Syllabus

Overview

Physical Geology is the study of the Earth's structure and composition and the dynamic physical forces that shape the Earth. In this course you can expect to learn a variety of geoscience skills including identifying rocks and minerals, making and reading maps, interpreting landscapes, and evaluating data to make predictions. 

This course is a 4-unit course, with a lecture and a 3 hour lab, transferable to UC and CSU. 

Outline

Week 1: What is Physical Geology? & Understanding Science (Chapter 1)

• Lab: Introduction to Mineral Identification and Non-Silicate Minerals

Week 2: Plate Tectonics (Chapter 2) - no classes Monday 

• Lab: Silicate Minerals & Minerals Practice Quiz

Week 3: Plate Tectonics continued & Minerals (Chapter 3) 

• Lab: Igneous Rocks I 

Week 4: Introduction to Igneous Processes & Intrusive Igneous Activity (Chapter 4-4.4)

Week 5: Extrusive Igneous Activity: Volcanoes and Volcanism (Chapter 4.5) 

• Lab: Igneous Rocks II & Igneous Rocks Practice Quiz 

Week 6: Introduction to Sedimentary Processes & Sedimentary Rocks (Chapter 5-5.3)

• Lab: Sedimentary Rocks I 

Week 7: Sedimentary Facies and Stratigraphy – (Chapter 5.4-5.5)

• Lab: Sedimentary Rocks II & Sed Rox Practice Quiz 

Week 8: Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks (Chapter 6)  

• Lab: Metamorphic Rocks I 

Week 9: Geologic Time (Chapter 7)

• Lab: Metamorphic Rocks II & Sed/Meta Rox Practice Quiz

Week 10: Earth History (Chapter 8)

• Lab: Topographic Maps I

Week 11: Crustal Deformation/Structures (Chapter 9-9.5)

Week 12: Earthquakes (Chapter 9.6-9.9) 

• Lab: Topographic Maps II & Geologic Maps I  

Week 13: Mass Wasting (Chapter 10)

Week 14: Running Water (Chapter 11)

• Lab: Geologic Maps II & Final Lab Practice Quiz

Week 15: Glaciers and Glaciation (Chapter 14)

• Lab Final Quiz

Week 16: Synthesis 

 Note: The specific schedule and assignments will be linked from the course Canvas pages. Contact your instructor with questions.