GS 106 General Science: Earth Science

Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 4

Introduces various branches of the earth sciences. Includes basic terminology, fundamental processes, and respective interrelations.

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 (or higher), or completion of WR 090 (or higher) with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Distinguish between the three main types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic).
Describe the different kinds of volcanoes and how they form.
Describe the formation landforms in the context of Plate Tectonics.
Identify and describe the external and internal earth processes of the earth’s dynamics.
Identify the hazards associated with earth processes, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, rivers, and weather.
Explain the nature of the earth’s weather phenomena.
Describe the formation of the universe, stars, our solar system, and earth.

Statewide General Education Outcomes:

Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions.
Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner; and
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Content Outline
Text: Hewitt, Suchocki, Hewitt, Conceptual Physical Science, Harper Collins College Publishers, 5th edition (ISBN 9780321516954)

Rocks and Minerals
- Minerals
  - Identify the physical properties of various minerals
  - Identify the most common rock-forming
- Rocks
  - Igneous rocks
    - Distinguish between various lava types
    - Explain volcanic processes
  - Sedimentary rocks
    - Clastic
    - Nonclastic (chemical)
    - Biochemical
  - Metamorphic rocks
- Describe the rock cycle
The Dynamic Earth
- Plate tectonics
  - Describe the internal structure of the earth
  - Explain the evidence for the theory of plate tectonics
  - Describe the different types of plate boundaries
    - Divergent
    - Transform
    - Convergent
  - Hot Spots
- Earthquakes
  - Summarize elastic rebound theory
  - Describe the different types of seismic waves
  - Explain how the magnitude and intensity of earthquakes are measured
  - Hypothesize the hazardous effects of building in earthquake zones
  - Describe the ways in which earthquakes are predicted
- Structural Geology
  - Folds
  - Faults
Water
- Hydrologic cycle
- Groundwater
  - Define the water table
  - Describe the various types of aquifers
  - Recognize the various hazards associated with groundwater
  - Describe how caves are formed
- Surface water
  - River dynamics
  - River types
    - Meandering
    - Braided
  - Drainage patterns
  - Assess the environmental impact of human-constructed dams
- Glaciers
  - Describe how glaciers form
  - Describe how glacier dynamics
  - Distinguish between the different types of glaciers
  - Explain the process of glacial erosion
  - Glacial deposition
  - Ice Ages
History of the Earth
- Relative geologic time
  - Stratigraphic principles
- Absolute geologic time
  - Radiometric dating
    - Compute the ages of rocks using radiometric dating techniques
The Atmosphere and Weather
- Vertical structure of the atmosphere
- Solar energy and causes of seasons
- Global circulation patterns
- Weather
  - Atmospheric moisture
  - Atmospheric stability
  - Clouds
  - Violent weather
  - Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various models of weather forecasting
Stars and Solar System
- Explain the evidence for the Big Bang theory
- Stars
  - Formation, life, and death of stars
  - Black holes
  - Galaxies
- Formation of the Solar System
  - The sun
  - The planets
  - The moon
    - Phases of the moon
    - Eclipses