ES 131 Earth Science/Physical Geology Syllabus

Department of Physics and Earth Science

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Catalog Course Description: ES 131. (4) Earth Science/ Physical Geology. Basic principles
governing the dynamic Earth including plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes, geologic time,
rocks, minerals, weathering, and erosion. Three class periods; one 2-hour laboratory period per
week. Field trips and/or projects may be required. Course fee $30.00. There are no
prerequisites.

Required Text:

Tarbuck and Lutgens (2012). Earth Science 13th Edition. Prentice Hall: Boston.
ISBN: 13:978-0-13-602007-3

Required Lab Manual:

GEOS UNA Laboratory Manual ISBN 13-978-0-536-19762-7

Area III: Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Statement of Purpose: The Natural Sciences and Mathematics requirement of the General
Education Curricula addresses student comprehension of the logic and methods of scientific
and mathematical analyses. The Natural Sciences component is designed for students to
develop the capacity for working with data, to achieve a general understanding of the nature
and methods of science, and to acquire a general knowledge of a specific discipline and the
implications of such knowledge. The Mathematics component is designed for students to
develop the capacity for mathematical thinking and to gain an understanding of its role in
solving real-world problems.
 Content

Scope of the Course:

Topic Integrated Science Concepts & Behaviors

Rocks and Minerals components; thermal & cooling effects;

290-3-3-.15(1)(a)2.(iii) chemical bonding; molecular alignment;
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xi) chemical formulas; chemical reactions;
290-3-3-.15(1)(d)2.(iii) resources; optical properties including ;
reflection and refraction of light; crystal
development; specific gravity; cycles (rock,
carbon); textures; evaporates; lithification;

Plate Tectonics Density; Thermal & pressure impacts;

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(iii) magnetism; earthquakes—detecting and
290-3-3-.15(1)(d)2.(iii) measuring; boundary formation; boundary
types; intra –continental faults
Volcanoes; Mountain Building; Viscosity influences; collisional forces;
Earthquakes energy wave behavior; heat; and
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(v) temperature; parts of Earth; tsunami;
gravitational equilibrium
Geologic Time Laws and Principles of Relative Dating
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(x) Interpreting sedimentary layers;
atomic structure & radioactivity; half-life;
changes; scale; continental formation
Fossils Formation; preservation of life forms;
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(x) Carbon 14 dating; radiometric dating;
classification
Influences of geology, the geosphere on Environmental sustainability; quality of
the biosphere, hydrosphere; atmosphere; life; biotic and abiotic relationships;
space geochemical principles; populations;
290-3-3-.15 (1)(b)2.(ii) technology and data; sources and limits of
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(i) resources astronomy related to the
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(ii) structure of the universe; energy flow on
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(iv) Earth and in space; technology for space
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(v)
explorations; measurement and
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(vi)
classification of Earth materials
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(vii)
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xi)
 290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xiii)

Weathering and Erosion Watersheds; stream development;

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(iii) chemical & mechanical weathering;
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(vii) erosional and depositional landscapes;
interpreting topographic maps

General Scientific Principles Determining credible resources; scientific

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(x) methods; scientific method; nature of
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xii) science; inter-relationships of spheres of
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xiv) Earth; application of science for
environmental quality, personal, and
community health; Scientists’
contributions to knowledge

Learning Objectives: A Note

*Many objectives reflect Earth Science Literacy Principles: Big Ideas and Supporting
Concepts of Earth Science—American Association for the Advancement of Science
Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the documentation for requirements for Secondary
Science Education majors are identified by ALSDE—Alabama State Department of
Education

Learning Objectives and Assessments

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts of Earth Science,

particularly physical geology, the geo-sphere, and inter-relationships to the biosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and space. At minimal, summative test question(s) will assess each
learning objective. Other processes are provided

Students will demonstrate the knowledge of:

1. Earth and space science including energy and geothermal cycles, climate, oceans,
weather, natural resources, and changes in the Earth as they influence one another
through the dynamic nature of Earth’s geosphere changes through geological,
hydrological, physical, chemical, and biological processes that are explained by universal
laws
290-3-2-.15 (1)(a)2.(i); ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.
2. Earth science including geochemistry, cycles of matter, and energetics of Earth systems
290.3-3-.15 (1)(b)2.(ii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

3. characteristics of land, atmosphere, and ocean systems on Earth

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(i) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

4. properties, measurement, and classification of Earth materials

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(ii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

5. geologic history as evidence of gradual and catastrophic change over time--including

land formation, erosion, and plate tectonics
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(iii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

6. geothermal cycles including biotic and abiotic systems

290-3-3-.15(1)c)1.(iv) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

7. energy flow and transformation in Earth and stellar systems

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(v) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

8. hydrological features of the Earth

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(vi) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.
9. patterns and changes in the atmosphere, weather, and climate
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(vii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

10. fundamental processes of investigation in the Earth and space sciences

290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(x) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

11. sources and limits of natural resources-- resource formation, distribution, limitations,
use, and sustainability issues
290-3-3.15 (1)(c)1.(xi) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

12. application of Earth and space sciences to environmental quality and to personal and
community health and welfare
290-3-3-.15(1)(c).(xii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

13. the role of technology in measuring data and communicating scientific ideas including
challenges and required technologies for space exploration
290-3-3-.15(1)(c)1.(xiii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

14. Earth or space scientists and their contributions

290-3-3-.15 (1)(c)1.(xiv) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

15. Earth Science or astronomy related to the structure of the universe, energy, and
interactions of matter
290-3-3-.15(1)(d)2.(iii) ALSDE;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.
16. determining scientifically credible information;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

17. fossils as preserved evidence of ancient life;

Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

18. interpreting current processes to interpret the past and predict the future;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

19. the causes and outcomes of plate tectonics;

Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

20. active geologic processes at plate boundaries and within plates and their connections to
the real world;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

21. interaction of humans with volcanoes; earthquakes, and other crustal changes—hazards
and risks;
Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

22. biological influences on Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere; and

Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

23. the nature of science.

Assessment of objectives will include a combination of the following: laboratory
inquiries; panel discussions, class discussions, and/or tests.

Learning Activities may include: field trip(s).

Accommodation Statement: In accordance with the American Disabilities Act (Ada) AND Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the University offers reasonable accommodations to
students with eligible documented learning, physical, and/or psychological disabilities. Under
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more major life activities as compared to an average person in the
population. It is the responsibility of the student to contact Developmental Services prior to the
beginning of the semester to initiate the accommodation process and to notify the instructor
within the first three class meetings to develop an accommodation plan. Appropriate,
reasonable accommodations will be made to allow each student to meet course requirements,
but no fundamental or substantial alteration of academic standards will be made. Students
needing assistance should contact Developmental Services.

Grading: 90-100%--A 80-89%--B 70--79% C 60-69%--D < 60%--F

Lab=25% of Final Grade