GEOL 102    Historical Geology

Section 01  •  10:00 AM–10:50 AM Monday, Wednesday & Friday  •  Hanna 338

 

Syllabus

I. Course Description

3 cr. This course is the second part of an investigation of the major principles and concepts of general geology. The goal of this course is to explore the historical development of the earth over the past 4.6 billion years, especially changes in life forms such as animals and plants and changes in the features of the earth.

II. Course Objectives and Outcomes

This course is designed to enable students to:

  1. Identify and explain major concepts and essential principles in historical geology.
  2. Explain the importance of earth science to society and to individuals.
  3. Utilize the process skills and problem-solving skills in investigating historical geology.
  4. Identify and explain the relationship of geology to other sciences.

III. Course Topics

The major topics to be considered are:

  1. Essential concepts in historical geology such as geologic time, radiometric dating, major geologic events in earth history, stratigraphy, correlation, evolutionary development of life on earth, paleontology, and invertebrate and vertebrate fossil record.
  2. An investigation of the 4.6 billion years of development and history of the earth and its life forms.
  3. Problem-solving and hands-on/minds-on activities to provide application of major principles in historical geology.

IV. Instructional Methods and Activities

Methods and activities for instruction include: Advance organizers, lecture/group discussion, demonstrations, small group activities and cooperative learning, hands-on/minds-on activities, discovery and inquiry learning, concept mapping, and problem-solving.

V. Evaluation and Grade Assignment

  1. Methods
    1. Written examinations (four at 20% each)
    2. Problem solving and laboratory activities (Earth & Environmental Science Computer Lab in Hanna 333 may be used), individual and/or group projects, and class participation (20%)
  2. Grading Scale:  90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; Below 60 = F

VI. Class Policies

  1. Attendance policies correspond to those of the university. It should be noted that class attendance is very important in order to facilitate learning. Many of the activities can not be completed as effectively on an individual basis.
  2. Assignments are due on or before the indicated date. A penalty will be assessed for late assignments (normally 5% per day).
  3. Examinations are to be taken on the dates indicated on the schedule. Only excused absences will be accepted for missed examinations. Students may take a written or oral make-up examination at the instructor's discretion and earliest convenience, or the next examination may be counted as two grades.
  4. Discussion of fire alarm and evacuation procedures for Hanna Hall, Room 338.
  5. Discussion of pertinent safety issues.

VII. Textbook(s)

Levin, H.L. (2003). The Earth Through Time (Seventh Edition). Fort Worth, TX: Saunders College Publishing.

VIII. Bibliography

The knowledge bases that support course content and procedures include:

  1. References
    1. Carroll, R. (1988). Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman & Co.
    2. Colbert, E.H., and M. Morales (1991). Evolution of the Vertebrates (4th edition). New York, NY: John Wiley.
    3. Fastovsky, D.E., and D.B. Weishampel (1996). The Evolution and Extinction of the Dinosaurs. London, England: Cambridge University Press.
    4. Foster, R. (1983). General Geology. Columbus, OH: Merrill Publishing Co.
    5. Lane, N. Gary (1986). Life of the Past. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.
    6. Leet, L., S. Judson, and M. Kauffman (1982). Physical Geology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
    7. Lessem, D., and D. Glut (1993). The Dinosaur Society's Dinosaur Dictionary. New York, NY: Random House, Inc.
    8. Lucas, S.G. (1994). Dinosaurs, The Textbook. Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Publishers.
    9. Press, F., and R. Siever (1994). Understanding Earth. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman & Co.
    10. Romer, A.S. (1966). Vertebrate Paleontology. Chicago, OH: The University of Chicago Press.
  2. Key Professional Journals and Publications
    1. The American Paleontologist
    2. The American Scientist
    3. The Earth Scientist
    4. The Journal of Geoscience Education (formerly Journal of Geological Education)
    5. The Journal of Paleontology
    6. The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

