Department: Science
Discipline: Physical Sciences
Subject Code: GEOL
Course Title: Physical Geology
Course #: 101
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a
minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1.
Digital Description [§335.2] (Insert the new/revised digital description below):
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
4.0
3.0
3.0
Approved Online/Blended Face-to-Face Instruction Ratios:
[__] 25/75% [__] 33/67% [X] 50/50% [__] 67/33% [__] 75/25%
(Note: The first number indicates the percentage of online instruction. The second number indicates the percentage of in-class
instruction.)
2.
Maximum Enrollment (Insert new/revised maximum enrollments below):
In-Class Instruction: 22
Lab Instruction: 22
(Note: It is assumed that maximum enrollments for blended courses are the same as those identified for in-class instruction.
Maximum enrollments for Virtual Learning courses are to be 75% of in-class instruction, as per the SGP on Maximum Class
Size):
3.
Catalog Description [§335.2] (Insert the description in space below):
Studies the composition of the earth and the physical processes which tend to alter and
shape its surface. Laboratory sessions include field trips through central and eastern
Pennsylvania, the identification of common rocks and minerals, and the study and
interpretation of topographic and geologic maps. A course fee is required. (Core C)
4.
Prerequisites [§335.2]: None
Minimum Grade Required
Co-requisites: None
Other:
5.
Learning Outcomes [§335.2]
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential
knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13; 1/31/14; 8/18/14; 5/13/15; 7/7/15
Department: Science
Discipline: Physical Sciences
Subject Code: GEOL
Course Title: Physical Geology
Course #: 101
 Identify and describe the origin of Earth’s common rock-forming minerals
 Identify and describe the origin of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
comprising the Earth’s crust and explain how they are related to each other via the
rock cycle
 Read and interpret topographic maps, geologic maps, and remote sensing imagery
and obtain geologic information from online data sources and/or state agencies
 Describe mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, and mantle convection and
integrate these processes via the theory of plate tectonics
 Define the processes of soil genesis, streams, groundwater, glaciation, and coastal
erosion/deposition and interpret landscape evidence of these processes
 Explain the role of geology in human society
6.
Planned Sequence of Instruction [§335.2]
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
Topic
The Practice of Geology
 Introduction to geology, the scientific method, and
Earth processes
 Topographic maps, geologic block diagrams, geologic
maps, and online Earth imagery
 Plate tectonics
Minerals and rocks
 Origin and uses of minerals
 Mineral and rock identification
 Rock melting and crystallization
 Sedimentary processes and structures
 Sedimentary environments and resources
 Stresses, heat and metamorphism
 Plate tectonics and origin of rocks
 Expression of rocks in the landscape
Earth’s crust and interior
 Volcanoes and volcanic hazards
 Isostasy and mountain ranges
 Tectonic basins and uplifts
 Earthquakes and earthquake hazards
 Earth interior processes
Earth’s surface
 Characteristics of Earth’s climate
 Deserts
 Glaciation and expression of glaciers in the landscape
 Tides and coastal processes
Percent
20%
23%
17%
40%
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13; 1/31/14; 8/18/14; 5/13/15; 7/7/15
Department: Science
Discipline: Physical Sciences
Subject Code: GEOL
Course Title: Physical Geology
Course #: 101
Topic




Soils
Mass wasting and landscape features of mass wasting
Streams, flooding and landscape features of streams
Groundwater, groundwater pollution, and landscape
features of groundwater
Laboratory Topic
Essential skills of geoscience
Topographic maps and imagery
Geologic structures and maps
Mineral identification
Igneous rock identification
Sedimentary rock identification
Metamorphic rock identification
Specimen Identification Exam
Geologic field trip
Glaciers and climate
Streams and flooding
Groundwater
7.
Percent
Minutes
150
150
2@150
150
150
150
150
150
2@150
150
150
150
Assessment of Student Learning [§335.44]
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by the Shared
Governance Policy – Assessing Institutional Effectiveness, is part of regular curriculum
maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been determined by the pertinent
faculty involved and is maintained in the College’s assessment management system.
The assessments are numbered to correspond to the Learning Outcomes listed in Item 5:
1. Classroom exam and mineral identification lab exam.
2. Classroom exam and rock identification lab exam.
3. Lab exercises, in-class assignment, and map exam in lab.
4. Classroom exam, field trip assignment, and online lab assignment.
5. Classroom exam, laboratory exercises, and lab exam.
6. Classroom exam, in-class assignment, field trip assignment, and lab exercises.
8.
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials
(code each item based on instructional use) [§335.2]: C-Lecture/Laboratory, ALecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online, BL-Blended, DIndependent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship, F-Cooperative Work-Study, FEField Experience. [These resources must be easily accessible to students.]
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13; 1/31/14; 8/18/14; 5/13/15; 7/7/15
Department: Science
Discipline: Physical Sciences
Subject Code: GEOL
Course Title: Physical Geology
[C,BL]
[C,BL]
Course #: 101
TEXTBOOK: Reynolds et al, Exploring Geology-Current edition,
McGraw-Hill Connect+ interactive SmartBook.
LAB MANUAL: Busch, R.M., 2014, Laboratory Manual in Physical
Geology-10th ed., Pearson Custom Publication. ISBN: 1269788345
NAME AND SIGNATURE
1. Discipline Faculty Proponent/s: James E. Baxter
DATE
9/2/15
2. Curriculum Manager & College Catalog Editor: Erika Steenland
10/14/15
3. Department Chairperson (Discipline Approval): James Sizemore
10/17/15
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A/B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies,
standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with the
College’s mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses
generally accepted for transfer accredited four-year colleges and universities.
NAME AND SIGNATURE
4. Associate Provost: Kathleen T. Doherty
DATE
10/19/15
5. Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Cynthia Doherty, Ph.D.
10/22/15
9.
10.
Original Date of course approval by the college: 197110
Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s)]:
10/24/00
200420
200520
200830 [Learning Outcomes; Learning Sequence; Assessment]
06/02/15 – Added new blended ratio format & approved maximum enrollment - nb
9/2/15 – Revised Catalog Description, sequence of instruction & textbooks – Fall 16
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13; 1/31/14; 8/18/14; 5/13/15; 7/7/15