STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Reconstruct paleo-environments from the analysis of sedimentary rocks and structures.

 2. Describe and discuss the origin of fossils, recognize the major fossil groups, and describe their use as indicators of relative age and ancient environments.

 3. Describe and discuss the theory of evolution and correlate major events in the history of life with the geologic events of the associated eras/periods.

 4. Compare methods of absolute and relative age determinations and relate them to the geologic time scale.

 5. Interpret and correlate geologic events by means of stratigraphic analysis, including the use of geologic maps and stratigraphic sections.

 6. Contrast and compare theories on the origins of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.

 7. Delineate major North American geologic events and relate them to plate tectonics throughout the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras.

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

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

 10. Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to solve

    problems or compile information.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Introduction to Historical Geology

           A.      Scientific Method

           B.      The Concept of Geological Time

           C.      The Dynamic Earth

   II.     Reading Earth History from Sedimentary Rocks

           A.      Modern Sediments and Ancient Sedimentary Rocks

           B.      Modern and Ancient Depositional Environments

   III.    Fossils and Fossilization

           A.      The Importance of Fossils

           B.      Methods of Preservation

           C.      Fossil Identification

   IV.     Evolution

           A.      Faunal and Floral Succession

           B.      Evidence of Evolution

           C.      Theories of Extinctions

   V.      Geological Time

           A.      Relative Age Dating Techniques

           B.      Absolute Age Dating Techniques

           C.      The Geological Time Scale

 

  VI.     The History of Geologic Thought

           A.      The Origin of the Earth

           B.      The Age of the Earth

           C.      The Organization of the Rock Record

   VII.    Stratigraphy

           A.      Sratigraphic Units

           B.      Horizontal and Vertical Relationships

           C.      Principles of Correlation

   VIII.   Origins

           A.      Lithosphere

           B.      Hydrosphere

           C.      Atmosphere

   IX.     Precambrian

           A.      Development of the Continents

           B.      Development of the Atmosphere

           C.      Precambrian Life

   X       Paleozoic

           A.      Plate Tectonics and Earth History

           B.      Paleozoic Life

           C.      Extinctions

   XI.     Mesozoic

           A.      Plate Tectonics and Earth History

           B.      Paleozoic Life

           C.      The Cretaceous Extinctions

   XII.    Cenozoic

           A.      Plate Tectonics and Earth History

           B.      Cenozoic Life

   XIII.   Pleistocene and Holocene

          A.      Evidence for the Ice Age

           B.      History of the Ice Age

           C.      Climatic Change

           D.      Development of homo sapiens