ISI - GEOL 1102 - Historical Geology
Course Description
Historical Geology covers evolution of the physical earth, plants, and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history and how organisms have changed our planet through geologic time. The geologic rock record, past extinction events, evolution of organisms through time, and recovery from gradual and catastrophic events such as climate change and major volcanic events are discussed. The current "6th extinction" and changing climate is used to critically think about practices of sustainability and how future Earth may be impacted.
Learner Outcomes
What you will learn in this class is the history of the earth.
- How the earth was formed and what early earth was like
- How mountains and some valleys are connected to catastrophic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
- How continents were in different places on the planet than what we see today
- How to interpret geologic—including evolutionary and climatic—information from the rock and fossil record
- How geologists date rocks and events in the history of the Earth
- What evolution is and what the evidence for evolution is in the fossil record
Required Course Materials
Stanley, Steven M. and John A. Luczaj. Earth System History, fourth edition, 2015. ISBN-10: 1-4292-5526-9; ISBN-13: 978-1-4292-5526-4.
Expected Course Timeline
Most ISI courses are designed so that students can complete them within 3 months to 1 year. If you are attempting to complete a course more quickly than this, please contact ISI to explore your options.
Sponsor Institution
Credits earned for this course are included in a University of Idaho transcript.
This is an INDEPENDENT STUDY IN IDAHO course
To learn about program and refund policies, visit www.uidaho.edu/isi.
Still have a question? Submit an ISI Support Request.
COURSE NUMBER NOTICE
Beginning with the 2025-2026 Catalog year, the University of Idaho transitioned to 4-digit course numbers. As ISI works through this transition, you may continue to see 3-digit course numbers during this time. A crosswalk is available online.
Prerequisites
Coreq: GEOL 102L Historical Geology Lab or permission (submit an ISI Support Request).- ISI - GEOL 1102L - Historical Geology Lab (Complete)
- EP0010 - ISI - GEOL 1102 Pre-Req Transc