Physical Geology

GEOL 1403

Blinn College, Bryan Campus

Course Information Sheet

Fall 2007

 

Instructor: Cynthia Lawry
Office: G-234	Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday. 10:30 11:30 or by appointment
Telephone: 979-209-7495	Email:cynthia.lawry@blinn.edu
Homepage:http://www.blinn.edu/brazos/natscience/clawry-berkins   /	WebCT:http://buccaneer.blinn.edu

         

 

Course Description: General principles of physical geology. An introduction to the origin, composition, structure and dynamics of planet Earth. Topics are explored within the general context of plate tectonic theory and include: minerals and rocks, weathering and erosion, geological time, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, oceans, landforms, and natural resources. Laboratory work involves the practical application of geological principles such as rock and mineral identification, geologic and topographic map interpretation, and geological data analysis. Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week. Credit: Four semester hours.

Prerequisites: None.

Core Curriculum Course: This is a course in the 42-hour Core Curriculum of Blinn College. As such, students will develop proficiency in appropriate intellectual competencies, exemplary educational objectives and general perspectives. The URL of the Blinn College Core Curriculum Web Site is: http://www.blinn.edu/corecurriculum.htm.

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will have an overall average of > 60% of the combined lecture and laboratory components of the course. This includes at least 3 major exams and quizzes given at the discretion of the Instructor. In the laboratory, the student will demonstrate an understanding of the lab activities through analysis of materials presented in lab and by being able to use these materials to solve problems and explain geological processes.

These learning outcomes will include the student demonstrating competence in the course objectives listed below:

From Lecture:

1. Factors which distinguish the sciences from other fields of knowledge and methods of learning
2. How and why geology differs from other sciences
3. Processes involved in cycling matter and energy through the various Earth Systems
4. Vocabulary and basic concepts of geology
5. Plate tectonic theory and its significance to geology
6. Nature of the Earth's interior structure
7. Occurrences of rocks and minerals
8. Geologic time and the rock record
9. Surficial processes and resulting landforms
10. Occurrences of mineral resources
11. How geology currently affects us and has influenced human affairs

1. The use of the scientific method in developing and testing geological hypotheses
2. Identification and interpretation of rocks and minerals
3. Determination of relative and absolute age of rock formations and geological events
4. Calculation of rates and direction of tectonic plate motion
5. Assessment of geohazard risk (earthquake, volcanic eruption, flood, etc.)
6. Analysis of geologic maps and structures
7. Identification and interpretation of landforms based on topographic map data and remote imagery

Required Textbooks:

Earth  by Tarbuck Lutgens, 9th^h Edition, Prentice Hall .

Required Laboratory Manual:

Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology by AGI/NAGT, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, 2003.

Course Requirements:

The student should do each of the following:

• Read the assigned chapters in the textbook and laboratory manual
• Attend all lectures and laboratory classes
• Take notes in class
• Participate in class discussions
• Complete assigned outside reading material and homework
• View audiovisual materials on selected topics
• Use the computer software in the lab and/or classroom as it is assigned
• Complete the exams on the assigned dates; the exams may include essay questions
• Read and comprehend each exercise assigned in the laboratory manual
• Successfully complete each laboratory exercise
• Learn to use and/or analyze geological material and maps as needed to complete the laboratory exercises

 

 

Class Attendance and Absences Policy

 

 

 

Class Policies:

>  Attendance:  The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty will require students to regularly attend class and will keep a record of attendance from the first day of class and/or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of absences during the semester, he/she will be sent an e-mail by the College requiring the student to contact his/her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his/her attendance issues. If the student subsequently accumulates two weeks worth of absences, he/she will be administratively withdrawn from class.

There are three forms of excused absence officially designated by Blinn College:  (1)  Observance of religious holy days:  The student should notify his/her instructor(s) not later than the 15^th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); and (2)  Representing Blinn College at an official institutional function and (3) official involvement in a high school activity for “dual credit” students.  Other excuses will be considered and may be considered excusable at the instructor’s discretion, with documentation.  Missing lecture or lab or both will count as one absence.

 

> Dropping:  If a student chooses to drop the course, it is that student’s responsibility to complete a drop order at the Office of Enrollment Services.  Failure to do so could result in a grade of F in the course.  The last day to withdraw with a “W” is Thursday, November 16^th. 

 

 

>  Eating and drinking are not allowed during class or laboratory work.

 

>  Dishonesty Statement:  Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism or other acts of dishonesty.  Definitions of these acts and procedures for dealing with them are described in “Scholastic Dishonesty” in the Blinn College Student Handbook, copies of which are available at the information desk in the administration building.

 

>  Civility Statement: Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect

and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of others.  Civility applies to attire as well as language and behavior.  Please dress appropriately for the academic classroom and laboratory.

 

If a student is asked to leave the classroom because of uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the instructor.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.

 

> ADA Policy:  Students needing special accommodation due to a disability must obtain authorization from the Disabilities Counseling Office in room 157 of the Blinn science building. 

 

The above requirements and policies are discussed more fully in the Blinn College Student Handbook which, by reference, is incorporated into this information.  Please obtain and read.

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Class Calendar: See WebCT at http://buccaneer.blinn.edu

Criteria for Determining Final Grade:
There are four major exams; the lowest grade will be dropped and the best three grades counted toward total grade. I will also drop one lab exercise.

Lecture exams (best 3 out of 4)  - 300 points
Quizzes& Service learning project participation - Bonus points added to major Lecture exam 
Lab exercises, Case studies, Review questions -100 daily points
Comprehensive final exam - 200 points

Exam - Make-Up Policy: In class quizzes will be unannounced. The Lecture exams, lab test and final exam will include a variety of question formats, including  multiple choice questions. All exams will be announced. All exams are closed book. Please bring a green Scantron and a #2 pencil to these exams. Scantrons will be necessary. There will be no daily quiz make-up. Missed exams must be made up within 2 business days of scheduled exam time.