HomeMy WebLinkAboutPHY-113Bergen Community College
Division of Mathematics, Science and Technology
Department of Physical Sciences
Course Syllabus
PHY 113 - Geology
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COURSE TITLE: PHY 113 - Geology
COURSE DESCRIPTION: PHY-113 Geology is a study of the solid Earth. Topics include minerals and rocks,
weathering and soils, glaciers, deserts, earthquakes and volcanism. Special attention will be given to the plate
tectonics theory as the unifying theory of geology; the structure of the Earth’s interior, the physiography of
continental and oceanic crust, geologic time and Earth history. Laboratory work includes mineral and rock
identification based on physical and chemical properties, identification of geologic features and processes which
formed these features using topographic maps and use of principles of relative dating to extract sequence of
geologic events from rock outcrops.
3 lectures, 3 labs, 4 credits
}General Education Course
TEXTBOOKS: An Introduction to Geology, C. Johnson, et al., http://opengeology.org/textbook/, 2017
Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, V. Cronin (ed.), 11th custom edition, Pearson,
2017
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The student will be able to:
1. Present the technical terminology of geology and of related scientific disciplines; to develop
the student’s competence in reading and recognizing technical and semi popular literature on
geological topics.
2. Describe the methods of investigation used to increase our scientific knowledge.
3. Present the results of these investigations: The fundamental patterns, processes and
concepts active in geology.
4. Demonstrate the interrelationships among all scientific disciplines.
5. Develop competence in performing laboratory experiments and exercises related to geology.
6. Develop skills in identifying minerals and rocks, interpreting topographic maps of classic areas
illustrating geologic processes and recognize phenomena that sculpture and reshape the Earth.
Student Requirements:
o The student should study the text and portions of the lab manual as indicated in the general
outline. A detailed schedule will be announced by the instructor.
o Audio-visual aids will be used during normal class hours to supplement the text and laboratory manual.
A listing of some materials may be found in the library’s audio-visual index under Geology or Earth
Science.
o Instructors will describe their own grading and examination policies.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The following outline and calendar should be considered as a guide only. Each instructor may alter the choice
and sequence of individual topics.
TOPIC CHAPTER
PART I Geology (an overview) 1
Plate Tectonics 2
Minerals 3
PART II Igneous Rocks and Volcanoes 4
Weathering, Erosion, and Sedimentary Rocks 5
Metamorphic Rocks 6
PART III Geologic Time 7
The Ocean Floor
Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building 9
Earth History 8
PART IV Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior 9
CLASS CALENDAR AND ASSIGNMENTS
DATE TOPIC/LAB ASSIGNMENT
Week 1 Introduction to Geology
Formation of the Earth
Ch. 1
Ch. 1
Week 2 Lab 1 – Filling Your Geoscience Toolbox
Plate Tectonics
Lab Manual, pp. 1-38
Ch. 2
Week 3 Plate Tectonics
Lab 2 – Plate Tectonics
Lab Manual, pp. 39-70
Week 4 Minerals
Lab 4 – Mineral Properties, Identification, and Uses
Ch. 3
Lab Manual, pp. 89-126
Week 5 Review for Test 1
Test 1
Igneous Rocks
Ch. 4, §§1-4
Week 6 Igneous Rocks
Volcanoes
Lab 5 – Igneous Rocks and Processes
Ch. 4, §5
Lab Manual, pp. 127-152
Week 7 Weathering and Erosion
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Ch.5, §§1-2
Ch. 5, §§3-5
Ch. 6
Week 8 Metamorphic Rocks
Lab 6 & 7– Sedimentary Processes, Rocks, and
Environments; Metamorphic Rocks, Processes, and
Resources
Lab Manual pp. 153-210
Week 9 Test 2
Geologic Time
Ch. 7
Week 10 Lab 9 – Dating of Rocks, Fossils, and Geologic
Events
The Ocean Floor
Lab Manual pp. 251-274
Week 11 Lab 10 – Topographic
Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building
Lab Manual, pp. 275-308
Ch. 9, §§1-5
Week 12 Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building
Earth History
Lab 9 – Geologic Structures, Maps, and Block
Diagrams
Ch. 8
Lab Manual pp. 211-250
Week 13 Test 3
Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior
Ch. 9, §§6-9
Week 14 Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior
Lab 3 – Earthquake Hazards and Human Risks
Lab Manual pp. 71-88
Week 15 Review for Final Exam
Final Exam
NOTE: No make-up tests
EVALUATION:
Quizzes and Lecture Tests ………..………….….. 40%
Labs …….….…………………………………..... 30%
Quizzes …….………………………….………… 20%
Assignments ………………………….…………. 10%
Total ……. 100%
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ossinfo@bergen.edu for assistance.
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