Syllabus: GEOL 1024 - Historical Geology - Honors
Spring 2014 (142)
GEOL 1024-101
Historical Geology – Honors
Call Number: 23420
Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday from10:00 to11:20 AM in room MC 523
Lab:
Thursday from 12:00 Noon to 2:50 PM in room MC 523
Professor: Claude E. Bolze
Tulsa Community College
909 S. Boston Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
Cubicle No.: MC 527
Phone No.: 918-595-7246
E-mail: claude.bolze@tulsacc.edu
Cubicle Hours: Monday thru Thursday from 7:30 to 10:00 AM
Science and Mathematics Division
Associate Dean: Dr. Connie Hebert
Office No.: MC 620 and Phone No.: 918-595-7334
Course Prerequisite: None
Textbooks:
Textbook: Historical Geology: Evolution of Earth and Life Through Time, 2013, 7th ed., by Reed
Wicander and James S. Monroe, published by Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA,
ISBN-13: 987-1-111-98729-9 or ISBN-10: 1-111-98729-7
Note – The 6th, 5th, or 4th editions of the text will also work for this course. However, any page
numbers or figures will be referenced from the 7th edition.
Laboratory Manual: Historical Geology: Interpretations & Applications, 6th ed., 2005, by Jon M.
Poort & Roseann J. Carlson, published by Prentice-Hall, ISBN 0-13-144786-6
Catalog Description:
Study of earth materials and processes within a time perspective. For science and non-science majors.
Utilizes fossils, geologic maps, and field studies to interpret geological history.
Lecture 3 hours. Laboratory or field studies 3 hours.
02/06/16
1
Course Objectives:
Historical Geology is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Students develop the ability to relate rock types, sequences, structures, and fossil to geologic history.
2. Students develop an ability to interpret geologic history from geologic maps.
3. Students are knowledgeable about the major phyla of life represented in the fossil record.
4. Students know the basic principles of fossilization and stratigraphy.
5. Students are knowledgeable about relative and absolute geologic time.
6. Students develop a working vocabulary of geologic terms.
Teaching Methods:
Historical Geology is a lecture and lab course. Lectures will generally follow the textbook plan,
although chapter sequences may be rearranged. Students are expected to read textbook topics before
they are presented in lecture. Students are required to read all assigned textbook chapters.
The laboratory experience is a fundamental part of the course. In lab, students gain hands-on
experience with rocks and minerals, fossils, cross-sections, and geologic maps. The lab is designed to
show in a realistic manner the principles being discussed in lecture. The lab is used to reinforce the
lecture material and to demonstrate how it can be practically applied. Most lab periods will begin
with instruction, and then students will work through exercises at their own pace. Lab exercises, while
graded, are not tests; therefore, students are encouraged to work together and ask as many questions as
necessary to understand the concepts presented. An understanding of lab exercises will be tested on
lecture exams.
Audio-visual aids will be used to supplement the lectures and laboratory activities.
Evaluation Techniques:
Exams:
There will be four (4) exams. The final will not be comprehensive. The exams will be mostly multiple
choice questions with some matching and essay questions. The exams will stress a working
knowledge of concepts and processes. The exams will include lecture, laboratory, and text material.
These exams will comprise 50% of the final grade.
Homework:
There will be four (4) homework assignments. The homework questions will come from the lectures
and textbook. The homework can be handwritten on notepaper or typed. Each homework assignment
will be due the day of an exam. All the homework assignments will be averaged and this average will
comprise 20% of the final grade.
Labs:
Laboratory assignments will be worth 10 points each and are to be handed in at the end of each
laboratory. The lab grade will comprise 30% of the final grade. Some labs will involve lab group
participation. 3 points will be deduced from the lab grade of students that leave lab class before all
groups have made presentations.
02/06/16
2
Attendance Policy: Past experience has shown that regular and prompt attendance is vitally
important for successful completion of this course. Those students who decide not to complete the
course must withdraw themselves from the course. Failure to complete work does not constitute a
withdrawal from Tulsa Community College and those students will receive a grade based upon the
points earned at the end of the semester.
Course Withdrawal: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration
of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course
('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines.
Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,”
which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
Communications:
Email communications: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex:
sandy.rock@mail.tulsacc.edu). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will
be sent to your MyTCC email address; and you must use MyTCC email to send email to, and receive
email from, the instructor regarding this course.
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations
arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also
posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
General Education Goals: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain
skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a
backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking,
Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
Classroom Etiquette: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs,
and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is
essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other.
