COURSE SYLLABUS
1. TITLE OF COURSE: Introduction to Physical Geology
PREFIX/NUMBER: GEY 111 (3 lecture/1 lab credit hours)
2. PREREQUISITES: MAT 090, REA 090, ENG 090, or equivalent test scores
3. RESOURCES NEEDED:
TEXTS: Physical Geology: Earth Revealed , 7th edition by McGeary, Plummer and Carlson
Introduction to Physical Geology: Lab Manual and Field Trip Guide 2nd edition , PCC
4. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Geology studies the materials of the earth, its structure, surface features and the geologic processes involved in its development. This course includes laboratory experience.
COURSE GOALS:
To learn enough geology to have an appreciation of the world around us and understand some of what you see. To become an educated, thinking citizen on geologic and environmental issues.
5. COURSE COMPETENCIES:
Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
a) Recognize and appreciate the vastness of geologic time and illustrate this by example
b) Discuss the basic lines of evidence for continental drift, sea-floor spreading and plate tectonics
c) Discuss the characteristics of plate boundaries and heat plumes and their relationships to earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building activities
d) Locate and identify geologic features using topographic and/or geologic maps
e) Classify folds, faults and mountains and discuss their origins
f) Analyze the causes and effects of earthquakes and relate seismology to the structure of the earth
g) Utilize and understand the relationship of geologic time versus present time
h) Recognize and classify the common minerals, rocks and fossils by their observable characteristics
i) Discuss the origin of intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks and recognize landforms associated with each
j) Understand the weathering processes involved in the transition from bedrock to soil and sediment
k) Discuss the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks and relate them to modern and ancient depositional environments
l) Understand the agents and processes of metamorphism and relate these to the various metamorphic rocks
m) Describe the hydrologic cycle and relate this concept to both surface and subsurface water
n) Discuss the mechanics of Earth’s water (running water, waves, tides and currents and groundwater), mass wasting, wind and glacial ice and relate these agents and processes to the origin of landforms
o) Understand the importance of geologic resources such as coal, petroleum, metals and other mineral uses
p) Read, analyze and apply written material to new situations
q) Write and speak clearly and logically in presentations and essays
r) Demonstrate the ability to select and apply contemporary forms of technology to
s) Solve problems or compile information
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
There will be three (3) examinations consisting of material from lecture and the textbook. Examinations are of equal weight and are not comprehensive. They will consist of multiple choice, definitions, fill in the blank and/or short essay and geologic interpretations. The exams will be retained by the department. Removing an exam from the classroom will result in a zero for that exam.
There will be homework assignments consisting of worksheets covering several chapters.
In addition, there will be an individual project that is to be on a geologic topic of your choice. Your research will be presented in a paper and as a power point presentation in class. Refer to the last page of the syllabus for further instructions.
Twenty-five percent (25%) of the final grade in GEY 111 will be from lab. This is further broken down into completed lab assignments and lab quizzes.
7. EVALUATION PROCEDURES: (CONTINUED)
Lecture Lab:
Exams 600 pts Weekly lab quizzes 100 pts
Chapter Worksheets 50 pts Completed lab assignments 150 pts
Individual Project 100 pts Total 250 pts
Total 750 pts
[(lecture % x 3) + (lab %)]/4 = FINAL GRADE
GRADE PERCENT LETTER GRADE
92 - 100 % A
82 - 91 % B
72 - 81 % C
65 - 71 % D
64% and below F
8. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) In the event that the school or building is closed during the semester, it is the student’s responsibility to contact their instructor concerning missed exams, labs or lectures.
b) It is the students’ responsibility to comply with all of the course prerequisites.
c) Teaching and learning require a team effort. The Science Department expects students to show up for class on time and be prepared for lecture (i.e. you’ve read the assigned chapters and be prepared with questions over the material). We strongly encourage cooperation among students to help in each other understanding of the material. The Science Faculty greatly appreciates specific feedback on any aspects of the course, both positive and negative.
d) Respect and common courtesy to your peers, staff and instructors is expected.
e) There will be no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
f) Submitted assignments must be your own work even though you may have worked on it as a group (in your own words & handwriting). Plagiarizing other students’ work is cheating and will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeat offenders will not only lose points for the assignment, they will lose points for participating in the lab/project and are subject to disciplinary actions.
9. LECTURES:
a) Attendance is required. The lecture material is supplemental to the text. Your exams will cover both lecture and text materials. To reap your investment of time and money, please attend class. In the event that you cannot possible attend, make arrangements with a classmate to obtained missed lecture notes or watch the appropriate videos.
