MASTER SYLLABUS

2020-2021

A.	Academic Division: Liberal Arts

B.	Discipline: Physical Science

C.	Course Number and Title: GEOL1030 Historical Geology

D.	Course Coordinator: Dustin Bates

Assistant Dean: Dr. Steve Haynes

Instructor Information:

Name:	Click here to enter text.

Office Location:	Click here to enter text.

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Phone Number:	Click here to enter text.

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E.	Credit Hours: 4

Lecture: 3 hours

Laboratory: 2 hours

F.	Prerequisites: None

G.	Syllabus Effective Date: Fall, 2020

H.	Textbook(s) Title:

Visualizing Earth History

Author: Loren Babcock

Publisher: Wiley

Copyright Year: 2009

Edition: 1st

ISBN #: 9780471724902

Workbook(s) and/or Lab Manual:

Historical Geology Lab Manual

Author: Pamela J.W. Gore

Copyright Year: 2014

Edition: 1st

ISBN #: 9781118057520

J.	Course Description: Historical Geology is an introductory course describing the fundamental concepts of Geology for Non-Science majors. It contains 12 individual lessons grouped in 3 modules. Module I – Fundamental Concepts explains the basic concepts of historical geology including, earth materials and geologic time. Module II – The Evolution of the Earth and Life through Time follows the evolutionary processes of both the solid Earth and biology through time. Module III – A Closer Look into the Major Time Periods is an in depth look into each of the 5 major time periods with the focus on the biologic evolution.

K.	College-Wide Learning Outcomes

College-Wide Learning Outcomes	Assessments - - How it is met & When it is met
Communication – Written
Communication – Speech
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
Critical Thinking
Information Literacy
Quantitative Literacy

L.	Course Outcomes and Assessment Methods:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student shall:

Outcomes	Assessments – How it is met & When it is met
1. Explain the process of the scientific method. Describe and summarize the fundamental geologic theories of plate tectonics and biologic evolution. Identify and explain the major geologic processes operating on Earth.	Module I – 1 to 2 assignments, chapter review questions, and Lab 1 assignment. This will be met during week 1 and also on exam 1 at the end of week 4.
2. Describe, define, and explain the materials on Earth including, rocks, minerals, and crystals. Explain the 3 rock types and summarize the rock cycle.	Module I – 2 homework assignment worksheets, chapter review questions, and Lab 2 – Rocks and Minerals assignment. This will be met during weeks 2 and 3 and also on exam 1 at the end of week 4.
3. Identify the various techniques of stratigraphic correlation and distinguish between the 3 types of unconformities. Summarize the geologic time scale and the divisions of time.	Module I – 1 homework assignment, chapter review questions, and lab1. This will be met during weeks 3 and 4 and also on exam 1 at the end of week 4.
4. Describe how living things are classified and differentiate between a biological species and a paleontological species. Explain the factors governing the distribution and abundance of life forms.	Module II – 1 homework assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 8 through 12. This will be met during weeks 5 and 6 and also on exam 2 at the end of week 10.
5. Explain biologic evolution and summarize the evidence we use to explain it. Describe the structure of genetic material. Explain speciation and how species evolve. Explain the role of mass extinctions in construction of the geologic time scale.	Module II – 1 homework assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 8 through 12. This will be met during weeks 6 and 7 and also on exam 2 at the end of week 10.
6. Explain the types of geologic evidence that can be used to interpret ancient sedimentary environments. Explain the major features of modern nonmarine, transitional marine/nonmarine, and marine environments. Describe how greenhouse gases cause increases in global temperature.	Module II – 1 homework assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 3 through 7. This will be met during weeks 7 and 8 and also on exam 2 at the end of week 10.
7. Explain continental drift and seafloor spreading, the two hypotheses that gave rise to the theory of plate tectonics. Summarize the basic forms of tectonic boundaries. Explain fault patterns at each of the boundaries.	Module II – 1 homework assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 3 through 7. This will be met during weeks 9 and 10 and also on exam 2 at the end of week 10.
8. Explain the major geologic and biologic events of the Precambrian. Explain how we determine the age of the Earth and summarize the early Earth. Explain the origins of the oceans and atmosphere. Summarize the record of the earliest fossils.	Module III – 1 assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 8 and 9. This will be met during week 11 and also on exam 3 at the end of week 16.
9. Summarize how supercontinents were assembled and dispersed during the Proterozoic. Explain redbeds and what they tell us about atmospheric oxygen levels. Explain the snowball Earth hypothesis. Outline the most important steps in the history of life on Earth.	Module III – 1 assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 9 and 10. This will be met during week 12 and also on exam 3 at the end of week 16.
10. Summarize early Paleozoic paleogeography and tectonic events. Discuss the major biologic events of the Silurian and Devonian time periods. Explain the invasion of land by plants and animals. Discuss the assembly of Pangea and its effect on global climactic patterns.	Module III – 1 assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 10 and 11. This will be met during weeks 13 and 14 and also on exam 3 at the end of week 16.
11. Identify the major marine life forms of the Triassic and the terrestrial animals that evolved. Explain the early stages of the splitting and rifting of Pangea. Distinguish the major groups of dinosaurs. Explain the origin of flowering plants.	Module III – 1 assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 11 and 12. This will be met during weeks 14 and 15 and also on exam 3 at the end of week 16.
12. Describe and explain the growth of the Atlantic Ocean and the development of modern day mountains and seas. Identify the factors that forced rapid climate and sea level change in the Cenozoic. Describe ecosystem change of the Paleogene. Explain the evolution of humans and their close relatives.	Module III – 1 assignment, chapter review questions, and labs 11 and 12. This will be met during weeks 15 and 16 and also on exam 3 at the end of week 16.

