Fulfills the Quantitative Reasoning overlay course requirement. The Earth and life have been continually changing throughout the 4.6 billion years of Earth history. We will explore these changes, including the tectonic evolution of mountain ranges, the changing landscapes and environments across the North American continent, and the origin, evolution and extinction of the various life forms that have inhabited our planet. Students will have the opportunity to examine Wellesley's extensive fossil collection, and a field trip to fossil sites in New York State will be offered. We will then undertake a systematic study of the most common rock-forming minerals.
Laboratory emphasizes optical, x-ray, and hand specimen characterization of minerals.
Our planet has not always been a safe place on which to live, as mass extinctions have punctuated the history of life and dramatically altered the course of evolution. Among the topics we will explore are the process of evolution and the nature of the fossil record, gradual change versus catastrophic events, dinosaurs and their extinction, periodicity of mass extinctions, the prospect of future extinctions and an evaluation of the possible causes of extinctions, including sea-level changes, climate changes, volcanism and meteorite impacts. Normally offered in alternate years. This seminar-style course will focus on interactions between people and their physical environment. Geological component to emphasize coastal, fluvial and glacial processes, evaluation of bedrock for engineering projects and groundwater.