EARTH 140 - Introductory Geology

Credits: 4
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Lab Contact Hours: 3
Description: Geology is the study of the physical structures and processes that make and shape our planet. This course will provide a survey of minerals and igneous/sedimentary/metamorphic rocks, along with the processes involved in their formation. Topics also include the structure of Earth, plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes, deformation, weathering and erosion, deposition, rivers, groundwater, glaciers, geologic time and an overview of the local geological setting in the Great Lakes region. Laboratory exercises consist of the identification of minerals and rocks, interpretation of topographic/geologic maps and the analysis of earthquakes. Field trips may be included in this course.

Prerequisites: None
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: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
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Course Competencies

Identify a set of common minerals, including those found in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Determine the difference between igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Explain the processes involved in the formation of the three basic types of rocks.
Explain the physical/compositional differences between the layers of Earth.
Explain the processes involved in the workings of the plate tectonic theory.
Interpret the geological settings and landforms created by different plate tectonic boundaries.
Compare and contrast the basic types of volcanoes and their eruption styles.
Explain why earthquakes happen, including the types of seismic waves they generate.
Explain how seismic waves are used to determine the internal structure of Earth.
Analyze basic seismic data to determine the epicenter of an earthquake.
Distinguish between various structural deformations such as folds and faults.
Explain the different types of weathering processes that occur on the surface of Earth.
Characterize the different types of sediments and their physical/compositional properties.
Distinguish between the different types of erosional mechanisms.
Distinguish between the different types of depositional environments and landforms associated with erosion/deposition by wind, water and glacial ice.
Analyze the characteristics of aquifers and groundwater flow.
Explain the glacial processes that played a role in the geological setting of Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Interpret topographical/geological maps.