GEOL-101- WWW

Physical Geology Spring 2014

Instructor Name: Marguerite Moloney e-mail:

Office Location: 136 Beauregard

Phone Number: 448-4878 ***********************************

Office hours: This course will include the use of moodle

TBA as a course delivery system which can be found at:

http://moodle.nicholls.edu/moodle/

Catalog Description: Study of the earth, its constituents, agents, and processes modifying it; also geologic structures and landforms.

Prerequisites: none

Required Text and Other Materials: Earth, An Introduction to Physical Geollgy 11th edition, Tarbuck, et al.

Homework will be available on the Mastering Geology website at:

Student Outcome Objectives:

The primary objectives of GEOL 101, Physical Geology, are to provide you with the

fundamental knowledge and tools necessary to understand the geologic processes

forming the composition, structure, and environments of the Earth. At the successful completion of this course the student will have gained sufficient knowledge to understand:

a) The basis structural components of atoms and elements, the physical properties of

minerals, the major tetrahedral linkages of silicate minerals.

b) The major intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies, the major igneous rock textures, the

distinguishing characteristics of the major igneous rock families, the geologic settings

of igneous activity and the rock types distinctive to each.

c) The sequence of events involved in the weathering, transport, deposition, and

lithification that produces sedimentary rocks and the major rock types within each

category.

d) The agents of metamorphism and their role in forming metamorphic rocks, and examples within each category.

e) The types of stress to which rocks are subjected, the different types of folds, the types

of faults, the tectonic settings and topography associated with faults and folds.

f) Elastic rebound and its effects on rocks, the relationship between earthquakes and

plate tectonics, the evidence for plate tectonics.

g) The differences and the relationships between mechanical and chemical weathering,

the effects of weathering in various climates, the major soil forming processes.

h) The balance of forces that maintain the equilibrium of loose materials on a slope, and

the features resulting from mass wasting.

i) The parts of a stream system, the types of stream drainage patterns. Proterozoic eon,

ophiolites, glacial deposits, banded iron formations, first appearance

eukaryotes, multicellular life.

Course Content:

Chapters / Topic and Test Dates / Weekly Schedule / Req. Reading / Homework
Due Date
Introduction, Mastering Geology intro / Week of January 19, 2014 / Jan 29 @ 11:55pm
1 / An Introduction to Geology / Week of January 19, 2014 / Pgs 3-33 / Jan 29 @ 11:55pm
2 / Plate Tectonics / Week of January 26, 2014 / Pgs 41- 72 / Jan 29 @ 11:55pm
Exam 1 / Available from Thursday Jan30 to Sunday Feb2. / Check Moodle for your exam
3 / Matter and Minerals / Week of Feb 2, 2014 / Pgs 81-110 / Feb 12 @ 11:55pm
4 / Magma, Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Activity / Week of Feb 2, 2014 / Pgs 117 - 144 / Feb 12 @ 11:55pm
5 / Volcanoes and Volcanic Hazards / Week of Feb 9, 2014 / Pgs 153- 190 / Feb 12 @ 11:55pm
Exam 2 / Available from Thursday Feb13 to Sunday Feb16 / Check Moodle for your exam
6 / Weathering and Soil / Week of Feb 16, 2014 / Pgs 197- 225 / Feb 26 @
11:55pm
7 / Sedimentary Rocks / Week of Feb 16, 2014 / Pgs 231- 262 / Feb 26 @
11:55pm
8 / Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rock / Week of Feb 23, 2014 / Pgs 269- 296 / Feb 26 @
11:55pm
Exam 3 / Available from Thursday Feb27 to Sunday Mar2 / Check Moodle for your exam
9 / Geologic Time / Week of Mar 2, 2014 / Pgs 303- 328 / Mar 19@ 11:55pm
10 / Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building / Week of Mar 9, 2014 / Pgs 335- 356 / Mar 19@ 11:55pm
11 / Earthquakes / Week of Mar 9, 2014 / Pgs 361- / Mar 19@ 11:55pm
Exam 4 / Available from Thursday Mar20 to Sun Mar23 / Check Moodle for your exam
13 / Divergent Boundaries / Week of Mar 23, 2014 / Pgs 423- 452 / April 2 @ 11:55pm
14 / Convergent Boundaries / Week of Mar 30, 2014 / Pgs 461- 480 / April 2 @ 11:55pm
Exam 5 / Available from Thursday April 3 to Sunday April 6 / Check Moodle for your exam
16 / Running Water / Week of April 6, 2014 / Pgs 515- 547 / April 16 @ 11:55pm
17 / Ground Water / Week of April6, 2014 / Pgs555-83 / April16
18 / Glaciers / Week of April 13 , 2014 / Pgs 591- 628 / April 16 @ 11:55pm
Exam 6 / Available from Thursday April 17 to Sunday April 20 / Check Moodle for your exam
21 / Global Climate Change / Week of April 27, 2014 / Pgs 703- 735 / May 6 @ 11:55pm
22 / Earth’s Evolution Through Geologic Time / Week of April 27, 2014 / Pgs 741- 762 / May 6 @ 11:55pm
23 / Energy and Mineral Resources / Week of May 4, 2013 / Pgs 779- 808 / May 6 @ 11:55pm
24 / Planetary Geology / Week of May 4, 2013 / Pgs 815- 847 / May 6 @ 11:55pm
Final / Final Exam, You will be required to take the final exam in person on the campus of Nicholls State University.
If you are unable to take the exam at one of the times listed. You may take the exam at an approved testing site.
Please contact me for more information. / Exam times available:
Exam times will be announced later in the semester on Moodle.
There will be both evening and day times available during finals week

