This course covers basic principles from the fields of Geology, Astronomy, Oceanography, and Meteorology including map interpretation, minerals and rocks, processes acting at the Earth’s surface and within the Earth, plate tectonics, geologic time and dating, composition and motions of the Earth, solar system, phases of the moon, origin and life cycles of stars, galaxies, water movements, ocean floor, weather and climate. Laboratory exercises supplement the lecture material. This course does not meet program of study requirements for the associate’s degree in teacher education.

As a result of completing this course the student will be able to:
   1.  Describe the composition, motion, and
       other characteristics of water on the
       Earth's surface and in the earth's
       atmosphere.
   2.  Describe the factors that affect earth's
       weather and climatic patterns.
   3.  Explain the existence of matter using the
       atomic theory.
   4.  Describe the Earth's composition and basic
       processes.
   5.  Discuss theories that explain how the
       Earth's surface has changed over time.
   6.  Explain how scientists approximate the age
       of the Earth, rocks, life forms, etc.
   7.  Explain the organization and relationship
       of celestial bodies in our Solar System.
   8.  Explain the origin and features of stars.
   9.  Explain scientific theories regarding the
       origin of the universe.
  10.  Describe the impact of the space program
       on our lives.

I.  This course addresses the general education
    outcome relating to communications as follows:
    1.  Students develop their reading  
        comprehension skills by reading the web
        pages, textbook, and other course
        materials.
    2.  Students develop their writing skills
        through a variety of homework
        assignments, tests, and quizzes.
    3.  Students develop their communication  
        skills through class discussions, and by
        asking questions in class, as well as
        interactions with their peers in and out
        of class.  In the online environment,
        students develop their communication
        skills through bulletin board discussions
        with the instructor and with their peers,
        and by asking questions using e-mail and
        the bulletin board.
II.  This course addresses the general education
     outcomes of recognition and application of
     scientific inquiry as follows:
     1. Students must apply principles of
        geology, astronomy, oceanography and
        meteorology to explain various observed
        natural phenomena that occur on the
        earth's surface, in the interior of the
        earth, and in the skies.
     2. Students will develop their observation
        skills to be able to recognize various
        geological features, earth materials,
        cloud types, features on weather maps,
        phases of the moon, as well as various
        stars, planets, and galaxies.
     3. Students will develop the skills of
        inquiry by use of the scientific method
        to experience, evaluate, and synthesize
        data as applied to various earth and
        space science problems.
III.  This course addresses the general education
      outcomes of developing effective
      individual, and at times, group problem-
      solving and critical thinking skills as
      applied to earth and space science.
      Students will develop their ability to
      problem-solve and critically think by
      applying their acquired knowledge of earth
      and space science to various scientific
      problems, and by developing activities to
      use with middle school students.

I.  Introduction to Earth Science
  A.  Metric System
  B.  Basics of Chemistry
    1. Atomic theory
    2. Periodic table of elements
    3. Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures
    4. Solutions and suspensions
II.  Introduction to Geology
  A. Topographic maps
  B. Earth's composition and basic processes
  C. Identification of minerals
  D. Identification of rocks
  E. Rock Cycle
  F. Earth’s surface features
  G. Landforms
  H. Constructive and destructive forces
        acting on Earth's surface
    1. Types and formation of soil
    2. Hydrologic cycle, Running Water, Erosion
    3. Groundwater
  I.    Earth’s Internal Processes
    1. Volcanoes
    2. Crustal Deformation (folds and faults)
    3. Earthquakes
    4. Interior of the Earth
    5. Plate tectonics
    6. Plate boundaries and geological activity
    7. Mountain Building
  J.  Geology of Georgia
  K.  Fossils and geologic time
    1. Age of the Earth
    2. Relative Dating, Uniformitarianism, and
        Superposition
    3. Radiometric Dating
    4. Geologic Time Scale
    5. Fossils and evolution
III.  Introduction to Oceanography
  A. Salinity
  B. Buoyancy
  C. Tides, waves, currents, sea level changes
  D. Temperature zones in lakes and oceans
  E. Ocean floor
IV.  Introduction to Meteorology
  A. The atmosphere
  B. Layers of the Earth's atmosphere
  C. Ozone layer
  D. Cloud types and weather associated with
        each
  E. Air masses and front formation
  F. Relative humidity and weather
  G. Earth's weather and climate patterns
  H. Coriolis effect
  I. Weather maps and weather forcasting
  J. Weather instruments
  K. Air currents and jet streams
  L. Climate, greenhouse effect, acid rain
V.      Introduction to Astronomy
  A. Features, characteristics, and celestial
        bodies in our solar system
  B. Earth's movements and seasons of the year
  C. Phases of the moon
  D. Eclipses
  E. Tides
  F. Origin and features of stars
  G. Spectroscopes
  H. Life cycle of stars
  I. Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams
  J. Types of galaxies
  K. Theories regarding the origin of the
        universe and solar system
  L. Impact of space programs
  M. History of space programs
  N. Space technologies used in everyday life

A.  COURSE GRADE
1.  Exams, quizzes, homework, and assignments will be used to determine the final course grade.
2.  The exams will contain objective questions that will assess the educational outcomes objectives for this course.  Each instructor must include these questions within their exams.
B.  PROGRAM ASSESSMENT
This course will be assessed each time it is offered.  Common assessment questions will be included in the final exam.  The construction of the assessment questions will be the responsibility of the GPC faculty member overseeing this course.  
The results of the assessment and the assessment instrument will be reviewed each year the course is offered.  From this review, modifications of the course materials and assignments will be proposed and adopted if necessary, working within the content standards required for middle school teachers.