PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (GEOL 110 &111) LECTURE & LAB Spring 2010 Dr. Richard S. Della Valle

Transcription

1 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (GEOL 110 &111) LECTURE & LAB Spring 2010 Dr. Richard S. Della Valle 1. An introductory course designed to meet the College's requirements for a physical science course with a lab or field component for the non-science and science major. Students taking the course are assumed to have no previous background in earth and environmental science. 2. Office: Faculty Office: 1834 Fax , rdellavalle@napavalley.edu Office Hours: M and W 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, T and Th 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Appointments may be made at other times if necessary 3. Books: Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, (Ninth Edition), Tarbuck & Lutgens ($110.70, new). Bring this book with you to class on a daily basis so that we can discuss diagrams, photographs and readings. A study guide is also available. American Geological Institute: Laboratory Manual for Physical Geology, 8 th edition, ($76.80 new) Bring this to every laboratory class. We will be using it for laboratory exercises. OPTIONAL TEXTS, MAPS, AND MATERIALS (Supplied in class and available for purchase on-line): Acid Bottle, (1/2 oz.). ($5.00) Needed to carry 10% Hydrochloric Acid for testing carbonates (Will be supplied) Hand Lens: power = 10X ($25.00). Essential for recognizing grains and crystals in rocks.(will be supplied) Streak Plate Unglazed porcelain plates for mineral identification.. (Will be supplied) Dictionary of Geological Terms, Bates & Jackson ($30.00) (Will be supplied) Geologic Map - Santa Rosa Sheet (1998), California Division of Mines ($15.00) This map which shows detailed geology of the Napa Valley region will be helpful in carrying out your field projects. (Will be supplied) Topographic Map - Yosemite Valley (Second edition), Schaffer ($7.95) An excellent guide to hiking trails and landscape features of the Park.. (Will be supplied) World Map - Earth's Fractured Surface Thematic Map National Geographic ($15.00). Will be helpful in our discussions of plate tectonics (National Geographic) (Will be supplied) Swiss Army Knife - Spartan Model ($30.50) A pocket knife is essential for scratch tests to identify minerals making up rocks. (Will be supplied) 1/6/2010 1

2 4. The textbook provides a sense of the scientific method processes which foster a basic understanding of physical geology and in the sciences in general. The text has internet ( ) and CD-ROM support. Three areas (Student Learning Outcomes) that will be emphasized for this class are the Rock Cycle (Chapter 1), Plate Tectonics (Chapter 2) and Geologic Time (Chapter 9). By the end of this class you will be able to give details the rock cycle, and explain basic elements of Plate Tectonics and Geologic Time. Other areas include: Environmental issues from introducing geology as an environmental science in Chapter 1, to examining the causes/consequences of Global Warming in Chapter 21. Environmental topics are treated in regular text discussions and in special interest boxes. Other environmental topics of special interest we will discuss include the following: Soil Erosion Acid Precipitation Mass Extinctions Groundwater Withdrawal Land Subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley Volcanic Eruptions Radon Landslides/Mass Wasting Midwest Floods of 1993, Katrina 2005 Energy, Sustainability and Peak Oil We will use the GEODE CD-ROM media package. GEODE (Geologic Explorations on Disk) is a fully-interactive CD-ROM. Many internet resources will be used located at Chapter Topics and Tentative Scedule: 1. An Introduction to Geology. wk 1 & wk 2 2. Plate Tectonics: A Scientific Revolution Unfolds. wk 7 & wk 8 3. Matter and Minerals. wk 2 & wk 3 4. Igneous Rocks. wk 4 5. Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity. wk 5 6. Weathering and Soil. wk Sedimentary Rocks. wk 6 8. Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks. wk 6 9. Geologic Time. wk 13 & Crustal Deformation. on-going 11. Earthquakes. wk 9 & Earth's Interior. wk 11 & Divergent Boundaries: Origin and Evolution of the Ocean Floor. wk 7 and wk Convergent Boundaries: Mountain Building and the Evolution of the Continents. wk 7 and wk Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity. wk Running Water. wk Groundwater. as time permits 18. Glaciers wk Deserts and Winds. as time permits 20. Shorelines. as time permit 21. Global Climate Change wk 18 1/6/2010 2

