Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

ESCI 1030 - Physical Geology

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture 3Lab 2
Course Description: This course introduces the student to rocks & minerals, geologic time, plate tectonics, and geologic landforms. Laboratory investigations provide the framework for rock and mineral identification and map interpretation of geologic features and processes.
MnTC Goals
3 Natural Science, 10 People/Environment

Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
  1. Shaping the Earth’s Crust Folds, Faults and Mountains Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior Plate Tectonics: Creating Oceans and Continents
  2. Forming the Earth Minerals Igneous Processes and Igneous Rocks Volcanoes and Volcanism Weathering: Breakdown of Rocks Sedimentation and Sedimentary Rocks Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks Telling Time Geologically
  3. Sculpting the Earth’s Surface Mass Movement Streams and Floods Groundwater, Caves and Karst Glaciers and Ice Ages Deserts and Wind Action Shores and Coastal Processes Earth’s Resources

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. interpret topographic maps, geologic maps and stereo photos.
  2. identify common rocks and minerals based on standard physical and chemical properties
  3. recognize regional land forms from their unique geologic features.
  4. explain fundamental principles of geology including plate tectonics, geologic time, geologic structures, and landscape formation.


Courses and Registration



Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)