GEOL 201: PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (Sec 01)                                                                   SPRING 2008

Catalog data:  3 credits.   Basic concepts in the study of the Earth and its history. Brief introduction to the Earth’s place in the universe and solar system and the evolution, composition and structure of the Earth.  Introduction to minerals, and igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.  Survey of geological processes acting at the surface of the Earth such as wind, rivers, glaciers, ground water and the sea; introduction to internal processes regarding plate tectonics theory and growth of mountains.  Societal implications of geological processes are emphasized throughout the course.  GEOL 201L should be taken concurrently. 

Instructor:                  Dr. Colin J. Paterson, Room MI 314,  Phone 394-5114,  394-2461 (sec)                                                   Email: cpaterso@taz.sdsmt.edu   Web page: http://speedy.sdsmt.edu/~cpaterso     

                                    Department web page: http://geology.sdsmt.edu

Office hours (tentative - these may be modified later): M 1-2 pm,W 8-9 am, Tu, F 11 am - 12 noon;

Lecture Times:          10.00 - 10.50 am, MWF, Room MI 222.

Text:                           Chernicoff, S., and Whitney, D, 2007, "Geology" (4th ed., Pearson, Prentice Hall)

 Definition: Physical geology is that part of geology concerned with earth materials (minerals and rocks), changes in the Earth's surface and interior, and the dynamic forces that cause these changes.

GOAL #6:  Students will understand the fundamental principles of the natural sciences and apply scientific methods of inquiry to investigate the natural world

Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking this course, students will:

  1. Demonstrate the scientific method in a laboratory experience

Assessment:  Students will:

  • Acquire data on rock outcrops, propose hypotheses for origin of the rocks, and test the hypotheses from observation of modern systems and literature search in class assignment
  1. Gather and critically evaluate data using the scientific method

Assessment:  Students will:

  • Acquire data on rock outcrops, propose hypotheses for origin of the rocks, and test the hypotheses from observation of modern systems and literature search in class assignment
  • Analyze data on geological materials, structures, and their global distributions to evaluate the validity of the plate tectonics hypothesis in class assignment and exams
  1. Identify and explain the basic concepts, terminology and theories of the selected natural sciences

Assessment:  Students will:

  • Explain the origin of the universe, solar system, and earth in quizzes and exams
  • Recall the definition of minerals, the structures of minerals, major mineral groups, and factors controlling their growth in quizzes and exams
  • Recall the rock classification schemes for igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and processes by which these rocks are formed in class discussion, quizzes and exams
  • Explain the concept of geologic time, and the methods of interpreting  relative and absolute ages in quizzes and exams
  • Distinguish the variety of geological structures and interpret the causative internal forces in quizzes and exams
  • Recall the general architecture of the Earth’s interior and the effect of internal processes upon the development of the Earth’s surface, including volcanism, seismic activity, and the formation of mountains in quizzes and exams
  • Apply knowledge of surficial processes (water, wind, ice) to interpret landforms in quizzes and exams
  1. Apply selected natural science concepts and theories to contemporary issues

Assessment:  Students will:

  • Apply knowledge of geologic processes and rock materials to interpreting potential for geologic hazards in class discussion, quizzes, and exams
  • Apply knowledge of geologic processes to interpreting location of mineral and energy resources in class discussion, quizzes, and exams
  • Apply knowledge of geologic processes and materials to understanding environmental issues, especially water supply and quality, in class discussion, quizzes, and exams

Instructor's Expectations: I expect that you will:

·         Attend all lectures – your performance will benefit from visuals and materials displayed

·         Be an active learner and participate in the lectures – respond to questions, take notes

·         Read the text book, and conduct self-testing using chapter review questions

Exams and Quizzes:                                                                                     

During the semester, there will be 11 quizzes each worth 15 points. The quizzes are scheduled for the first 5 minutes of most of the Wednesday lecture periods. Your best 10 performances in the quizzes will count toward your final grade. The dates of the quizzes are indicated below.

