GEOLOGY 101

PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

FALL 2007

Fall 2007 Mon Wed Fri – 08.35 – 09.30 AM 3 credits

Instructor name: Dr. Graziela da Silva

Office location: 234 Beauregard

Phone number: 448-4254

Email:

Office hours: Mon Wed Fri 09.35 – 10.35 AM or by appointment

Catalog Description: GEOL 101. Physical Geology. 3 3 0. Study of the earth, its constituents, agents, and processes modifying it; also geologic structures and landforms. (40.0601)

Prerequisites: None

Required Text and Other Materials: Plummer, C.C.; Carlson, D.H.; McGeary, D. Physical Geology, 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill.

Student Outcome Objectives: The student must demonstrate an understanding of the following subjects:

a) The basic structural components of atoms and elements, the physical properties of minerals, the major tetrahedral linkages of silicate minerals.

b) Plate tectonics, 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 with examples in 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. Coastal processes and landforms, global climate and glacials, deserts and structurally controlled landforms.

Course Requirements: Students will be evaluated on the basis of 3 examinations, two mid-term tests and a final examination. Test dates are provided in the schedule below. The format for the tests and exams is multiple choice and true/false questions. Exam material is from lecture notes AND textbook. You will need a scantron sheet for each exam. The final exam will be cumulative. There will be NO extra credit assignments for this course.

Methods of Evaluation: The two mid-term tests are worth 30% each and the final examination is worth 40%. The final grade will be determined on a ten point scale (90-100%A; 80-89%B; 70-79%C; 60-69%D; below 60%F).

Course Content:

Lect

/

DATE

/

LECTURE TITLE

/

Plummer et. al. TEXT

(11th Edition)
1 / Aug 20 / Introduction
2 / 22 / Introducing Geology and Important Concepts / Chpt. 1: 3 – 13
Chpt. 1: 21 – 27
3 / 24 /

Earth’s Interior and Geophysical Properties

/ Chpt 17: 441 - 465
4 / 27 / Plate Tectonics / Chpt. 1: 13 – 21
Chpt 19: 491 - 525
5 / 29 / The Sea Floor and the Oceanic Crust / Chpt 18: 467 - 489
6 / 31 /

Orogenesis, Mountain Belts and the Continental Crust

/ Chpt 20: 527 - 549
Sept 3 /

Labor Day Holiday

7 / 5 / Minerals, Atoms and Elements, Variations in Mineral Structures and Compositions / Chpt. 2: 29 - 43
8 / 7 / The Physical Properties of Minerals, Minerals Formation / Chpt. 2: 43 - 55
9 / 10 / Rock Cycle, Igneous Rocks / Chpt. 3: 57 - 70
10 / 12 / Magma / Chpt. 3: 70 - 83
11 / 14 / Volcanism, Extrusive Rocks / Chpt. 4: 85 - 97
12 / 17 / Volcanoes, Lava Floods, Submarine Eruptions / Chpt. 4: 97 - 115
13 / 19 / TEST Review
21 / TEST 1
14 / 24 / Rock Weathering / Chpt. 5: 117 - 129
15 / 26 /

Soils

/ Chpt. 5: 129 - 137
16 / 28 /

Sedimentary Rocks

/ Chpt. 6: 139 – 155
17 / Oct 1 / Sedimentary Structures, Fossils and Interpretation of Sedimentary Rocks / Chpt. 6: 155 – 169
18 / 3 / Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks / Chpt. 7: 171 - 193
19 / 5 /

Tectonic Landforms

/ Chpt. 15: 381 – 403
20 / 8 /

Earthquakes

/ Chpt. 16: 405 – 439
21 / 10 /
Time and Geology
/ Chpt. 8: 195 - 221
11-12 / Fall break, no classes
22 / 15 / Mass Wasting / Chpt. 9: 223 - 245
23 / 17 /
TEST Review
19 /
TEST 2
24 / 22 /

Fluvial Processes

/ Chpt. 10: 247 - 257
25 / 24 /

Fluvial Landforms

/ Chpt. 10: 257 - 281
26 / 26 / Ground Water / Chpt. 11: 283 - 305
27 / 29 / Glaciers, Glacial Processes / Chpt. 12: 307 - 316
28 / 31 /

Glacial Landforms

/ Chpt. 12: 316 - 327
29 / Nov 2 / Global Climate and Glacials / Chpt. 12: 327 - 337/Lecture
30 / 5 / Deserts / Chpt. 13: 339 - 359
31 / 7 / Structurally Controlled Landforms / Chpt. 13: 344 – 347/Lecture
32 / 9 / Coastal Processes / Chpt. 14: 361 - 370
33 / 12 / Coastal Landforms / Chpt. 14: 366 – 367
370 - 379
34 / 14 / Geologic Resources / Chpt. 21: 551 - 581
35 / 16 / The Earth’s Companions / Chpt. 22: 583 - 617
19-23 /

Thanksgivings holidays

36 / 26 /
EXAM REVIEW
Dec 6 /
FINAL EXAM
/ 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Make-up Procedure: Make-up exams will only be allowed in cases where a test was missed for a documented, University approved reason (medical condition, bereavement, etc). Mark test dates on your calendar now!! If you miss a test for any University-approved reason, contact me as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements.

Academic Honesty Policy: The University’s cheating policy as stated in the “Code of Student Conduct” booklet will be followed.

Attendance Policy: Students are responsible for their attendance. Attend all classes. Someone is paying for you to attend so BE THERE Attend class and TAKE NOTES.

DROP DATE: The last day to drop a course with a “W” is: Friday, October, 26th, 2007.

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.

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;

·  evacuating textbooks and other course materials;

·  knowing their Blackboard (or designated system) student login and password;

·  contacting faculty regarding their intentions for completing the course.

Faculty are responsible for:

·  their development in the use of the Blackboard (or designated) software;

·  having a plan for continuing their courses using only Blackboard and email;

·  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.