Syllabus Changes: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be
notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
Students with Disabilities: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may contact the
disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
Institutional Statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester
information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website:
www.tulsacc.edu
02/06/16
3
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others
about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not
condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community
College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty.
Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of
disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member
may:
 Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a
substitute assignment or test;
 Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
 Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively
withdraw the student from the class;
 Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by
submitting such request to the Dean of Student Services.
Electronic Devices: All electronic devices must be turned off and stowed during class. This
includes TVs, radios, lap tops, cell phones, blackberries, teaberries, etc. Unauthorized use of any
electronic device will be punished by the device encountering a sharp blow from a geopick.
02/06/16
4
How to Calculate Historical Geology Grade
Grade Scale
Grade Distribution
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
Exams
Homework
Lab Exercises
=A
=B
=C
=D
= 50%
= 20%
= 30%
Your Exam Points x 0.50 = Exam Points
Possible Points
Your Homework Points x 0.20 = Homework Points
Possible Points
Your Lab Points
Possible Points
x
0.30 = Lab Points
Extra Credit is added to only Your Points and is not added to the Possible Points.
Grade = (Exam Points + Homework Points + Lab Points) x 100
Late Assignments and Make-up Test Policy:
Exams:
Exams may be made-up at the instructor's convenience. Make-up exams will be more rigorous.
Homework:
Homework will be accepted late, however, 2 points will be deducted from the grade for each class
meeting the homework is late.
Labs:
There will be no make-up for labs involving the use of lab equipment. However, a take home lab
worth half credit can be arranged at the student's request. Labs not involving the use of lab equipment
will be accepted late, however, 2 point will be deducted from the grade for each class meeting the
assignment is late. A maximum of 5 labs can be make-ups.
Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade: Friday, April 11.
02/06/16
5
Tentative Schedule - Lecture
January 14 – February 6:
Concepts of Historical Geology and Plate Tectonics.
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
February 11 – Homework #1 due and Exam #1.
February 13 - March 11:
Earth's Beginnings, Fossils and Fossilization.
Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9.
March 13 – Homework #2 due and Exam #2.
March 25 - April 10:
Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleozoic and Mesozoic Geology.
Chapters 12, 10, 11, 14.
April 15 – Homework #3 due and Exam #3.
April 17 – May 1:
Cenozoic Geology and Life, Plant and Vertebrate Paleontology.
Chapters 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
May 6 – Homework #4 due and Exam 4.
January 20: No Class - Martin Luther King Day.
March 17 - March 23: No Class - Spring Break.
Tentative Schedule - Laboratory
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
12
13
14
15
16
Date
January 16
January 23
January 30
February 6
February 13
February 20
February 27
March 6
March 13
March 27
April 3
April 10
April 17
April 24
May 1
Laboratory
Time and Ordering of Geologic Events
Rocks and Minerals
Sedimentary Structures
Plate Tectonics
Geologic Maps
Physical Stratigraphy
Fossils and Fossilization
Fossils and Age Determination
Tulsa Geoscience Center
Invertebrate Paleontology
Geologic Maps
Applied Problems in Geology
Fossil Collecting
Applied Problems in Geology
Downtown Geology
Note: This Syllabus and Schedule are subject to change. Students will receive in writing any changes
to this Syllabus and Schedule.
02/06/16
6
Historical Geology Schedule
Spring 2014 (142)
Tues 1/14 Syllabus.
Introduction to Historical Geology.
Chapter 1 – pp. 1-16.
Geological History of the Mediterranean Sea.
1
Thur 1/16 Geologic Time.
Chapter 4 – pp. 62-80 and Chapter 5 – pp. 81–89, 100-103.
Lab: Time and Ordering of Geologic Events.
Tues 1/21 Minerals.
Chapter 2 – pp. 17–22 and Appendix C – pp. 417-419.
2
Thur 1/23 Rocks.
Chapter 2 – pp. 22-35 and Lab Manual – pp. 1-7.
Lab: Rocks and Minerals.
Tues 1/28 Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
Chapter 6 – pp. 104-120 and Lab Manual pp. 1-37.
3
Thur 1/30 Interpretation of Sedimentary Rocks.
Chapter 6 - pp. 120-125 and Chapter 5 – pp. 81-103.
Lab: Sedimentary Rocks and Sedimentary Structures
Tues 2/4
Earthquakes and Earth’s Interior
Chapter 1 – pp. 10-12.
Thur 2/6
Plate Tectonics.
Chapter 3 - pp. 36-61.
