Earth Materials,
Processes and Environments
GEOL-1121 Fall 2014
(Section 8014)
Lecture: 9:30 am – 10:45 pm Monday and Wednesday (Roney #213)
Text: Monroe, J.S. and Wicander, R., 2015, The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution 7th Edition: Cengage Learning, Stamford CT, 712 pages. ISBN: 978-1-285-73341-8
*Important Note: This book will also be used for GEOL-1122 (Earth History and Global Change)
Lab Manual and Materials: Lab manuals will be distributed during the second lab.
Instructor: Dr. Tom Weiland (Office - 212 Roney)
Office Hours: 11:00-11:30 AM Monday through Thursday (and by appointment)
Phone: office: 229-931-2327, cell: 229-815-0551
Email: Thomas.Weiland@gsw.edu Website: itc.gsw.edu/faculty/tweiland
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Class Subject Readings
Wednesday, August 20............................... Introduction/Atomic Structure...... Chapter 3
Monday, August 25..................................... Atomic Structure/Minerals........... Chapter 3 (quiz)
Wednesday, August 27............................... Minerals....................................... Chapter 3
Monday, September 1................................ Holiday
Wednesday, September 3.......................... Minerals....................................... Chapter 3
Monday, September 8................................ Igneous Rocks............................. Chapter 4 (quiz)
Wednesday, September 10........................ Igneous Rocks............................. Chapter 4
Monday, September 15.............................. Igneous Rocks............................. Chapter 4
Wednesday. September 17...................... 1st Lecture Test ......................... Chapters 3 & 4
Monday, September 22.............................. Volcanism.................................... Chapter 5
Wednesday, September 24........................ Volcanism.................................... Chapter 5 (quiz)
Monday, September 29.............................. Volcanism/Sedimentary Rocks... Chapter 5/7
Wednesday, October 1............................... Sedimentary Rocks..................... Chapter 7 (quiz)
Monday, October 6..................................... Sedimentary Rocks..................... Chapter 7
Wednesday, October 8............................. 2nd Lecture Test......................... Chapters 5 & 7
Monday, October 13................................... No Class
Wednesday, October 15............................. Metamorphism............................. Chapter 8 (quiz)
Monday, October 20................................... Metamorphism............................. Chapter 8
Wednesday, October 22............................. Earthquakes................................. Chapter 9 (quiz)
Monday, October 27................................... Earthquakes................................. Chapter 9
Wednesday, October 29............................. *Running Water .......................... *Chapter 12
Monday, November 3............................... 3rd Lecture Test.......................... Chapters 8 & 9
Wednesday, November 5........................... Running Water............................. Chapter 12 (quiz)
Monday, November 10............................... Running Water/Groundwater ...... Chapter 12/13
Wednesday, November 12 ........................ Groundwater................................ Chapter 13 (quiz)
Monday, November 17............................... Groundwater................................ Chapter 13
Wednesday, November 19....................... 4th Lecture Test.......................... Chapters 12 & 13
Monday, November 24............................... Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, November 26......................... Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, December 1................................. Glaciers........................................ No Readings
Wednesday, December 3........................... Shorelines.................................... No Readings
Comprehensive Lecture Final: Monday, December 8th (10:30 am – 12:30 pm)
Earth Materials, Processes and Environments Lab
GEOL-1121 Fall-2014 Section-8014
Time: Tuesday 1:00-2:50 pm
Place: Roney Room #213
Lab Manual: Lab manuals will be distributed during second lab (Tuesday, Sept. 2nd).
Tentative Lab Schedule
Subject Date _
Lecture on Minerals........................................................... Tuesday, August 26
Mineral Properties.............................................................. Tuesday, September 2
Minerals................................................................................ Tuesday, September 9
Igneous Rocks.................................................................... Tuesday, September 16
1st Lab Test......................................................................... Tuesday, September 23
Soils/Sediments.............................. ................................... Tuesday, September 30
Sedimentary Rocks............................................................ Tuesday, October 7
Lecture on Metamorphic Rocks....................................... Tuesday, October 14
Metamorphic Rocks............................................................ Tuesday, October 21
2nd Lab Test........................................................................ Tuesday, October 28
Topographic Maps.............................................................. Tuesday, November 4
Topographic Maps.............................................................. Tuesday, November 11
Groundwater........................................................................ Tuesday, November 18
No Lab - Thanksgiving Holiday ....................................... Tuesday, November 25
Lab Final.............................................................................. Tuesday, December 2
Course Objective: To provide a basic understanding and greater appreciation of the geologic materials and processes that form and constantly reshape our dynamic planet.
COURSE GRADING POLICY
4 Lecture Tests (15% each)................60% total
1 Lecture Final (15%)…………………..15% total
3 Lab Tests (7% each)........................21% total
8 Reading Quizzes (1% each) ………...8% total
104 points possible
Attendance and Other Class Policies
1) All students at Georgia Southwestern State University are to abide by published
rules outlining academic honesty. Please review the “Policy on Academic Integrity” from the GSW Undergraduate Bulletin that can be found at the following URL:
In addition, it is possible that this course will involve the use of plagiarism-prevention technology. For example, you may be required to submit written assignments on-line through a plagiarism-prevention service or to allow me to submit copies of your writing to such a service. The written assignments may then be retained by the service for the sole purpose of checking for plagiarized content in future student submissions.
2) A student requesting classroom accommodations or modifications due to a documented disability must notify me within the first two weeks of the semester. The student must also contact and register with the Office of Disability Services located on the third floor of Sanford Hall. Their phone number is 229-931-2661.
3) Attendance is required for both lecture and lab. If you miss any exams or lab tests, you must have a valid excuse to make them up. Failure to provide an adequate excuse within one week of the absence will result in a grade of zero on the exam. Anyone arriving late for a lecture or lab test after someone has already completed the test and left the classroom will not be allowed to take the test unless a valid and appropriate excuse is provided.
4) Come to class prepared to learn. You should not be talking with your neighbor during class unless it is necessary for an activity. Pay attention and take notes as appropriate. All electronic devices must be turned off before class begins. You will be asked to leave class if your phone rings, you are using a smart phone or tablet, you repeatedly talk during lecture or if you are disruptive in any manner. If there is a special situation where you need to receive and respond to cell phone messages, you must see me before class for permission.
5) In addition to exams, there will be reading quizzes on material in the textbook. Quizzes will begin promptly at the start of class and take approximately 5 minutes. If you are late for class, you will not be able to take the quiz. There are no make-ups for missed quizzes.
6) Labs will not be formally graded. You should check your lab answers using a key before you leave. Lab exams will be used to measure and evaluate comprehension of lab material. Missed labs must be made up by the student on their own time.
7) Course information will occasionally be sent to your GSW student email account (Radar address). It is important that you check and maintain this email account.