EARTH 240 - Fossils and Earth History

Credits: 4
Lecture Contact Hours: 3
Lab Contact Hours: 3
Description: This course examines the historical geology and evolution of planet Earth through time. Geological concepts, methods and techniques are used to explore the history of Earth, including the identification and interpretation of fossils and the analysis of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and their structures. Field trips may be included in this course.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended: EARTH 140

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 Only
Check Course Availability

Course Competencies

Distinguish between the major geological time periods.
Differentiate between the processes involved in the formation of planetary bodies in our Solar System.
Explain major events in Earth’s history including the formation of its atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.
Distinguish between the different types of fossils and the ways in which they form.
Identify igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and their constituent minerals.
Distinguish between the various igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock features and structures.
Identify full and partial fossils.
Interpret Earth’s geological, environmental, and biological past using fossils, minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Determine the relative ages of rock sequences and past events using relative dating principles.
Determine the absolute ages of rocks using radiometric dating information and analysis.
Explain the occurrence of correlated rock strata.
Interpret ancient tectonic activity based on various landforms such as ridges/rifts, trenches and mountain belts.
Distinguish between rocks and fossils of the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic.
Explore paleogeographic maps and the processes used in creating them.
Interpret geological history from various types of geological maps.
Summarize the geological history of North America.
Apply historical geology concepts to make predictions regarding future geological processes.
Compare and contrast the fossil records and the current biosphere uncovering the evolution of life on Earth.
Distinguish between the sub-periods of the Pleistocene Ice Age and the events that led up to the formation of the Great Lakes region.