University of Arkansas  Fort Smith
5210 Grand Avenue
P. O. Box 3649
Fort Smith, AR 729133649
4797887000
General Syllabus
PHSC 2651 Earth Science Laboratory
Credit Hours: 1
Lecture Hours: 0
Laboratory Hours: 2 hours
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PHSC 2653 Earth Science.
Effective Semester: Summer 2009
I.
Course Information
A. Catalog Description
A study in minerals, rocks, fossils, topographic map and geologic maps, and
oceanographic and meteorological phenomena.
II.
Student Learning Outcomes
A. Subject Matter
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify and differentiate minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and
metamorphic rocks.
2. Identify glacial features on topographic maps and use these features to give a
historical interpretation of the area.
3. Use seismogram data and a travel/time graph to determine the epicenter of an
earthquake.
4. Explain how porosity and permeability of rocks affect groundwater movement and
how groundwater movement is determined using well data and topographic maps.
5. Identify and describe symbols and features found on topographic maps.
6. Explain the process of plate tectonics and identify the major plate boundaries found
on the Earth using illustrations and geologic models.
7. Explain the concept of relative dating and apply relative dating techniques out in the
field, and in the laboratory using rock compositions and fossils.
8. Explain absolute dating through the understanding of half-life and radioactive decay.
9. Identify oceanographic features on maps.
10. Explain weather patterns and describe how weather currents, ocean
currents, and the Earth’s rotation and revolution interact with one another.
B. University Learning Outcomes
Earth Science Laboratory enhances student abilities in the following areas:
Analytical Skills
1. Demonstrate factual knowledge;
The students will demonstrate factual knowledge is that has been gathered. This
information includes such things as terminology, facts, methods, processes, and
patterns by which information and ideas are organized.
2. Comprehend information and ideas;
The students will demonstrate comprehension when they paraphrase or summarize
information on exams, or when they recognize irrelevant information presented
during the course.
3. Apply knowledge and comprehension;
The students apply information learned in the course when they create examples,
apply principles, or demonstrate an ability or skill. Performing computations
appropriate to the discipline such as interpret information from graphs and construct
graphs appropriate to data or equations also will be examples of this level of
knowledge.
Communication Skills
In reading and listening, the student will:
Determine the meaning of words on the basis of context, identify facts as opposed to
opinion, and perceive the tone and bias of a message.
In writing and speaking, the student will:
Use sentence patterns, diction, tone, and/or nonverbal skills appropriate for the audience,
utilizing standard English mechanics and usage and/or pronunciation.
Technological Skills
Use of supplemental learning materials such as computer-assisted instruction and videos.
Through the course, the students will become more aware of current areas of important
research in science and technology, and the potential impact they will have on society
and its environment.
Global and Cultural Perspectives
During the course, the students will learn to:
Apply the information presented in the course to the global discipline of science.
Be able to work in a group comprised of diverse cultures and cultural perspectives.
Ethics
The students will be required to apply ethical standards to the field of science and
evaluate ethical situations common to the scientific community.
III. Major Course Topics
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
Minerals
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Metamorphic rocks
Weathering, soil, and mass wasting
Groundwater and surface water
Glaciers
Earthquakes and the Earth’s interior
Plate Tectonics
Volcanoes
Mountain building
Geologic Time
Earth’s history
Oceanography
Meteorology