Geology (GEOL) 200
Introductory Physical Geology (Revision 3)
Revision 3 closed, replaced by current version.
Delivery Mode:Individualized study. Home lab.
Credits:3
Area of Study:Science
Prerequisite:None.
Centre:Centre for Science
GEOL 200 has a Challenge for Credit option.
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Overview
GEOL 200 describes some of the physical and chemical characteristics of Earth and some of the natural processes occurring in and on Earth. The course provides a scientific background for further studies of the environment, resource geology, structural geology, soils, natural hazards, and land-use planning. Students complete a course project designed for students to gain practice in describing and identifying rocks and minerals, to learn something about the geology of their province, and learn how to prepare a scientific report.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction to Physical Geology
Unit 2: Minerals and Rock Types
Unit 3: Igneous Rocks
Unit 4: Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rocks
Unit 5: Metamorphic Rocks
Unit 6: Structural Geology and Earthquakes
Unit 7: The Earth's Interior
Unit 8: Plate Tectonics
Unit 9: Mountain Belts and the Continental Crust
Lab Exercise 1: Minerals and Rocks
Lab Exercise 2: Igneous Rocks and Processes
Lab Exercise 3: Sedimentary Rocks and Processes
Lab Exercise 4: Metamorphic Rocks and Processes and a Review of all Rock Types
Lab Exercise 5: Topographic Maps
Lab Exercise 6: Aerial Photographs
Lab Exercise 7: Relative Ages of Rocks, Geologic Cross Sections, Geologic Columns
Lab Exercise 8: Geologic Structures
Lab Exercise 9: Interpretation of Geologic Maps
Lab Exercise 10: Earthquakes
Lab Exercise 11: The Earth's Magnetic Field--Anomalies
Lab Exercise 12: Plate Tectonics
Evaluation
To receive credit for GEOL 200, you must complete all of the assignments, achieve a course composite grade of at least “C-” (60 percent), and achieve a grade of at least “60” percent on each of the examinations. Lab exercises range in value from two percent to five percent each of the final course grade and you are required to attain a lab average of 60 percent. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Lab Exercises | Course Project | Mid-term Exam | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Plummer, Charles C., Diane H. Carlson, and Lisa Hammersley. Physical Geology, 13th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2010.
Busch, Richard M., ed. Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 6th ed., illustrated by Dennis Tasa. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
Other Materials
The course materials include a study guide, a student manual, assignment manual, Moh's hardness scale kit, a pocket stereoscope, Athabasca University set of mineral chips, Athabasca University set of rock chips, and a maps kit.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 3, July 2003.
View previous syllabus
Last updated by SAS 03/24/2014 10:10:31
