Exploring Earth's Physical Features

Scientific Inquiry Domain (SID-1)

Students will be able to apply appropriate concepts, tools, and techniques of scientific inquiry.

Scientific Inquiry Domain (SID-2)

Students will be able to describe how natural scientific, mathematical, and/or computational methodologies function as mechanisms for inquiry.

Scientific Inquiry Domain (SID-3)

Students will be able to explain the interaction between the content of their SI-Elective course and other scientific disciplines or the broader society

(SID-1)

You will gain an understanding of the major principles guiding modern scientific thought and inquiry. You will be introduced to the principles of scientific inquiry in course readings as well as engage in making observations, developing hypotheses, formulating predictions and undertaking procedures (i.e., experimentation) to verify or falsify predictions about earth’s physical features in course activities such as labs, research papers and a fieldtrip.

You are required to develop proficiency in content areas and apply the concepts, tools and/or techniques of: the general physical characteristics of earth, plate tectonic theory, geologic time, rock types and the rock cycle, chemical and mechanical weathering, gravity flows and earthquakes, hydrodynamics and river features, rock structures, volcanoes, mountains, plateaus, plains, glacial features, coasts, shorelines, ocean physiography, deserts, caves, biogeography,  geographic information systems, human dependence on landforms, and the economics of landforms.

(SID-2)

The Exploring Earth’s Physical Features self-directed fieldtrip requires you to identify a plausible research question/hypothesis through examination of current scholarly literature. You will determine and apply an appropriate methodology to address the question, collect data at the selected natural area or museum, analyze your results with regard to falsification or support of your hypothesis and indicate your study’s caveats and conclusions. The research paper assignment parallels this strategy but you are required to obtain your data via the literature (i.e., versus field data).  You communicate your research and experimentation following a science journal format that includes the sections: abstract, introduction, literature review/statement of problem, methods, results, discussion, conclusion and references. The format of these learning activities necessitates that you make the crucial distinction between your results and your subsequent interpretation and conclusions drawn from results. The conveyance of geological theories and content in labs also centers on testing hypotheses, including multiple working hypotheses. In this way, you experience how natural science methodologies support human inquiry.

(SID-3)

You will understand and appreciate the interrelationships among the course content, other disciplines, and societal issues. Geology is a science that draws technologies and tools from a variety of other sciences and engineering fields to address research questions. Through labs and online fieldtrips that emphasize interactive media, you will be introduced to and gain an applied appreciation for technologies that contribute to solving problems involving earth’s chronology (radiometric dating), the internal structures of earth (seismographs and geo-modeling), formation of representative landforms (simulations), and geological and resource mapping (global information systems). These learning activities will also demonstrate how our knowledge of earth’s physical development has been improved by iterative waves of technology (e.g., advancement of seismology) and as a product of human exigency for improved knowledge to prevent disaster.
You will understand and appreciate the role of science in society and in your life. In readings, course multimedia and assignments, you will regularly consider how the field of geology contributes broadly to human concern and understanding such as geologic hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, tsunamis), natural resource reserves (energy, water, soils, minerals), the evolution of earth and the context of the human species as well as biogeography (habitability of landforms for humans and other species).
This course makes detailed use of multimedia and articles from approachable and enduring online resources such as Geology.com and the National Science Digital Library (NSDL). Likewise, interesting weekly stories (“earth science current events”) are linked on the D2L site under ‘news’ so you can read popular reports about the latest earth science findings. This learning strategy of incorporating popular resources to compliment the course texts and other course materials fosters an ongoing and lifelong appreciation of the natural sciences.

You will understand the nature of science, technology, and mathematics. Interpretation of geological phenomena and the geological record constantly advance as geologists make new discoveries and emerging technologies are applied to gather and analyze information. Exploring Earth’s Physical Features will regularly review cases of how scientific knowledge of earth has evolved. For example, you will observe how plate tectonic theory began as a controversial idea, but was gradually substantiated by mounting evidence from a variety of fields (e.g., geophysics and paleontology), and can now be confirmed directly by measurements of plate shifts from satellites.

