MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Geology I - Physical

Course: GLG101IN

First Term: 2019 Summer

Lecture 4.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: T- Lab Load

Description: Introduction to Earth`s materials, surface and internal geologic processes, plate tectonics and geologic time. Includes practical experience in rock and mineral identification, topographic maps, and applied problems in geology.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe how scientific inquiry has shaped commonly held ideas about the physical structure of the Earth. (I) 2. Relate the importance of geology to humans. (I) 3. Compare and contrast the characteristics of the various internal layers of the Earth. (I) 4. Compare and contrast Earth and other planets in our solar system with respect to geological processes and their compositions. (I) 5. Explain the theory of plate tectonics and distinguish between the three main types of plate boundaries. (II) 6. Describe the building blocks of matter and explain how they relate to mineral formation. (III) 7. Describe the physical properties of common minerals and use them to identify minerals. (III) 8. Differentiate between the three major rock types and explain the processes that transform one rock type to another. (III) 9. Compare and contrast the textures of common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and use them to identify hand specimens. (IV, VI, VII) 10. Describe the nature of magma and distinguish between the major type of volcanic cones. (IV) 11. Compare and contrast mechanical and chemical weathering processes based on visual evidence. (V) 12. Describe sedimentary environments and identify various sedimentary structures. (VI) 13. Compare and contrast metamorphic environments and describe their associated textures. (VII) 14. Explain how geologic strata can be related to time and describe the nested divisions and subdivision of Earth`s history in the geologic time scale. (VIII) 15. Distinguish between common geologic structures found in crustal rocks. (IX) 16. Compare and contrast the three types of seismic waves, explain where earthquakes occur in relation to plate boundaries and describe hazards associated with earthquakes. (X) 17. Investigate landform processes such as mass wasting, streams, groundwater, coastlines, deserts, or glaciers and describe their associated erosional and depositional features. (XI) 18. Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret topographic maps by locating points on a map, identifying landforms and creating topographic profiles. (XII) 19. Identify basic geologic structures shown on geologic maps and cross-sections. (XII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to physical geology A. Development of geology as a science B. Geology, people and the environment C. Nature of scientific inquiry D. Earth`s systems E. Earth`s interior F. Earth`s place in the solar system II. Plate tectonics A. Development of plate tectonic theory B. Plate boundaries C. Evidence supporting the plate tectonic model D. Driving mechanism for plate tectonics III. Earth materials A. Building blocks of matter B. Mineral characteristics and formation 1. Physical properties of minerals 2. Mineral identification C. Rock cycle IV. Igneous rocks A. The nature of magma 1. Composition 2. Formation B. Intrusive igneous rocks C. Extrusive igneous rocks 1. Location and types of volcanic activity 2. Volcanic hazards D. Textures and classification of igneous rocks V. Mechanical and chemical weathering A. Rates of weathering B. Soil formation VI. Sedimentary rocks A. Detrital, chemical and organic sedimentary rocks B. Types of sedimentary environments C. Sedimentary structures D. Textures and classification of sedimentary rocks VII. Metamorphic rocks A. Factors controlling metamorphism B. Metamorphic environments C. Textures and classification of metamorphic rocks VIII. Geologic time A. Relative dating principles 1. Correlation 2. Unconformities 3. The geologic time scale B. Numerical dating techniques IX. Geologic structures A. Folds B. Faults X. Earthquakes A. Seismic waves B. Measuring earthquakes C. Hazards associated with earthquakes D. Earthquakes and plate tectonics XI. Other geologic processes A. Mass wasting 1. Triggering mechanisms 2. Types of mass wasting B. Stream dynamics 1. Landforms 2. Flooding C. Groundwater 1. Water table 2. Geologic work of groundwater D. Coastal processes 1. Longshore current and wave dynamics 2. Coastal erosion and deposition E. Deserts 1. Desert landforms 2. Wind action F. Glaciation 1. Glacial landforms 2. Dynamics of glaciers 3. Pleistocene ice age XII. Maps A. Topographic maps 1. Contour lines 2. Topographic profiles 3. Landforms on topographic maps B. Geologic maps 1. Interpretation of geologic structures on maps and cross-sections 2. Folds, faults, unconformities

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: December 11, 2018

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.