laura.moore@oberlin.edu

Private four-year institution, primarily undergraduate

less than 15

This is a 200-level course with a prerequisite of introductory physical geology. The course does not serve as a prerequisite for other geology courses. Class meets twice a week for 75 minutes. The course has a three-hour lab and two one-day field trips.

-Students will be able to analyze the role of active and ancient Earth surface processes in landform evolution.

-Students will be able to predict the effect of thresholds and changes in forcing on geomorphic systems.

-Students will be able to evaluate the geomorphic significance of anthropogenic activities.

Instead of covering all possible Earth surface processes, the course will focus on five main content topics. Within these content topics, activities such as case studies, problem-based field labs and geomorphic experiments will give students practice analyzing landscapes and the effect of changes in forcing on geomorphic systems. Weekly or multi-week lab assignments, in-class assignments, exams and a final project will be assessed for progress toward course goals.

- reading geologic literature
- research design
- quantitative abilities
- teamwork skills

We will spend time discussing how to read a journal article and then read several throughout the course of the semester. Students will practice quantitative skills during laboratory and these skills will be assessed in lab reports and on exams. Research design and teamwork skills will be honed primarily through case study assignments and problem-based field labs where students will work together to design an experiment to answer a question of geomorphic significance.