Description:

Surveys the geologic history of the earth, including the history of life on earth. Students learn to interpret rock and fossil evidence. The course is designed for non-majors includes laboratory work. Fulfills laboratory science course requirement at BC.

Details:

Fulfills laboratory science course requirement at BC.

Outcomes:

After completing this class, students should be able to:

• Scientific Skills
• Evaluate scientific information using the scientific method
• Distinguish between observation and interpretation, and hypothesis and theory.
• Express lab results with proper number of significant figures
• Construct and interpret different types of graphs and charts
• Efficiently communicate results of research to other students in the class; such as through presentations, written assignments, etc.
• Recognize and use prefixes in metric measurements
• Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret topographic and geologic maps.
• Apply critical thinking skills to evaluate public issues and current events involving geology
• Make observations of geologic materials through descriptions and sketches
• Critically analyze scientific hypotheses using observations and data provided
• Geologic Knowledge
• General
• Define geology
• Explain the significance of the theory of plate tectonics.
• Describe and illustrate the general structure of the earth.
• Describe the relationship between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in the rock cycle.
• Describe the accomplishments of important geologists, e.g. James Hutton, Alfred Wegener, and Charles Lyell.
• Recognize important geologic terminology, particularly those terms that are used in the media.
• Derive geologic information from different types of maps and aerial photographs.
• Construct and interpret geologic maps and cross sections
• Interpret geologic history using aerial photographs.
• Minerals and Rocks
• Explain differences between and define elements, minerals and rocks
• Distinguish between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• Identify common igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks using appropriate identification flow charts.
• Use rock composition and texture to interpret the geologic history of rocks (i.e., learn to “read the rocks”).
• Describe the role plate tectonics plays in the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• List examples of the common types of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
• Construct detailed descriptions of sedimentary rocks.
• Compare the common types of environments in which sediment is deposited, and list the characteristics of the sediments found in each environment.
• Identify and interpret common sedimentary structures.
• Explain how paleogeographic reconstruction and paleoclimatic inferences can be made from rocks
• Earth’s Structure and Plate tectonics
• Identify the major layers of the earth and list their basic characteristics.
• Cite the evidence for the old hypothesis of Continental Drift, and explain why the hypothesis failed.
• Define plate tectonics.
• List the three major types of plate margins.
• Describe the basic tectonic setting of the Pacific Northwest.
• Synthesize the types of geologic activity and materials formed at each type of plate margin.
• Explain how oceanic and continental crust is formed at plate boundaries and describe the basic characteristics of both types of crust.
• Calculate plate velocities using hot spots and/or magnetic stripes.
• Apply modern plate tectonic concepts to understanding past plate tectonic activity.
• Geologic Time
• Distinguish between uniformitarianism and catastrophism.
• Distinguish between relative and absolute time, and explain how they are used in conjunction to determine the age of rocks.
• Describe the way which geologists subdivide rock units.
• Define the basic principles of relative dating and apply them place geologic events in chronological order.
• Interpret chronology of geologic events using relative dating principles and geologic cross sections
• Distinguish between different types of unconformities and explain how rock formations are correlated.
• Explain how radiometric dating is used to determine the absolute age of rocks.
• List the commonly used radioactive isotopes, the types of material they are used to date, and their limitations.
• Calculate absolute ages using radiometric dating principles.
• Discuss the other major types of absolute dating (e.g. dendrochronology, varves, lichens)
• List, in correct order, the major divisions of the geologic time scale, including the ages of the major boundaries.
• Explain how the geologic time scale was created.
• Place human concept of time in context of geologic time.
• Correlate rock formations based on lithology, biostratigraphy, etc.
• Paleontology
• Define fossil and explain how they can be used to help determine depositional environments.
• Identify common fossils using fossil identification charts.
• Interpret fossils assemblages to determine the age of rock units.
• Explain how living things are classified and list the major Kingdom of living things.
• Distinguish between the major phylum, by using physical characteristics of living things.
• Evolution & Extinction
• Define the theory evolution and discuss the historical development of the theory.
• Discuss the geologic and biologic evidence for evolution.
• Explain the genetic basis for evolution and show how natural selection works in conjunction with genetic variation
• List examples of speciation
• Discuss the relationship between plate tectonics and biological evolution
• Explain the ways in which organisms live, eat, and move around, and their relationships to each other within an ecosystem.
• Explain the record of extinction in the geologic record. List some examples of causes of extinction.
• Geologic and Biologic History of the Earth
• Interpret geologic maps and cross sections to understand the geologic history of the earth.
• Explain the current hypothesis for the formation of the universe, solar system, earth and moon.
• List the basic characteristic of our solar system, including basic properties of the planets.
• Explain the methods geologists have used to determine the age of the earth, and identify the problems with some of the methods.
• Discuss the origin and evolution of the atmosphere and oceans.
• Explain the current hypothesis for the origin of life on the earth. List evidence that supports this hypothesis.
• Discuss the geologic history of the earth (with an emphasis on North America) from the Precambrian to the present. Include a discussion of the following for each major time period:
• Major rock formations and rock-forming processes
• Major plates, plate tectonic “events’, the formation of major geologic provenances and mountain ranges
• Dominant life forms, evolutionary developments and major extinctions
• Atmospheric and oceanic composition and characteristics, including ice ages and other types of climate change
• Major economic deposits
• Define and discuss the importance of transgressions and regressions.
• Define terrane and explain the importance of terranes in the development of Washington State.
• Describe the geologic evolution of the west coast of North America during the Phanerozoic. Cite evidence for this geologic story.
• Discuss the evolutionary history of the genus Homo.
• Apply knowledge of geologic history to understand the future geologic and biologic change (e.g. greenhouse warming, rising sea level, mass extinctions)