GEOL 1121(Section 2368)

Introduction to Geosciences I

Spring 2003

Instructor: Sam Peavy Class: Roney 213

Office: Roney 208 TTh 9:30 - 10:45 AM

 

Text: The Changing Earth (3rd Ed.) by Lab: Roney 213

          James S. Monroe & Reed Wicander M 1:00 - 2:50 PM

          AND GEOL 1121 Lab Manual

 

Objective Statement:

            Students will be introduced to our dynamic planet and will learn about the processes that create earth materials in the form of minerals and rocks and those geologic events which shape the earth's surface.  Topics will include minerals, rocks, volcanism, soils, mass movements, earthquakes, streams, groundwater, and coastal processes.

 

Class Policies:

1)     Attendance is required for both lecture and lab.  If you miss an exam or lab, you must have an excuse from a doctor or the Student Health Center to make up missed graded material.  Failure to provide an adequate excuse will result in a grade of 0 (“zero”) for the assignment.

2)     I will be available in my office for questions from 8-9 AM on Monday – Friday  (other times by appointment only).  I can also be called at 931-2330 or reached by email at speavy@canes.gsw.edu. 

3)     Your grade will be based on exams from both lab and lecture, and a comprehensive Final Exam at the end of the semester.  There will be four lecture exams, three lab exams and weekly quizzes on the assigned readings from the textbook during the term (see schedules below).  These will count towards you final grade as follows:

 

3 Lab Exams — 30% (10% each)

4 Lecture Exams — 40% (10% each)

Weekly Quizzes – 15%

1 Final Exam — 15%

 

4)     Labs will not be formally graded.  However, the best way to understand the information in the lab is to do the work for yourself.  I will be there to answer your questions and explain the material to you.  Lab exams will be practical and will test your knowledge and ability to identify rocks and minerals, use topographic maps, etc.

5)     The grading scale will be as follows:

 

Numerical Grade

Letter Grade

90 – 100

A

80 – 89.9

B

70 – 79.9

C

60 – 69.9

D

Less than 60

F

 

 

 

Lecture Topic List

 

Dates

Topic

Readings

Jan. 7 - 9

Introduction; Atomic Structure/Basic Chemistry

Chapters 1 & 2

Jan. 14 - 16

Minerals

Chapter 2

Jan. 21 - 23

Igneous Rocks

Chapter 3

Jan. 28 - 30

Igneous Rocks; Volcanism

Chapters 3 & 4

Feb. 4

Volcanism

Chapter 4

Feb. 6

Exam 1

Chapters 1 - 4

Feb. 11 - 13

Weathering and Soils

Chapter 5

Feb. 18 - 20

Sedimentary Rocks

Chapter 5

Feb. 25 - 27

Metamorphic Rocks

Chapter 6

Mar. 4

Rock Cycle; Rocks and Plate Boundaries

Chapter 6+

Mar. 6

Exam 2

Chapters 5 - 6+

Mar. 10 - 15

SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES

 

Mar. 18 - 20

Earthquakes and the Earth’s Interior

Chapter 7

Mar. 25 - 27

Mass Wasting

Chapter 11

Apr. 1

EXAM 3

Chapters 7, 11

Apr. 3

Running Water

Chapter 12

Apr. 8 - 10

Running Water; Groundwater

Chapters 12 & 13

Apr. 15 - 17

Groundwater; Shoreline Processes

Chapters 13 & 16

Apr. 22

Shoreline Processes

Chapter 16

Apr. 24

EXAM 4

Chapters 12, 13, & 16

Apr. 29

Review Day

 

May 1

FINAL EXAM, 10:30 – 12:30

All Covered Topics

 

 

Lab Schedule

 

 

Date

 

Topic

 

Jan. 13

 

Mineral Properties

 

Jan. 27

 

Mineral Identification

 

Feb. 3

 

Igneous Rocks

 

Feb. 10

 

Lab Exam 1

 

Feb. 17

 

Soils and Sediment Formation

 

Feb. 24

 

Sedimentary Rock Identification

 

Mar. 3

 

Metamorphic Rock Identification

 

Mar. 17

 

No Lab / Review

 

Mar. 24

 

Lab Exam 2

 

Mar. 31

 

Earthquake Location Exercise

 

Apr. 7

 

Introduction to Topographic Maps

 

Apr. 14

 

Topographic Maps II

 

Apr. 21

Lab Exam 3