NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES

College of Science

University of the Philippines

GEOLOGY 1  SYLLABUS

Course Number:             Geology 1 (MST)

Course Title:                  Our Dynamic Earth

Course Description:        The study of how the earth works, its place in the universe; and relationship between people and the physical environment.

Prerequisites:                none

Course credit:                3 u.

Course objective:           After taking the course, the students will understand the earth materials and processes and the interaction between people and the physical environment.

Outline of Topics:

I.  WHAT LIES BENEATH? Earth’s origin and its internal processes

Specific objectives:        To describe the components of the earth as a system.

To explain how the earth works.

Duration:                       6 hrs

-earth systems

-earth’s origin (theories/hypotheses)

-dynamics of the earth’s interior

-the globe inside the earth

-mantle plumes and mountains

-plate tectonics

II. LIVING DANGEROUSLY: Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and landslides

Specific objective:          To describe the geologic hazards, their effects and causes.

Duration:                       9 hrs

-can we really predict earthquakes?

-what to do before, during, and after an earthquake

-living with volcanoes

-coastal erosion

-flooding: causes, consequences, and control

-mass wasting

First Long Examination:      1 hr

III. DISCOVERING OUR PREDECESSORS: The history of life in rocks

Specific objective:          To describe the history of life as recorded in rocks.

Duration:                       7.5 hrs

-hydrothermal vents and the origin of life

-investigating the origin of life in ancient rocks

-the Cambrian Explosion

-dinosaurs and the K/T boundary

-extinctions and what they tell us

IV. the great flood: A consequence of global climate change?

Specific objective:          To describe the climate changes through time as recorded in rocks and their implications to the present and future climate changes.

Duration:                       7.5 hrs

-ancient sea level changes

-Milankovitch cycles and the ice ages

-greenhouse warming and El Niño

-global climate change through time

Second Long Examination: 1 hr

V. SPENDING OUR WEALTH WISELY: Earth Resources and Pollution

Specific objective:          To identify the common resources, their extraction, utilization, and effects on the environment

Duration:                       9 hrs

-humans and the physical environment

-water resource: how long will it last?

-protecting our soils

-mining: an indispensable activity?

-fossil fuels and alternative energy resources

-geothermal energy: a viable energy resource for the Philippines?

-geology and pollution

VI. VENTURING OUT IN SPACE: E.T. Geology

Specific objective:             To describe the existing knowledge about the geology of extraterrestrial bodies as a key to understanding our own planet.

Duration:                      4.5 hrs

-discovering Mars and Venus

-Pluto as a planet?

-extra solar planets

Third Long Examination: 1 hr