Course Description
This course will focus on the study of earth as a self-interacting system of a rock and metal interior and surface (geology), surface oceans (oceanography), atmosphere (meteorology), and its place in the solar system (astronomy). (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Explain the parts of the rock cycle and its role in recycling earth materials.
- Understand the role of wind, water, and ice in sculpting the natural environment.
- Describe the importance of plate tectonics in large-scale chances in the earth’s surface, including its relation to volcanism and seismic activity.
- Explain the methods used by geologists to reconstruct the history of the earth, and the difficulties encountered.
- Describe how oceanography combines aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, and geology.
- Understand the interplay between sunlight and the earth in creating seasons, weather, and climate.
- Describe the origin and evolution of storms.
- Distinguish between the major bodies of the solar system and describe their most important individual features.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussion Board Questions | 10% |
Homework | 60% |
Unit Essays | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Lutgens, Frederick K. and Edward J.Tarbuck. Foundations of Earth Science (8th Edition). Pearson Publishing, 2017. ISBN-10: 0-13-418481-5 or ISBN-13: 978-0-13-418481-4
Course Schedule
| Week | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|
1 | Back to Basics: Minerals
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2 | The Rock Cycle and Water
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3 | Glaciers & Deserts and Plate Tectonics
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4 | Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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5 | Geologic Time & the History of the Earth and The Oceans
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6 | Interacting Oceans & The Atmosphere
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7 | Moisture & Weather
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8 | Severe Weather & The Earth's Family Tree
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.