Geology 301 -- Physical Geology Lab -- Spring 2019

Course description:

This course provides "hands-on" experience with the tools and skills discussed in Physical Geology (Geology 300).  Lab topics include mineral and rock identification, map and air photograph interpretation and landform identification, and introduction to the study of geologic maps and cross-sections. (Together with Geology 300, CAN GEOL 2)

Student Learning objectives:

SLO#1: Apply the Scientific Method to evaluating Earth science processes.
SLO#2: Examine Earth's interior and solid surface compositions.
SLO#3: Apply plate tectonic theory to formulate geologic settings for physical processes.
SLO#4: Evaluate temporal and spatial dimensions in which Earth history is explored.
SLO#5: Assess the impact of earthquake activity at a human scale.
SLO#6: Confirm the effects of surface geologic processes on terrain landscape.

Class time:

Mondays/Wednesdays, noon-1:20 PM. The last day of regular class is Wednesday, May 15.  There is no class on Monday, February 18, due to Presidents' Day.  There will be no class schedule on April 15-19 due to Spring Break. 

The  final is scheduled for Monday, May 20 from 12:45-2:45 PM.

Class room:

Cosumnes River College, SCI - 109

Instructor:

Hiram Jackson
tel: (916) 691-7605
e-mail: jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu

Teaching style:

~30 minute interactive lecture to introduce each lab activity.  The rest of the time will be spent doing the lab activity. 

Units:

This course is worth one units of physical science  lab credit.  If you need a physical science lecture credit, you should consider signing up for Geology 300 -- Physical Geology Lecture.

Pre-/Co-requisite:

Geology 300, Physical Geology Lecture, is a required pre-requisite or co-requisite.  The ideal arrangement is to take Geology 301 in the same semester with Geology 300.

Office hours:

Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 to 9 a.m.

Friday, 11 to noon

or by appointment, room SCI - 111
Please see my class schedule for more information.

Textbook:

Laboratories Manual in Physical Geology, Richard Busch, editor, 11th edition.  The lab book is available in the bookstore and can be available from other venders.

Exams:

There will be a mineral quiz (February 11), a rock quiz (March 6), and a final on May 20. 

Makeup policy:

You have one week to make up any lab missed. Makeups must be turned in at the beginning of lab on the following week. If any more time is required, please contact me immediately. If you cannot attend a lab test, you must contact me prior to noon on the day that the test is given to be eligible for a makeup. Makeup tests must be taken within a week.

Attendance policy:

If student misses turning in three or more lab assignments, I reserve the right to drop the student from the class.  With excessive absences you risk not being able to finish lab assignments, not being able to take lab tests, 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.

Grading:

Labs 55%
Mineral quiz 10%
Rock quiz 15%
Final 20%

Grades will be calculated on the following scale:

90-100% A, 80-89% B, 70-79% C, 60-69% D, <60  oops!

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.  Attending any approved CRC geoscience field trip will drop your lowest lab grade.

Classroom 
environment:

Apart from
1. Please do not eat food during class.  Drinks (e.g., coffee, water, soda) may be permitted if accidents are minimal.
2. Please also turn off all alarms and ringers on cell phones, watches, etc. or anything else that could distract 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 1/23/2019
Webpage designed by Hiram Jackson.
Contact Earth Science webmanager, Hiram Jackson, at jacksoh@crc.losrios.edu