GEOL 134 - Historical Geology

Credits: 4
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Lab Contact Hours: 3
Description: Historical Geology is the study of the geologic development of the earth as a planet from its creation to the present time. The first half of the course is a study of the methods and techniques that the science of geology uses to unravel the history of the earth. The second half applies these techniques to present the geologic history of the continent of North America as a case study.

Prerequisites: GEOL 133
Corequisites: None.
Recommended: None.

Course Category: Liberal Arts | Science with Lab
This course counts toward Schoolcraft’s General Education Requirements.
This course counts toward a Michigan Transfer Agreement General Education Requirement.

This Course is Typically Offered: As Needed
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Course Competencies

Determine the relative ages of two different rocks (which is the youngest and which is the oldest).
Determine the radiometric age of a rock containing measurable amounts of radioactive isotopes.
Determine the specific geologic environment in which a sedimentary rock formed based on: lithology, color, sedimentary structure, fossil content.
Distinguish between the different types of sedimentary structures.
Recognize the common rocks of the Precambrian age.
Recognize the common rocks of the Paleozoic age.
Recognize the common invertebrate fossils of the Paleozoic age.
Recognize the common rocks of the Mesozoic age.
Recognize the common rocks of the Cenozoic age.
Correlate separated rock strata of equal age.
Distinguish between the different methods of fossilization (the way in which organic matter becomes preserved).
Determine the processes used to produce a paleogeographic map.
Determine the processes used to generate paleomagnetism.
Distinguish between the various processes at work in ocean floor rifting.
Distinguish between the various processes at work in subduction zones.
Distinguish between the various processes at work in continental accretion.
Distinguish between the various processes that formed the universe, solar system and planet Earth.
Distinguish between the several sub-periods of the Pleistocene Ice Age.