3 22. Earth s Evolution Through Time. on-going 23. Energy and Mineral Resources. on-going Lecture Exam Schedule CHAPTERS 1*, 3*, 4*, 5*, 7, 8 EXAM 1 WEEK 6 CHAPTERS 2*, 11*, 12* EXAM 2 WEEK 12 CHAPTERS 9*, 6*, 15*, 16*, 18* EXAM 3 FINALS WEEK Chapters with an * will be discussed in detail. At times it might become necessary to deviate from the schedule and modify the extent of the material covered. Other chapters will be discussed but not tested. 5. Tentative Laboratory Schedule Chapter:Topic Week Classroom Activities Minerals 1-2 Define minerals; discuss properties; identification of samples; gemstones. Minerals Continued 3-4 same as above MINERAL EXAM 6 Igneous Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks and Sedimentary Rocks ROCK EXAM 12 TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS Basic Map Skills 7-11 Lecture and hand sample identification of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Fossils and other demonstrations. 13 Latitude, Longitude, Globes, Projections. How do I locate myself?. Continued Contouring, cross-sections, vertical exaggeration and landform analysis. MAP EXAM 17 Computers and Geology Geographic Information Systems (as time permits) 18 In class demonsration Examinations - No examination material from the class will be retained by the student. Grading will be based upon exams and homework. LECTURE (100%) EXAM 1 25% EXAM 2 25% EXAM 3 25% ASSIGNMENTS 25% TOTAL 100% 1/6/2010 3

4 LABORATORY (100%) MINERAL EXAM 25% ROCK EXAM 25% TOPO MAP EXAM 25% PARTICIPATION 25% TOTAL 100% PLEASE NOTE: NO MAKE UP EXAMS If you are unable to take the exam, call me immediately or leave a message at Failure to follow this procedure will lead to lowering of test scores. Written explanation and documentation must be given to the instructor upon return to class. THE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE HALF OBJECTIVE MULTIPLE CHOICE, BLANK FILL- INS, AND HALF SUBJECTIVE (SHORT ANSWERS, MAPS & DIAGRAMS). NO INCOMPLETES ARE GIVEN IN THE COURSE WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION EXTRA CREDIT FIELD TRIPS Lecture I will give 10% extra credit for a museum visit and a report. This can be done anytime during the semester. I will post instructions on the website. Laboratory The laboratory extra credit will involve a choice of a Saturday field trip or a Museum visit. The field trip requires your attendance an no report. I have arranged the use of a college van on the following dates. Saturday April 24 th Saturday May 1 st We will leave promptly at 8 AM and I will have you back on campus by 6 PM. Instructions for the field trip will be posted on my website. EXAMINATIONS & GRADING The course grade for each student will be based on performance on the exams, homework, participation in lab, and field trip/museum visits. You are guaranteed the grade with the following percentages: A % B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F less than 60% 1/6/2010 4

5 Consideration may be given to overall trends in performance (such as improvement over the course) in determining the final grade 6. Class Handouts If you miss a set of class handouts, then pick up copies in my office within one week. After that time, they will not be available for distribution. 7. ATTENDANCE I expect all students in the class to consider that regular attendance is a serious and necessary part of completing the course. Regular attendance is essential; however, attendance alone does not earn a student a passing grade in this course. Students need to spend adequate time reading, studying and performing homework outside of class hours (+6 hr per week) in order to earn a grade of C or better. The class will begin promptly, and late arrivals should make every effort not to disturb the class activity. Repeated late attendance will not be tolerated. If you plan to leave the class early, then let me know in advance and seat yourself close to an exit. 8. Cheating on tests will result in a grade of "F" for the course. 9. All homework assignments are to be TYPED. Messy work will not be accepted. Homework must be turned in on time. Late work will be penalized. Do not your assignments. Academic Honesty Cheating or plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated, and will be grounds for giving a lower or failing grade on the assignment or exam in question, giving a lower course grade, and/or referring the student to the Vice President, Student Services for disciplinary action. Cheating includes: copying from another s test or obtaining answers from another person during the test submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the rules in either course using or consulting during an examination sources or materials not authorized by the instructor using a cellular phone, text messaging device, digital camera, ipod, or other electronic device that can convey information during an examination** altering or interfering with grading or grading instructions deliberately altering or interfering with examination materials, such as lab exam setups sitting for an examination by a surrogate, or as a surrogate talking or consulting with another person (except the instructor) during an examination giving information to, or receiving information from, another student that provides the recipient with an undeserved advantage on an examination, such as sharing information about an exam with a student in another section, or telling a student what to expect on a alternative exam any other act committed by a student in the course of his or her academic work which defrauds or misrepresents, including aiding or abetting in any of the actions described above. ** Note that even having a cellular phone or other electronic communication device on your person during an exam will be considered use of that device and will be grounds for giving a zero on the exam. All such devices must be stored with the instructor at the front of the classroom during the exam. Plagiarism includes: incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs or parts thereof, or the specific substance of another s work, without giving due credit, and representing the product as one s own work*** representing another s artistic, scholarly, or similar works as one s own. 1/6/2010 5

6 *** Note that this includes copying or using the same words as another student on a written assignment, even if you were permitted to work together on the assignment. You must write in your own words. For further details, refer to the Napa Valley College Catalog and Board Policy on Academic Honesty. Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in the class, are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Program and Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Authorization from Student Services is required before any accommodations can be made. Phone: , Administration Building room 1339E 6