Hawaii Pacific University
GEOL 1000 Introduction to Geology Section ____
Semester and year, meeting times
Instructor: Name, contact information and other relevant information about the instructor.
Course description: An introductory survey of the geology of the earth. Topics include geologic time and
earth history, internal earth processes (plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes), and surface processes
(streams, coasts, climate).
Course prerequisite: None.
General Education Requirement: This course is classified under the Global Systems Theme and meets
the requirement for a course in Global Systems A: Natural Systems.
General Education Student Learning Outcomes and the Five Themes: HPU’s general education
curriculum is focused around five themes. This course emphasizes the Global Systems Theme and
provides students with opportunities to achieve the following related general education student
learning outcomes.
Students will utilize various systems approaches or theories to comprehend natural global
processes The course emphasizes scientific literacy skills. The primary approach used in this
course and in all of science is the Scientific Method. Students will learn the key steps of the
process of science, discovery and hypothesis testing. Upon establishing that science is based
on evidence derived from observation and thoughtful experimental design, key theories will
be presented as the basis for the course content. These include plate tectonics and the
hydrologic cycle.
Students will comprehend the global impact of biological and physical science, technology,
and telecommunication systems. Both natural geological disasters and the need for
resources are global in impact on the earth and on society. Mitigation of disasters
and effective use of resources are often related to technological advances.
Students will understand the importance of global environmental systems and the
interactions between humans and the environment. Humans, plants and animals share
residence in our Earth system. Humans impact, and are impacted by, natural
geological disasters and the need for Earth resources.
The course also addresses the Research and Epistemology Theme by providing students with
opportunities to achieve the following related general education student learning outcome:
Students will utilize methods and technologies appropriate to the discipline to
investigate research questions, generate predictions, test hypotheses and/or solve
problems. The homework assignments based on the Hazard City CD exemplify the
research and problem solving methods in geology.
Note: Purple text shows places where specific course information must be filled in. Red text contains
explanatory notes to the instructor which should be deleted before using the syllabus. Blue explanations
above should be rephrased by the individual instructor to reflect the specific approach in that section of
the course. Course specific outcomes below are an example and may also be rephrased or modified by
the instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes for GEOL 1000 Introduction to Geology
Students who receive 70% or higher after completion of GEOL-1000 will be able to:
1. Describe the hydrologic cycle, the role of water in cycling materials through the environment.
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Hazard City Flood Insurance Assignment,
Chapter 8 Quiz
2. Determine their local source of drinking water and describe how this relates to surface or ground
water processes and the hydrologic cycle.
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Ground Water Contamination Assignment,
Chapter 12 Quiz
3. Describe the plate tectonic cycle and how materials are cycled through the earth
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Plate Tectonics & Minerals Around the
House Assignment, Chapter 2 & 3 Quiz
4. Analyze probable risk from earthquake and volcanic hazards of a particular geographic region based
on plate tectonic setting
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Volcanic Hazard Assignment, Chapter 6 Quiz
5. Analyze sites for potential problems with flooding, mass wasting, and erosion
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Landslide Hazard Assignment, Chapter 9
Quiz
6. Describe how to mitigate impacts from earthquakes.
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Earthquake Damage Assignment, Chapter 6
Quiz
7. Describe the age of the earth, the concept of deep time, how age of geologic events and materials
are determined
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Earth Space and Time Quiz
8. Describe how important mineral and energy resources are distributed in Earth’s crust, how humans
obtain economic minerals from these resources, and the environmental impact of obtaining them.
This outcome based on: Discussion board participation, Coal Property Assignment, Chapter 14 Quiz
For the rest of these required syllabus items see the details in the faculty handbook. Delete this note
once the syllabus is complete. For online courses there are some additional requirements given at this
link.
Texts List textbooks with ISBN’s and include this language as well
All textbook information (pricing, ISBN #, and e-books) for this course can be found on the HPU
Bookstore website: hpu.edu/bookstore.
If you have any questions regarding textbooks, please contact the HPU Bookstore at:
Phone:
808-544-9347
Or e-mail:
jyokota@hpu.edu
mmiyahira@hpu.edu
Assignments and mode of evaluation
Summary of important dates and deadlines (if the schedule is a separate document and due dates are
not given with the description of the assignments).
Class rules and policies (including regarding attendance, late work and academic dishonesty)
Schedule of events (may be attached separately)