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TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE DISTRICT DISTRICT MASTER SYLLABUS At Tarrant County College the District master syllabus documents the content of a course. A District master syllabus is required for every course offered. District master syllabi are prepared by teams of faculty and approved by instructional administration. COURSE RUBRIC, NUMBER, TITLE, AND DESCRIPTION GEOL 1401 Earth Sciences I Survey of physical and historical geology, astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, and related sciences. Co-requisite: GEOL 1401L COURSE TYPE Academic Core COURSE GOALS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Course goals are linked to required Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies, Perspectives, and Exemplary Educational Objectives as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Specific core requirements are linked to the class schedule. Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Demonstrate abilities necessary to understand scientific inquiry in the earth sciences. The student will be able to a. identify questions and problems in the earth sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations; b. identify scientific investigations that answer questions related to earth science; c. apply safety procedures in the laboratory and in field studies; d. analyze reports of scientific investigations and environmental issues from an informed, scientifically literate viewpoint; e. evaluate a range of possible solutions to earth issues at the local, national, and global level. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of lithospheric materials, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere. The student will be able to a. analyze the properties of minerals; b. analyze the historical development of the theory of plate tectonics and plate tectonic relationship to earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building; c. identify the processes responsible for the rock cycle; d. analyze seismic waves, their cause and affect, including velocity and refraction; e. interpret topographic maps using scale and legends; f. identify the importance and impact of the economic development of earth's finite rock, mineral, soil, fossil fuel, and other natural resources to society and our daily lives. GEOL-1401 Page 1 of 3 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system. The student will be able to a. explain the order of events in the geologic past; b. interpret the impact of events in the geologic past. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality. The student will be able to a. analyze erosion and depositional processes; b. comprehend the oceans and features of our "Blue Planet," including the techniques used to learn more about the ocean floor; c. describe the features and processes associated with both passive and active continental margins relating to ocean topographic units; d. describe how each of the three broad categories of seafloor sediments originates and the association between seafloor sediments and climate change; e. list several resources obtained from the ocean and the seafloor; f. explain the physical, chemical, and density variations that define the ocean water's layered structure; g. explain the development and importance of ocean currents; h. identify the movement of water in the open ocean and coastal zone, including wave characteristics and types; i. identify the process of ground water movement and environmental impact of contamination. 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere and its local and global processes influencing climate and air quality. The student will be able to a. identify air masses, planetary wind belts, frontal systems, cyclonic systems, and the life cycle of weather systems; b. identify meteorological observations, analysis, and prediction and how they apply to worldwide observing systems; c. identify the depiction of meteorological data; d. identify global atmospheric changes including changes in CO2, CH4, and stratospheric O3, and the consequences and interactions related to climate change, weather patterns, increasing ultraviolet radiation, and sea level changes. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe. The student will be able to a. identify the theories of the formation of the universe and solar system; b. identify planetary motion and the physical laws that explain that motion, including rotation, revolution, diurnal motions of the stars, sun, and moon, and the effects of the tilt of the Earth’s axis; c. describe how the field of spectroscopy and light spectra can be used to investigate the properties of stars; d. identify the spectra generated by stars and our sun as indicators of motion and composition (the Doppler Effect); e. identify the properties and characteristics of our sun, including the source of the sun's energy. GEOL-1401 Page 2 of 3 COURSE ASSESSMENT Student success is measured by assessment techniques aligned to course goals and learning outcomes. Lecture and laboratory exams will be administered, counting a set percentage in final grade determination. Assessment may also include quizzes, assignments or other items. Lecture instructors will assess and evaluate students based on standards agreed upon between the instructor and department. Laboratory evaluation includes practical exams, assignments and exercises. Individual faculty members are responsible for designing evaluation instruments to measure student mastery of course goals and learning outcomes and for indicating the nature of such instruments in the instructor’s class requirements. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY Students are responsible for adhering to the TCCD policy on scholastic dishonesty as stated in the online student handbook at www.tccd.edu. RESOURCES For additional information regarding the student handbook, academic calendar, course evaluations, attendance policy, SCANS skills, Core Competencies, etc., see www.tccd.edu. GEOL-1401 Page 3 of 3