GEOL 211 - Historical Geology

Units: 4
Principles of interpretation of Earth history. Study of plate tectonics and sea-floor spreading as related to the development of continents, ocean basins, and mountain belts. Origin, evolution and diversification of life through time. Laboratory work includes hands-on exercises with fossils. Lecture Units: 3; Lab Units: 1.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: GEOL 210.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Cross-listed: ENSC 211
Course Typically Offered: Variable Intermittently

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

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