SYLLABUS Geology 1010 / Elements of Geology /Spring 2014 INSTRUCTOR: Peter Van Valkenburg Credits: 3 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) CRN numbers for classes: 10AM: 24926 11AM: 20767 12Noon: 24481 Room: SMPS 128 OFFICE HOURS: Posted by office door, Sci. 134 Phone: 652-7769. Email: [email protected] COURSE OBJECTIVE: General Physical Science: The student, at the end of this course will: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic fundamental laws, concepts, and theories in the physical sciences. 2. Be able to explain and apply the scientific method 3. Demonstrate knowledge of the process of science by being able to utilize data in the form of tables, graphs, and charts through interpretation and then communicate those finding in oral and or written form. Course Specific: 1. Identify and describe the earth materials. 2. Understand the major internal and external processes acting upon the earth and how those processes affect the people of the world. 3. Identify and describe various landforms created by those processes. 4. Apply the principles of geologic time to analyze the rates of geologic processes. 5. Integrate information learned in class studies to evaluate geologic processes and how those processes can affect the people living in our community as well as the world. Because we live in an ideal area to study geology, many of the processes and materials will be observed as we learn about the geology of southern Utah. 6. Perhaps most importantly, you will come to realize that the earth is a dynamic planet and is undergoing constant change due to the many internal and external geologic processes. REQUIRED TEXT: Essentials of Geology by Lutgens, Tarbuck and Tasa; Eleventh Edition. Course content will follow the text but not necessarily in order of chapters. It is essential that you read and study the assigned pages prior to lecture. This will allow you to better understand the material and ask pertinent questions. EXAMINATIONS: There will be five examinations given in this course. The exams will contain mostly multiple choice questions as well as a few fill in the blank and/or short answer questions. The fifth examination will be the final exam. The final will be comprehensive. It will cover the last few chapters in unit 5 plus some of the major concepts discussed in the previous units. All exams except the final will be given in the testing center. All students must take the exams at the assigned time. There will usually be three days to take the exam, after that you will have to drop that exam. Please, do not wait until the last hour to take the exam, things happen! Scores will be posted on canvas. QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given periodically to see if the students understand the materials being covered. The quizzes will be given at the very beginning of class. If you are late for class you will miss the quiz. These quizzes are designed to encourage students to come to class on time and to stay current on reading assignments. The dates for the quizzes will be announced in class. It is important that you attend class to know when the quizzes might be given. ASSIGNMENTS: There will be a number of assignments given during the semester. The points, due dates, and topics for those assignments will be given at the time the assignments are announced. Working together to help fellow students understand the material is encouraged, however each student is required to do their own work on the assignments. Assignments will not be accepted if it is found that the students have copied someone else’s work.