Students will examine the evolution of Earth, its climate system, water resources, and life on the planet over time. The connection between these phenomena and societal concerns will be explored. Students will develop their skills in geoscience data analysis and interpretation and explore academic and career pathways in the geosciences. There will be a required fieldtrip during the course of the quarter that will take the time of one lecture and one lab.
Prerequisites
Institutional Outcomes
IO2. Quantitative Reasoning: Students will be able to reason mathematically.
Course Content Outline
Lecture
- Rock Cycle and rock type/name identification
- Geologic maps and cross sections
- Absolute and relative dating techniques
- Fossil record
- Carbon cycle
- Groundwater resources and use
- Climate impacts in local and global scales
- Geologic timescale
- Rock types and identification
- Geologic maps and cross sections
- Cross-cutting relationships
- Fossil identification
- Carbon cycle
- Groundwater contouring
- Streamflow analysis
- Sea level rise mapping
Department Guidelines
- Overall course percentage will be based on the following weighted categories for the lecture: lecture exams (including 3-4 tests) collectively worth at least 20% of the overall score, student final project worth 20% of the overall score, and class assignments (including homework, quizzes, and in-class activities) collectively worth up to 30% of the overall score. Total the class is worth 70% of the overall course score.
- For the lab, the overall course percentage will be based on these weighted categories: Lab write-ups worth 20% of the overall score, and the lab field-trip is worth 10% of overall score. Total the lab is worth 30% of the overall course score.
- There is an associated field trip with this course as part of the lab credit. The field trip will require some extra time than available in the standard lab time, so accommodations must be made and the field trip will take the place of a regularly scheduled lecture and lab. Possible locations for the field trip include: Sun Lakes-Dry Falls state park and visitor center, Drumheller Channels National natural landmark, and the Moses Lake mud flats and sand dunes.
- A standard grade scale will be used for this course with a 2.0 grade point corresponding to 70-72% in overall course percentage.
- All exams are proctored exams given on campus, online, or at an arranged testing center or location determined in advance. The instructor may use some discretion in this area to meet extenuating circumstances; changes should be discussed with Science Department personnel.
PO5 ‘Problem Solving: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources.’ will also be assessed.