Academic Catalogs

GEOL A105H: General Geology Honors

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 191400 - Geology
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • OC Physical/Biological Sci - AA (OB)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)
  • OCC Physical/Biological Sci-AS (OSB)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 5A Physical Science (5A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 5A Physical Science (5A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU B1 Physical Science (B1)

Course Description

Composition and structure of the earth and the processes which modify the crust and the surface and their effect on man. Not open to students who are taking or have successfully completed GEOL A110. One field trip required during semester. Enrollment Limitation: GEOL A105; students who complete GEOL A105H may not enroll in or receive credit for GEOL A105. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: No credit for GEOL A105, GEOL A105H if taken after or concurrently with GEOL A110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of mineral and rock:origin, composition, structure, properties, groups (types), and uses.
  2. Explain the Theory of Plate Tectonics and its application to volcanic activity, seismic activity and mountain building processes.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of surface water and groundwater, the exchange of water between oceans, atmosphere, and continents, how the Earth's surface is sculpted by external forces, and environmental problems associated with ground water.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of relative dating and radiometric dating as it relates to Earth's history and the Geologic Time Scale.
  5. Describe the ocean in the following terms:structure, composition, circulation, tides, major units of ocean floor topography and shoreline dynamics.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Identify and distinguish the materials of the earth and the processes which change these materials;
  • 2. Compare and contrast major geologic processes and products and their relevance to current technology; to present technology.
  • 3. Experience the process of inductive and deductive reasoning;
  • 4. Identify the geologic hazards in our everyday life.
  • 5. Identify by sight, at least 50 rocks and minerals.
  • 6. Analyze geologic structures to determine which forces are present in the Earth.
  • 7. Construct and justify diagrams for plate tectonics and structure of the Earth.
  • 8. Analyze geologic features for hazards and benefits which are present.
  • 9. Explain the processes of erosion, and mass wasting, and their effect upon the Earth and humans.
  • 10. Locate, and demonstrate an understanding of the modes of formation of economic, geologic resources
  • 11. Analyze global climate change as it relates to human activity, as well as reviewing, changes in climate through Earths 4.6 billion year history.

Lecture Content

A. The Nature of Science - IntroductionB. The Scientific MethodC.History of GeologyD. Matter and EnergyE. MineralsF. Igneous and Volcanism ActivityG. Sedimentary RocksH. Metamorphism and Metamorphic RocksI. Weathering, Mass Wasting and ErosionJ. Geologic Time - Relative and Absolute Dating, Fossils and FossilizationK. Water - Surface, Groundwater, Oceans, and Coastal ProcessesL. ShorelinesM. Glacial ProcessesN. Desert ProcessesO. Mass MovementP. EarthquakesQ. DeformationR. Plate TectonicsS. Geologic Resources

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

1.   Lecture and application of ideas 2.   Individual, paired and small group exercises

Reading Assignments

From assigned textbook

Writing Assignments

Examinations will include questions requiring written answers

Out-of-class Assignments

Examinations will include questions requiring written answers

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Tests, problem solving, final examination, field project/video essays, and field trip.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Tests, problem solving, final examination, field project/video essays, and field trip.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Stephen Marshak. Essentials of Geology, ed. Norton, 2019