Earth and Space Science

General Curriculum Outline

(Instructors reserve the right to modify and adapt the outline as needed.)
Numbers in parentheses correlate to the textbook chapters.

I. Introduction to Science (1)

A. Scientific Method

B. Safety

C. Measurements

II. Introduction to Earth Science (1)

A. Spheres and Systems (1)

B. Geologic Timeline (21, 22, 23, 24)

C. Layers of the Earth and Atmosphere (17, 11)

D. Convection, Energy Transfer, and Density (17, 11, 3, 4)

III. Minerals (4)

A. Atoms and Atomic Bonds

B. Definition

C. Specific Gravity

D. Crystal Shapes

E. Identification

IV. Rocks (5, 6)

A. The Rock Cycle

B. Types of Rock

1. Igneous

a) Properties

b) Identification

c) Uses

2. Sedimentary

a) Properties

b) Processes that form sediment.

c) Identification

d) Historical Geology

e) Uses

3. Metamorphic

a) Properties

b) Processes that form them.

c) Identification

d) Uses

4. Rock Record

V. Plate Tectonics (17)

A. Fundamentals

1. Convection Cells

2. Plate Boundaries

3. Interactions and products of interactions.

B. Earthquakes (19)

1. Seismic Waves and properties.

2. Locating

3. Human effects

4. Examples

5. Side-Effects

a) Tsunamis

b) Mass Movements

C. Volcanism (18)

1. Properties of Magma and Magma Types

2. Types of Volcanoes

3. Location

4. Effects

VI. Astronomy (28, 29, 30, 31)

A. Solar System Geometry (28)

B. Objects of the Solar System (29)

1. Sun (28)

a) Composition

b) Layers

c) Fusion

d) Activity Cycle

2. Earth/Moon System (28)

a) Relationships

b) Rotation/Revolution/Orbits

c) Tides

d) Lunar Phases

e) Eclipses

3. Earth/Sun System (28)

a) Seasons

b) Tropics

c) Heating of the Earth

4. Planets (29)

a) Kepler’s Laws

b) Retrograde Motion

c) Astronomical Distances

d) Inner and Outer Planets

(1) Compositional differences

(2) Atmosphere

e) Additional Objects

(1) Meteorites/Asteroids

5. Formation of the Solar System (30, 31)

a) Nebular Theory

6. Stars (30, 31)

a) Wavelength

b) Doppler Effect

c) Life Cycle of a Star

d) Measuring Distances

(1) Parallax

e) Binary Star System

f) HR Diagrams

(1) Magnitude and Luminosity

(2) Life Cycle/Evolution of Stars

(3) Spectra and Composition

g) Galaxies

(1) Constellations

(2) Milky Way

(3) Galaxy Classification

(4) Big Bang Theory

VII. Atmosphere (11)

A. Layers of the Atmosphere

B. Radiation, Conduction, Convection

C. Gasses and O-Zone

1. Percentage Composition

D. Temperature Vs. Heat

1. Scales

2. Condensation and Dew Point

3. Vertical Column

4. Humidity

E. Clouds (11,12)

1. Formation

2. Types

F. Precipitation (11, 12, 13)

1. Types

VIII. Meteorology (12)

A. Air Masses

B. Global Winds

1. Coriolis Effect

2. Trade Winds

3. ITCZ

4. Jet Stream

C. Fronts

1. Types

2. Pressure Systems

D. Tools

1. Weather and Analysis

IX. Nature of Storms (13)

A. Thunderstorms

B. Tornadoes

C. Hurricanes

D. Drought

E. Global Warming

X. Climate (14)

XI. Hydrosphere (15, 16)

A. Water Cycle

B. Water Shed

C. Oceans

1. Salinity

2. Layers

3. T/S Diagrams

4. Currents

5. Wave Characteristics

D. Costal Features

1. Types of

2. Ocean and Continental Crusts

3. Interactions with Humans