| Course description: | Physical geology is an introduction to the study of the scientific composition and dynamics of the earth from the atomic scale of minerals to the global scale of plate tectonics. The composition, structure, and dynamics of the layered earth include a short introduction to minerals, rocks, weathering, erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, faults, interior processes, plate tectonics, and earth resources. Emphasis is placed on how the geologic environment affects humans and how humans affect the environment. The student will study the processes forming surface landforms and be able to recognize landscapes characteristic of water, ice, and wind erosion. Successful completion of physical geology prepares a student to apply geologic principles to other sciences, understand and appreciate geologic phenomena and avoid geologic hazards. |
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| Student Learning Objectives: | SLO#1: Apply the Scientific
Method to evaluating geologic processes. SLO#2: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth originated and exists. SLO#3: Examine how we can determine Earth's interior and surface compositions. SLO#4: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes. SLO#5: Assess the potential threats of geologically-related natural disasters. SLO#6: Evaluate the various despositional and erosional features associated with different agents of erosion -- wind, glaciers, rivers, gravity, and waves. SLO#7: Communicate geologic concepts and information effectively in various forms (e.g., verbal, written, graphic). |
| Class time: | Tuesdays &
Thursdays, 10:30-11:50 a.m. There will be The |
| Class rooms: | Cosumnes River College, SCI-109 |
| Instructor: | Hiram Jackson tel: (916) 691-7605 e-mail: jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu |
| Teaching style: | Interactive
lecture, along with videos, overhead transparencies, slides, computers animations,
& maps. |
| Notes: | Some class notes may be available on the class webpage at http://web.crc.losrios.edu/~jacksoh . If you do not have access to the World Wide Web, you can access it through various computer centers on campus. |
| Units: | This course
is worth three units of physical science lecture credit. If you
need a physical science lab credit, you should consider signing up for Geology
301. Geology 301 is offered on Tuesdays at noon and also Mondays
and Wednesdays at noon. |
| Office hours: | Monday/Wednesday, 8-9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, noon-1 p.m. Fridays, 11:30-12:30, optional or by appointment, room SCI-111. Please see my class schedule for more information. |
| Textbook: | Physical
Geology (15th ed) by Plummer ,
Carlson,
& Hammersley sells for about $145 (without
taxes) in the bookstore.
If you have trouble obtaining a copy of the class books, copies may be available on reserve in the library. |
| Exams: | There will
be three midterms -- February 23, March 31, and April 21 -- and a final
on May 17. All midterms will last 80 minutes. |
| Makeup policy: | You must contact me before 10:30 a.m. on the scheduled day of an exam if you must miss an exam. Please briefly explain the nature of your absence, and when you expect to be able to make it up. Please be aware that I will not return graded exams until all makeups have been given. I generally expect makeups to be taken within 3-4 days. |
| Homework: | Homework is assigned every week and will be collected at the beginning of class (10:30 a.m.) and returned the following class. |
| Attendance policy: | Excessive absences
you risk understanding the class material, not being able to do well on exams,
or being dropped from the class roster. If you miss four or more lectures, I reserve the
right to drop you from the class. If you must be absent, please
leave a message indicating what the nature of your absence is, and what arrangements
you can make to make up the necessary work. |
| Grading: | Homeworks/quizzes:
30% Midterms & Writing assignment: 50% Final: 20% Optional project (geology of particular area of California) : replaces lowest test grade Another optional project (reading and reporting on a designated book) is worth up to 10 points on the final class grade. Grades will be calculated on the following scale: 90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, <60 oops!Grades are a measure of your performance on assignments and tests in this class, and are not to be interpretted as any reflection of what I think of you as a person. We hope that this measure of performance shows how well you understand and master the class material. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact me. |
| Grade Discrepancies: | If you think that I have made a mistake in calculating your grade, please see me. Please save your tests and homework if you wish to bring a grade discrepancy to my attention. |
| Cheating: |
You are expected
to turn in your own work. You are to take all exams based on what you
remember from studying (no notes, textbooks, or anything else will
be available). Anyone caught cheating may face one or more of the following
penalties: no grade for the assignment, an F for the course, probation or
suspension from the college. |
| Note: | Students with special needs or accommodations should contact me as soon as possible outside of class. |
| Field trip: | There is no formal or required field trip for this class, however I propose leading two voluntary field trips on different weekends in March and April. There is no extra credit for going on the field trip, but it may help you with the optional project mentioned above. |
| Classroom etiquette: |
Apart from
the campus standards for conduct printed in the catalog and schedule, the
following rules are worth mentioning: 1. Please do not bring food to class. 2. Please also turn off all cell phones, watch alarms, and pagers during class. 3. Arrive on time to class. If you arrive late, please enter quietly and take a seat near the door. If you must leave early, please tell me before class that you will leave early and take a seat near the door. 4. Please end all private conversations once class begins. |
Last update 1/19/2016
Webpage designed by Hiram Jackson.
Contact Geology webmanager, Hiram Jackson, at jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu