Course Overview

In order to recognize the interrelationships among the earth sciences and how humans affect and are affected by them, the students will be expected to:

1. Visually identify minerals that have importance in the formation of rocks and as ore minerals.
2. Visually identify and classify (at an elementary level) igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and describe their relationships with various geological processes.
3. Explain the theory of plate tectonics and how it has influenced evolution, climate, and earthquakes and volcanoes.
4. Describe the processes which alter the earth's surface.
5. Identify and describe the composition, features, and dynamic processes of the oceans and their coastal regions.
6. Describe the origin of the earth and the solar system.
7. Explain earth-sun relationships.
8. Identify and describe the atmospheric variables of temperature, moisture, pressure, and wind and how they influence weather and climate.
9. Understand how weather forecasting is done and it's influence on people.
10. Explain how human development has affected the environment.

Course Requirements

1. Complete each of the modules in the recommended order:
• Astronomy
• Meteorology
• Oceanography
• Geology - Tectonics
• Geology - Earth Materials
• Geology - Landscape Evolution
2. Complete the chapter exercises prescribed for each of the modules and submit them to the instructor through e-mail.
3. Complete the labs that are defined for each of the modules and submit the lab report to the instructor through e-mail.
4. Interview a scientist through e-mail with the recommended questions. Take the scientist's responses and compile them into a biography in your own words. Submit the biography to the instructor through e-mail.
5. Demonstrate your knowledge of the course material by taking two tests. The first is a midterm exam and it covers the first three modules displayed in point # 1 above. The second is a final that covers the last three modules only.

Course Prerequisite

Math Pre-Course Testing must indicate college level Math proficiency.

Necessary Equipment

In addition to the textbook, you will need to use a computer on which you have Internet access.

Visit the COD Online home page which includes an on-line assessment to help you determine if you are a good candidate for an online course.