GEOL 102    Historical Geology

Section 01  •  7:30 AM–8:45 AM Monday–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. Romer, A.S. (1966). Vertebrate Paleontology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 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. 5/26 ULM Holiday. No classes at ULM.
  2. 5/27
    1. Discuss course syllabus.
    2. Overview of course.
    3. Chapter 1 (pp. 1-37) Founders of Historical Geology.
  3. 5/28
    1. Principles of Geology (the basis of historical geology).
    2. Discuss course syllabus.
  4. 5/29 Understanding geologic time
    1. Time scale.
    2. Different units.
  5. 5/30 Understanding geologic time
    1. Radiometric dating (handout).
    2. Review of minerals/rocks/rock cycle (handout).
    3. Chapter 2 (pp. 39-63).
  6. 6/2 Chapter 3 (pp. 64-111).
    1. Sedimentary environments.
    2. Lithostratigraphic/rock units.
  7. 6/3
    1. Unconformities, correlation, sequence of geologic events.
    2. Grand Canyon activity.
  8. 6/4 Chapter 4 (pp. 112-155).
    1. Fossils and preservation (handout).
    2. Slides.
    3. Examples.

6/5 EXAMINATION #1 (Chapters 1-3)

  1. 6/6
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Linnaean classification (see also pp. A-1 to A-6).
    3. Begin Chapter 5 (pp. 156-209).
    4. Plate Tectonics (Internet activity).
  2. 6/9 (see appendix in book); begin Chapter 5-plate tectonics
    1. Continue plate tectonics.
    2. Begin Chapter 6 (pp. 211-245).
    3. Origin of the earth (first 2 billion years: Hadean and Archean events).
    4. Early history of the earth (shields, cratons, prokaryotes, eukaryotes).
  3. 6/10 Chapter 7 (pp. 246-271) Precambrian events (Internet activity).
  4. 6/11 Chapter 8 (pp. 272-307) Early Paleozoic events (Cambrian-Silurian)

6/12 EXAMINATION #2 (Chapters 4-7)

  1. 6/13
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Complete early Paleozoic.
  2. 6/16 Chapter 9 (pp. 308-343) Late Paleozoic events (Devonian, Miss., Penn., and Permian).
  3. 6/17 Chapter 10 (pp. 344-389) Life of the Paleozoic—the invertebrates.
  4. 6/18 Complete life of the Paleozoic—the vertebrates.
  5. 6/19 Chapter 11 (pp. 390-425) Mesozoic Era (major events).
  6. 6/20 Chapter 12 (pp. 426-469) Life of the Mesozoic (climates, plants, invertebrates).

6/23 EXAMINATION #3 (Chapters 8-10)

  1. 6/24
    1. Return examinations and discuss.
    2. Continue discussion of Mesozic.
  2. 6/25 Chapter 13 (pp. 470-513) Major Cenozoic Era events.
  3. 6/26 Chapter 14 (pp. 514-547) Cenozoic life (plants, invertebrates).
  4. 6/27
    1. Complete Cenozoic.
    2. Review for final examination.

FINAL EXAMINATION Monday, June 30, 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM

 

 

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