TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR - FALL 2009

• AUG. 24  Introduction to course(geology as a science)--Ch. 1
• Introduction to course(geologic resources,environ. problems, geologic time)--Ch.1
• Introduction to course(scientific method, origin of Universe and Solar System)--Ch 1
• Introduction to course(Earth System-atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, interior )--Ch.1
• Plate Tectonics: A Unifying Theory (early ideas, cont. drift)--Ch.2
• Plate Tectonics: .....(evidence for, sea floor spreading, etc.)--Ch.2
• Minerals (stressing the nature of matter, energy, and chemical bonds)--Chapter 3
• Minerals (definition, atomic structure,isotopes, ions,bonding)--.Ch.3
• Minerals (crystalline structure, mineral groups, silicates)--Ch.3
• Minerals (carbonates, other groups, physical properties)--Ch.3
• Minerals (rock-forming minerals, mineral resourses)--Ch.3
• SEPT. 23  EXAM 1 (CHAPTERS 1, 2, and 3)
• Igneous Rocks...(general types, textures,composition)--Ch.4
• Igneous Rocks...(Bowen’s Reaction Series, classification)--Ch.4
• Igneous Rocks...(plutons,batholiths,igneous rocks and plate tectonics)--Ch.4
• Volcanism (composition of magma and lava,volcanism in general)--Ch.5
• Volcanism (types of volcanoes, distribution of volcanoes)--Ch.5
• Volcanism (volcanism and plate tectonics, hot spots)--Ch.5
• Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rocks (physical and chemical weathering, )--6
• Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rocks (soil formation, soil profile, soil horizons, soil types)--Ch.6
• Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rocks (sediment transportation, deposition)--Ch.6
• Weathering, Soil, and Sedimentary Rocks (lithification, sed. rock classif., sed. structures, sed. environments)--Ch.6
• Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks(agents of metamorphism)--Ch.7
• Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks (types of, classifciation, etc.)--Ch.7
• OCT. 21  EXAM 2 (CHAPTERS 4,5, 6, and 7)
• Earthquakes (seismology, seismic waves,distribution of quakes)--Ch.8
• Earthquakes (locating earthquakes, magnitude, destruction)--Ch.8
• Earthquakes (classifying, prediction, safety measures, control)--Ch.8
• Deformation, Mountain Building, and the Continents (rock deformation and rock structures)--Ch. 10
• Deformation, Mountain Building, and the Continents (mountain building)--Ch. 10
• Geologic Time (Deep time) (early concepts of, uniformitarianism, rel. dating)--Ch.17
• Geologic Time (correlaton and stratigraphic concepts, geologic column)--Ch.17
• Geologic Time (radioactivity and absolute dating)--Ch.17
• Geologic Time (geologic time scale)--Ch.17
• Evolution (Lamarck, Darwin, Natural Selection)--Ch.18
• Evolution ( Mendel and Genetics, Modern Synthesis, Speciation, etc.)--Ch.18
• Evolution (Divergence, Convergence, Cladistics, etc.)--Ch.18
• Nov. 18 - EXAM 3 (CHAPTERS 8, 10, 17, and 18)
• Nov. 23 - 27 - THANKSGIVING RECESS
• Precambrian Time (birth of continents, origin of life, stromatolites)--Ch.19
• Precambrian Time (banded iron formations, eukaryotes, multicelled organsims)--Ch.19
• Paleozoic Era (hard shells, invertebrates, origin of vertebrates)--Ch.20 and 21
• Mesozoic Era (plate motions, dinosaurs, birds)--Ch. 22
• Cenozoic Era (flowering plants, mammals, man)--Ch. 23.
• DECEMBER 14, 1:00-3:00 P.M. - FINAL EXAM (CHAPTERS 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, PLUS COMPREHENSIVE PORTION)