GEO.101 Introduction to Geology
Spring 2006
MWF, 11:00-11:50, Room 205,
Smith Hall
Dr. Nathan Green, 239 Bevill
Building
Phone: 205-348-1878
e-mail: ngreen@geo.ua.edu
Objective: An
introduction to understanding of our Earth, its materials, its internal and
external processes, the forces that shape the environment in which we live, and
the importance of geological sciences to human society.
Textbook: Tarbuck
and Lutgens (2005), Earth, A Introduction to Physical Geology (8th
edition) (required); CPS clicker pad
(required).
Laboratory Manual: Busch
(2005), Laboratory Manual in
Physical Geology, Prentice/Hall
(required; do not purchase a used lab manual).
Course Notes: Summaries of lecture notes are available online at:
http://www.geo.ua.edu/intro03/
Attendance Policy: Lecture attendance is expected and
critical for a good grade. Students are permitted a
maximum of 1 unexcused absence from the lecture; additional unexcused absences
will result in a one-third grade-level decrease in their final grade for each
lecture missed.
Examinations,
Grading, and Make-up policy: There
will be 2 mixed-format, 1-hour mid-term lecture exams and a multiple choice
final exam. Individual examinations are not strictly comprehensive,
in as much as they will test only current material and knowledge of subject
matter tested on previous examinations forms the basis of successive lecture
discussions during the semester. Examination grades will be scaled to a mean of
75 if the class average falls below that value. Exam make-ups will be
given with a valid medical excuse -- any other absences must be discussed with
the instructor beforehand. The course grade will be
assigned on the following basis.
Mid-term Exam I 15%
Mid-term Exam II 20%
Lecture final exam 30%
Laboratory 35%
Make-up exams can be arranged with the instructor, when the
student provides an official medical excuse form (signed by the attending
physician) for absence on the examination day. Grading will be based on the
University scale of A, 100-90; B, 90-80; C, 70-80; D, 50-70; and E, less than
50. Plus and minus grades, respectively, will be applied to the upper and lower
thirds of each grade interval.
Office hours: Office hours are flexible to your needs, and as such,
appointments can be made at most times convenient to your schedule simply by
contacting me by phone (voicemail: 348-1878), electronically (e-mail:
ngreen@wgs.geo.ua.edu), or following regularly scheduled lectures.
Lecture Schedule:
|
Lecture |
|
Topic |
|
January |
11 |
Introduction |
|
January |
13 |
The Dynamic Earth and Scientific Method |
|
January |
16 |
MLK Birthday – no class |
|
January |
18 |
Minerals |
|
January |
20 |
Minerals |
|
January |
23 |
Minerals |
|
January |
25 |
Igneous Rocks |
|
January |
27 |
Igneous Rocks |
|
January |
30 |
Igneous Rocks |
|
February |
1 |
Volcanism |
|
February |
3 |
Volcanism |
|
February |
6 |
Volcanism |
|
February |
8 |
Weathering and Soils |
|
February |
10 |
Mid-Term I |
|
February |
13 |
Weathering and Soils |
|
February |
15 |
Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks |
|
February |
17 |
Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks |
|
February |
20 |
Metamorphic Rocks |
|
February |
22 |
Metamorphic Rocks |
|
February |
24 |
Mass wasting |
|
February |
27 |
Mass wasting |
|
March |
1 |
Running Water |
|
March |
3 |
Running Water |
|
March |
6 |
Groundwater |
|
March |
8 |
Groundwater |
|
March |
10 |
Mid-term Exam II |
|
March |
13 |
Glaciation |
|
March |
15 |
Glaciation |
|
March |
17 |
Shorelines |
|
March |
20 |
Mid-term Break |
|
March |
22 |
Mid-term Break |
|
March |
24 |
Mid-term Break |
|
March |
27 |
Shorelines |
|
March |
29 |
Deserts |
|
March |
31 |
Deserts |
|
March |
3 |
Geological Time |
|
March |
5 |
Geological Time |
|
March |
7 |
Geological Time |
|
March |
10 |
Deformation |
|
March |
12 |
Deformation |
|
April |
14 |
Deformation |
|
April |
17 |
Earthquakes |
|
April |
19 |
Earthquakes |
|
April |
21 |
Earthquakes |
|
April |
24 |
The EarthÕs Interior |
|
April |
26 |
The EarthÕs Interior |
|
April |
28 |
The EarthÕs Interior |
|
May |
1 |
Plate Tectonics |
|
May |
3 |
Plate Tectonics |
|
May |
5 |
Plate Tectonics |
|
May |
10 |
Final Examination (Rm 205, Smith, 9:00 a.m.) |
|
|
|
|
Laboratory: You must register for a laboratory section, and
you must attend the section for which you are registered. The only excused absence will be on presentation of
an approved medical excuse, or by pre-excused permission of the lab instructor.
Unexcused absences will result in a Ō0Ķ for the day missed, and you will be
responsible for the missed material. Required Supplies for the laboratories
include:
Mineral Testing Kit (M), available at book stores
6Ķ ruler (R), with cm scale
Calculator (C)
Academic
Conduct: Students are expected to have read the Academic Honor Code
and affirmed that they will not at any time be involved in any acts of
dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or misrepresentation.
All cases of possible misconduct will be resolved by the academic division(s)
involved as specified in the Undergraduate Catalog. Any violation of the
academic code may result in penalties as severe as indefinite suspension from
the University.
Disabilities Policy: Special
accommodations in lectures and examinations are made for qualified students
with disabilities. The Office of Disability Services (ODS, first floor of
Osband Hall) will determine the individualized academic and support services
necessary to permit successful student participation in this course.
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