Dec 04, 2024  
2021-2022 Course Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ESCI 1020 - Earth Science

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 2
Course Description: This course is a survey of the earth sciences as a broad and nonquantitative introduction to topics in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. It views solid earth, the liquid hydrosphere, and the gaseous atmosphere in terms of continuous interactions as air comes in contact with rock, rock with water, and water with air. Laboratory investigations and hands-on experiences provide the framework for the semester’s study.
MnTC Goals
3 Natural Science, 10 People/Environment

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

Major Content
  1. The Solid Earth
    1. Minerals
    2. Rocks
    3. Running Water
    4. Earthquakes
    5. Plate Tectonics
    6. Geologic Time
  2. The Oceans
    1. Ocean Waters
    2. Sea Floor
    3. Waves & Tides
    4. The Restless Ocean
  3. The Atmosphere
    1. Composition, Structure and Temperature
    2. Moisture
    3. Air Pressure and Wind
    4. Weather Patterns and Severe Storms
    5. Climate
  4. Astronomy
    1. Earth’s Place in the Universe
    2. Tour of the Solar System
    3. Light, Astronomical Observations
    4. The Sun

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

  1. demonstrate a basic understanding of scientific theories in various earth sciences.
  2. use maps to analyze earth phenomena.
  3. explain basic processes that control natural phenomena.
  4. discuss the risks presented by natural hazards.

Competency 1 (1-6)
03. 01. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
03. 02. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, students’ laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.
03. 03. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.
03. 04. Evaluate societal issues from a natural science perspective, ask questions about the evidence presented, and make informed judgments about science-related topics and policies.

Competency 2 (7-10)
10. 01. Explain the basic structure and function of various natural ecosystems and of human adaptive strategies within those systems.
10. 02. Discern patterns and interrelationships of bio-physical and socio-cultural systems.
10. 04. Evaluate critically environmental and natural resource issues in light of understandings about interrelationships, ecosystems, and institutions.
10. 05. Propose and assess alternative solutions to environmental problems.


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