GEOL 1114 - General Geology I

• Use the scientific method in the study of geology. 
• Demonstrate a foundation in geology prerequisite for higher level geology course, including concepts of geologic time and dating and how various aspects of plate tectonic theory shape the continents and ocean basins. 
• Relate geological principles such as earthquakes and seismology to issues of societal relevance. 
• Identify geological processes and underlying structures resulting in different types of landforms. 
• Identify geological processes resulting in different types of rocks and soils. 
• Identify common rocks and minerals. 
• Read and interpret topographical maps and aerial and satellite images. 
• Utilize Global Positioning Systems.
• Explain the occurrence and distribution of metal, nonmetal, and energy resources. 

• Students can achieve mathematical literacy.
• Students can write clear, coherent, well-organized documents

• Basic chemistry of mineral compounds
• Composition, formation, and characteristics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks 
• Earthquakes 
• Seismology
• Weathering and soil formation
• Geologic structures
• Continental drift, sea floor spreading, and plate tectonics
• Effects of surface water, wind, and ground water
• Geologic time and dating
• Interior of the earth
• Ocean basins and their margins
• Geologic resources
• Scientific method/inquiry
• Mass wasting
• Glacial processes
• Coastline processes

Learning activities

• Courses must, at a minimum, cover the core learning outcomes for each topic. Faculty may add to these outcomes, but may not omit any of them. 
• Laboratory exercises should average between 2-3 hours a week and include rock and mineral properties and identification, utilization of remote sensing resources, collection of GPS data, and reading & interpreting topographic maps.
• Lab safety orientation and enforcement of safety protocols is the responsibility of each faculty. A standard lab safety PowerPoint is provided to faculty for training. Scoring 100% on a mandatory department-provided lab safety quiz is required before students may participate in lab. 

Assessments

• Students submit a paper contrasting geologic activities at convergent, divergent, and transform tectonic plate boundaries, including plate motion, type of extrusive rocks, and examples. Grammatical and spelling accuracy of the paper is assessed in addition to the geologic accuracy. 
• Students answer ten multiple choice questions, usually as part of their final exam, assessing their ability to identify geological processes and underlying structures resulting in different types of landforms. The questions are selected and approved by geology faculty. 

Grading guidelines 

• Lab activities/exams should comprise approximately 25% of the overall grade.
• For lab practical exams, over 50% of the lab stations should include exhibits and tests performed in lab rather than images. Any images used on practical exams should be of lab exhibits or test results.