ENSC 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.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: GEOL 210.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Cross-listed: GEOL 211.
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