20806249Geologic Evolution of the Earth
Course Information
Description
Geologic Evolution of the Earth is a four-credit lab science course introduces the student to the history of the Earth, with a focus on the evolution of the continents and the fossil record. Topics include  geologic time, changes to Earth's geography, the origin of life on earth, evolution, extinction, and fossil classification.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Integrate the scientific process into an analysis of the Earth’s geologic history
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes, discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Utilize scientific vocabulary accurately
    Use the scientific method
    Use data to analyze Earth’s historic events
    Conduct a research project on an area of focus
    Analysis applies the scientific methods to arrive at a conclusion

  2. Explain components of the geologic timescale and their establishment
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes, discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Describe the relative age-dating techniques that are used to build the geologic timescale
    Explain the absolute age-dating techniques that are used to build the geologic timescale
    Identify the Eons, Eras, Periods and Epochs currently recognized in the geologic timescale
    You reference components of the geologic timescale with accuracy

  3. Explain evolution by natural selection
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes, discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Identify the contributions of Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace to the theory of evolution
    Explain how genetic traits are passed from parents to offspring
    Explain how new species arise by natural selection
    Compare and contrast divergent, convergent and parallel evolution
    Identify the biologic and paleontologic evidence of evolution

  4. Interpret geologic samples, maps and cross-sections
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes, discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Use samples, data, cross-sections and maps
    Identify mineral, rock and fossil samples
    Interpret the geologic environment at the time of formation/deposition for different mineral, rock and fossil samples
    Use relative and absolute age-dating techniques to interpret the Earth’s geologic history
    Use cross-sections and geologic maps to interpret the Earth’s geologic history of an area
    Construct an environment of deposition map of an area using on rock samples and outcrop data

  5. Summarize the geologic history of the Earth from formation to present day
    Assessment Strategies
    Quizzes, discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Explain how the Earth formed via the Nebula Hypothesis
    Summarize the evolution of the continents from the Earth’s formation to present day
    Identify the locations of the continents at different times in Earth’s history
    Summarize the major orogenic events in Earth’s history
    Identify the cratonic sequences of the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic
    Identify the major biologic evolution and extinction events of Earth’s history
    Explain the leading hypotheses for each of the five major extinction events in Earth’s history
    Explain how the Earth’s climate changed from the Earth’s formation to present day

  6. Prepare reports and documentation in support of geologic concepts
    Assessment Strategies
    Discussions, written lab reports, oral and written project reports
    Criteria
    Assemble a scientific laboratory report that meets established guidelines
    Present laboratory results in multiple formats (written, oral)
    Assemble an annotated timeline of your area of focus
    Present research results in multiple formats (written, oral)