FTCE Earth/Space Science 008 study plan

Map Earth's internal layers (crust, mantle, outer core, inner core) to their compositional and mechanical boundaries, and state the seismic evidence for each boundary

Distinguish P-wave, S-wave, and surface-wave behavior at discontinuities, and explain how shadow zones constrain core structure

Sketch and label the rock cycle, naming at least two processes that convert each rock type into each other type

Classify ten common minerals by cleavage, hardness, luster, and streak using a hand-specimen key or online mineral database

Calculate density and geothermal gradient values from given depth-temperature and mass-volume data

Sequence the major plate-boundary types and predict the landforms, seismicity, and volcanism expected at each

Interpret a provided isochron or magnetic-stripe map to calculate an average seafloor spreading rate

Explain the elastic-rebound mechanism and use a travel-time difference to locate an earthquake epicenter from three stations

Contrast the styles of volcanic eruption with magma viscosity and silica content, and link each to a plate setting

Trace the orographic and frontal mechanisms of uplift that drive precipitation, and relate them to regional weathering rates

Order the geologic time periods and eras and place at least eight major events (e.g., first land plants, end-Permian extinction, K-Pg impact) on a timeline

Apply superposition, cross-cutting relationships, inclusions, and faunal succession to determine relative ages in a described outcrop

Convert relative sequences into absolute ages using given radiometric parent-daughter ratios and half-life data

Explain how index fossils and fossil assemblages define biostratigraphic zones

Describe taphonomy: which conditions favor fossil preservation and which bias the record

Summarize the evidence for continental drift and how seafloor spreading and paleomagnetism revised it into plate tectonics

Interpret a simple stratigraphic column for transgression, regression, and unconformity types

Distinguish mass extinctions from background extinction and evaluate proposed causes against the evidence

Explain how isotope ratios in ice and sediment cores record climate change over time

Identify Florida-relevant fossil and sedimentary sequences and describe what they indicate about past sea levels

Describe the formation and life cycle of stars across the main sequence, red giant, and remnant stages, and relate mass to outcome

Explain stellar classification by spectral type and position on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

Compare the nebular hypothesis with alternative models and list the evidence supporting it

Differentiate terrestrial and Jovian planets by composition, density, and orbital characteristics

Describe Kepler's laws and apply the period-radius relationship to compare orbital periods

Explain the Sun's energy source, internal structure, and the solar-cycle phenomena that affect Earth

Describe the formation, scale, and structure of the Milky Way and classify galaxies by morphology

Interpret redshift and Hubble's law to estimate distances and recession velocities

Summarize evidence for the Big Bang and the expansion of the universe, including the cosmic microwave background

Compare the geocentric and heliocentric models and explain the observations that decided between them

Design controlled investigations that separate independent, dependent, and controlled variables for Earth and space scenarios

Identify sources of error and appropriate measurement precision in field and lab data

Read and construct graphs, contour maps, and topographic profiles from given data

Explain how Earth's rotation, revolution, axial tilt, and precession produce seasons, day length, and the analemma

Describe how the Moon's phases, tides, and eclipses arise from orbital geometry

Take two full-length timed practice tests and record the score for each domain

Analyze every missed item by error type: content gap, misread, or calculation slip

Re-teach the two weakest domains using condensed notes and worked examples

Memorize high-yield facts: geologic time boundaries, mineral properties, planetary data, and key formulas

Build a one-page formula and reference sheet you can reconstruct from memory