M.	Topical Timeline (Subject to Change):

Module I: Fundamental Concepts

Weeks 1 through 4

Lesson 1: Introduction to Earth System History

Lesson 2: Earth materials and Features

Lesson 3: Geologic Time

Module II: The Evolution of Earth and Life through Time

Weeks 5 through 10

Lesson 4: Life on Earth and Its Fossil Record

Lesson 5: Biologic Evolution

Lesson 6: Interpreting Sedimentary Environments and Global Change

Lesson 7: Plate Tectonics in Earth History

Module III: History of the Earth and Biology through the Time Periods

Weeks 11 through 15

Lesson 8: Archean World

Lesson 9: Proterozoic World

Lesson 10: Paleozoic World

Lesson 11: Mesozoic World

Lesson 12: Cenozoic World

Laboratory Activities:

Relative Dating

Rock and Minerals

Rock Weathering and the Interpretation of Sediments

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary Structures

Interpreting Depositional Sedimentary Environments

Stratigraphy and Correlation

Fossils on the Internet

Microfossils and Introduction to the Tree of Life

Invertebrate macrofossils and Classification of Organisms

Fossil Preservation and Trace Fossils

Evolution of the Vertebrates

N.	Course Assignments:

The following are the course assignments and their contribution to the student’s final course grade:

Laboratory exercises (25% of final grade)

Assignments (30% of final grade)

Exam 1 (15% of final grade)

Exam 2 (15% of final grade)

Final Exam 3 (15% of final grade)

O.	Recommended Grading Scale:

NUMERIC	GRADE	POINTS	DEFINITION
93–100	A	4.00	Superior
90–92	A-	3.67	Superior
87–89	B+	3.33	Above Average
83–86	B	3.00	Above Average
80–82	B-	2.67	Above Average
77–79	C+	2.33	Average
73–76	C	2.00	Average
70-72	C-	1.67	Below Average
67–69	D+	1.33	Below Average
63-66	D	1.00	Below Average
60-62	D-	0.67	Poor
00--59	F	0.00	Failure

P.	Grading and Testing Guidelines:

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Q.	Examination Policy:

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R.	Class Attendance and Homework Make-Up Policy:

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S.	Classroom Expectations:

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T.	College Procedures/Policies:

Important information regarding College Procedures and Policies can be found on the syllabus supplement located at

http://catalog.ncstatecollege.edu/mime/download.pdf?catoid=5&ftype=2&foid=3