MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
UTICA, NEW YORK
COURSE NUMBER GL101
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
REVIEWED BY
Nicholas Gioppo
February 1, 2013
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Number: GL101
Course Title: Physical Geology
Credit Hours: 4
I.
Course Description
Physical Geology examines the earth, its materials & its processes. The class
begins by looking at the how the earth came to be, as well as its place in the
universe. From there the earth is examined compositionally. Minerals & rocks
as well as their formation is discussed. Once that background is laid, we spend
the balance of the semester discussing surface & subsurface processes that
shape the earth. Topics include; weathering & erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes,
streams, and plate tectonics, to name a few.
The laboratory portion of the class is used to take many topics to the next level.
Subjects such as rock & minerals are explored in great depth in a “hands on”
manner, while other material is taken a step farther from lecture, to the
application level. Still other topics, such as mapping are only covered in the
laboratory. The course is taught in exactly the same manner & format at both the
Utica & Rome campuses.
II.
Student Learning Outcomes
Lecture
A.
The student will be able to describe the basic scientific and geological
principles that govern modern geology.
B.
The student will be able to describe how science is an investigative
process.
C.
The student will be able to describe the earth’s place in the universe, both
physically and cosmologically.
D.
The student will demonstrate an understanding of the necessity of deep
time to achieve the earth’s current state.
E.
The students will be able to illustrate the early evolution of the earth.
F.
The students will be able to explain the primary surface processes that
shape and form the earth.
G.
The students will be able to explain the primary deep earth processes that
shape and form the earth.
H.
The students will be able to describe how plate tectonics is responsible for
volcanism, earthquakes, and mountain building events.
Laboratory
A.
The student will use mineral and rock keys to identify selected specimens
from the primary mineral and rock groups.
B.
The student will be able to identify said specimens on a mineral and rock
practical.
D.
The student will demonstrate the skills of observation, data collection, and
data analysis while investigating the processes of surface and ground
water flow.
E.
The student will write formal laboratory reports on the results of the above
investigative laboratories.
F.
The student will learn to identify symbols and features on topographical
maps, and have a working knowledge of topographic maps.
G.
III.
The student will be able to produce a topographical map from elevation
data and construct a topographic profile from said map.
Organization and Procedures
A.
B.
Time Allotment (4 credit hours)
1.
Lecture: 3 hours per week for 15 weeks
2.
Laboratory: 2 hours per week for 15 weeks
Placement:
1.
C.
Fall & Spring Semester
Facilities:
1.
Lecture room sufficient for 65 students
2.
Complete laboratory facility for 16 students
3.
Geologic reference materials
4.
Audio/Video/Computer Equipment for both lecture &
laboratory sections of the class in order to best convey course
content. Methods include Power Point presentations by faculty &
students, internet content & DVD/VHS video content.
5.
Facilities for cleaning, preparing & storing geologic specimens as
well as topographic maps and charts.
D.
E.
Teaching Methods
1.
Lecture-discussion
2.
Supervised laboratory work
3.
Laboratory demonstrations
4.
Off-campus field trips during laboratory periods
5.
Individual conferences when necessary
Evaluation
1.
2.
Lecture
a.
Hour examinations 3 – 4 non-comprehensive
b.
Final exam 1 comprehensive examination
Laboratory
a.
15 weekly laboratory projects or experiments
F.
b.
3 formal laboratory write ups of experiments
c.
2 laboratory practicals
Instructional requirements, grading and attendance
policy to be provided by instructor.
IV.
Required Materials
A.
Texts
Lecture
Essentials of Geology
4rd Edition, Marshak, 2013
Laboratory
Gioppo, Nicholas, Geology in the Laboratory,
1st Edition Revised, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, 2006
GEOLOGY 101 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
FALL/SPRING LECTURE OUTLINE
Week
Topic
Chapter
1
Nature of Science & The Scientific
Method, Atomic Structure Review
Preface &
Appen. A
2
Cosmology
1
3
The Atmosphere
20
4
Exploring the Earth’s Interior
Int. C, 2
5
Mineralogy
3
6
The Rock Cycle & The 3 Types of Rocks
Int. A &
B, 6 - 8
7
Weathering & Erosion, & Lithification
7
8
Geologic Time
12
9
Fossils & Evolution
Int. D
10
Volcanoes
9
11
Streams, The Hydrologic Cycle
& Ground Water
Int.E,
7 & 19
12
Glaciers
22
13
The Sea Floor & Plate Tectonics
3&4
14
Earthquakes
10
15
Mountain
11
Building
GEOLOGY 101 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
FALL/SPRING LABORATORY OUTLINE
Week
Topic
Chapter
1
Math & Science Review
Determining the Size of a Molecule
1
2
2
Introduction to Minerals
3-A
3
Minerals Continued
3-A
4
Minerals Continued
3-A
5
Identifying Igneous Rocks
4-B
6
Identifying Sedimentary Rocks
4-C
7
Identifying Metamorphic Rocks
4-D
8
The Deposition of Sediments
5-A
9
Flood Recurrence Intervals
5-B
10
Stream Discharge in the Field
5-C
11
Porosity & Permeability
6
12
Topographic Quadrangles
7-A
13
Constructing a Topographic Map
7-B
14
Exploring Earthquakes
8
15
GPS/GIS Applications
-