GEOL 107 Introduction to Physical Geology

Students will be introduced to the composition and structure of the earth, its rocks and minerals, and the geologic processes that shape the earth’s interior and the land’s surface. For Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory, see GEOL 117.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Compare and contrast the layers of the earth and describe its dynamic nature.
   
2. 2. Analyze the interrelated nature between the earth’s interior and exterior processes.
3. 3. Investigate geologic processes that shape and reshape the surface landforms.
4. 4. Investigate and synthesize issues relevant to our present-day lives including availability of
   natural resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards.
5. 5. Analyze how the earth and its inhabitants have evolved since its formation over 4 billion
   years ago and what types of processes have contributed to these changes.
   
6. 6. Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
   solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, isotopic dating, relative time, volcanic
   compositions, rock and mineral relationships, stream and groundwater movement, and
   geologic structures.
7. 7. Communicate geologic concepts using appropriate symbols and vocabulary.
   
8. 8. Analyze, evaluate, and justify the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to
   geology.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Compare and contrast the layers of the earth and describe its dynamic nature.
   
2. 2. Analyze the interrelated nature between the earth’s interior and exterior processes.
3. 3. Investigate geologic processes that shape and reshape the surface landforms.
4. 4. Investigate and synthesize issues relevant to our present-day lives including availability of
   natural resources, pollution, climate change, and natural hazards.
5. 5. Analyze how the earth and its inhabitants have evolved since its formation over 4 billion
   years ago and what types of processes have contributed to these changes.
   
6. 6. Apply scientific principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate mathematical techniques to
   solve problems pertaining to, but not limited to, isotopic dating, relative time, volcanic
   compositions, rock and mineral relationships, stream and groundwater movement, and
   geologic structures.
7. 7. Communicate geologic concepts using appropriate symbols and vocabulary.
   
8. 8. Analyze, evaluate, and justify the reasonableness of solutions to problems related to
   geology.