Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Geology: Oregon Coast (G160) is a one-term course that explores the geologic history of the Oregon Coast and the relationships between geology and the plants and animals of the Oregon Coast. Students will go on a three-day field trip to the Oregon Coast to get hands-on experience of concepts covered in the lecture portion of the class..

After completion of this course, students will:
A. Apply an understanding of basic ecological principles to the plant and animal species living on the Oregon Coast to appreciate the complexity of factors that influence the "web of life" and our place within it.
B. Apply a basic knowledge of geological processes that formed this region to the impact this geology has on the biological organisms found here
C. Use scientific field research equipment
D. Communicate effectively orally and in writing
E. Successfully apply basic geological concepts in future coursework.

The material in this course will be presented in a classroom lecture/discussion format with an accompanying field trip. Other educationally sound methods may be employed such as research papers and small group work.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, group projects, oral presentations, or maintenance of a personal field journal.

1. Collaborate with peer - work effectively in groups.
2. Analyze soil or water samples using field laboratory kits
3. Describe the geologic history of the Oregon Coast
4. Describe the rock units that form the bedrock of the Oregon Coast
5. Define the following terms: graywacke, blueschist, turbidite, pillow lava, estuary
6. Describe the relationship between different dune environments and the plants found in those environments
7. Discuss human impact on the Oregon Coast
8. Measure strikes and dips of folded rock layers
9. Discuss the formation of marine terraces and sea stacks
10. Define the following terms: anticline, syncline, symmetric and asymmetric folds