Likewise, you will observe that quantitative aspects of geology involving measurements (e.g., age of rocks, seismic activity, geochemical analyses, thermal measurements of volcanoes, subsurface extrapolations of geologic features, geologic maps) involve uncertainty (i.e., error, probability and inference). Therefore, they will gain an appreciation for why some phenomena cannot be predicted precisely (e.g., the timing of a major earthquake, landslide or volcanic eruption).

Reflectiveness:

Student investigation of the physical features of earth in this course will encourage student reflection on important issues addressed by scientists and of interest to humankind. Students will tackle questions including: How and when did the earth originate? What forces and processes have acted to shape the planet since its origin? What are the history of the present features of earth and the processes that generated them? What are the interconnections of the physical features of earth to natural resources, societal survival, and human prosperity? Are the processes and features of earth unique in the solar system?

In the discussion forums and in the course of written assignments students are guided to consider how the geological perspective of earth's formation and evolution has been produced and how it is (or is not) reshaping their own view of the planet. The desired outcome of this reflection is for students to gain a keener appreciation for their own existence in the context of geologic time.

Critical and Creative Thinking:

The Exploring Earth's Physical Features course advances the development of critical thinking skills and explores methods of formal inquiry as preparation for lifelong independent research. The course research paper is a key activity to foster critical and creative thinking with its emphasis on generating and evaluating a novel hypothesis based on the review of up-to-date scholarly literature. Students must find a 'gap' in our current knowledge of a subject and find a creative means (e.g., methodology) to contribute to closing the gap. In this way, Exploring Earth's Physical Features promotes a broader perspective of research and innovation to solve problems.

S1A

Can explore natural phenomena or the world of everyday experiences using scientific methods, and can use theories to interpret observations.

S2B

Can describe, differentiate, and explain form, function, and variation within physical systems.

S2C

Can describe, categorize and explain development or change within physical or biological systems.

S4

Can describe and explain connections among diverse aspects of nature.

S5

Can explain and evaluate the nature and process of science.

S1A

You will satisfy this competence by evaluating an earth landform(s) through direct observation during a self-directed fieldtrip and corresponding report. In addition, you will develop this competence through lab work, in particular the 'Weathering and Erosion Lab', and your competence-specific research paper. In all cases, you will apply the current scientific theories and principles that describe earth's landforms and processes.

S2B

You will satisfy this competence through: 1) lab work on 'Plate Tectonics' and 'North American Landforms', 2) virtual fieldtrips and a self-directed fieldtrip with corresponding report, and 3) your competence-specific research paper. In all cases, you will apply the current scientific theories and principles to describe and differentiate the character of a major group of landforms of your choice (e.g., mountain ranges, cave systems, plateaus, rivers, etc.) and then assess the forms, function, and variation within this group of landforms.

S2C

You will satisfy this competence through: 1) lab work on 'Plate Tectonics' and 'Landforms and Natural Resources', 2) virtual fieldtrips and a self-directed fieldtrip with corresponding report, and 3) your competence-specific research paper. You will apply the current scientific theories and principles to describe, categorize, and explain development and change in earth's physical features through geologic time as a function of rock type, energy, climate, and time.

S4

You will explain and illustrate the interconnection of landform distribution and origins to a specific natural resource(s) such as water, metal ores, gold, silver, coal, oil, diamonds, soils, etc., and then describe and analyze the corresponding quality of life afforded by the landform and natural resource. Satisfying this competence will be accomplished through your 'Landforms and Natural Resources' lab, virtual fieldtrips and competence-specifipaper.

S5

You will analyze the types of questions, assumptions and claims of how features on the earth form and evolve such as through macro processes like plate tectonics down to micro scale weathering. You will be introduced to key examples of large-scale features and evaluate the multiple hypotheses of how they formed and remaining uncertainty.