Lab: Plate Tectonics
4
Tues 2/11 Homework #1 due and Exam #1 - Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Concepts of Historical Geology and Plate Tectonics.
5
Thur 2/13 Origins - Universe, Solar System, Earth, Atmosphere, and Ocean.
Chapter 1 - pp. 4-11 and Chapter 8 – pp. 159-161.
Lab: Geologic Maps
Tues 2/18 The Moon and Meteorites.
6
Thur 2/20 Geology of the Archean Eon
Chapter 8 - pp. 149-159, 164-167.
Lab: Physical Stratigraphy
02/06/16
7
Tues 2/25 Geology of the Proterozoic Eon.
Chapter 9 - pp. 168-181, 187-189.
7
Thur 2/27 Paleontology, Taxonomy, Fossils, Fossilization.
Chapter 5 - pp. 89-93 and Appendix B – pp. 412-416.
Lab: Fossils and Fossilization.
Tues 3/4
Life during the Precambrian.
Chapter 8 - pp. 161-164, and Chapter 9 – pp. 181-187.
Thur 3/6
Paleoecology.
Chapter 5 - pp. 81-89, 93-103.
Lab: Fossils and Age Determination.
Tues 3/11 Evolution.
Chapter 7 – pp. 126-148.
8
9
Thur 3/13 Homework #2 due and Exam #2 - Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9.
Earth's Beginnings, Fossils and Fossilization.
Lab: Tulsa Geoscience Center Field Trip.
March 17 - March 23: No Class - Spring Break.
10
Tues 3/25 Invertebrate Life during the Paleozoic Era.
Chapter 12 - pp. 233-252.
11
Thur 3/27 Invertebrate Paleontology.
Chapter 15 – pp. 299-300 and Chapter 18 – pp. 367-368.
Lab: Invertebrate Paleontology.
Tues 4/1
Geology of the Early Paleozoic Era.
Chapter 10 - pp. 190-209.
Thur 4/3
Geology of the Late Paleozoic Era.
Chapter 11 - pp. 210-232.
Lab: Geologic Maps
Tues 4/8
Geology of the Mesozoic Era.
Chapter 14 - pp. 274-296.
12
13
Thur 4/10 Geology of the Mesozoic Era
Chapter 14 - pp. 274-296.
Lab: Applied Problems in Geology
Tues 4/15 Homework #3 due and Exam #3 - Chapters 12, 10, 11, 14.
Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleozoic and Mesozoic Geology.
02/06/16
8
14
Thur 4/17 Geology of the Cenozoic Era.
Chapter 16 - pp. 320-343.
Lab: Fossil Collecting
Tues 4/22 Pleistocene Glaciation.
Chapter 17 - pp. 344-364.
15
Thur 4/24 Plants and Insects.
pp. 252, 264-271, 273, 301-303, 319, 368-369.
Lab: Applied Problems in Geology
Tues 4/29 Vertebrates, Dinosaurs, Mammals.
pp. 252, 254-264, 273, 303-319, 369-387.
16
Thur 5/1
Primate and Human Evolution.
Chapter 19 - pp. 388-402.
Lab: Downtown Geology Field Trip.
Tues 5/6
Homework #4 due and Exam 4 Chapters 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.
Cenozoic Geology and Life, Plant and Vertebrate Paleontology.
How to Calculate Historical Geology Grade
Grade Scale
Grade Distribution
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
Exams
Homework
Lab Exercises
=A
=B
=C
=D
= 50%
= 20%
= 30%
Your Exam Points x 0.50 = Exam Points
Possible Points
Your Homework Points x 0.20 = Homework Points
Possible Points
Your Lab Points
Possible Points
x
0.30 = Lab Points
Extra Credit is added to only Your Points and is not added to the Possible Points.
Grade = (Exam Points + Homework Points + Lab Points) x 100
02/06/16
9
17
Historical Geology Homework Assignments
Each question is worth 2 points.
Due February 11 for Exam 1. Concepts of Historical Geology and Plate Tectonics.
Chapter 2 – Minerals and Rocks.
1. What are the two groups of silicate minerals, and how do they differ from one another?
2. How do plutonic rocks differ from volcanic rocks? Give one example of each.
3. Compare regional and contact metamorphism.
Give an example of a rock that forms under each condition.
Chapter 4 – Geologic Time: Concepts and Principles. Chapter 5 – Rocks, Fossils and Time.
4. Describe the principle of uniformitarianism according to Hutton and Lyell.
What is the significance of this principle?