10. EXAM RULES:
a) With instructor’s approval and appropriate documentation, a make up exam may be given for a missed exam. Failure to take a scheduled examination at the appointed time will result in a 10% reduction in the score of any make-up examination. A second missed exam will result in an automatic 20% reduction. Being unprepared is not a legitimate reason!!
If an emergency arises the day of the exam, appropriate documentation such as an ER admit form, police report of the accident/ticket or a doctor's excuse is required and there will be a 10% reduction of exam score. Documentation is only necessary to make up a missed exam. All make-up exams must be taken within 5 days of the original exam date and may be an essay exam.
If you have a prior obligation the day of the exam you must arrange with your instructor to take the exam prior to the scheduled date.
There are no retakes of exams if a student should fail an exam.
b) Cell phones, pagers, and electronic devices with sound are to be turned off, and put away during class times, unless otherwise documented. If you must use your electronic devices, please leave the classroom. This includes text messages (“txting” and “pix”) during any class time.
c) Cheating on an exam will result in a zero for that exam. No make up exam will be given.
d) On exam days, students arriving 20 minutes or more late, will not be allowed to take the exam.
11. SPECIAL REMARKS:
a) There are no extra credit (point) projects for individuals.
b) If after 20% of classes are missed, the student can be dropped from the class.
c) If a student has not met the course prerequisites, the student should not be in the class.
d) Students are expected and encouraged to spend two to three hours outside of class for every contact hour in class and in lab. This is essential in lab.
e) In the event a student receives a failing grade in this course, the student will be required to repeat BOTH the lecture and lab components
f) College policy prohibits the use of tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, snuff, and chewing tobacco, in all College buildings and facilities.
g) Students giving presentations who arrive 10 minutes or more late for class, points will be deducted from their presentation score. Also students must save PowerPoint presentations as a ppt.. on a floppy disk, CD, or DVD-R. Do not use re-writable CD or DVD or save as “read-only” or PowerPoint Show as these media and formats are not compatible with our systems.
h) Lecture and lab cover the same biological concepts but often from different perspectives.
i) In the event that a problem occurs between students or students and faculty, the appropriate process for addressing student concerns is as follows
· First, address concern with course instructor.
· If your concerns are not rectified, then schedule an appointment with Department Chair.
· If your concerns are still unresolved then schedule an appointment with the appropriate divisional dean.
12. ADA NOTICE:
Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.
13. ACADEMIC INTEGREITY:
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor
14. INDIVIDUAL PROJECT:
"It is crucially important that the general public has the opportunity to inform itself knowledgeably and intelligibly on the endeavors and results of scientific research. Restricting scientific findings to a small group of people weakens the philosophical spirit of a nation and leads to its intellectual impoverishment." (Albert Einstein, Princeton, 1948)
OBJECTIVES:
a) to learn more about geologic research
b) to share that knowledge with the class
GRADES:
The project is worth a total of 100 points. The paper is worth 55 points, the
presentation is worth 40 points and the topic page is worth 5 points.
TOPICS:
Topics must be discussed with the instructor well in advance of the paper due date. A
typed and labeled page containing the title, topic and at least three key points your paper will cover is due October 3rd. It should be based on an issue that relates to a topic covered in class, such as volcanic hazards, pollution, mining, climate change, landslide hazards, earthquake hazards, geology of Colorado, mass extinctions, geothermal energy or ground water usage (these are just a few ideas, you are welcome to come up with your own idea).
PAPER STRUCTURE:
Must be between 4 and 5 pages (title page, between 2 and 3 pages of text and a page for bibliographies), typed and double spaced, 12 point font, right and left margins 1 inch, top and bottom margins 1 inch, must have an introduction, body and conclusion and a minimum of three sources. At least one source must be a book. Internet sources must be reputable. The rough draft of your paper is due on the assigned date and will be peer reviewed. The paper must include more detail than can be found in the text. Sources should be cited within the text as well as listed on the page of bibliographies. Citing and Bibliographies: refer to http://www.pcc.cccoes.edu/library/tips/online.htm and http://www.pcc.cccoes.edu/library/tips/biblio.htm
PAPER DUE DATE:
Paper must be turned in by assigned date on schedule. No exceptions.
PRESENTATION STRUCTURE:
Must be a power point presentation with the main points from the paper, must be able to present information for 3 to 5 minutes and be able to answer general questions from the audience.
PRESENTATION DUE DATE:
All presentations are to completed on the assigned date in the schedule. No PowerPoint no presentation. No exceptions.