GREAT BASIN COLLEGE
Course Syllabus
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
GEOL. 101
Fall 2007
4 credits
John Breitrick 863-0198
COURSE GOALS:
 To explain the various physical forces and processes that occur on the earth and
create its varied topography
 To recognize important geologic features
 To learn and identify some common rocks and minerals and their uses in our daily
lives
 To develop map reading and interpretation skills
TOPIC AND READING SCHEDULE – attached
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
 Lecture (2/3) and hands-on experience (1/3)
 Notebook, handouts
 One or more field trips
 Look at maps, examine common rocks and minerals
 Class discussion and questions are encouraged
 Class participation and attendance are important
EVALUATION AND GRADES:
% of grade
Description
80%
best three of four written tests and lab
20%
notebook, attendance, class participation
Tests will be essay and short answer questions and rock and mineral
identification.
Grading will be: 90-100% - A
80-90% - B
70-80% - C
60-70% - D
*Extra credit questions on tests. It will be the responsibility of the student to get
notes when absent from class. There will be no make-up tests.
MATERIALS:
 Course textbook is Physical Geology by Charles Plummer, David McGeary and
Diane Carlson. (9th Edition)
 Lecture will be supplemented with handouts
 A mineralogy book or field guide to rocks and minerals is useful
 Hand lens is suggested
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Class schedule
Fall 2007
Week
1
Topic
Introduction, Nevada Mining
Reading
Ch. 1, 21
2
Mineralogy
Ch. 2, App. A, C, D
3
Weathering and Mass Movement
Ch. 5, 9
4
Deserts
Ch. 13
5
Sedimentary Rocks
Ch. 6, App. B
6
Geologic Time
Ch. 8
7
Plate Tectonics
Ch. 1, 16, 17, 19, 20
8
Structural Geology
Ch. 15, 16
9
Igneous Rocks
Ch. 3, 4, App. B
10
Ground Water
Ch. 11
11
Maps
12
Running Water
Ch. 10
13
Metamorphic Rocks
Ch. 7, App.B
14
Oceans
Ch. 14, 18
15
Glaciers
Ch. 12
Physical Geology
Geology 101
Fall 2007
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
Expected Course Outcomes:
Measured By:
1. Diagram and discuss physical processes Determined from tests, class participation,
that interact to form the earth’s and notebook.
topographical features.
2. Differentiate some common rocks and Determined from class participation, tests,
minerals and explain their significance and notebook.
and occurrence.
3. Locate themselves and other features
on various types and scales of maps.
4.
Demonstrate knowledge of earth’s
resources.
Determined from class participation and
tests.
Determined from tests, class participation,
and tests.
5. Recognize geologic features in the
field.
Determined from class participation,
notebook, and field trips.
6. Utilize a geologic map and mineral
resource maps
Determined from class participation,
notebook, and field trips.
7. Analyze, evaluate, and communicate
information
Determined from class participation, and
notebook.