5. If you wanted to calculate the absolute age of an intrusive body, what information would you need?
6. Why cannot sedimentary rocks be dated radiometrically?
7. Define the principles of superposition, cross-cutting relationships, and faunal succession.
Chapter 6 – Sedimentary Rocks.
8. Describe the sedimentary properties of rounding and sorting. To illustrate these properties describe
the rounding and sorting found in a glacial deposit (moraine) and a wind deposit (sand dunes).
9. Why are sets of cross-beds dipping in opposite directions found on tidal flats?
10. What are the similarities and differences between wave-formed ripple marks and current ripple
marks?
11. Under what conditions are evaporites deposited? Name two (2) evaporite rocks?
Chapter 3 – Earthquake and Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory.
12. What are the names of the intensity and magnitude earthquake scales?
What does intensity measure and what does magnitude measure?
13. Why was the continental drift hypothesis proposed by Wegener, rejected by so many geologists
for so long?
14. Explain why such natural disasters as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are associated with
divergent and convergent plate boundaries.
15. Plate tectonics theory builds on the continental drift hypothesis and the theory of seafloor
spreading. As such, it is a unifying theory of geology. Explain why the plate tectonics theory is a
unifying theory of geology.
02/06/16
10
Extra Credit (2 points each).
Chapter 1 – The dynamic and Evolving Earth.
16. Explain how the principle of uniformitarianism allows for catastrophic events.
Chapter 3 - Plate Tectonics.
17. In addition to the volcanic eruptions and earthquakes associated with convergent and divergent
plate boundaries, why are these boundaries also important to the formation and accumulation of
various metallic ore deposits?
Chapter 5 – Rocks, Fossils and Time.
18. While visiting one of our national parks, you observe the following sequence of rocks: marine
fossil-bearing limestone, shale, and sandstone, all inclined at 50 degrees. Lying over these rocks
is a horizontal layer of mudstone baked by basalt overlying it. Finally, at the top of the sequence
is a sandstone with inclusions of basalt. Decipher the geologic history of this area.
Due March 13 for Exam 2. Earth Beginnings. Fossils and Fossilization.
Chapter 1 – The Dynamic and Evolving Earth.
1. Discuss how the four (4) major layers of Earth (continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, core) differ
from each other.
Describe each layer’s (a) composition, (b) density, (c) thickness, and (d) percent (%) volume of
Earth.
2. What two fundamental phenomena indicate that the Big Bang occurred?
3. If the oldest terrestrial rocks are 3.96 billion years old, why do geologists think Earth is 4.6 billion
years old?
Chapter 8 – Precambrian History: The Archean Eon.
4. Describe the two (2) processes responsible for adding free oxygen to Earth’s early atmosphere?
Which one was the most important?
5. Where is the Precambrian North American craton exposed other than in the Canadian Shield?
How do you account for its presence in these areas?
6. Why is it so difficult to apply the principle of superposition and to determine time-stratigraphic
relationships among Archean rocks?
Chapter 9 – Precambrian History: The Proterozoic Eon.
7. Where is the Midcontinent rift, how did it form, and what kinds of rocks are found in it?
8. How do banded iron formations and continental red beds provide evidence about changes in
Earth’s Proterozoic atmosphere?
9. You encounter an outcrop of what appears to be tillite. What kinds of evidence would be useful for
concluding that this material was deposited by glaciers?
Fossils and Fossilization.
10. Describe the ideal conditions for preserving an organism as a fossil.
11. Explain the meaning of body fossils and trace fossils, give an example of each.
12. We know that fossil collecting can be fun, discuss at least three other reasons for collecting and
studying fossils.
02/06/16
11
Chapter 7 - Evolution.
13. Does natural selection really mean that only the biggest, strongest, and fastest will survive?
Explain.
14. What criteria are important in defining a vestigial structure? Give some examples.
15. What kinds of evidence should we find in the fossil record if the theory of evolution is correct?
Extra Credit (2 points each).
Chapter 7 – Evolution.
16. What are the concepts of phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium?
Chapter 8 – The Archean Eon.
17. Some of the rocks in greenstone belts are described as greywacke and argillite.
What are these rocks and how were they likely deposited?
Chapter 9 – The Proterozoic Eon.
18. How did the style of crustal evolution for the Archean and Proterozoic differ?
Due April 15 for Exam 3. Invertebrate Paleontology, Paleozoic and Mesozoic Geology.
Chapter 12 - Life of the Paleozoic Era: Invertebrates.
1. What are the advantages to invertebrates for producing a shell?
2. What are the major differences between the Cambrian marine community and the Ordovician
marine community?
