Introduction to Geology

Course Outline—Spring, 2013

INTRO GEOLOGY L/L - 40520 - GEOL 1 - 102

Course description: A study of the earth and earth materials, and the physical processes which modify the earth: minerals, rocks, geologic structures and processes. Class involves two weekly lectures and friday labs (mostly field trips to destinations a short drive from Gavilan Campus).

Contact Hours/Week
Tuesday: 2:30-5:35 pm - Lecture and Lab
Thursday: 4:00-5:35 pm - Lecture and Lab

Dr. Phil Stoffer (Instructor)
e-mail: pstoffer@gavilan.edu
831-623-9021
Office Hours: Tuesday, after class

Grades based on:

Exams: 60%
Labs and Field trips: 20%
Weekly quizzes: 10%
Class & Lab attendance, activities, and participation: 10%

Prerequisites and advisories
*No prerequisites required.

In lieu of purchasing a textbook and lab manual, all students will need access to the internet and a computer with a printer.

Field trips and outdoor activities serve as the lab component in this class. Students need to provide their own transportation on field trips. (Carpooling is strongly encouraged to share gas and park access fees.)

Notice of caution: Field trips require walking, climbing stairs, walking up- and downhill, and possibly on uneven ground. Trips will typically go - hot or cold, rain or shine! Anyone with physical disabilities must talk to the instructor to discuss alternatives to outdoor activities. Appropriate shoes, clothing, etc. should be worn to be prepared stepping on soft or muddy soil. Poison oak, ticks, and other wildlife may be encountered on trails, and require vigilant attention. Participants may need a notebook, water, sunscreen, hat, and a snack.

*All students must sign field trip waver forms.
*Minors will need parental signatures for field trips.

Field trip Laboratory-Take-Home Alternative Optional Assignments will be announced in class and posted on-line. NOTE: Students who do not attend field trips must complete that alternative lab assignments and present information at the beginning of the following class.

Students with special needs can discuss other laboratory options with the professor.

Calendar and Overview

Click here to see Teacher's Announcements and Calendar details

Additional pages will be linked during progress of the course.

Week 1 - Chapter 1: Introduction to Geology
Week 2 - Chapter 2: The Rock Cycle & Basic Geologic Principles
Week 3 - Chapter 3: Plate Tectonics
Week 4 - Chapter 4: Earthquakes and Landscape Features
Week 5 - Chapter 5: Igneous Rocks, Volcanoes and Volcanic Activity
Week 6 - Field trip to Chitactac-Adams and Uvas County Parks (Thursday)
Week 7 - Chapter 6: Weathering and Erosion
Week 8 - Chapter 7: Sedimentary Rocks and Processes
Week 9 - Chapter 8: Metamorphic Rocks and Processes

Week 10

2nd Exam

Week 11 - Spring Break - (April 8-14)
Week 12 - Chapter 9: Rivers, Streams, and Water Underground
Week 13 - Chapter 10: Glaciers and Glaciation
Week 14 - Chapter 11: Deserts
Week 15 - Chapter 12: Ocean and Shoreline Processes
Week 16 - Chapter 13: Earth History

Take the Third Exam! (Open on-line book!)
Here is the Exam Questions.
Here is the Answer Sheet.
Turn in the answer sheet on Thursday (May 16) - there will be no lecture on Thursday). You can also turn the answer sheet in early when class starts on Tuesday, May 14th (before lecture starts). There will not be any opportunity to turn in the 3rd Exam after May 16th.

Alternative Take-Home Lab Assignments (for students who miss field trips)

Course Online Resources

Attendance Policy: Students missing one more class hour than the unit value for a particular course, without making prior arrangements may, at the instructor's option, be dropped without possibility of credit.

ADA Accommodation: Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disabled Student Services office.

Student Honesty Policy: Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.

Comments about teacher evaluation of student behavior

http://geologycafe.com/class/index.html

11/1//2012