Faculty + Staff
David Thomas
Dave Thomas currently teaches Geology 1103 at Lawrence Technological University.
COURSE OBJECTIVES - Students will be able to:
- Define geology as a science.
- Draw, interpret and define topographic profiles.
- Draw, interpret and define topographic maps.
- Explain the concept of the rock cycle.
- Compare and contrast the layers of Earth defined by composition and physical properties.
- Discuss the theory of plate tectonics.
- List the three types of plate boundaries and give a location for each type.
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· Define minerals and explain how they differ from rocks.
· List the eight elements that make up most of the Earth’s continental crust.
· Know physical and chemical tests used to identify a mineral sample.
· Correctly identify given mineral samples.
· Describe how two types of igneous rocks form.
· Explain the difference between magma and lava.
· List the two criteria that are used to classify igneous rocks.
· Describe how the cooling of magma influences the crystal size.
· Relate the mineral makeup of an igneous rock to Bowen’s reaction series.
· Describe the differences between basaltic and granitic rocks.
· Correctly identify selected igneous rocks.
· Discuss the difference between explosive and mild volcanic activity.
· Discuss viscosity, silica content, volatiles, and magma composition.
· List the various materials erupted from volcanoes.
· Compare and contrast shield, stratovolcanoes, and cinder cones.
· Discuss the causes of explosive volcanic eruptions.
· Explain the origin of calderas, necks, lava domes, etc.
· List and describe the various types of plutonic igneous bodies.
· Discuss igneous activity at tectonic plate margins.
· Identify and explain “The Ring of Fire.”
· Discuss the various processes involved in physical weathering.
· Discuss the various processes involved in chemical weathering.
· List and briefly explain those factors which control rates of weathering.
· Define soil and explain the difference between soil and regolith.
· Discuss soil formation, including those factors that control soil formation.
· Explain the concept of the soil profile and how it relates to soil formation.
· Discuss the characteristics of the soil horizons in a typical soil profile.
· Briefly discuss soil erosion.
· Briefly discuss how sediment is turned into sedimentary rock.
· Explain and briefly define the major types of detrital sedimentary rocks.
· Explain and briefly define the major types of chemical sedimentary rocks.
· List and briefly discuss the major sedimentary depositional environments.
· Discuss the most common characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks.
· Describe the two broad groups of nonmetallic mineral resources.
· List the energy resources that are associated with sedimentary rocks.
· Correctly identify selected sedimentary rocks.
· Briefly discuss the concept of metamorphism and metamorphic rocks.
· Describe the agents of metamorphism: heat, pressure, and chemical fluids.
· Briefly discuss the importance and origin of metamorphic textures.
· Compare and contrast foliated and nonfoliated textures.
· List and define common foliated and nonfoliated metamorphic rocks.
· Correctly identify selected metamorphic rocks.
· Explain the origin of earthquakes and faults.
Distinguish the Richter Scale from the Mercalli Scale
· Discuss elastic rebound and the accumulation of strain in rocks.
· Discuss seismology, and seismograms.
Identify and distinguish the characteristics of P, S and L seismic waves.
Measure the distance to an epicenter using Travel Time curves.
Distinguish the focus from an epicenter.
Describe the causes of the secondary effects of earthquakes.
Locate on a map the three major earthquake belts.
Understand earthquakes in relation to tectonic plate boundaries.
Explain how seismic waves determine earth's interior structure.
· Discuss and explain the hydrologic cycle on Earth.
· Briefly discuss the concept of discharge and gradient.
· Explain the changes from the head to the mouth of a stream.
· Compare and contrast how streams transport sediment.
Describe the development of a floodplain.
Identify the features of a floodplain.
· Distinguish between the competence and capacity of a stream.
· List and briefly describe the various types of stream deposits.
· Briefly explain the concept of base level and graded streams.
· Compare and contrast the characteristics of stream valleys.
· List and briefly describe the various types of drainage patterns.
· Briefly discuss the importance of groundwater.
· Explain the distribution of groundwater and the water table.
· Understand how groundwater affects streams.
· Discuss factors influencing the movement of groundwater.
· Compare and contrast springs, hot springs, and geysers.
· Discuss problems associated with groundwater withdrawal.
· Research and present a power point presentation as a team.
· Critique another student’s presentation.
· Compare and contrast the different types of glaciers.
· Briefly discuss the formation and movement of glaciers.
· Discuss the processes involved in glacial erosion.
· Compare and contrast landforms produced by glacial erosion.
· Discuss the processes associated with glacial deposition.
· Compare and contrast landforms produced by glacial deposition.
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