Central Michigan University College of Science and Technology Course Syllabus GEL 201: Earth History 3 (2-2) I. Bulletin Description Earth’s history as revealed in the rock record. Geologic processes and concepts are applied to the evolution of North America and life through geologic time. II. Prerequisites One of: GEL 100, GEL 101, GEL 105, or GEL 130 III. Rationale for Course Level Expectations of students somewhat higher than for an introductory course. This course has an introductory-level course as a prerequisite. IV. Textbooks and Other Materials to be Furnished by the Student Historical Geology: Evolution of the Earth and Life Through Time, Third Edition, by R. Wicander and J.S. Monroe, 2000 V Special Requirements of the Course None VI. General Methodology used in Conducting the Course Lectures, slides, videos, class discussions, lab exercises, homework assignments VII. Course Objectives When students have completed this course, they will be able to: 1) identify common rocks, fossils, and sedimentary structures and, from them, make interpretations about past environments, life, climate, major geological processes on the earth, and when they occurred 2) discuss the geological time scale and know the major divisions of geologic time and their ages 3) describe the major events that happened on the earth throughout geologic time, including major events in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere 4) interpret the age of a rock when given radiometric isotope data 5) interpret the sequence of geologic events of a cross-section of rocks by using relative dating principles 6) explain the theory of evolution and evidence for it 7) develop interpretations about past plate tectonics based upon rock types and geologic structures 8) construct paleogeographic maps when given lithologic, fossil, geologic structure, and age data 9) evaluate historical geological data to make decisions about real-life issues, such as: - site selection for power plants, radioactive waste storage, etc. - predict localities of mineral resources, etc. based upon correlation VIII. Course outline Geologic time - includes fundamental geologic principles, relative and absolute geologic time, and the geologic time scale (3 weeks) Ancient depositional environments (1 week) Evolution (2 weeks) Plate tectonics (2 weeks) Precambrian geologic and biologic history - includes evolution of oceans and atmosphere, origin of life, and Precambrian life and plate tectonics (1 week) Geology of the Paleozoic Era -a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and environments of the Paleozoic Era; includes a special emphasis on the Paleozoic of Michigan and North America (2 weeks) Geology of the Mesozoic Era - a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and environments of the Mesozoic Era; includes a special emphasis on the Mesozoic of North America (2 weeks) Geology of the Cenozoic Era - a global overview of life, plate tectonics, and environments of the Cenozoic Era; includes theories on human evolution; includes a special emphasis on the Cenozoic of Michigan and North America (2 weeks) IX. Evaluation 3 - 5 homework assignments, worth a total of 9% of course grade 3 lecture exams, each worth 11% of the course grade (33% total) 3 lab exams, each worth 11% of the course grade (33% total) 1 comprehensive final exam, worth 25% of the course grade X. Bibliography The Earth Through Time, Fourth Edition, by H.L. Levin, Saunders College Publishing, 1993 Earth System History, by S.M. Stanley, Freeman and Company, 1999 New Views on an Old Planet: A History of Global Change, by T.H. Van Andel, Cambridge University Press, 1994 Current Perspectives in Geology: 2000 Edition, ed. by M.L. McKinney, K.M. McHugh, and S.P. Meadows, Brooks/Cole Thompson Learning, 2000 Interpreting Earth History: A Manual in Historical Geology, Fifth Edition, by M.S. Petersen and J.K. Rigby, William C. Brown and Company, 1994 Evolution!: Facts and Fantasies, ed. by J.W. Schopf, Academic Press, San Diego, 1999 Laboratory Studies in Earth History, Seventh Edition, by J.C. Brice, H.L. Levin, and M.S. Smith, McGraw Hill, Boston, 2001 Geology of Michigan, by J.A.Dorr, Jr. and D.F. Eschman, The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1970 Paleogeographic maps homepage by Dr. Christopher Scotese, 2001 http://www.scotese.com Plate Tectonics CD-ROM, by Dr. Kent Condie, Terra Graphics, Inc., 1998 Syllabus prepared by: Kathleen Counter Benison______ name ____________________________ signature 15th April, 2003 ___________ date