11/14/18GEOL 430 Syllabus Fall 2014page 1 of 2
GEOL 430 (ERTH 510): STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Fall Semester 2015
Lecture MW 1:10 – 2:00 TH 529
Lab MW 2:40-5:00 TH 529
INSTRUCTOR:Assoc. Prof. John Caskey
OFFICE:TH 616
PHONE:405-0353 (office)
E-MAIL:
OFFICE HOURS:MW10 AM-12 PM
Course Description:
The course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts, principles, and techniques of modern structural geology. The course topics will focus on the description and dynamic and kinematic analysis of geologic structures. The course topics are generally subdivided into three parts. The first part of the course will focus on the description of structures formed by brittle deformation, such as fractures and faults. The second part of the course will focus on aspects of stress (dynamic) and strain (kinematic) analysis. The final part of the course will turn to structures formed by ductile processes, such as folds, rock fabrics, and shear zones and mechanisms of deformation. Many of the topics of the course will be supplemented by required field trips to locations within the Bay area.
Lecture periods will be used to introduce new material. Lab periods will be devoted to introducing and completing laboratory and field exercises. Students are expected to have read the required readings in advance of the lecture periods and should be prepared for class discussions. Student participation in discussions during lecture and lab periods is highly encouraged.
Course Prerequisites:
GEOL 110 (Physical Geology); GEOL 115 (Historical Geology or Earth and Life through Time); MATH 107 (Trigonometry); GEOL 120 (Intro to Geol Techniques)
Required Text:
Davis, G.H. and Reynolds, S.J. (1996) Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions: John
Wiley Publishers; Third Ed.
Reference Texts (these books can be checked out of the library or borrowed from me)
Twiss, R.J. and Moores, E. (1992); Structural Geology: W.H. Freeman Publishers.
Suppe, J. (1985) Principles of Structural Geology: Prentice-Hall Publishers.
Required Materials:
Mechanical pencils (suggest hard lead, both 2H and 3H), colored pencils, a good eraser, drafting pens (e.g., black Micron pens; 0.005 and 0.02 thicknesses seem to work; mainly for final drafts of cross sections (Labs 4 & 8) and geologic maps (Ano Nuevo field project)
Tracing paper (especially for Labs 3 & 5) and graph paper (Lab 7)
Ruler (and straightedge) with both cms and inches scales, protractor, and drawing compass
Calculator with trigonometric functions
Brunton compass (can be checked out from Geosciences Dept. when needed)
Hand lens
Field notebook, clipboard and daypack (for carrying field gear)
Miscellaneous camping gear (for one overnight field trip to Ano Nuevo)
Grade Weighting:
Exams I and II (10% each)20%
Final Exam (cumulative)15%
Lab (and homework) Exercises40%
Ano Nuevo Field Report20%
Class Participation (takes into account attendance,
homework assignments (that aren't included
with Lab points), class participation 5%
Exams:
The scheduled midterm exams will be given during the lab periods on the dates given in the course outline. Exams will consist of short answer questions and problems encompassing material from all previous lectures, laboratory exercises, and field assignments. The Final Exam is comprehensive. Midterm exams will consist of two parts: Part A) closed book, short answer; and Part B) open book problems that will focus on techniques or approaches learned from lab material. Make-up exams will not be given except for emergency situations. If you miss class on exam day, you must make prior arrangements with the instructor.
Laboratory Exercises:
Labs constitute 40% of the final grade, so turning in all labs on time are paramount to receiving a high grade in the course. Students should work on lab exercises during the lab periods when the instructor is there for guidance and assistance. Students are expected to do and turn in their own work, though I encourage you all to work together (i.e., help teach each other) to solve problems on the assignments and field reports. Lab exercises will be due at the beginning of the lab period on the day when a new lab is introduced, unless otherwise noted in the lab outline or in class. THIS IS A NEW LATE POLICY FOR LABS THAT WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!Labs turned in late will be reduced by points: one point for each of the first two school days the lab is late and 2 points for each day there after. Most labs are worth 20 points so two points are essentially equivalent to a letter grade.
Field Trips:
Field trip attendance is required. Travel to field sites will be by university van and carpooling. One Sat-Sun overnight field trip is scheduled to Año Nuevo State Park (October 10 and 11), and there is a one-day in-class/lab field trip to the Marin Headlands during normal lecture and lab hours (1:10-5:00; November 30) (see lecture/lab schedules for date). You will be given specific instructions in the field and in class for reports and/or assignments related to the field trips.
Important Semester Dates:
- Sept. 4 - Last day to drop classes using Student Center; last day to Withdraw without serious and compelling reasons; last day to register in a class as an Auditor- Last day to add by exception with Permit Numbers
- Sept. 7 - Labor Day—campus closed—No classes
- Sept. 25-27- Friends of the Pleistocence Field tripNorthern Sierra—Mohawk valley
- Oct. 21 - no class scheduled
- Nov. 11 - Veterans Day—Wednesday—campus closed—No class
- Nov. 20- Last day to withdraw without serious and compelling reasons
- Nov. 23-27 - Thanksgiving recess—No classes
- Dec. 11 - Last day of instruction—last day to withdraw from classes or university with
documented serious and compelling reasons
- Dec. 18 - Final Exam10:45 AM-1:15PM