St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number:
1.
Prepared by: Kate S. Pound, Alfred H. Pekarek
Phone: 308-2014 (KP), 308-4127 (AP)
apekarek@stcloudstate.edu
Email: kspound@stcloudstate.edu;
2.
Requesting Unit: EAS
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: EAS 220, Physical Geology Systems
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Earth materials and plate tectonics are used to invetigate deeply-buried, plutonic igneous and
metamorphic systems and surface systems including sedimentary, fluvial and glacial. Lab. Prereq. CHEM 210
or high school physics and chemistry. 4 Cr. F
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
Geology majors, Earth Science major, Hydrology major, Geology minor, Earth Science minor
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
NA
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
12/11/2009
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
13.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences
Explore scientific knowledge of the natural world. Understand the central concepts and principles of
science; experience the process of scientific inquiry; comprehend science as a human endeavor and
understand the impact of science on individuals and on society.
By definition, geology is the study of the natural world. Through discussion of the development of the
major concepts of the science of geology, students explore the struggle of early scientists to develop our
current understanding of how the earth works. Discussion of contemproary issues such as climate
change, energy, and natural hazards (volcanoes, earthquakes, 'landslides') in their geological context
connects science to society.
14. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 3, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
5. Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity, and
imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientist's
personal identity on the scientific process.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
15.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
EAS 220 has dedicated Lab space; lab and field exercises are an integral part of this class.
SLO 1: Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
Students will be able to explain the history of development of Plate Tectonic theory, as well as the way in which
new data were incorporated as the theory evolved. This will be assessed in a Lab exercise and on an exam
question
SLO 2: Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific
investigations.
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(a) Students will be able to identify commonn rocks and minerals (especially those of the St. Cloud region), and
explain their origin. This will be assessed in a Lab exercise and in a Lab exam.
(b) Students will make and record field observations to make a simple geologic map and interpret the order of
events. This is a field exercise that will be assessed.
SLO 3: Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify questions for further investigation.
Students will examine data for movement and recession of a selected alpine glacier, calculate rates of movement
and retreat, interpret implications for these rates of change, infer past climate conditions, consider controlling
variables, and select an area for further investigation. This is assessed in a Lab exercise.
SLO 4: Demonstrate an awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science,
mathematics, and technology.
Students will use seismograph data and math to determine an earthquake epicenter; they will evaluate hazards,
and suggest mitigation plans. This will be assessed in a Lab exercise.
SLO 5: Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity,
and imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientists
personal identity on the scientific process.
Students will use topographic maps and aerial photos to explain and interpret geologic features and their use and
applicability to human use of natural resources and hazards. This will be assessed in a lab exercise.
SLO 6: Evaluate societal issues from a science perspactive, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgements about these issues.
Students will examine the record of climate change and natural resources from a geologic perspective, and
evaluate current resource use based on this knowledge. This is assessed in a laboratory exercise.
16.
Courses satisfying Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences must have either a “traditional lab course or a lab-like
experience”. Check which of these apply and supply a brief explanation of how the course is either a laboratory
course or incorporates a “lab-like experience”.
Course includes:
Laboratory
Lab-like experience
The following quote from a National Research Council subcommittee report may help to identify a course with a
laboratory. ”Laboratory experiences provide opportunities for students to interact directly with the material world
(or with data drawn from the material world), using the tools, data collection techniques, models, and theories of
science.” America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School Science (Free Executive Summary)
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11311.html
12/11/2009
17.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Primary
Topic
% Time
Lab
Field
SLO #
Trip
Assessed
Introduction to Geology
4
Earth Materials, minerals, Asbestos Controversy
10
yes
yes
2,6
Igneous Rocks and Volcanoes
6
yes
yes
2
Weathering, Erosion & Sea Level Chg
6
Sediments, Sedimentary Rocks & Stratigraphy
8
yes
2,5
Metamorphic Rocks
6
yes
1,2
Geologic Structures, topo & geol maps, aerial photos
10
yes
yes
2,5
Geologic Time & Dating Techniques, Earth History
6
yes
yes
2
Groundwater & Karst, Streams, erosion & deposition
6
yes
2,5
Glaciers, Status of world’s glaciers, ice ages
8
yes
3
Climate Change
4
Seismology, Earthquakes and hazards
8
yes
5
Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics
10
yes
1
Earth Resources
8
yes
2, 6
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1
5
6
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department:
Course or Course(s):
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date