| 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. |
|---|---|
| Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's): | 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: | Monday,
Wednesday, 9-10:20 AM. There will be The |
| Class rooms: | Cosumnes River College, L-112; or possibly as homeviewer |
| 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. At the moment, there are two labs scheduled this semester
at CRC, and it meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, from noon to 1:30
p.m. and Tuesdays noon to 2:50 p.m. |
| Office hours: | Monday, Wednesday: 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday: noon-1 p.m. Friday, 11-noon, (Jan. 23, Jan 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 27, March 13, March 27, April 24, May 8) or by appointment, room SCI-111. Please see my class schedule for more information. |
| Textbook: | Physical Geology, 14th ed. by Plummer & Carlson, & Hammersley is for sale in the bookstore. |
| Exams: | There will be three midterms -- February 23, March 25, and April 22 -- and a final on May 18. All midterms will last 80 minutes. To benefit homeviewers, you may have a time window during which you can report to the testing center (bottom floor of the Library Building) to take the test. Time windows will be announced in class. |
| Homework: | Homework is assigned every week and may be submitted one of three ways: 1) e-mail to jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu , 2) by FAX (number to be announced), or 3) to the campus directly (including by US mail). This last method works well if you are a CRC campus viewer turning in your assignments in person. If you are watching from a remote location, then you must be sure to get your assignments in immediately if you choose to turn them in at your remote site. |
| Makeup policy: | You must contact me before 9 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. |
| Homeviewing
: |
If you intend to be a homeviewer for this class, then please
consult the FAQ
(frequently asked questions) site at http://crc.losrios.edu/Student_Services/Distance_Education/Interactive_Television/Interactive_Television_Guidelines_and_FAQ.htm
concerning issues
about homeviewing. Homeviewers have the option to take exams in the testing center. For more information, go here. |
| 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 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. I reserve the right to drop you from the class if I document 4 or more absences without prior notice from you. Attendance is monitored by a sign-in sheet for in-person students, and by call-in for home viewers. |
| Grading: | Homeworks
30% Midterms 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! |
| 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 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 (if you are enrolled at a campus) : |
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 1/23/2015
Webpage designed by Hiram Jackson.
Contact Geology webmanager, Hiram Jackson, at jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu