Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geology 1B

Describe the scientifically accepted ideas concerning the formational processes of the earth and the processes and characteristics of plate tectonics.

Summarize the scientifically accepted ideas concerning the formation and evolution of life through time.

Explain the geologic time scale and general characteristics of life during each geologic time period.

Describe the many ways biologic materials and animal behaviors are preserved in the fossil record.

Demonstrate an understanding of the impact geological forces and plate tectonics can have on animals and how organisms have responded to these forces.

• Present class lectures to describe the processes and features of the topics outlined above.
• Assign and assist students with laboratory exercises relating to topics outlined above.
• Utilize PowerPoint presentations (or slides/overheads) to enhance points made in the lecture and to illustrate a variety of geological concepts.
• Show videos in order to illustrate geologic events in real time, as well as to demonstrate events  (modeled) through geologic history, which are not directly observable.  In addition, videos will provide the students with an opportunity to see what experts in various fields have to say about a variety of the topics outlined above.
• Develop and assign group and individual exercises to help the students gain a greater depth of knowledge in specific topics and enhance the educational experience.
• Develop and assign web-based activities such as visiting the United States Geological Survey web site, Cascades Volcano Observatory web site, and other geologically oriented sites in order for students to see real-time monitoring of geological activity and examine advances in planetary geology such as the exploration of Mars.
• Invite guest lecturers to class in order to expose students to other opinions and viewpoints and to demonstrate the relevancy of selected topics and subdisciplines.
• Students may also use the internet for online paper submissions.

• Examinations, quizzes and laboratory practicum’s will be given which are designed to determine the students comprehension of materials presented and studied in class.  Possible question types include: essay and short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true and false, matching, and draw-and-label the diagram questions as well as identifying and describing fossils.
• Written reports may be assigned which are designed to allow the students to explore specific historical 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.
• Class and individual projects 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.
• A final examination designed to determine the level of proficiency each student has achieved in the aggregate of all topics presented during the course.  This will also aid the instructor in adjusting the lesson plan or emphasis in future classes to ensure students are achieving the student learning outcomes as outlined above. 

• Levin. The Earth Through Time. 3 ed. any: Saunders College Publishing Co., 0.
• Levin. Interpreting Earth History lab manual. 3 ed. any: Saunders College Publishing Co. , 0.