IX. Course Schedule (tentative order of topics and examinations)

  1. 1/13
    1. Discuss course syllabus.
    2. Overview of course.
  2. 1/15 Chapter 1 (pp. 1-37) Founders of Historical Geology.
  3. 1/17 Principles of Geology (the basis of historical geology).
  4. 1/20 ULM Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  5. 1/22 Geologic time scale.
    1. Geochronologic—time units.
    2. Chronostratigraphic—time-rock units.
  6. 1/24 Radiometric dating.
    1. Types of dating.
    2. Importance in geology.
  7. 1/27 Chapter 2 (pp. 39-63).
    1. Rock Cycle.
    2. Activity on types of rocks.
  8. 1/29 Chapter 3 (pp. 64-111).
    1. Sedimentary environments.
    2. Lithostratigraphic units or rock units.
  9. 1/31
    1. Facies relationships.
    2. Determining the sequence of geologic events (activities).
  10. 2/3 Correlation, unconformities, and paleogeographic maps (Grand Canyon activity).
  11. 2/5 Chapter 4 (pp. 112-155) Fossils & preservation (examples).
  12. 2/7
    1. Fossils as indicators of ancient environments.
    2. Slides of fossils.
    3. Announce Examination #1.
  13. 2/10 Fossils as indicators of evolutionary change.

2/12 EXAMINATION #1 (Chapters 1-3)

  1. 2/14
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Linnaean classification (also pp. A-1 to A-6).
  2. 2/17 Chapter 5 (pp. 156-209) Earth structures (folds, synclines, etc.).
  3. 2/19 Plate Tectonics.
    1. Continental drift.
    2. Continents through time.
  4. 2/21 Chapter 6 (pp. 211-245) Origin of the earth (first 2 billion years: Hadean and Archean events).
  5. 2/24 Early history of the earth (shields, cratons, prokaryotes, eukaryotes).
  6. 2/26 Chapter 7 (pp. 246-271) Precambrian events.
  7. 2/28
    1. The fossil record of the Precambrian.
    2. Announce Examination #2.
  8. 3/3 Mardi Gras Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  9. 3/5 Mardi Gras Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  10. 3/7 Chapter 8 (pp. 272-307) Early Paleozoic Events (history, geography, climate).
  11. 3/10 Cratonic and orogenic activity in the Early Paleozoic.

3/12 EXAMINATION #2 (Chapters 4-7)

  1. 3/14
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Chapter 9 (pp. 308-343) Devonian, Miss., Penn., and Permian.
      1. Paleogeography.
      2. Geologic events.
  2. 3/17
    1. Acadian, Alleghenian, and Ouachita Orogenies.
    2. Gondwanaland/Laurasia.
  3. 3/19
    1. Late Paleozoic climates.
    2. Cyclothems.
    3. Red beds.
    4. Paleogeographies and Pangea.
  4. 3/21 Chapter 10 (pp. 344-389) Life of the Paleozoic—the invertebrates.
  5. 3/24 Life of the Paleozoic—the vertebrates.
  6. 3/26
    1. Paleozoic life (continued).
    2. Extinctions in the Paleozoic.
  7. 3/28 Chapter 11 (pp. 390-425) Mesozoic Era
    1. Break-up of Pangea.
    2. Major events.
  8. 3/31
    1. Paleogeography of the Mesozoic.
    2. Epeiric seas.
    3. Tethy's seaway.
    4. Announce Examination #3.
  9. 4/2 Chapter 12 (pp. 426-469) Life of the Mesozoic (climates, plants, invertebrates).

4/4 EXAMINATION #3 (Chapters 8-10)

  1. 4/7
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Continue on Mesozoic invertebrates and other groups.
  2. 4/9 Mesozoic vertebrates (reptiles, birds, mammals).
  3. 4/11 The Dinosaurs (the good, the bad, and the ugly).
  4. 4/14 The Dinosaurs (film, slides, or activity).
  5. 4/16 Extinctions of the Cretaceous (probable causes, effects, etc.).
  6. 4/18 Easter Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  7. 4/21 Easter Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  8. 4/23 Chapter 13 (pp. 470-513) Cenozoic Era in North America (Tertiary Period).
  9. 4/25 Pleistocene glaciation (chronology, stratigraphy, effects, extinctions).
  10. 4/28
    1. Cenozoic events around the world.
    2. Cenozoic climate.
    3. Cenozoic vertebrates.
  11. 4/30 Cenozoic vertebrates and other Cenozoic fossils (slides, etc.).
  12. 5/2 Chapter 14 (pp. 514-547) Cenozoic life (plants, invertebrates).
  13. 5/5 Chapter 15 (pp. 548-573).
    1. Human origins.
    2. Early man.
  14. 5/7 Review for final examination.

FINAL EXAMINATION Monday, May 12, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

 

 

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