C-ID Descriptor
Earth Science with Lab

None

Earth Science C-ID Geology 120

The Earth Science course must address all of the major categories listed below and at least 75% of the subtopics.

Studying Earth Science

• What is Earth Science
• Introduction to the Scientific Method

Earth’s Internal Forces

• Plate Tectonics
• Geologic Structures
• Mountain Building
• Earthquakes
• Volcanoes

Earth’s Materials

• Minerals
• Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks
• Soils

Earth History

• Geologic Time
• Relative and Absolute Dating
• Fossils and Fossilization

Earth’s External Processes

• Surface Water and Groundwater
• Glaciers
• Deserts

Oceanography

• Ocean Currents
• Tides
• Shorelines

Atmosphere

• Composition of the Atmosphere
• Seasons
• Atmospheric Moisture
• Weather Patterns and Severe Weather
• Climate

Astronomy

• The Solar System
• Stars and Stellar Evolution
• Interstellar Matter
• Formation of the Universe

• Optional Field Trip

Laboratory Topics:

Earth Science Laboratory C-ID Geology 120L

Laboratory Topics: (Laboratory activities must cover at least 10 of the listed topics)

1. The Scientific Method
2. Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
3. Faults and Folds
4. Mineral Properties and Identification
5. Rock Properties and Identification
6. Groundwater and Subsidence
7. Surface Processes
8. Astronomy
9. Relative and Absolute Dating and Geologic Time
10. Oceans
11. Fossil Properties and Identification
12. Weather Systems and Atmospheric Moisture
13. Field Trips

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1)   Explain and apply the principles of the scientific method

2)   Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of and be able to apply concepts, principles and interactions of Earth’s systems including:

• Hydrologic Cycle
• Rock Cycle
• Plate Tectonics Cycle
• Solar System
• Geologic Time
• Weather and Climate

3)   Be able to explain basic properties of minerals and rocks and to identify representative physical samples

4)   Explain the processes that shape the Earth and how they change over geologic time

5)   Communicate complex course concepts effectively in writing and diagrams

Shall include multiple measures of performance that may include, but are not limited to:

• Quizzes
• Exams
• Written Assignments
• Research Assignments
• Lab reports and activities
• Field trip reports

Earth Science (Prentice Hall – Tarbuck, Lutgens and Tasa)

Foundations of Earth Science (Prentice Hall – Lutgens, Tarbuck and Tasa)

The Good Earth:  Introduction to Earth Science (McGraw-Hill – McConnell, Steer, Owens and Knight

Visualizing Earth Science (Wiley – Merali and Skinner)

Lab manuals:

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (Pearson - Tarbuck, Lutgens and Pinzke)

Earth Lab:  Exploring the Earth Sciences (Brooks Cole - Owen, Pirie and Draper)