocks
1. Describe the nature of volcanic eruptions.
2. Describe the types of materials erupted from volcanoes.
3. Contrast the types of volcanic landforms eruptions produced.
4. Relate igneous activity to plate tectonics.
5. Describe the potential impact of volcanic eruptions on climate.
D. Weathering and soil development
1. Briefly contrast weathering, erosion and mass wasting.
2. Contrast physical and chemical weathering.
3. Describe the physical and chemical weathering processes in terms
of mechanisms and products.
4. Explain how climate and rock characteristics determine the rate
of weathering.
5. Explain how parent material, time, climate, organic activity and
slope influence soil development.
6. Sketch and label the soil horizons on the three general types of
soil profiles: pedalfer, pedocal and laterite.
7. Describe human impacts on soil productivity.
E. Sediments and sedimentary rocks
1. Relate the products of weathering to the development of
sediment.
2. Describe the processes that alter sediment into sedimentary
rock.
3. Contrast the three main groups of sedimentary rocks in terms of
texture and composition.
4. Identify the structures unique to sedimentary rocks.
5. Identify the principal sedimentary rocks from their physical
properties.
F. Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks
1. Describe the effects of heat, pressure and chemically active
fluids on rocks.
2. Describe the conditions for contact, regional and fault-zone
metamorphism.
3. Define index minerals and describe their use in interpretation of
metamorphic landscapes.
4. Identify the primary metamorphic rocks based on their texture,
composition and appearance.
III. Mass Movement and Erosional Agents
A. Mass wasting
1. Explain the reasons for mass movements.
2. Classify mass movements based on type of material, rate of
movement and type of movement.
B. Running water
1. Describe the factors that affect infiltration capacity.
2. Describe the flow of water from precipitation to the ocean.
3. Describe how a stream erodes, transports and deposits materials
and the features it forms in the process.
4. Sketch dendritic, radial, rectangular and trellis drainage
patterns and identify the stratigraphy and structure typically related to
each pattern.
5. Explain how urbanization affects stream discharge and flooding.
6. Interpret fluvial features on topographic maps.
C. Groundwater
1. Diagram the distribution of water beneath the surface.
2. Identify the factors affecting groundwater movement.
3. Contrast confined and unconfined aquifers.
4. Discuss problems associated with groundwater withdrawal.
5. Describe how groundwater erodes, transports and deposits
materials and the features formed in the process.
6. Interpret the features associated with groundwater on topographic
maps.
D. Glaciers
1. Explain how glacial ice forms, moves and wastes away.
2. Describe how a glacier erodes, transports and deposits materials
and the features formed in the process.
3. Discuss the glacial theory of the ice age.
4. Identify the indirect effects of glaciation.
5. Describe the causes of glaciation.
6. Interpret the features associated with glaciation on topographic
maps.
E. Wind
1. Explain the reasons for the distribution of deserts.
2. Describe geologic processes of weathering and erosion in dry
climates.
3. Describe how wind erodes, transports and deposits materials and
identify the features it forms in the process.
4. Interpret the features associated with wind on topographic maps.
F. Shorelines
1. Discuss the formation of waves in bodies of water.
2. List the distinguishing characteristics of waves.
3. Describe the circumstances that cause a wave to break near
shore.
4. Describe how waves erode, transport and deposit materials and the
features they form in the process.
5. Describe the effect of rising and falling sea levels on
shorelines.
6. Explain the distribution and causes of tides.
7. Interpret shoreline features on topographic maps
IV. The Tectonic Cycle
A. Crustal deformation
1. Identify the types of stresses that deform rock.
2. Identify the types of deformation each type of stress produces.
3. Relate stress and strain to types of crustal deformation.
4. Define strike and dip.
5. Describe the distinguishing characteristics of folds, faults and
joints.
6. Recognize the type of geologic structure from its outcrop pattern
and determine its subsurface configuration.
B. Earthquakes
1. Explain why earthquakes occur.
2. Describe what happens when an earthquake occurs.
3. Describe the worldwide distribution.
4. Explain the Richter and Modified Mercalli scales of earthquake
magnitude and intensity.
5. Explain the factors that influence earthquake destructiveness.
6. Discuss the methods for short and long-term earthquake
prediction.
7. Locate the epicenter and determine the time of origin of an
earthquake using arrival-time data.
C. Modeling the Earth’s interior
1. Describe the nature of seismic waves.
2. Develop a model of the Earth’s interior based on an analysis of
seismic waves traveling through the Earth.
3. Identify the compositional and mechanical layers of the Earth and
describe their distinguishing characteristics.
4. Explain the basis for the Moho, the Gutenberg Discontinuity and
the outer-inner core boundary.
5. Discuss the current hypothesis of the origin of the Earth’s
magnetic field.
D. Plate tectonics
1. Describe the data Alfred Wegener used to develop his hypothesis
of continental drift.
2. Discuss the new date that caused scientists to reconsider
continental drift.
3. Describe the Plate Tectonics model and the five types of plate
boundaries.
4. Identify the features associated with each type of boundary.
5. Identify and discuss the three proposed driving mechanisms of the
tectonic cycle.
6. Identify the type of plate boundary from a set of data.
E. The ocean floor
1. Describe the method for mapping the ocean floor.
2. Draw a crossection of the ocean floor from the Mid-Atlantic ridge
to the Lunar DeFuca trench showing the major features of the sea floor.
3. Relate the features of the ocean floor to the plate tectonics
model.
4. Determine from measurements the rate of sea floor spreading.
5. Identify the stages of atoll development from field data.
F. Mountain building and the evolution of the continents
1. Describe the geographic features of the continents.
2. Explain the concept of isostasy and its relation to the
continental mountain belts.
3. Describe the type of orogenesis occurring along the three types
of convergent boundaries.
4. Contrast the early evolution and gradual evolution proposals for
development of the continents.
V. Geologic Time
A. Relative dating of rocks
1. Distinguish between absolute and relative dating.
2. Describe the principles of relative dating.
3. Explain the concept of correlation.
4. Describe the geologic time-scale.
B. Absolute or radiometric dating of rocks
1. Define radioactivity.
2. List and briefly describe alpha and beta emissions and electron
capture.
3. Explain how radioactive decay is used to determine the ages of
rocks.
4. Identify the difficulties in dating rocks.
VI. Earth’s Resources
A. Basic concepts
1. Define renewable and non-renewable resources.
2. Describe the growth of population over the last 2000 years.
3. Identify the factors affecting resource availability.
4. Discuss the future availability of resources.
B. Energy resources
1. Identify the major energy resources.
2. Identify the major environmental effects from each resource.
3. Identify and determine the feasibility of alternate energy
resources.
C. Mineral resources
1. Identify the geologic processes responsible for metallic mineral
resources.
2. Identify the geologic processes responsible for non-metallic
mineral resources.
Methods of Evaluation of Competencies: Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods: The grade for the course will be determined by the student’s performance on lecture exams, lab exams and lab exercises. A total of 1200 points is possible for the course. Grades are determined as follows: Points for various parts of the course are as follows: Exams 50% of grade Final 8% of grade Article Summaries 4% of grade Lab Exams 25% of grade Lab Exercises 13% of grade Total: 100% Grade Criteria Minimum Points Required A 1080 (90%) B 960 (80%) C 840 (70%) D 720 (60%) F Less than 719 (59%) Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects. Caveats: NONE Disabilities: If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged. JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center. |
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