8/31/2024 6:23:35 PM |
| Changed Course |
CATALOG INFORMATION
|
Discipline and Nbr:
GEOL 11 | Title:
GEOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA |
|
Full Title:
Geology of California |
Last Reviewed:4/10/2023 |
Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 17.5 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
|
| Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
Catalog Description:
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Introduction to the geologic principles and processes that formed and continue to influence California's geologic and tectonic environment. Overview of the origin and interpretation of rocks, minerals and fossils, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and the geologic history of California.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Introduction to the geologic principles and processes that formed and continue to influence California's geologic and tectonic environment.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Associate Degree: | Effective: | Fall 1981
| Inactive: | |
Area: | C
| Natural Sciences
|
|
CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| B1 | Physical Science | Fall 2007 | |
|
IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| 5A | Physical Sciences | Fall 2007 | |
|
CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
|
UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
|
C-ID: |
CID Descriptor: GEOL 200 | Geology of California | SRJC Equivalent Course(s): GEOL11 |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Critically analyze scientific arguments using the scientific method;
define the nature of geology as a science.
2. Identify and locate significant geologic and geomorphic features of
California.
3. Utilize Plate Tectonic Theory to summarize the relationships among the
rock cycle, tectonic setting, volcanism and earthquake activity, and
provide examples illustrating these relationships.
4. Describe the lithologies and formation of igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic rocks.
5. Classify and illustrate several types of volcanic features and locate
volcanic features within California.
6. Explain the causes, effects, and measurement scales of earthquakes.
7. Review the history of the San Andreas Fault system.
8. Evaluate geologic hazards and their effect on humans.
9. Reconstruct the geologic evolution of California in relation to the
geologic time scale.
10. Describe surface processes and identify the features associated with
each process; give specific examples of locations in California exhibiting
these landforms. (optional)
11. Give examples of geological resources currently tapped in California,
identify their location, geological formation, and interpret future
resource exploration opportunities in California. (optional)
Topics and Scope
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1. Introduction
A. Scientific Method
B. Plate Tectonic Theory
C. Structure of the Earth
D. Geomorphic provinces of California
2. Earth Materials
A. Minerals and rocks
B. The rock cycle and formation of rocks
C. Igneous Rocks
i. Processes, textures, and mineralogy
ii. Classification
iii. The Sierra Nevada and plutonic rocks in California
iv. Volcanoes, volcanic processes and hazards in California
D. Sedimentary Rocks
i. Weathering and erosion
ii. Processes, textures, and compositions
iii. Classification
iv. The Great Valley Sequence and sedimentary rocks in California
E. Metamorphic Rocks
i. Processes, textures, and mineralogy
ii. Classification
iii. The Coast Range and metamorphic rocks in California
3. Faults
A. Fault types
B. Plate movements and Plate Tectonic Theory
C. San Andreas Fault system
4. Earthquakes
A. Elastic Rebound Theory
B. Seismic waves
C. Intensity and magnitude measurement scales
D. Seismic data interpretation for earthquake forecasting and
hazards/risk assessment
E. Epicentral location
F. Historically significant earthquakes in California
5. Geologic Time
A. Relative vs. absolute dating methods
B. Development of the geologic time scale
C. Paleontology and dating using fossils
D. Introduction to common fossils of California
6. Geologic evolution and formation of California
A. Precambrian history
i. Precambrian rock units and fossils in California
ii. Changing continental margin
B. Paleozoic history
i. Paleozoic rock units and fossils in California
ii. Changing continental margin
C. Mesozoic history
i. Mesozoic rock units and fossils in California
ii. Orogenic events
iii. California's major growth spurt
D. Cenozoic history
i. Cenozoic rock units and fossils in California
ii. Tectonic evolution of the western margin of the North American
plate
iii. Formation of the San Andreas Fault system
7. Optional topics include:
A. Surface Processes and landforms
i. Coastal processes and California's coastline
ii. Glacial processes and the glacial history and features of
California
iii. Desert processes and desert landforms in California
B. Geologic Resources located in California
i. Water
a. Water rights
b. Groundwater
c. Surface water
ii. Rocks and minerals
iii. Petroleum
iv. Geothermal
Assignments:
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1. In-class activities, in which participation is mandatory. Examples of
activities include discussions/debates on topics covered in lecture,
identification of minerals and/or rocks, assessing earthquake hazards for
a given area based on seismic data, and locating an earthquake epicenter.
2. Reading of text and/or instructor generated material as related to
topics covered. Amount will vary depending upon topic, but will average
20-30 pages per week.
3. Quizzes based on reading and lecture material. Quizzes will include a
combination of objective and written responses.
4. Two to five examinations based on reading and lecture material. Exams
may be cumulative or unit exams, and will include a combination of
objective and written responses.
5. An original research paper (5-10 pages) and/or oral presentation
covering a topic relevant to California's geology or geologic history.
6. Homework assignments based on the topics covered. Homework may include
written or problem solving exercises, and may cover map reading and
location of major geologic or geomorphic features of California,
identification of seismic hazards and features, and assessing earthquake
hazards for a given area based on seismic data.
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing 10 - 30% |
Written homework, Term papers | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 5 - 10% |
Homework problems, In-class activities | |
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0% |
None | |
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams 50 - 80% |
Multiple choice, True/false, Matching items, Essay or short answer written responses | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 0 - 15% |
Participation, oral presentation | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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CALIFORNIA GEOLOGY. Harden, Deborah R. Pearson Prentice Hall: 2004.
ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. Alt, David and
Hyndman, Donald. Mountain Press Publishing Company: 2000.
ESSENTIALS OF GEOLOGY. Lutgens, Frederick and Tarbuck, Edward. Pearson
Prentice Hall: 2006.
ESSENTIALS OF GEOLOGY. Wicander, Reed and Monroe, James. Thomson/Brooks
Cole: 2006.
ASSEMBLING CALIFORNIA. McPhee, John. The Noonday Press: 1995.
CADILLAC DESERT: THE AMERICAN WEST AND ITS DISAPPEARING WATER. Reisner,
Marc. Penguin Books Ltd.: 1993.
A DANGEROUS PLACE: CALIFORNIA'S UNSETTLING FATE. Reisner, Marc. Pantheon
Books: 2003.
Instructor Prepared Materials.
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