Course Syllabus

Course: GEO 1115

Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Geology
Title: Physical Geology Lab

Semester Approved: Fall 2021
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2026
End Semester: Summer 2027

Catalog Description: In this course, students will learn how to identify common minerals and rocks, read and interpret topographic and geologic maps and aerial photographs. The course is designed for geology majors, related majors, and others interested.

General Education Requirements: Physical Science Lab (LB)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 0; Lab: 2

Prerequisites: MATH 1010 or equivalent, ACT math score 23 or higher (or equivalent), or appropriate placement test score.

Corequisites: GEO 1110


Justification: This lab is an integral part of an introductory geology experience. It is offered to introduce geology students to the basic skills of a geologist: mineral and rock identification, map-reading skills, interpreting landforms, computational skills. This allows students to make observations, draw conclusions and make predictions about geologic phenomena. Together with GEO 1110 this class meets the Physical Science requirement for G.E. at Snow College and is a common course number for other public colleges in Utah. This course is required of all geology majors at all public colleges in Utah as well as BYU. It is also required for many related majors such as civil and environmental engineering and some natural resources majors. For the natural sciences, science is the systematic inquiry into natural phenomena organizing and condensing those observations into testable models and hypotheses, theories or laws. The success and credibility of science is anchored in the willingness of scientists to: 1) expose their ideas and results to independent testing and replication by other scientists which requires the complete and open exchange of data, procedures, and materials; 2) abandon or modify accepted conclusions when confronted with more complete or reliable experimental evidence. Adherence to these principles provides a mechanism for self-correction that is the foundation of the credibility of science. (Adapted from a statement by the Panel on Public Affairs of the American Physical Society which was endorsed by the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1999.)

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. After completing this course, the student will demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of how the natural world works by their ability to identify and interpret rocks and minerals, identify and interpret landscapes and geologic processes and hazards using data, maps, models and measurments. This will be assessed through lab exercises and practical exams.


2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. This outcome is covered in the co-requisite for this class (GEO1110)

3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. This outcome is covered in the co-requisite for this class (GEO 1110)

4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students are required to make observations, take measurements, make calculations, construct and interpret graphs and isolines, interpret maps, photos, and satellite images, identify and interpret common rocks and minerals. The student's ability to reason analytically and critically is measured by graded lab exercises and practical lab exams

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students will be trained to identify common rocks and minerals and use this skill to observe and interpret the geologic history, geologic stability, or economic significance of these materials. They will be trained to make observations about the natural world using maps and satellite data. They will use observation and experimentation to understand geologic topics such as groundwater, flood plains, slope stability, water quality.
Students will display mastery through laboratory exercises and lab exams.
 Students will be trained to identify common rocks and minerals and use this skill to observe and interpret the geologic history, geologic stability, or economic significance of these materials. They will be trained to make observations about the natural world using maps and satellite data. They will use observation and experimentation to understand geologic topics such as groundwater, flood plains, slope stability, water quality.
Students will display mastery through laboratory exercises and lab exams.



Content:
Students are invited to connect with the natural world and relate the culture and history of a place to the geologic processes that shape it and the ability to identify the materials present, Landscapes will be explored as a means of identity. During this course, the following topics will be addressed using hands-on laboratory exercises. Any topic not so covered remains the responsibility of the student to explore.

- Mineral Identification
- Igneous Rock Identification and interpretation
- Sedimentary Rock and interpretation
- Metamorphic Rock Identification and interpretation
- Topographic Map and Aerial Photo Interpretation
- Mass Wasting
- Fluvial Landforms and processes
- Groundwater
- Glacial Landforms
- Desert Landforms and Processes
- Coastal Landforms and Processes
- Geologic Map Interpretation
- Geologic Structures

Unique student perspectives on these topics will be discussed.


Key Performance Indicators:
Lab Exercises 30 to 50%

Practical Lab Exams 50 to 70%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Instructors have written or obtained permission to use content. The lab exercises and materials are provided to students free of charge or for the cost of copies.


Pedagogy Statement:
Instructors will use lab exercises, demonstrations, and group work to engage and encourage learning. Instructors will work to become aware of the negative or oppressive experiences of marginalized students. They will demonstrate caring through attitude, expectations, and behavior. They will learn students' names, and learn about their backgrounds and social identities, and include their unique perspectives. Instructors will provide constructive feedback. They will foster opportunities for group work and peer-to-peer interaction.

Instructional Mediums:
Lab

Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 24