Central Michigan University
College of Science and Technology
Course Syllabus
GEL 201: Earth History
3 (2-2)
I. Bulletin Description
Earth’s history as revealed in the rock record. Geologic processes and concepts are
applied to the evolution of North America and life through geologic time.
II. Prerequisites
One of: GEL 100, GEL 101, GEL 105, or GEL 130
III. Rationale for Course Level
Expectations of students somewhat higher than for an introductory course. This course
has an introductory-level course as a prerequisite.
IV. Textbooks and Other Materials to be Furnished by the Student
Historical Geology: Evolution of the Earth and Life Through Time, Third Edition, by
R. Wicander and J.S. Monroe, 2000
V Special Requirements of the Course
None
VI. General Methodology used in Conducting the Course
Lectures, slides, videos, class discussions, lab exercises, homework assignments
VII. Course Objectives
When students have completed this course, they will be able to:
1) identify common rocks, fossils, and sedimentary structures and, from them, make
interpretations about past environments, life, climate, major geological processes on
the earth, and when they occurred
2) discuss the geological time scale and know the major divisions of geologic time and
their ages
3) describe the major events that happened on the earth throughout geologic time,
including major events in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere
4) interpret the age of a rock when given radiometric isotope data
5) interpret the sequence of geologic events of a cross-section of rocks by using relative
dating principles
6) explain the theory of evolution and evidence for it
7) develop interpretations about past plate tectonics based upon rock types and geologic
structures
8) construct paleogeographic maps when given lithologic, fossil, geologic structure, and
age data
9) evaluate historical geological data to make decisions about real-life issues, such as:
- site selection for power plants, radioactive waste storage, etc.
- predict localities of mineral resources, etc. based upon correlation
VIII. Course outline
Geologic time - includes fundamental geologic principles, relative
and absolute geologic time, and the geologic time scale
(3 weeks)
Ancient depositional environments
(1 week)
Evolution
(2 weeks)
Plate tectonics
(2 weeks)
Precambrian geologic and biologic history - includes evolution of oceans and
atmosphere, origin of life, and Precambrian life and plate tectonics
(1 week)
Geology of the Paleozoic Era -a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and
environments of the Paleozoic Era; includes a special emphasis on
the Paleozoic of Michigan and North America
(2 weeks)
Geology of the Mesozoic Era - a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and
environments of the Mesozoic Era; includes a special emphasis on
the Mesozoic of North America
(2 weeks)
Geology of the Cenozoic Era - a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and
environments of the Cenozoic Era; includes theories on human evolution;
includes a special emphasis on the Cenozoic of Michigan and North
America
(2 weeks)
IX. Evaluation
3 - 5 homework assignments, worth a total of 9% of course grade
3 lecture exams, each worth 11% of the course grade (33% total)
3 lab exams, each worth 11% of the course grade (33% total)
1 comprehensive final exam, worth 25% of the course grade
X. Bibliography
The Earth Through Time, Fourth Edition, by H.L. Levin, Saunders College Publishing,
1993
Earth System History, by S.M. Stanley, Freeman and Company, 1999
New Views on an Old Planet: A History of Global Change, by T.H. Van Andel,
Cambridge University Press, 1994
Current Perspectives in Geology: 2000 Edition, ed. by M.L. McKinney, K.M. McHugh,
and S.P. Meadows, Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning, 2000
Interpreting Earth History: A Manual in Historical Geology, Fifth Edition, by M.S.
Petersen and J.K. Rigby, William C. Brown and Company, 1994
Evolution!: Facts and Fantasies, ed. by J.W. Schopf, Academic Press, San Diego, 1999
Laboratory Studies in Earth History, Seventh Edition, by J.C. Brice, H.L. Levin, and
M.S. Smith, McGraw Hill, Boston, 2001
Geology of Michigan, by J.A.Dorr, Jr. and D.F. Eschman, The University of Michigan
Press, Ann Arbor, 1970
Paleogeographic maps homepage by Dr. Christopher Scotese, 2001
http://www.scotese.com
Plate Tectonics CD-ROM, by Dr. Kent Condie, Terra Graphics, Inc., 1998
Syllabus prepared by:
Kathleen Counter Benison______
name
____________________________
signature
15th April, 2003 ___________
date