Course Outline for Geological Sciences 11
Physical Geology

Effective: Fall 2022
SLO Rev: 09/07/2021

Catalog Description:

GEOS 11 - Physical Geology

3.00 Units

The Earth, its materials, its internal and external processes, and its development through time. Emphasis is placed on a thorough global understanding of Plate Tectonics as a framework and foundation for subsequent geologic topics and concepts. Topics include volcanoes, earthquakes and seismology, the Geologic Time Scale and the formation of the earth, rocks and minerals, hydrology, erosion, beach systems, environmental geology, glaciation, groundwater, etc. Course content includes the historical development of key geologic concepts. The course is a foundation course for both the non-science major and majors in the Earth sciences and environmental sciences.
CB03: TOP Code 1914.00 - Geology
Course Grading: Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Activity 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Laboratory 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Clinical 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Exp (Non-Paid) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Work Exp (Paid) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00

Measurable Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. explain the scientific method;
  2. explain, discuss, analyze, identify and/or interpret the fundamental concepts, principles, and interactions of Earth’s systems applicable to the Geological Sciences;
  3. apply, explain, discuss, analyze, identify and/or interpret the internal and external processes that shape and form the Earth;
  4. apply, explain and/or discuss the rock cycle and identify and describe the basic properties of rocks and minerals;
  5. explain, discuss, analyze, identify and/or interpret the fundamentals, and ramifications, of plate tectonics and Earth’s resources;
  6. explain, discuss, analyze, identify and/or interpret, how geological environments are formed, changed and eroded through geological time;
  7. communicate complex course concepts effectively in writing and diagrams and apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to make informed decisions in life.

Course Content:

A. Introduction to Geology

1. The Scientific Method
2. History of Geology

B. Earth Materials

1. Minerals
2. Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks
3. Soils
4. Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
5. Metallogenic Provinces

C. Geologic Time and Earth History

1. Geologic Time
2. Relative and Absolute Dating
3. Fossils and Fossilization

D. Earth’s Internal Forces

1. Plate Tectonics
2. Earthquakes
3. Volcanism and Igneous Rocks
4. Mountain Building
5. Geological Structures
6. Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

E. Earth’s External Processes

1. Weathering, Mass Wasting and Erosion
2. Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks
3. Surface Water Processes
4. Groundwater Processes
5. Oceans and Coastal Processes
6. Desert Processes
7. Glacial Processes

Methods of Instruction:

  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Textbook reading assignments
  3. Class and group discussions
  4. Demonstration
  5. Written assignments
  6. Review
  7. Online Assignments
  8. Research Report
  9. Guest speakers
  10. Distance Education

Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:

1. Typical Assignments
  1. Presentation. Create and present a 5-10 minute presentation on a geologic topic approved by the instructor.
  2. Read Chapters 1 thru 4. Look up the vocabulary words in these chapters and complete online Vocabulary Quiz Use the textbook.
  3. Memorize the Eons, Eras and Periods of the Geologic Time Scale.
  4. Complete the Study Guide questions for Exam 2.
  5. Locate the following geologic features and learn how to find them on geomorphic maps. Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Midway, The Marianas Islands, Devil’s Tower, Gui Lin, China, etc. Use the textbook, the maps in the textbook and the Internet – National Geographic Map Machine and Google Image searches.
  6. Read Chapter 15 in the textbook. 1. Look up all vocabulary for this chapter. 2. Learn to identify the geomorphic features in this chapter in satellite images and regular aerial and ground photos. 3. Make sure that you understand the basic geologic processes discussed in this Chapter. 4. Complete the questions in the Study Guide that refer to the topics in this chapter.
  7. Research Paper. Submit a 5-10 page 12-point paper on a geologic topic approved by the instructor.
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Research Projects
  4. Portfolios
  5. Papers
  6. Oral Presentation
  7. Projects
  8. Class Participation
  9. Class Work
  10. Online Assignments
  11. Homework
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. define and identify the geology of divergent, convergent and transform plate tectonic environments.
  2. identify and define the basic properties of minerals.
  3. identify and differentiate the basic ages of the Geologic Time Scale.

Textbooks (Typical):

  1. Tarbuck, E., & Lutgens, F. (2017). Earth, An Introduction to Physical Geology ( (12th). Prentice-Hall Publishers..
  2. Plummer, McGeary and Carlson, (2022). Physical Geology (17th). McGraw-Hill.
Additional Materials:
  • Access to the internet and computers, through the Chabot College STEM center or Library & Learning Center, or access to a personal computer at home with internet.

Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:

Introduction to the study of the scientific composition and dynamics of the Earth. Topics include the formation of the Earth, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology, geomorphology and the interactions between humans and the geologic environment.

Discipline:
Earth Science*