|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
Study Tips: Class attendance is essential to success in this course. Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing the facts and numbers. Use the online resources, quizzes and other materials provided by the textbook manufacturer. Handouts may be provided throughout the semester and need to be kept for class reference.
Course Objectives: This course is an introduction to the subject of physical geology. It provide students with the necessary knowledge about earth's internal and external processes and how they are applicable to daily lives. Important goals include demonstrating the relationship geologic processes, approaches used by geologists in studying the earth, and the impact of geologic processes on the society. Students will acquaint themselves with current scientific principles and methods used in geology.
Major topics:
Course Contents and Schedule. Summer 2009
|
Week |
Chapters |
Topics |
|
Week 1 June 02
|
Chapters 1,3 |
What is Geology? An overview of Physical Geology Scientific Method. Review of basic Chemistry. Silicate structures. Minerals: physical properties and identification. |
|
Week 2 June 09
|
Chapters 4,5 |
Introduction to Rocks and Rock Cycle. Igneous Rocks: Intrusive rocks. Lava and magma. Volcanism and extrusive rocks |
|
Week 3 June 16
|
Chapters 6,7 |
Weathering and Erosion: Chemical and physical processes Soil types and classification. Sediment transport. Sedimentary rocks. |
|
Week 4 June 23 |
Chapters 8,9,15 |
Metamorphism. Metamorphic rocks. Relative and absolute age. Geologic Time Scale. Landslides. |
|
Week 5 June 30 |
Midterm exam June 30 Chapters 16,17 |
Running water: Erosion and transportation Floods. Groundwater: Movement, and Contamination
|
|
Week 6 July 07 |
Chapters 18,19 |
Glaciers and glaciation, Glacial landforms. Deserts: Formation and characteristics Wind erosion and transportation.
|
|
Week 7 July 14 |
Chapters 10,20 |
Shorelines. Geologic structures: folds, faults and joints. |
|
Week 8 July 21 |
Chapters 11,12 |
Earthquakes: Seismic waves. Cause and Effect. Earthquakes: Prediction, Mitigation and Control. Earth’s Interior. Physical properties of the Earth |
|
Week 9 July 28 |
Chapter 2 Final exam |
Plate tectonics: Continental Drift. Sea-Floor Spreading. |
*This schedule is tentative and is subject to later modifications.
