Course Syllabus GEOL 10 Fall Geology 10-A1: Introduction to Geology F ; D-222; Schedule #43906

Transcription

1 Geology 10-A1: Introduction to Geology F ; D-222; Schedule #43906 Instructor: Zachary Lauffenburger Office: D Office hours: F or by appointment (in-person or online) Why Study Geology? Geology is the study of Earth, the planet we inhabit. It is important that everyone know how Earth works, so that we can make wise decisions and life can continue to thrive on its surface. Course Themes: The course is organized around these overarching themes Our planet is dynamic and continually changes through time, both in the short term and the long term (deep time). Humans can learn to live harmoniously in the natural world and can reduce their risks due to natural geologic hazards. Earth processes create natural resources that benefit our lives; many resources present human challenges and have a finite supply. Earth processes are linked within a complex web of systems with many interconnected parts; materials and energy are continually recycled within these systems. Science is based on evidence that can be tested by others and whose interpretation may change when new evidence is introduced. Everyone can acquire the habits of mind of a scientist: curious/asks questions; observes the natural world; uses evidence to make interpretations; communicates with others. Student Learning Objectives: By the end of the course students will be able to Explain how hydrologic, tectonic, and erosional processes shape the landscape. Explain data from graphs, geologic diagrams, and topographic maps. Interpret data from graphs, geologic diagrams, and topographic maps. Research and analyze environmental problems and natural hazards. Discuss how scientists develop hypotheses and theories. Challenge theories about the formation of the earth, plate tectonics, and processes that shape the land. Observe the physical environment and predict the changes that will take place over time. Hypothesize about the geologic past and develop techniques to verify the hypothesis. Examine rocks and landscape in the field and be able to devise explanations about their origin. Course Design: This course is designed primarily for students to fulfill AA/AS area 1; CSU area B1; IGETC area 5A in physical science. We will focus on learning about aspects of our planet that will enrich your life and help you to make more informed decisions. The course is designed to stimulate active learning more than passive acquisition of knowledge passed from instructor to student. Each student has experience that uniquely contributes to course content. I will challenge you to think about the issues raised in the course, to ask questions about the topics we discuss, and to evaluate ideas for yourself and in consultation with your peers.

2 Class Conduct: The class is relatively large and students will be expected to respect the instructor and fellow classmates by arriving on time and by refraining from chatting with others while the class is in session. Students will be given time for small group and whole-class discussions, when talking will be encouraged. Cell phones must be turned off before attending class. You will be asked to leave the class if your phone rings, or if you talk on the phone or text while in class. The range of abilities and backgrounds in the class will be large. What may seem easy to you may seem difficult to others, and vice versa. Be prepared to share your knowledge with others and to learn from your classmates. Required Text and Supplies: Textbook Earth: An Intimate History by Richard Fortney. Knopf/Random House Publishing. ISBN Book available through College of Alameda Bookstore. Calculator (basic type OK) that is brought to class each day. Evaluations and Final Exam (In-class): There will be three in-class evaluations (multiple-choice and short-answer questions) that will be completed during class. Questions will be drawn from the subjects explored in the lecture and from the textbook reading and online articles. The in-class evaluations will be about topics explored during the previous 4 5 weeks. You will need to bring a SCANTRON FORM 882 and a #2 pencil to class on these days. Make-ups will not be provided unless you have a documented emergency. In this case, you must contact the instructor prior the exam to arrange a make-up time. The final exam will be longer and comprehensive. Research Project: The research project is the course s culminating activity. The objective is for you to apply what you ve learned during the semester to a real-world investigation. You should choose a topic that sounds interesting to you, and develop a hypothesis or basic question you wish to investigate. You may choose to work with another student in the class, but each student must submit their own written report. A list of possible topics, detailed instructions, and evaluation criteria will be provided. Submit a paragraph describing what you plan to investigate by 17 November; submit your final written report by 7 December. My experience has shown that students are initially intimidated by this project, but find it a rewarding part of the course. Grade Weighting: Homework Assignments 20% Attendance/Participation 10% In-class quizzes 15% In-Class Evaluations 20% Final exam 15% Research project (written report) 20%

3 Letter grades will be based on the percentage of possible points earned as shown below. Credit/No Credit is an option in this course. A = % = 4.0 B = 80-89% = 3.0 C = 70-79% = 2.0 D = 60-69% = 1.0 F = <60% = 0.0 Academic Integrity: The College follows the legal opinion set forth by the California Community Colleges legal department which limits the consequences of an act of academic dishonesty to a failing grade on the activity, assignment, or test involved. Disability Accommodation: If you have a disability which may require classroom or test accommodations, please contact Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities (DSPS) in Room D117 or call DSPS at You will need to provide written documentation of your disability. If you think you have a disability but currently have no documentation, DSPS may be able to help you. If you already have an accommodation notification from DSPS, please submit it to the instructor privately. All information will be kept confidential. Learning Resources Location: 2nd (second) floor of the Library: o Appointments for free tutoring in most subjects o Drop-in Academic Help and Workshops in the Math Lab, Writing Center, and ESL Lab for classes across the curriculum o Open entry, open exit lab classes in English, ESL, & Math that go at your own pace o Open Lab For college use only, the open lab provides students access to internet and application software. Printing access is provided at a cost of 10 cents per page. All students must provide a current Peralta student ID in order to utilize services. For Latest Hours call o Writing Center, ESL Lab & Math Lab Location: 2nd Floor of the Library L234, L235, L226 (in the back behind the elevator) Writing Center, ESL & Math Lab Hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday Friday College Deadlines/Policies: 6 September (midnight): deadline for dropping the course. 19 October: deadline to request the Pass/No Pass grading option from your instructor. To receive a Pass grade, you must earn a grade of C- or better. The course grade will not be included in your GPA calculation, but note that other institutions often interpret a Pass grade as a C and a No Pass grade as an F. 14 November: Deadline to withdrawal from course with a W grade

4 Class Schedule (subject to change): (reading is from required textbook: Earth: An Intimate History ) WEEK TOPIC READING 1 Introduction to the course Preface Why study geology? Deformation of earth materials 2 Deformation & earthquakes Ch. 1 Earthquakes 3 Plate tectonics Ch. 2 Minerals: earth s building blocks 4 Minerals: patterns in nature Ch. 3 Rocks and rock-forming processes Igneous rocks & processes 5 Extrusive igneous processes Ch. 4 Igneous processes 6 Weathering & sediments Ch. 5 Sediment transport & deposition Sedimentary rock record 7 Metamorphic changes Ch. 6 Geologic time: how old is old? Earth materials as time keepers 8 Coastal environments Ch. 7 Shoreline: land meets sea Coastal geologic records *Field Project Proposal due* 9 Geology of Bay Area Ch Tectonics & surface relief Ch. 9 Tectonics & surface relief 11 Recognizing mass movements Ch. 10 Slope stability: factor of safety Mass movements: landscapes in motion 12 River systems Ch. 11 Floods & springs Groundwater 13 Water supply Ch. 12 Paleoclimate & desert landscapes Basin & Range Nov. Fall break no class 15 Glaciers: sculptors of continents Ch. 13 Glacial processes Climate & global changes 16 Climate Semester review 17 Final examination (18 December, )

5 *************************************** Tell me, I will forget Show me, I may remember Involve me, and I will understand (Chinese Proverb as interpreted by El-Ichiro Ochiai, J. Chem. Educ., 1993, v. 70, n. 44) ***************************************