3. Discuss some of the possible causes for the Permian mass extinction.
Chapter 10 – Geology of the Early Paleozoic Era.
4. What are some methods geologists use to determine the paleography of the Paleozoic Era?
5. Discuss how the Cambrian rocks of the Grand Canyon illustrate the sedimentation patterns of a
transgressive sea.
6. Discuss how the evaporites of the Michigan Basin formed during the Silurian Period.
7. What evidence in the geologic record indicates that the Taconic orogeny occurred?
Chapter 11 – Geology of the Late Paleozoic Era.
8. What is the environment of deposition of the Late Devonian – Early Mississippian black shales?
9. What are cyclothems? Discuss the geologic processes that cause cyclothems.
10. How are the Caledonian, Acadian, Ouachita, Hercynian and Alleghenian orogenies related to
modern concepts of plate tectonics?
11. How does the origin of evaporate deposits of the Kaskaskia Sequence (Devonian) compare with
the origin of evaporites of the Tippecanoe Sequence (Silurian)?
Chapter 14 – Geology of the Mesozoic Era.
12. Why are Mesozoic-age coals mostly lignite and bituminous, whereas Paleozoic-age coals tend to
be high-grade bituminous and anthracite?
13. How did the Mesozoic rifting that took place on the East Coast of North America affect the
tectonic in the Cordilleran mobile belt?
14. Compare the tectonic setting and depositional environment of the Gulf of Mexico evaporites with
the evaporite sequences of the Paleozoic Era.
15 . Explain how increased seafloor spreading can cause a rise in sea level along the continental
margins.
02/06/16
12
Extra Credit (2 points each).
Chapter 10 – Geology of the Early Paleozoic Era.
16. What evidence indicates that the Iapetus Ocean began closing during the Middle Ordovician?
Chapter 11 – Geology of the Late Paleozoic Era.
17. From a plate tectonic perspective, how does the orogenic activity that occurred in the cordilleran
mobile belt during the Mesozoic Era differ from that which took place in the Appalachian mobile
belt during the Paleozoic?
Chapter 14 – Geology of the Mesozoic Era.
18. What evidence indicates that the Atlantic Ocean began opening during the Late Triassic?
Due May 6 for Exam 4. Cenozoic Geology and Life, Plant and Vertebrate Paleontology.
Chapter 13 - Life of the Paleozoic Era: Vertebrates and Plants.
1. Describe the problems that had to be overcome before organisms could inhabit and completely
colonize the land.
2. Discuss the significance and possible advantages of the pelycosaur sail.
3. Why were the reptiles so much more successful at extending their habitat than the amphibians?
Chapter 15 – Life of the Mesozoic Era.
4. Summarize the evidence that convinces many geologists that an asteroid impact occurred at the end
of the Mesozoic.
5. What are the three main groups of mammals and how do they differ from one another?
6. What are the two main groups of dinosaurs and how do they differ from one another?
7. Why do scientists think that at least some dinosaurs were warm-blooded?
Chapter 16 – Cenozoic Geologic History: Tertiary Period.
8. What features are shared by the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Atlantic Coastal Plain?
Are there any differences between these two areas?
9. What kinds of sedimentary rocks are found on the Great Plains, and what was the source of the
sediment?
Chapter 17 – Cenozoic Geologic History: Quaternary Period.
10. How does the landscape formed by erosion by continental glaciers differ from that eroded by
valley glaciers?
11. What accounts for the ongoing eruptions of volcanoes in the Cascade Range, and why are there
no volcanoes along the rest of the U.S. Pacific coast other than Alaska?
Chapter 18 – Life of the Cenozoic Era.
12. What are the major evolutionary trends in hoofed mammals that adapted to a grazing, open plains
habitat?
13. Why are so many fossil mammals known from western North America, whereas few have been
found in the east?
14. Discuss three evolutionary trends seen in whales?
Chapter 19 – Evolution of the Primates and Humans.
15. What are the main differences between the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons?
02/06/16
13
Extra Credit (2 points each).
Chapter 15 – Life of the Mesozoic Era.
16. What were the main communities of plants during the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods?
Which one predominates now and why has it been so successful?
Chapter 16 – Cenozoic Geologic History: Tertiary Period.
17. What and where is the Basin and Range Province?
Explain what caused the structures typical of this region?
Chapter 17 – Cenozoic Geologic History: Quaternary Period.
18. What was the Little Ice Age, when did it occur, and what impact did it have on humans?
02/06/16
14