A Science Laboratory course involving a study of the geological history of the Earth. Concepts covered include Measurement of Geologic Time, Stratigraphic Principles, Radiometric Decay, and Elementary Palaeontology. In the laboratory the student is introduced to methods in geological mapping and fossil identification. Introduction to crystallography, physical and chemical properties of minerals. The recognition of common minerals forms the bulk of laboratory study.
Field trips supplement the lecture and laboratory material.
In the laboratory the student will be introduced to Petrography - determinations using the petrographic microscope in addition to hand sample identification. Origin, diagenisis and gechemistry of sediments and sedimentary rock. Attention will also be given to Palaeoecology, Evolutionary Principles, and Palaeontologic Techniques. The fault, fold and ductile flow systems accompanying deformation of the earth's crust. Extensional, contractional and toroidal deformation.