12/10/14 DATE
REQUIRED COURSE x ELECTIVE COURSE
SSE x
DIVISION
NEW COURSE
REVISION
Course Information Form
COURSE NUMBER ESC100 TITLE Physical Geology
SEM CR HRS 4.00 LT HRS 3.00 LAB HRS 2.00 SOE HRS 0.00 ECH 4.50
COURSE PCS# (Assigned by Administration)
Prerequisites: None
Catalog Description (40 Word Limit): Physical geology stresses the basic geologic concepts and processes that are responsible for creating and shaping the Earth. Materials covered include the topics of: rocks, minerals, volcanoes, earthquakes, stream erosion, wind erosion, glaciers groundwater, Earth interior, plate tectonics, and gravity.
List the Major Course Segments (Units)
Earth Systems and Movements
Contact Lt Hrs. Contact Lab Hrs.
3 1
Earth Structure, Plate Tectonics and Landforms
The Earth’s Crust and Tectonic Processes
Gradation, Weathering and Mass Movement
Landforms of Underground and Surface Water
Landforms of Desert Regions
Glacial Systems
Field Trips
2
7
0
6
14
4
9
EVALUATION: Quizzes x Exams x Oral Pres. Papers
Lab Work Projects Comp Final x Other
Textbook :
Title Earth
2
3
9
2
8
2
3
Author
Publisher
Tarbuc
Prentice Hall
Volume/Edition 8th Edition
Copyright Date 2005

Major Course Segment
Earth Systems and
Movements
Introduction to Earth Science
Earth Movements and Place in
Space
Earth Structure, Plate
Tectonics and Landforms
Cross Section of Earth
Plate Tectonics
Landforms
The Earth’s Crust and
Tectonic Processes
Earth’s Crust Composition
Rocks and Minerals
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Gradation, Weathering, and
Mass Movement
Gradation and Weathering
Mass Movement
Landforms of Underground and Surface Water
Karst Topography
Underground Water
Stream Erosion and Landforms
Landforms of Desert
Regions
Wind Erosion and Landforms
Glaciation
Glaciers - How They Form and
Move
Glacial Landforms
Field Trips
4
2
8
8
2
4
2
2
2
8
3
3
6
9
4
4
2
2
Hours Learning Outcomes
The student will demonstrate knowledge of Geology and Geological concepts, through classroom participation, verbal discussions, lab exercises quizzes, written exams, and field trips.

Course Outcomes: At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Analyze the development, scope, and limitations of plate tectonics and utilize plate tectonics to explain the Earth’s earthquake and volcanic activity as well as the occurrence of common rocks, minerals, and economic deposits.

Use an understanding of rock and mineral characterization and classification to infer the geologic processes which formed individual rock and mineral specimens
 Demonstrate an understanding of the physical processes that operate in the Earth’s interior, i.e., igneous and metamorphic processes, and processes leading to earthquakes.

Demonstrate an understanding of the physical processes that operate on and near the
Earth’s surface, i.e. weathering and erosion, deposition, and ground water.
Gen Ed Goals for ESC100
Communication
Science courses such as Earth Science require students to communicate in an effective manner. In the lecture and laboratory setting, students must observe, read and listen in order to learn information that is required for the course. In order to be evaluated for the course, students must speak and write in an effective and professional manner.
Critical Thinking
In order to understand environmental problems and devise solutions to those problems, students will locate and evaluate sources of information. They will be responsible for analyzing geologic information and data and draw conclusions using appropriate theories and techniques to evaluate data.
Problem Solving
Students in this course will apply the scientific method in laboratory settings. They will be responsible for locating information, evaluating sources, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions from their work.
Diversity
Students in Earth Science programs will recognize the how systems theory relate, connect and change how natural forces both impact and are impacted by humans through a series of interrelationships.