Learning Objectives G 101/201

Weeks 1 & 2

After completing the assigned reading and attending lecture, students should be able to do the following:

Week 1 (chapter 1)

1) Be able to explain the 4 basic steps of the scientific method and know the difference between a hypothesis, a theory and a law.

2) Understand and explain the relevance of geology in today’s society.

3) Be able to distinguish the difference between physical and historical geology and give examples of geologic disciplines for each.

4) What are the basic differences between igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks?

5) How are rocks and minerals different from each other?

6) Be able to explain and diagram the rock cycle.

7) Why is earth considered a system, what are the four spheres of the earth system, and what parts of the system do each represent?

8) What is meant by the term “sustainable development” and what is the relationship between sustainable development and geology?

9) Be able to explain the difference between catastrophism and uniformitarianism and know which philosophy controls current geologic thinking.

10) Understand, in general, what the geologic time table represents, in general, how it was created, and know what the scientifically derived age of the earth is?

11) Know the era’s of the geologic time table (Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic) and where they are in relation to each other (if it helps, they are in alphabetical order!)

12) The big bang theory and the solar nebular hypothesis are two very important ideas in science. Understand what each of them represent and know how they are different from each other.

13) What is organic evolution and how does geology help support this idea?

14) Know the general structure of the Earth’s interior, and how each of the following regions are different from the others with regards to compositional properties and physical properties

inner core mesosphere (lower mantle) Lithosphere

outer core asthenosphere Crust (continental and oceanic)

Week 2 (chapter 2—pgs. 37-54)

15) Explain the basic concepts involved in the theory of plate tectonics

16) Be able to describe each of the following plate boundaries with regards to plate motion, how they form, and the features they have. Give a modern day example for each type.

Divergent Convergent (3 types) Transform

17) What is the Wilson Cycle and what geological evidence supports the idea?

18) Be able to explain the three primary mechanisms that drive plate motion.

19) What is a hot spot/mantle plume and how can they be used to calculate the rate and direction of plate motion?

20) What type of rock is created at the Mid-ocean ridges?

21) Explain how plate tectonics has contributed to where petroleum resources are found today. (G201 only)

22) How does plate motion help affect the distribution, evolution and diversity of life? (G201 only)