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 Objectives: |
SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method
to evaluating geologic processes. |
Class time: |
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9-10:20
a.m. There will be no class on Feb. 18 because of Presidents' Day.
There will be The |
Class rooms: |
Cosumnes River College, SCI-109 |
Instructor: |
Hiram Jackson |
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: 1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Textbook: |
Physical Geology (15th ed) by Plummer , Carlson, & Hammersley, available 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 25, March 27, and April 24 -- and a
final on May 20. All midterms will last 80 minutes. |
Homework: |
Homework is assigned every week
and will be collected at the beginning of class (9 a.m.) and returned the
following class. |
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. |
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. Nevertheless,
you are responsible to make sure you are dropped from the roster if you
choose not to finish the course. 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: 30% 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:
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.
If you are thinking of dropping this class, please consider checking in with
me to explore your options. |
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 |
Apart from the campus standards
for conduct printed in the catalog and schedule, the following rules are
worth mentioning: |
Last update 1/23/2019
Webpage designed by Hiram Jackson.
Contact Geology webmanager, Hiram Jackson, at jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu