Student Learning Outcomes

Natural Hazards & Disasters – GEOL 1301

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the scientific method as applied in the earth sciences; and
  • describe common earth materials and their relationship to natural hazards; and
  • explain how Earth and Solar System processes create hazards to life and property; and
  • describe and explain the most common methods used to mitigate and prepare for each type of hazardous natural process; and
  • explain the causes and effects of global climate change.

Environmental Geology – GEOL 1305

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the scientific method as applied in the earth sciences; and
  • explain the hydrologic cycle and theory of plate tectonics as related to natural hazards and earth resources; and
  • describe common earth materials and their relationship to environmental hazards; and
  • explain how earth processes create hazards to life and property; and
  • describe the occurrence and formation of earth resources and significant environmental effects caused by their extraction, processing, and use; and
  • describe the major sources of water, soil, and sediment pollution and methods for their management; and
  • explain the causes and effects of global climate change.

Physical Geology – GEOL 1403

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the scientific method and apply it in a geological context; and
  • describe Earth’s major systems and explain how they interact; and
  • identify common rocks and minerals and interpret how they form; and
  • describe and interpret the development of landforms and geologic structures; and
  • construct and interpret geologic and topographic maps, cross-sections, and topographic profiles; and
  • explain the plate tectonic theory and explain its relationship to earth processes, features, and landforms.

Historical Geology – GEOL 1404

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • identify common sedimentary rocks and structures, and describe and interpret their origin and distribution; and
  • describe the sedimentological, paleoclimatic, tectonic, and biological history of the Earth with a focus on North America; and
  • explain and apply the basic principles of stratigraphy, paleoecology, and geochronology; and
  • explain the theory of biological evolution and how it explains the distribution, diversity, and extinction of organisms; and
  • identify common fossil organisms and describe their habitat; and
  • construct and interpret geologic and stratigraphic maps and cross sections.

Environmental Oceanography – GEOL 1345

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the scientific method as applied in oceanography; and (GEOL 1345 only)
  • describe Earth’s hydrologic and atmospheric systems and explain how they interact; and
  • explain the theory of plate tectonics and how it explains the origin, distribution, and geological and physical features of the ocean basins; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of the properties of seawater; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of the size, composition, origin, and distribution of common types of marine sediment; and
  • explain the causes, locations, and behaviors of ocean waves, currents, and tides and their influence on coastal zones; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of common marine organisms, their habitat, interaction and factors influencing productivity.

Introduction to Oceanography – GEOL 1445

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • describe the scientific method and apply it in an oceanographic context; and
  • describe Earth’s hydrologic and atmospheric systems and explain how they interact; and explain the theory of plate tectonics and how it explains the origin, distribution, and geological and physical features of the ocean basins; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of the properties of seawater and apply methods for studying it; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of the size, composition, origin, and distribution of common types of marine sediment; and
  • explain the causes, locations, and behaviors of ocean waves, currents, and tides and their influence on coastal zones; and
  • demonstrate knowledge of common marine organisms, their habitat, interaction and factors influencing productivity; and
  • identify, locate, and interpret features on marine charts and maps.