Integrated Course Outline of Record (COR) Template
Course title: Earth and Space Science
Course Content Outline
I. Earth Materials
A. Minerals 2 hours
B. Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks 2 hours
C. The Rock Cycle 1 hour
II. Sculpting Earth’s Surface
A. Weathering, Soils and Mass Wasting 3 hours
B. Running water and Groundwater 3 hours
C. Glaciers, Deserts and Wind 4 hours
III. Forces in Earth’s Interior
A. Earthquakes and Seismology 2 hours
B. Plate Tectonics 3 hours
C. Volcanoes and Igneous Activity 3 hours
D. Mountain Building and Orogeny 2 hours
IV. Earth History
A. Geologic Time 2 hours
B. Summary of Earth History 2 hours
V. The Global Ocean
A. The Seafloor 2 hours
B. Ocean Water and Life 3 hours
C. Ocean Dynamics 5 hours
VI. The Atmosphere
A. Composition, Structure and Temperature 2 hours
B. Moisture, Clouds and Precipitation 2 hours
C. Air Pressure, Wind, Weather 3 hours
VII. Earth in Space
A. Origin of Modern Astronomy 1 hours
B. The Solar System 2 hours
C. Beyond the Solar System 2 hour
Student Performance Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
1). Explain the theory of plate tectonics and relate it to the major
features of the Earth’s surface.
2). Compare and contrast igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
and relate them to one another using the rock cycle.
3). Compare and contrast the geologic processes that modify the earth's
surface (i.e. weathering, mass wasting, stream, glacier, desert and
shoreline systems).
4). Reconstruct the circulation patterns of atmosphere and ocean circulation
systems, and analyze the interrelationships.
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are required and may include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1). Read about earth science concepts in the class text and note the introduction and use of specialized
terms, concepts and theories
2).Evaluate and summarize earth science information in scientific articles and/or websites assigned by
the instructor.
Writing Assignments
Writing assignments are required and may include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1).Research sources and write a term paper and/or service learning project and/or other out-of-class
writing assignments on selected topics.
2). Complete written assignments in class, either as parts of exams or as parts of in-class exercises.
Outside-of-class Assignments
Outside-of-class assignments are required and may include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1).Complete homework assignments (writing assignments, quizzes and realted work) assigned by the
instructor.
2). Research sources for a term paper and/or service learning project and/or other written assignments.
3). Read assigned chapters in course text.
4). Review and study class notes in preparation for exams and quizzes.
Catalog description
This course introduces astronomy, including planetary origin and motions; earth science, including
origin and composition of earth, landforms and plate tectonics; atmospheric processes, including climate
and weather; earth’s oceans and other bodies of water, and their currents and tides as well as the
hydrologic cycle.
Schedule description
This course introduces astronomy, earth science, atmospheric processes and earth’s oceans and other
forms of water.
Methods of Instruction
Instructional methodologies will be consistent with, but will not be limited to, the following types or
examples:
1). Presentation of concepts and scientific information by the instructor in a variety of modalities
suitable for achieving the student learning objectives. These modalities may include lecture, use of
blackboard/whiteboard, demonstrations, Powerpoint presentations, topic outlines, internet resources,
videos, animations, and/or other multimedia resources as needed.
2). Active learning by students in the form of question-answer, class discussion, in-classroom and/or
out-of-classroom exercises to test and reinforce oceanographic concepts.
3). Research by students using appropriate published and/or internet sources to complete a term paper
and/or other writing assignments.
Methods of Evaluation
Evaluation methodologies will be consistent with, but will not be limited to, the following types or
examples:
1). Evaluation of exams and quizzes that test the student’s knowledge of oceanographic concepts and
terminology.
2). Evaluation of the scope, accuracy and content of written work (term paper and/or written homework
assignments and/or in-class writing assignments).
4). Evaluation of class participation and contributions to class discussion.
5). Evidence of critical thinking on exams, writing assignments, and/or class discussion.
Required Materials
Examples of typical college-level textbooks or other print materials for this degree-applicable course
include the following:
Earth Science, l2th edition, Tarbuck and Lutgens, Prentiss Hall, ISBN: 9780136020073
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the theory of plate tectonics and relate it to the major
features of the Earth’s surface.
2. Compare and contrast igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
and relate them to one another using the rock cycle.
3. Compare and contrast the geologic processes that modify the earth's
surface (i.e. weathering, mass wasting, stream, glacier, desert and
shoreline systems).
4. Reconstruct the circulation patterns of atmosphere and ocean
circulation systems, and analyze the interrelationships.