Discussions

10

20

200

20%

Lab Reports

4

50

200

20%

Research Paper (Topics and References)

1

50

50

5%

Research Paper (Final)

1

200

200

20%

Exam

1

100

100

10%

Virtual Fieldtrip Reports

4

25

100

10%

Landform Field Trip Report

4

150

150

15%

Total

1000 Points

100%

Week, Module # and Title

Unit

Date

Unit Topic

Summary

Module 1

Introduction to Earth's Physical Features

1.1

Week 1

General Characteristics of Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Geologic Time

In this unit and throughout this course, students will learn about and apply the methodology of scientific reasoning to investigate the physical characteristics of life on earth from its onset to the origin of modern landforms. In Unit 1.1, students will explore the early history of the earth, its internal anatomy, and the concept of plate tectonics that explains how the surface of the earth transforms itself over time. Students will also be introduced to the geological time scale that provides a chronological framework for comprehending the vast intervals encompassed by earth's history.

1.2

Week 2

Rock Types and The Rock Cycle

In Unit 1.2, students will explore the major types of rocks that comprise the surface of the earth as well as the "rock cycle" that serves as a framework to illustrate the complex and interconnected physical and chemical processes that shape landforms.

Module 2

Agents of Change: Weathering - Gravity - Energy - Water

2.1

Week 3

Chemical and Mechanical Weathering, Gravity and Earthquakes

This unit introduces students to key erosional processes that shape the face of the earth, including chemical and mechanical weathering, as well as gravity movements. Another concept this module introduces is hill slope development that can vary dramatically according to prevailing climatic conditions and parent rock. Finally, this unit provides a background to the origin and importance of earthquakes to plate tectonics and landform development.

2.2

Week 4

Running Water and River Features

In this unit, students examine the important role that water movement plays in shaping and reshaping earth's physical features. Students also examine the various scales and processes of water movement on continents and near the ocean margins in order to describe and explain the genesis of the resulting water and river-produced landforms.

Module 3

Overview and Evolution of Landforms I

3.1

Week 5

Rock Structures, Volcanoes, & Mountains

This module investigates the landform features of the earth that result from igneous activity, structural deformation by plate tectonics, and deep burial. In Unit 3.1 students investigate selected landforms generated by tectonic activity including igneous features (e.g., volcanoes), rock structures (folds), and earth's mountain belts.

3.2

Week 6

Plateaus, Plains, & Glacial Features

This module provides an overview of plateau, plains and glacial landforms. As a result students will be able to: 1) observe, describe, and then differentiate plateau, plains, and glacial landforms into groups, 2), examine and interpret plateau, plains, and glacial landforms using geological theories of their origins, and 3) explain development and change in these landforms through geologic time.

Module 4

Overview and Evolution of Landforms II

4.1

Week 7

Coasts, Shorelines, & Oceans

In this unit, students examine and interpret coastal, shoreline, and ocean basin landforms using appropriate geomorphology principles. A key objective is for students to explain development and change in coastal, shoreline, and ocean basin landforms through geologic time as their evolution relates to plate tectonic and climatic processes.

4.2

Week 8

Deserts and Caves

Unit 4.2 advances student investigation of desert and cave landforms including their categorization, origin, and evolution through geologic time.

Module 5

Human Dependence on Landforms: Landforms as Natural Resources

5.1

Week 9

Human Dependence on Landforms

This unit fosters student investigation of the relationship between landforms, natural resources and society. In addition this unit explores the relationships of biota to landforms (biogeography). As a result students will have an ability examine and describe the important interconnections between earth's physical features, natural resource distribution, and the quality of human life.

5.2

Week 10

Economics of Landforms

This final unit familiarizes students with landform economics (i.e., economic geology). As a result students will be able to evaluate and distinguish between mineral occurrences, mineral resources and mineral reserves and be able to discuss the importance of natural resources to a nation's economy.

