GEOSC 123 - Historical Geology

Number of Credits: 4
Historical Geology is a field-based research course intended to guide students in a firsthand exploration of the tectonic assembly of eastern North America during the last 1.5 billion years (Ga), through stratigraphic and structural evidence in the rock record of Maryland. Inquiry based field excursions, laboratory-based exercises, online and site-based exploration presentations, and independent field projects in the local region emphasize the factors which influenced the development and continued modification of life, climate, landforms, and their resultant environments, throughout geologic time. Outdoor walking field trips required. Audit enrollments are not permitted. (Summer Term Only) Three hours lecture each week. Two hours laboratory each week. Four Credits. Four billable hours.

GENERAL EDUCATION Category: Biological and Physical Sciences

Pre-requisite(s): exemption/completion of MAT 095 with a minimum grade of C or better, plus eligibility for ENGL 101.
Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify and explain the origins of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types on the basis of texture, mineralogy, and internal structures. (PG1, PG2 GE1, GE2)
Identify and explain the evidence for metamorphism at the outcrop and regional scale (recrystallization, foliation, jointing, folding, and faulting). (PG1, PG2 GE1, GE2)
Identify and map contacts between different rock units, and use rock body attitudes and topography to recognize regional structural features. (PG1, PG2 GE1, GE2)
Analyze the paleontology and lithology of sedimentary materials to reconstruct paleogeographic surfaces and interpret related paleoenvironments. (PG1, PG2, PG4 GE1, GE2, GE6)
Analyze and describe rocks and rock structures at the outcrop level to interpret the environmental and tectonic history of an area on-site. (PG1, PG2, PG4 GE1, GE2, GE6)
Interpret the sequence of events in a stratigraphic section using cross-cutting relationships. (PG2, PG3, PG4 GE2, GE4, GE6)
Evaluate the evidence used to interpret earth history in both climatic and plate tectonic settings. (PG2, PG3, PG4 GE2, GE4, GE6)
Evaluate and use online geologic and geographic information, and digital geographic software to present independently-researched, site-based geologic and geomorphic interpretations. (PG1, PG2, PG3, PG4 GE1, GE2, GE4, GE6)