There will be 2 exams during the semester; the dates are indicated below. There will be a comprehensive final exam during exam week. If you miss a quiz or exam because of sickness, please let me know before the time of the quiz or exam if possible. We can then plan a time for a make-up quiz or exam, preferably before the following lecture period. If you see conflicts with exam dates, you must let me know by September 6.

The exams and quizzes will be based on material covered in the lectures, AND on the relevant chapters in the text. If you are not clear about material covered in lecture, ask questions during the lectures. Outside of lecture times, consult your textbook, and if further clarification is necessary, talk to your instructor, preferably during office hours. Test yourself using chapter review questions.

The quizzes will consist of short answer-type questions. The exams will comprise combinations of multiple choice, short answer, and essay type questions. Grading of written answers will be based on content, spelling and grammar.

Quizzes are scheduled for Wednesdays: Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, Mar 5, 12, 26, Apr 16, 23, 30

Your final grade will be obtained from the following components:

Quizzes (10 x 15 points)                                 150

First Exam (Feb 27)                                        100

Second Exam (Apr 2)                                     100

Final Exam (May 6, 2 :00 – 3:50 pm)             200

TOTAL                                                          550

 

All students are required to take the final exam on the day prescribed in the exam week timetable. (no exceptions!) Assignment of final grades will be based on overall percentage scores: the boundaries between A and B, B and C, C and D, and D and F will be in the high 80's, 70's, 60's, and 50's respectively. The exact cutoffs will occupy natural gaps in scores of the class. Performance in the comprehensive final exam will be used where natural gaps don’t exist.

Breaches of ethics, such as cheating in quizzes and exams, plagiarism, copying of other students' work, lying to instructor, will result in immediate assignment of 'F' grade.

Please use the listed office hours to meet with Dr Paterson if possible: these times are reserved for your benefit. If your timetable prevents this, schedule an appointment with Dr Paterson at other times via email. Feel free to email me with questions too. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are reserved for my research.

Electronic Devices Policy.  Please turn off your cell phone before class starts. No text messaging in class. No headphones. If phone rings, student must leave class until next meeting.  Second offense:  cell phone will be confiscated! You may take notes on your tablet, but no other use of computer is permitted.

Special Needs: Students with special needs or requiring special accommodations should contact the instructor, Dr Colin Paterson, and/or the campus ADA coordinator, Dr Jolie McCoy (394-1924) at the earliest opportunity.

Freedom in learning. Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.

Tentative Course Outline

 

            Subject-Chapter (Chernicoff and Whitney, 2007)                                                   Lect. No

 

Part 1: Forming the Earth

Introduction (Applications of geology, solar system, Plate Tectonics theory) (Chap 1)        1-2

 

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet (2)                                                                           3-4

 

Rocks : Igneous (3,4)                                                                                                              5-8

 

Rocks : Sedimentary Processes, Environments and Rocks (6)                                               9-12

 

Rocks : Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks (7)                                                             13-14

 

FIRST HOUR EXAM – FEBRUARY 27

 

Telling Time Geologically -Geologic Time, Age of the Earth (8)                                           16-17

 

Parts 2: Shaping the Earth’s Crust 

Earth Structures – Folds, Faults, and Fabrics (9)                                                                   18-19

 

Earthquakes (10)                                                                                                                     20-21

 

Plate Tectonics (11, 12, 13)                                                                                                    22-24

 

PART 3: Sculpting the Earth’s Surface

Weathering and Soil Formation (5)                                                                                        25-26

 

SECOND HOUR EXAM – APRIL 2

 

Mass Movement (14)                                                                                                             27-28

 

Streams and Floods(15)                                                                                                          30-32

 

Groundwater (16)                                                                                                                   33-34

 

Glaciers and Ice Ages (17)                                                                                                     35-36

 

Deserts and the Work of Winds (18)                                                                                      37                                                      

Shores and Coastal Processes (19)                                                                                          38-39

 

Human Use of the Earth's Resources  (20)                                                                             40

 

FINAL EXAM - Exam week,  MAY 6 (TUESDAY) 2:00 - 3:50 pm