Week, Module # and Title

Unit

Date

Unit Topic

Required Readings

Module 1

Introduction to Earth's Physical Features

1.1

Week 1

General Characteristics of Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Geologic Time

Read: GEOL (Chapters 1 & 2)

"Scientific Method"

1.2

Week 2

Rock Types and The Rock Cycle

Read: GEOL (Chapter 3)

Module 2

Agents of Change: Weathering - Gravity - Energy - Water

2.1

Week 3

Chemical and Mechanical Weathering, Gravity and Earthquakes

Read: GEOL (Chapters 6 & 8)

2.2

Week 4

Running Water and River Features

Read: GEOL (Chapter 11)

Module 3

Overview and Evolution of Landforms I

3.1

Week 5

Rock Structures, Volcanoes, & Mountains

Read: GEOL (Chapters 4 & 5)

3.2

Week 6

Plateaus, Plains, & Glacial Features

Read: GEOL (Chapter 13)

Read "Colorado Plateau"

Module 4

Overview and Evolution of Landforms II

4.1

Week 7

Coasts, Shorelines, & Oceans

Read: GEOL (Chapter 15)

4.2

Week 8

Deserts and Caves

Read: GEOL (Chapter 14 and pp. 256-258)

Module 5

Human Dependence on Landforms: Landforms as Natural Resources

5.1

Week 9

Human Dependence on Landforms

"Life Cycle of Mineral Deposits" pp.1-6

"Geology and Biodiversity"

5.2

Week 10

Economics of Landforms

Oil in your backyard

Gold Deposits

5.3

Week 10

Summary

Reflect of the main issues of the course.

Unit

Date

Assignments

Assignments

1.1 General Characteristics of Earth, Plate Tectonics, and Geologic Time

Week 1

Take Virtual Fieldtrip 1

Submit Fieldtrip Report 1

Forum 0: Introductions

Forum 1.1: The Dynamic Earth

1.2 Rock Types and The Rock Cycle

Week 2

Do Lab 1: Plate Tectonics

Submit Lab Report 1

Begin Research Paper

Forum 1.2: The Dynamic Earth

2.1 Chemical and Mechanical Weathering, Gravity and Earthquakes

Week 3

Take Virtual Fieldtrip 2

Submit Fieldtrip Report 2

Forum 2.1: Agents of Change

2.2 Running Water and River Features

Week 4

Do Lab 2: Weathering and Erosion

Submit Lab Report 2

Submit Research Paper Topic(s)

Forum 2.2: Agents of Change

3.1 Rock Structures, Volcanoes, & Mountains

Week 5

Initiate a Self-Directed fieldtrip (Submit the Fieldtrip Report no later than the end of Week 8)

Forum 3.1: Landforms I

3.2 Plateaus, Plains, & Glacial Features

Week 6

Do Lab 3: Survey of North American Landforms

Submit Lab Report 3

Submit Research Paper references

Forum 3.2: Landforms I

4.1 Coasts, Shorelines, & Oceans

Week 7

Take Virtual Fieldtrip 3

Submit Fieldtrip Report

Forum 4.1: Landforms II

4.2 Deserts and Caves

Week 8

Do Lab 4: Landforms and Natural Resources

Submit Lab Report 4

Submit Research Paper Draft (Optional)

Submit Self-Directed Fieldtrip Report

Forum 4.2: Landforms II

5.1 Human Dependence on Landforms

Week 9

Take Virtual Fieldtrip 4

Submit Fieldtrip Report 4

Forum 5.1: Human Dependence on Landforms

5.2 Economics of Landforms

Week 10

Submit Research Paper Final Draft

Exam: Complete the short-essay exam

Forum 5.2: Human Dependence on Landforms

5.3 Summary

Week 10

Develop a 200 word summary statement about earth's landforms based on your learning throughout the course. Post this statement as a message on the Human Dependence on Landforms Forum

Forum 5.3: Human Dependence on Landforms