GEOL 1401 - Earth Science for Non-Science Majors I

• Explain the current theories concerning the origin of the Universe and of the Solar System.
• Explain the place of Earth in the Solar System and its relationships with other objects in the solar system.
• Relate the origin and evolution of Earth’s internal structures to its resulting geologic systems, including Earth materials and plate tectonic activities.
• Explain the operation of Earth’s geologic systems and the interactions among the atmosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere, including meteorology and oceanography.
• Explain the history of the Earth including the evolution of earth systems and life forms.
• Classify rocks and minerals based on chemical composition, physical properties, and origin.
• Apply knowledge of topographic maps, diagrams, and/or photographs to identify landforms and explain the processes that created them.
• Differentiate the types of plate boundaries, explain the processes that occur at each and identify associated structural features on maps, block diagrams and cross sections.
• Apply relative and numerical age-dating techniques to construct geologic histories.
• Measure atmospheric processes that affect weather and climate.
• Describe the composition and motion of ocean water and analyze the factors controlling both.
• Compare properties and motions of objects in the solar system.
• Demonstrate the collection, analysis, and reporting of data.