STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Recognize and demonstrate appreciation of the vastness of geological time and illustrate this by example and/or metaphor.

 II.     Recognize and classify the common minerals and rocks by their observable characteristics.

 III.    Locate and identify geologic features using topographic and/or geologic maps.

 IV.     Discuss the origin of intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks and recognize landforms associated with each.

 V.      Demonstrate an understanding of the weathering processes involved in the transition from bedrock to soil and sediment.

 VI.     Discuss the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks and relate them to modern and ancient depositional environments.

 VII.    Demonstrate an understanding of the agents and processes of metamorphism and relate these to the various metamorphic rocks.

 VIII.   Analyze the causes and effects of earthquakes and relate seismology to the structure of the earth.

 IX.     Describe the hydrological cycle and relate this concept to both the surface and subsurface waters.

 X       Discuss the mechanics of Earth`s waters (e.g. running water, waves, tides and currents, groundwater), mass wasting, wind and glacial ice and relate these agents and processes to the origin of landforms.

 XI.     Classify folds, faults, and mountains and discuss their origin.

 XII.    Discuss the basic lines of evidence for continental drift, sea floor spreading, and plate tectonics.

 XIII.   Discuss the characteristics of plate boundaries and heat plumes and their relationships to earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building activities.

 XIV.    Read, analyze and apply written material to new situations.

 XV.     Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays.

 XVI.    Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve problems or compile information.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Introduction to Geology

         A.      Scientific Method

         B.      Early geological application to the scientific method

 II.     Matter and Minerals

         A.      Basic Chemistry

         B.      Physical and Chemical Properties of Minerals

 III.    Igneous Rock

         A.      Intrusive Rocks and Processes

         B.      Extrusive Rocks and Processes

         C.      Generation of Magmas

 IV.     Weathering and Soils

         A.      Physical Weathering

         B.      Chemical Weathering

         C.      Soils

 V.      Sedimentary Rocks

         A.      Detrital

         B.      Chemical and Biochemical

         C.      Interpreting Earth History

 VI.     Metamorphic Rocks

         A.      Foliated and Non-foliated

         B.      Types of Metamorphism

 VII.    Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

         A.      Causes of Earthquakes

         B.      Seismology

         C.      Characteristics of Earth's Interior

 VIII.   Rock Deformation and Mountain Building

         A.      Faulting and Folding

         B.      Orogeny

 IX.     Ground Water

         A.      Hydrologic Cycle

         B.      Porosity, Permeability, and Water Table

         C.      Springs, Artesian and Hydrothermal Systems

         D.      Geological Work of Ground Water Solutions

 X       Mass Wasting

         A.      Types of Down-slope Movement

         B.      Causes of Down-slope Movement

 XI.     Streams

         A.      Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition

         B.      Drainage Patterns and Systems

         C.      Stream and Landscape Evolution

 XII.    Glaciers

         A.      Origin and Classification of Glaciers

         B.      Effects of Glacial Movement

         C.      Glacial Erosional Landforms

         D.      Glacial Depositional Landforms

         E.      Types of Metamorphism

 XIII.   Deserts and Wind Action

         A.      Causes and Locations of Deserts

         B.      Origin of Desert Landforms

         C.      Erosional and Depositional Work of Wind

 XIV.    Oceans and Shorelines

         A.      Waves, Tides, and Currents

         B.      Shoreline Evolution

 XV.     Plate Tectonics

         A.      Continental Drift

         B.      Sea Floor Spreading

         C.      Plate Boundaries

         D.      Mantle Plumes

 XVI.    Natural Resources

         A.      Fossil Fuels

         B.      Ore Minerals

 XVII.   Extra-terrestrial Geology