MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: March 2008
DEPT: GEOL&
NO: 101
(Formerly: GLY 105)
COURSE TITLE: Intro Physical Geology
CIP Code:
Intent Code:
Program Code:
40.0601
11
N/A
Distribution Desig.: Lab Science
PREPARED BY:
CREDITS:
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr:
Lecture Hours Per Qtr:
Lab Hours Per Qtr:
Other Hours Per Qtr:
5
77
33
44
John Melin
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduction to geology for majors and non-majors; physical
applications of geology. Topics include minerals, rock types, plate tectonics and
deformation, rock and mineral formation, dynamic processes within the earth and the
resulting structures and rock types, geologic time, earthquakes and volcanoes, erosion by
wind, water and glaciers, and subsequent re-building. Labs will deal with identification of
common rocks and minerals, the reading and interpretation of topographic, contour and
stratigraphic maps and an over-view of the local land form.
PREREQUISITE(S):
MPC 095 or instructor permission
TEXT: Understanding EARTH, 3rd edition, Press and Siever, 1999
Exercises in Physical Geology, 11th Edition, Hamblin and Howard, 1999
COURSE GOALS: To present basic geological principles common to the earth; to
present geological concepts and relate them to the natural world; to capture the interest in
current geologic issues such as volcanic explosion prediction, radioactive burial sites, etc.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Show your understanding of the origin and nature of rocks of the earth.
2. Show your understanding of composition of the earth, conditions under which various
materials were formed and ways and means of testing the materials that make up the
earth.
3. Show your understanding of the various ways in which water interacts with the land.
4. Show your understanding of the nature of the sea-air interface.
5. Show that you can discuss how and why changes occur in the features of the earth.
6. Describe sediment dating and radioactive clock methods of dating fossils.
7. Show your understanding of the origin of the continents and ocean basins.
8. Show your understanding of topographic map interpretation regarding fluvial, glacial,
structural, and coastal geomorphology.
9. Show that you can use the correct and appropriate scientific nomenclature.
10. Show that you can recognize and solve problems using a scientific approach.
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COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE: See attached
EVALUATION METHODS/GRADING PROCEDURES:
PLANNED TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING STRATEGIES:
X Lecture
X Laboratory
_ Supervised Clinical
_ Small Group Discussion
X Audiovisual
_ Individualized Instruction
Special Project
Other (List)
Division Chair Approval
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