Course Description
Laboratory methods in historical geology with emphasis on paleontology.
Historical geology is that subdiscipline of Earth Sciences that deals with the origin and evolution of Earth’s atmosphere, continents, oceans, and life. This course will provide the student with the necessary knowledge to understand how Earth was formed about 4.6 billion years ago as well as how Earth is a complex, dynamic planet that is continuously changing in response to different types of internal and external forces.
The course will start by introducing the students to the fundamental information about 1) the origin of the universe, 2) Earth’s structure and composition, and 3) rocks, fossils, and geologic time, followed by a chronological overview of the major geologic and biologic events that took place throughout the 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history.
Course Credits: 1
Prerequisites: N/A. Corequisites: GEOL1302.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Outline the major geologic and biologic events that occurred during each geologic time period.
- Identify and differentiate different sedimentary rocks and environments.
- Describe the concepts of relative and absolute dating methods.
- List the major geologic time subdivisions.
- Define the concepts of fossils and fossilization.