Introduction
Course Content
In this second semester of earth and space science, we’ll continue our focus on the field of geology by examining the composition of Earth and the materials that comprise it: its structure, land masses, water resources, and atmosphere. We’ll also explore oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. You’ll study the following topics:
- Lesson 1: Plate Tectonics and Mountain Building. Lesson 1 provides an overview of plate tectonics, which is the underlying principle, or theory, of geology. It explains why we have earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, varieties of animals and fossils, metamorphism and many more concepts. You will learn about how Alfred Wegener’s continental drift proposal (1915) eventually was supported by an abundance of evidence found in the 1960s.
- Lesson 2: Geologic Time. Lesson 2 teaches us that rocks allow us to interpret geologic history, supported by geologic principles such as superposition, uniformitarianism, and so on. You will also learn the difference between relative and absolute dating.
- Lesson 3: Earth’s History. In lesson 3, you will learn that plate tectonics plays a significant role in changing earth history through drastic adaptations in physical and living history. We will walk back in time through the different ages—similar to going down the Grand Canyon—as we unravel reasons why organisms evolved and adapted over time.
- Lesson 4: Ocean Water and Ocean Life. This lesson looks at Earth’s oceans in terms of their composition and living organisms. You will also learn about heat and energy transfer in the oceans as well as food webs and food chains.
- Lesson 5: Midterm Exam Tips. Lesson 5 provides information about applying and preparing for the midterm exam.
- Lesson 6: The Atmosphere: Structure and Temperature; Moisture, Clouds and Precipitation; Air Pressure and Wind. The study of weather is, of course, a subject in itself! You will learn about the difference between weather and climate, the importance of the atmosphere, how clouds form as part of the water cycle, why we have wind, and many other aspects of meteorology.
- Lesson 7: Weather Patterns and Severe Storms; Climate. Discover exactly why you have the weather that you do where you live! Learn about air masses and fronts, and extreme weather that can impact us from time to time. Additionally, you will learn about the greenhouse effect, how it can be altered, and how it can lead to global warming.
- Lesson 8: Astronomy (Part 1). Lesson 8 teaches you about the ancient astronomers, those who brought the beginnings of modern astronomy to us. You will also learn about Earth, the moon, and our solar system as well as the other planets and the nebular theory, which explains the beginnings of our own solar system and others like ours.
- Lesson 9: Astronomy (Part 2). Lesson 9 takes you farther out into space with the introduction of the big bang theory and evidence that the universe is expanding. You will also learn about star evolution, galaxies, and different types of telescopes.
- Lesson 10: Final Exam Tips. Lesson 10 provides information about applying and preparing for the final exam.
