Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/08/2021
Top Code	191400 - Geology
Units	2 Total Units
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 18; Lab 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)

Course Description

This course offers students an opportunity to explore fundamental geological concepts in a field-based setting. Pre-trip meetings will orient students to the tectonic, petrologic, historical and geomorphological setting of the Death Valley region. This course includes a multi-day field excursion to various locales of geological interest and may involve camping in primitive wilderness environments. Topics include the volcanic, tectonic and hydrologic history of the region. ADVISORY: GEOL A105, GEOL A105H, or GEOL A110. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Investigate geologic features and processes in the field and synthesize them into a cohesive geologic and tectonic history of the region.
2. Summarize the geologic time scale and relate it to field observations.
3. Develop field-note taking skills and create a comprehensive field course notebook.

Course Objectives

• 1. Demonstrate a mastery of the Universal Geologic Time Scale
• 2. Distinguish between different fault types and be able to identify them in the field
• 3. Recognize and interpret fault geomorphology in the field
• 4. Identify, classify and interpret the various rocks, minerals and fossils observed in the field
• 5. Apply the principles of geology to construct a geologic sequence of events for the Rainbow Basin
• 6. Distinguish between the various types of folds and unconformities and be able to interpret their causes and significance
• 7. Differentiate between different volcanic rock types and landforms in the Death Valley region and be able to evaluate the processes responsible for them
• 8. Recognize the results of hydrologic processes in the field including both present processes and past ones such as the evidence for Pleistocene lakes
• 9. Recognize and interpret dunes and other geomorphic features in the field
• 10. Identify and interpret metamorphic rocks and their protoliths
• 11. Apply the model of plate tectonics to the geologic evolution for the area
• 12. Construct geologic map and stratigraphic column for the area
• 13. Construct a geologic history of the area using field evidence collected on the trip
• 14. Take accurate and comprehensive field notes on observations made in the area

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Lecture Content

Geologic time/time scale Types of faults (and causitive forces) Features of the San Andreas Fault Principles of geology Types of folds and their significance Types of unconformities and their significance Volcanic rock types, processess and resulting landforms of the region Plate tectonic processes and associated features Metamorphic rocks, processes and protoliths Pleistocene drainage system Hydrology of the Death Valley region Field collection and interpretation of fossils Pupfish evolution Types of dunes/desert geomorphology Regional strigraphy and paleogeographic interpretation Precambrian geologic history of the region Paleozoic geologic history of the region Mesozoic geologic history of the region Cenozoic geologic history of the region

Lab Content

Geologic time/time scale Types of faults (and causitive forces) Principles of geology Types of folds and their significance Types of unconformities and their significance Volcanic rock types, processess and resulting landforms of the region Plate tectonic processes and associated features Metamorphic rocks, processes and protoliths Field collection and interpretation of fossils

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture and application of ideas Individual, paired and small group exercises Independent study

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately two hours per week on readings assigned from the assigned textbook along with journal articles that expose students to current ongoing research in the area.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately 2 hours per week utilizing written field notebook from trips, this will include lecture material and field observations.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approxiamtely two hours per week on homework including textbook exercises.  Field trips will be given. This may include the generation of a field notebook based on field observations and lecture material.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Regular participation in class discussions and question and answer sessions is required.  Examinations and quizzes will be given which are designed to determine the students comprehension of materials presented in class. Question types may include but are not limited to: essay and short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true and false, matching, draw-and-label the diagram questions and the reading and interpretation of geologic maps.  Class and individual projects (as outlined above) designed to help the students understand geological concepts will be collected for evaluation. The completeness and correctness of these assignments will provide a measure of the level of understanding each student has achieved and if the students are indeed moving toward the student learning outcomes. Tests, problem solving, final examination, field project/video essays and field trip notebook.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Produce a written synopsis of geologic principles as they apply to the Death Valley National Park  Computational or non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including: homework problem(s) other (specify) : map work based on landscape identification  Written reports may be assigned which are designed to allow the students to explore specific geology topics in greater depth. Completion of the reports will expose students to a greater breadth of information and will demonstrate to the instructor whether or not the students are able to utilize the materials covered in class to gain a broader understanding of a topic explored on their own. Compilation of the field notebook, generation of geologic map and stratigraphic column for the area(s) studied.  Construction of a geologic history of the area.

Eligible Disciplines

Earth science: Masters degree in geology, geophysics, earth sciences, meteorology, oceanography, or paleontology OR bachelors degree in geology AND masters degree in geography, physics, or geochemistry OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Sharp, R. P., and Glazner, A. F.. Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley, 1st ed. Mountain Press Publishing Company, 1997 Rationale: . 2. Required Miller, M., and Wright, L. A.. Geology of Death Valley: Landforms, Crustal Extension, Geologic History, Road Guides, 3rd ed. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2015 Rationale: .