General Geology closes the Earth Science content sequence with the planet's material and structural story — accessible even to candidates with no prior geology background.
What D859 covers
The course offers a comprehensive exploration of Earth's dynamic systems, emphasizing the interaction of geological processes that shape our planet. Students engage in a rigorous study of Earth's materials, surface processes, and the forces driving tectonic movements, with an emphasis on both local and global geological phenomena.
Through interactive activities, including simulations and mapping tools, learners connect historical geological evidence to the evolution of the Earth and its life forms. The course is designed for educators aiming to enhance their pedagogical approaches to teaching geology. No prior geological knowledge is required.
The D859 performance assessment
Expect a performance assessment requiring you to analyze a geological process or feature (using mapping tools or geological evidence) and explain its role in Earth's history.
Key topics in D859
- Earth materials and surface processes
- Tectonic movements
- Geological mapping and simulations
- Historical geological evidence
Writing tips for D859
Follow the task instructions and rubric line by line
WGU performance assessments for D859 are graded against a fixed rubric — every rubric line has to be visibly addressed, usually with a labeled heading that mirrors the rubric language. Skipping a rubric point because it seems minor is the single most common reason a competent submission comes back "Not Yet Competent" for revision.
Ground every claim in a specific secondary grade level and science content
Secondary Science Education courses like D859 typically ask you to apply content knowledge and pedagogy to a specific grade level and science topic rather than write about teaching in the abstract. Evaluators are checking whether your reasoning fits that concrete classroom situation — vague, generic statements about "good science teaching" usually lose rubric points for lacking that specificity.
Because WGU is self-paced, don't let "no deadline pressure" become no submission
There's no weekly due date forcing progress, which means procrastination costs more at WGU than at a traditional term-based school — a stalled task can quietly eat weeks of a term. Treat your own target date for each D859 assessment as a real deadline.
Stuck on your D859 task?
Our writers know WGU's competency-based format and this course's performance assessment. Get an original, properly cited paper matched to your task instructions.
Why students seek help with D859
Candidates without a geology background sometimes describe features without connecting them to the underlying tectonic or surface process that formed them — the rubric typically wants that causal geological reasoning made explicit, not just description.
How GradeEssays helps with D859
Share your task instructions and rubric, and your writer will build an analysis that explains the underlying geological process, not just a description of the feature.
Get Help With D859
Share your task instructions and rubric and we match you with a writer who knows this course and WGU's evaluation standards.
Place Your Order View All ServicesPrerequisites and program context
D859 has no prerequisites and requires no prior geological knowledge. It closes the Earth Science content sequence alongside D852 (Astronomy) and D853 (Meteorology). Part of WGU's undergraduate Science Education (Secondary) teacher-licensure curriculum.