PHS 203 - Physical Geology

Credits: 4
3 Lecture Hours 2 Lab Hours

Description
(Formerly GGY-203) This is a course for both science and non-science majors. Students engage in a systematic study of the physical and historical aspects of the earth, including materials of the earth’s crust and processes acting upon and beneath the earth’s surface. Students explore topics such as: minerals, rocks, weathering, mountain building processes, running water, glaciers, earthquakes and volcanoes. The accompanying laboratory program allows students to practice scientific procedures by conducting investigations which are coordinated with lecture topics.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will:

Apply scientific inquiry with an emphasis on modeling to physical geology.
Relate physical and historical geologic situations.
Differentiate between physical and historical geologic situations that require a theoretical modeling interpretation and those that do not.
Explain the properties and formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
Utilize concepts learned in the course by conducting laboratory experiments.

Listed Topics

Minerals
Igneous rocks and volcanism
Weathering processes and sedimentary rocks
Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks
Surface water and groundwater
Glaciers and glaciation
Deserts
Oceans and shorelines
Mountain building
Earthquakes and Earth’s interior
Plate tectonics
Geologic time and Earth’s history

Reference Materials
Textbook, laboratory handouts, geological materials and activities from the internet

Students who successfully complete this course acquire general knowledge, skills and abilities that align with CCAC’s definition of an educated person. Specifically, this course fulfills these General Education Goals:

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Quantitative & Scientific Reasoning

Approved By: Dr. Quintin B. Bullock Date Approved: 04/12/2024
Last Reviewed: 04/12/2024

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PHS 203 - Physical Geology