GEOL& 100 - Survey of Earth Science

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 55
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Introduction to the scientific study of the earth and space. Intended for non-scientists. Basic physics and chemistry applied to the earth and solar system. Emphasis on the evolution of the Pacific Northwest, including a survey of geologic, oceanographic, meterologic, and astronomic processes that contributed to its development. Field trips may be required; however, the online course does not include field trips.

Prerequisite: ENGL 099 with a grade of C or higher (or placement into college-level English); and either placement into OR co-enrollment in OR completion of a college-level Math course with a grade of C or higher.
Distribution Requirements:

Natural Sciences Distribution Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Use simple observation skills to identify common rocks, minerals, clouds and celestial motions, and know what they tell us about the history and processes of the Earth.
Know some basic ideas about the structure of the stars and solar systems, how the Earth differs from our sister planets in our solar system.
Show how the theory of plate tectonics can be used to determine where and how mountain building, earthquakes, and mineral resources occur, and how they evolve.
Know how water, wind, ice and snow modify the surface of the Earth, and how diverse human populations have adapted to various climates.
Understand the cause of, or the controversy surrounding various negative impacts by humans on Earth systems, how these impacts remedied, how Earth resources may be managed more effectively, and how different cultures address these issues.
Know what is happening in our local geology and climate (near Skagit Valley) that expresses the processes described in points 1 through 5 above.
Identifies the ways in which cultural expectations, assumptions and beliefs define who we are, how others see us, and influence how others and we perform science.

Course Contents

Introduction to science: Solar System
Space and Stars
Earth as Planet: Composition and seismic properties
Heat flow 1: Volcanism, Geothermal Gradients
Heat flow 2: Plate Tectonics, Metamorphism
Water I: Oceanography, Wind
Water II: Meterology
Water III: Rivers and Glaciers
Climate change
Human/Earth interaction: geologic/climatic hazards, resource management

Instructional Units: 5