Course Requirements:

Exams:

There will be a total of seven (7) equally weighted exams given. Each Exam will be worth 100 points toward the final grade. This means that your final exam is not cumulative. Exams will be found on the Moodle website with the exception of the final exam. Students must take the final exam on campus or at an approved testing facility. Please contact me for more information about approved testing facilities. A valid ID will be required in order to take the final exam.

For your convenience and to limit confusion, exams are open from Thursday through Sunday during the week of the exam.

Homework:

Homework will be assigned through out the semester. All homework assigned will be counted toward the final grade.* Homework will be made available on the companion website to the text, Each homework assignment will be subject to a time limit. All homework is due by 11:55 pm on the night before the exam for that material opens.

After the due date for homework assignments has passed, no late homework will be accepted, with no exceptions for any reason.

*note: homework accounts for more than 1/3 of your grade: it is almost impossible to pass the course without doing the homework.

Methods of Evaluation:

Grading Scale:

A / 90 -100
B / 80 - 89.99
C / 70 – 79.99
D / 60 – 69.99
F / Below 60

Weighted values of Course Materials:

Exams = 65 %

Homework = 35%*

*It is important to note that homework is a requirement of the course and counts for a large percentage of your grade. You must have access to Mastering Geology in order to complete the homework assigned.

Access to the mastering geology website is provided by Pearson publishing. You will have a separate grade book for homework on the Mastering Website. At mid semester an average of your homework will be posted to Moodle to give you an idea of your course average.

Make – up Procedure:

It is strongly advised that students take tests on the day that they are given. Students with a valid excuse will be allowed to take a make up exam. The decision for the allowance of a makeup exam will be determined on an individual basis as these needs arise.

Academic Honesty Policy:

It is expected that students will conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity. Any documentable instances of academic dishonesty will be handled in accordance with Departmental and University policy. This policy can be found in the “Code of Student Conduct”.

Drop Date: The last day to drop a course with a “W” is: 28th, 2014.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

If you have a documented disability that requires assistance, you will need to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is (985) 448-4430. (TDD 449-7002).

Academic Grievances:

The proper procedure for filing grade appeals or grievances related to academic matters is listed in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct and at the following link:

http://www.nicholls.edu/documents/student_life/code_of_conduct.pdf

***********It should be noted that this syllabus is subject to change as circumstances arise. Notification of such changes will be announced during regularly scheduled class periods. Since attendance to this class is mandatory, it is the responsibility of the student to be aware of announcements made in class.*************

Continued Learning following an Extreme Emergency:

In order to make continued learning possible following an extreme emergency, students are responsible for:

● Reading regular emergency notifications on the NSU website;

● Knowing how to use and access Blackboard (or university designated electronic delivery system);

● Being familiar with emergency guidelines;

● Knowing their Blackboard (or designated system) student login and password;

● Contacting faculty regarding their intentions for completing the course.

Faculty is responsible for:

● Their development in the use of Blackboard (or designated software);

● Having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and e-mail;

● Continuing their course in whatever way suits the completion of the course best, and being creative in the continuation of these courses;

● Making adjustments or compensations to a student’s progress in special programs with labs, clinical sequences or the like only in the immediate semester following the emergency.