Geology (GEOL) 319

Overview

Geology 319 is designed to familiarize you with the structure and evolution of Earth’s continental crust. This knowledge is useful for a variety of purposes, from petroleum and mineral exploration, to finding groundwater, to controlling pollution, to deciding where to build homes. The course is delivered in two, interdependent parts, in which sections often build on previous sections. These parts include theory, in which students will study the results and synthesis of structural geological studies, and practice, in which students will learn how to use the tools of structural geology (e.g., geological maps and a geological compass).

Outline

Theory (Study Guide)

• Unit 1: An Introduction to Earth's Ever-Changing Crust
• Unit 2: Basic Techniques for Interrogating the Rock Record
• Unit 3: Stress, Strain, and Deformation
• Unit 4: Faults
• Unit 5: Folds: Waves of Solid Rock
• Unit 6: Nonorogenic Structures
• Unit 7: Case Study of the North American Cordillera

Practice (Lab Manual)

• Lab Unit 1: Using Geological Maps: Part 1
• Lab Unit 2: Using Geological Maps: Part 2
• Lab Unit 3: The Stereonet: A Three-Dimensional Graphical Calculator
• Lab Unit 4: Solving Problems of Structural Geometry
• Lab Unit 5: Displacement on Faults
• Lab Unit 6: Fold Orientation: Structural Clues
• Lab Unit 7: Introduction to the Geological Compass

Evaluation

To receive credit for GEOL 319, you must score an average of at least 60 percent on the assignments and score at least 50 percent on each of the two parts of the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Other materials

The course materials include a Study Guide, Laboratory Manual, Assignment Manual, and a Course Manual. Students require the use of lab kits which can be borrowed from the Athabasca University Library. Students will also have to provide some of their own supplies including coloured pencils, a protractor, a drafting compass, at least one drafting triangle, tracing paper, and both metric and English scales.

Special Course Features

This course is available both online and in print.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the GEOL 319 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “C-” (60 percent) on the examination.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form