GEOL 1307 Earth Science I

Fall 2006

Room N938- TTH 8 to 9:45 a.m.

Dr. Brad Hoge

Office: N725E (713)-221-8289

Office Hours: MW 10-2, or by appointment

Home Page: uhd.edu/~hogeb

Course: Natural Science 1307 – Earth Science I – Is an integrated lecture/laboratory course emphasizing major topics in earth science and physical geology, and their applications in society and to science literacy.

This course is for non-science majors, however topics covered will be equivalent to the majors course with slightly less scrutiny. You will learn the basic concepts of the earth sciences field, which consists of the study of physical geology, structural geology, oceanography, geomorphology and environmental geology.

Collaborative Learning: It is widely accepted that one learns by doing or taking a hands-on approach to learning. This is particularly true in a science course. Throughout this course you will be working in groups. You will be helping each other learn the material being presented by working on laboratory exercises. Therefore, you will be involved in doing, reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking. My role is this class will be that of lecturer, but also as facilitator for the labs. In order for you to be prepared to discuss issues and work through the exercises in a timely manner, you must read the material scheduled to be discussed before you come to class.

There may be a field trip. If so, the date will be announced within the first few weeks of class.

Textbook: Physical Geology: Laboratory Text and Manual, 6th ed.;R.D. Dallmeyer.

Evaluation Method:

Unit Tests – 60% (three exams combining lab practical and essay questions)

Lab Exercises – 20% (five of the labs completed during class, your choice)

Final Exam – 20%

Your grade will be determined on a straight percentage basis for all possible points in the course (90 – 100 = A, 80 – 99 = B, 70 – 79 = C, 60 – 69 = D, below 60 = F).

Examinations: Because this is an integrated lecture/laboratory course, each examination will contain test material from both. Each unit exam will contain short essay questions and lab practical style questions. Most questions will be problem or application oriented and will make use of your critical thinking skills (problem solving, analysis, synthesis and evaluation)

There will be three unit exams. The final exam will be comprehensive and all students must take the final exam. There will be opportunities for extra credit on exams, but no extra assignments will be made.

Attendance: Due to the experiential nature of this course, you are required to attend class on a regular basis. If you do not attend class, it is your responsibility to officially drop the course.

Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. We will adhere to the university’s Honesty Code. It states: WE WILL BE HONEST IN ALL OUR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES AND WILL NOT TOLERATE DISHONESTY.

Every attempt will be made to meet special needs of students in this course. For more details on this policy, see page 22 of the UHD Catalog.

Course Schedule: The following is a tentative schedule to help me pace the course in a timely manner and to help you prepare for class. The schedule is subject to adjustment.

Week of: / Chapter/Exercise / Topic
Aug. 22
Aug. 24 / Introduction,
Exercise 22
Exercise 1 / Geologic Time and the Nature of Science
Introduction to Minerals/Physical Chemistry
Aug. 29
Aug. 31 / Exercise 2
Introduction to the Study of Rocks / Mineral Identification
Rock Walk
Sept. 5
Sept. 7 / Exercise 3
Exercise 4 / Rock Cycle
Igneous Rocks
Sept. 12
Sept. 14 / Exercise 5
Exercise 6 / Weathering and Soils
Sedimentary Rocks
Sept. 19
Sept. 21 / Exercise 7
Test #1 / Metamorphic Rocks
Sept. 26
Sept. 28 / Exercise 8
Exercises9 and 10 / Topographic Maps
Rivers and Streams
Oct. 3
Oct. 5 / Exercises 11 and 16
Exercise 12 / Humid Landscapes
Arid Landscapes
Oct. 10
Oct. 12 / Exercise 13
Exercises 14 and 15 / Ground Water
Wind and Ice
Oct. 17
Oct. 19 / Exercise 17
Test #2 / Volcanic Landscapes
Oct. 24
Oct. 26 / Exercise 18
Exercise 19 / Structural Geology
Geologic Structures
Oct. 31
Nov. 2 / Exercise 20
Exercise 21 / Oceans
Plate Tectonics
Nov. 7
Nov. 9 / Exercise 21
Exercise 22 (revisited) / Earthquakes
Historical Geology
Nov. 14
Nov. 16 / Exercise 23
Exercise 24 / Geologic Hazards
Environmental Geology
April 21
Nov. 23 / Test #3
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov. 28
Nov. 30 / Review for Final Exam
Review for Final Exam
Dec. 5 / Reading Days
Dec. 7 / FINAL EXAM