Discipline: Earth Science (Geology) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Geology 30B


COURSE DESCRIPTION
30B Geol Field Study Southern California Units: 1.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: GEO 1 and/or GEO 1B and/or GEO 2 and/or GEO 3
A field course with trips to regional points of geologic interest. This class includes two, weekend field excursions to sites of geologic interest. These sites include, but are not limited to, the Eastern Mojave Desert National Preserve, Red Rock Canyon State Park, Salton Trough, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Rainbows Basin. Designed to supplement other courses in geology and to increase the interest and understanding of those enrolled in these courses. This class requires students to camp outdoors in primitive campgrounds. The first class meeting is during the third week of the semester. Total of 54 hours laboratory (field studies) to be arranged per semester.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Two weekend field trips to learn geologic mapping skills and to acquaint students to the geology of Southern California.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Explain basic geological concepts as they apply to the features examined in the field.

Describe the geologic forces that created the features examined in the field.

Recognize large scale changes in surface features of the land and hypothesize what forces may have worked to shape the landscape.

Identify basic rock types.

Identify features such as faults, folds, joints, valleys, etc. as they are encountered in the field
.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Structural geology as it relates to faults, folds and mountain building.
  2. Sedimentology of both modern and ancient systems.
  3. Geomorphology and landscape evolution through time.
  4. Coastal processes and development of landforms through  processes such as longshore drift, wave refraction, tectonism, ocean circulation patterns and local effects as well as human influence. Discussions may include emerging coastlines, erosional coasts, drowned coasts and passive coastal margins.
  5. Glaciers and glaciation, including types and features of Alpine and Continental glacial systems.
  6. Identification of minerals.
  7. Identification of fossils.
  8. Identification of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
  9. Geological hazards such as landslides, liquefaction zones, flood plains, fault scarpes, etc.
  10. Production and use of geologic maps.
  11. Using a Brunton compass.
  12. Use of GPS and GIS systems.
  13. Geologic time and rates of geologic processes.
  14. Volcanoes and volcanism and the formation of igneous rocks.
  15. The formation and diagenesis of sedimentary rocks.
  16. The formation and interpretation of metamorphic rocks.
  17. Changes in paleoclimate and paleoclimatic indicators.
  18. Processes of physical and chemical weathering and erosion.
  19. Formation and features of hydrologic systems.
  20. Processes and effects of mass wasting.
  21. Desert landscapes including distribution, types and features.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Direct observation and discussion of geologic features in the field.
  • Present class lectures to describe the processes and features of the geologic points that will be visited during the field portion of the course.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations (or slides/overheads) to enhance points made during classroom meetings and to illustrate the attributes of the features that students will experience in the field.

 
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Examinations will be given which are designed to determine the students comprehension of materials encountered on the field trip.  Question types may include but are not limited to: essay and short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, true and false, matching, and draw-and-label the diagram questions.
  • Written and/or oral 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 discussed on the fieldtrips to gain a broader understanding of a topic explored on their own.
  • Students will be required to keep a field notebook with notes on the geological features encountered during the field trips.  The notebooks will be collected and evaluated for completeness and level of detail.  This will aid the instructor in determining the level of understanding a student may have gained from the experience.

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • 1. U.S.G.S. Geologic maps
    2. C.D.M.G. State Geologic maps
    3. Field Guide Books published by the Geologic Society of America, National
    a. Association of Geoscience Teachers, American Association of Petroleum
    b. Geologist, and other professional societies
    4. Guidebooks published by National Park Service
    5. Reports published by Geologic Society of America, etc.

    No single book or report is used
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