Integrated Course Outline of Record (COR) Template for Honors Courses
Course title: Geology 101 Honors (GEOL101H)
Course Content Outline
Introduction, formation, structure and tectonics of earth
A. Origin, introduction to geologic time: 3 hours
B. Structure of the earth: 3 hours
C. Plate tectonics: development of the theory and supporting evidence: 3 hours
D. Plate tectonics: concepts and processes: 3 hours
II. Rocks and minerals, introduction of geologic time
A. Minerals: 3 hours
B. The rock cycle: 1 hour
C. Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary processes and rocks: 8 hours
D. Geologic time: relative and radiometric age-dating, and the principle of fossil succession: 3 hours
III. Internal processes and their surface expression
A. Earthquakes and crustal deformation: 5 hours
B. Mountain building and ocean Basins: 5 hours
IV: Surface processes and miscellaneous topics.
A. Stream, glacial, shoreline and desert processes and features: 5 hours
B. Environmental geology: 1 hours
C. Resources: 1 hours
D. Geology of San Diego County: 1 hour
V: Research: Students will complete, communciate and discuss independent research. The research
projects are designed to take students to a greater depth and breadth when compared to non-honors
courses.
A. Independent research (outside of class)
B. Research discussion and communication: 6 hours
Student Performance Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
1. Describe and categorize major geologic processes and features associated with divergent, convergent
and transform plate tectonic boundaries.
2. Describe and compare the processes involved in the formation of minerals and of igneous,
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
3. Diagram the earth's interior, and differentiate between the different regions.
4. Differentiate between the major types of earth surface processes.
5. Describe and differentiate the geologic features and geologic hazards produced by different types of
earth surface processes.
6. Describe and differentiate the origin of earthquakes, volcanoes and
mountain belts within a plate tectonic context.
7. Differentiate between different types of geologic resources and their mode of formation.
8. Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate published scientific material using knowledge
gained from the course; and properly apply the scientific method to form hypotheses and conclusions
based upon these data.
Reading Assignments
Reading assignments are required and may include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1. Read about geologic concepts in the class text and note the introduction and use of specialized
terms, concepts, and theories.
2. Read and critically evaluate geologic information in scientific articles and/or websites as
assigned by the instructor.
Writing Assignments
Writing assignments are required and may include, but will not be limited to, the following:
1. Complete written assignments in class, either as parts of exams or as parts of in-class exercises
2. Demonstrate the ability to communicate conclusions and hypotheses reached from independent
research, clearly and succinctly in a proper scientific form.
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 related work) assigned by the
instructor.
2.
Read assigned chapters in the course text.
3.
Review and study class notes in preparation for exams and quizzes.
4. Independently conduct and document research using appropriate published and/or internet sources.
Catalog description
This course introduces the processes at work changing the earth today. Within the context of global
tectonics, it explores the origins of rocks and minerals and the dynamics of processes such as igneous
activity, seismicity, and crustal deformation driven by the release of earth's internal heat. It also
examines how air, water and ice move in response to gravity and energy from the sun, sculpting earth's
surface by eroding, transporting and depositing weathered rock materials. This course offers highly
motivated students the opportunity to complete, document and discuss independent scientific research.
Schedule description
Introduces processes at work changing the earth today, including global tectonics, igneous activity, and
crustal deformation. Explores origin of rocks and minerals; and the action of air, water, ice and solar
energy in sculpting earth's surface. This course offers highly motivated students the opportunity to
complete, document and discuss independent scientific research.
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 outof-classroom exercises to test and reinforce geologic concepts.
3) Conduct independent research using appropriate published and/or internet sources to complete
assignments or projects.
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 geologic 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).
3) Evaluation of class participation and contributions to class discussion.
4) Evidence of critical thinking on exams, writing assignments, and/or class discussion.
5) Evidence of the proper application of the scientific method in independent research.
Required Materials
Examples of typical college-level textbooks or other print materials for this degree-applicable course
include the following:
1). Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology 9th edition Prentiss Hall, 2008,
ISBN: 0-13-156684-9
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Diagram the Earth’s interior layers, and compare and contrast the major features of those layers.
2. Explain the theory of plate tectonics and relate it to the major features of the Earth’s surface.
3. Compare and contrast igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and relate them to one
another using the rock cycle.
4. Relate major rock deformation features to the geologic processes that cause them.
5. Compare and contrast the geologic processes that modify the earth's surface (i.e. weathering, mass
wasting, stream, glacier, desert and shoreline systems).