G101/201 General Geology                                               Fall 2009

4 credits; no pre-requisite                                                  MW 12-1:20 or TTH 12-1:20

Instructor:  Sarah Hoover                                                Office Hrs: M 10-12; TTH 11-12 ; W 1:30-3:30

Phone:  503-657-6958 ext: 2812                                        e-mail: sarahh@clackamas.edu

Required Texts:                                                                     Office:  Pauling Center P124m

    Lecture:  The Changing Earth; Exploring Geology and Evolution, 5th ed., Monroe & Wicander

    Lab:  General Geology Lab Manual; Clackamas Community College,  Pearson’s Custom Publishing

 

Web Page: http://depts.clackamas.edu/science/physci/geology/index.htm

 

MANY CLASS NOTIFICATIONS ARE DONE BY CCC E-MAIL. PLEASE CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT!

 


Course Description: This introductory course examines the materials that make up the earth and the processes associated with these materials. The course has a lecture and laboratory component and students are required to sign up and attend both portions of the course.

 

Student Outcomes: This course is designed so at its completion a student should be able to discuss the geological principles that relate to plate tectonics, uniformitarianism, catastrophism, and the scientific method.  Additionally, the student should be able to identify basic ore and rock forming minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks and understand the processes involved in the formation of these rocks and minerals.

 

Grading G101: Grading is based on quizzes, a midterm, a final exam, class/homework assignments and lab work

  • Quizzes will emphasize material currently being discussed in class and are to be taken on the dates given in class.  Quizzes will be announced at least one class prior to the quiz date and the lowest quiz score will be dropped. Because the lowest score is dropped, quizzes can not be made up if they are missed.  There will be 4 to 5 quizzes during the term.

 

  • The midterm will cover all material introduced since the beginning of the term.   If the midterm is missed for a legitimate reason it is your responsibility to make it up within one week of the original test date. 

 

  • The final exam will be comprehensive.  NO make-up exams will be administered without at least 5 days prior notice, a good reason, and a signed administrative excuse. 

 

  • Homework and class assignments (and due dates) will be assigned periodically throughout the term.  Homework will not be accepted late unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor…NO EXCEPTIONS. 

 

•          One fieldtrip will be offered during the term.  The fieldtrip is optional.  A homework assignment will be assigned that corresponds to the trip.  The assignment will be for ALL students regardless if you go on the trip or not. Space for the trip will be limited to a max. of 14 students but not fewer than 10 students.  If the trip does not happen due to low student turnout, the web based assignment must still be done.

 

Grading for G101:  Your grade will be calculated based on the following:

       Quizzes are 20% of your total grade;   Assignments are 15% of your total grade; Midterm is 20% of your total         

                      grade;  Final Exam is 20% of your total grade;  Laboratory work is 25% of your total grade

 

       Letter grades will be assigned based on the following total course percents:

                100-90% (A);   89.9-80% (B);   79.9-70% (C);   69.9-60% (D);   <60% (F)             

        (the instructor reserves the right to lower the % distribution if necessary to accommodate a reasonable grade distribution)

 

Grading G201: Grading is based on quizzes, a midterm, a final exam, class/homework assignments, a project and lab work.  G201 students will be given additional quiz/test questions and additional assignments

  • Quizzes will emphasize material currently being discussed in class and are to be taken on the dates given in class.  Quizzes will be announced at least one class prior to the quiz date and the lowest quiz score will be dropped. Because the lowest score will be dropped, quizzes can not be made up if they are missed. There will be 4 to 5 quizzes during the term.
  •  The midterm will cover all material introduced since the beginning of the term.   If the midterm is missed for a legitimate reason it is your responsibility to make it up within one week of the original test date. 

 

  • The final exam will be comprehensive.  NO make-up exams will be administered without at least 5 days prior notice, a good reason, and a signed administrative excuse. 

 

  • Homework and class assignments (and due dates) will be assigned periodically throughout the term.  Homework will not be accepted late unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor…NO EXCEPTIONS. 

 

•          One fieldtrip will be offered during the term.  The fieldtrip is optional for G101 students but G201 students will be strongly encouraged to participate.  If a 201 student is unable to go on the trip, a web based assignment covering similar material to that which is covered on the fieldtrip must be completed. Space for the trip will be limited to a maximum of 14 students but not fewer than 10 students.  If the trip does not happen due to low student turnout, the web based assignment must still be done.

 

  • Project:  You will be required to do a term project consisting of several parts.  This project will require you to research the Earthscope program and to analyze data from it.  An information sheet will be given to you early in the term explaining each portion of the project and the due dates for each.

 

Grading for G201:  Your grade will be calculated based on the following:

Quizzes are 18% of your grade; Class assignments are 10% or your grade; Project is 11% of your grade; Midterm is 18% of your grade;   Final Exam is 18% of your grade;   Laboratory work is 25% of your grade.

 

Letter grades will be assigned based on the following percents:

                100-90% (A);   89.9-80% (B);   79.9-70% (C);   69.9-60% (D);   <60% (F)             

(the instructor reserves the right to lower the % distribution if necessary to accommodate a reasonable grade distribution)

 

IMPORTANT…PLEASE READ!!!

Students may exercise the right to drop this class until the end of the 6th week of the term without being held responsible for a grade.  If a student stops attending class prior to or during the sixth week, they will be given a Withdraw for the course unless they communicate to the instructor in writing that they wish for a letter grade.  From the beginning of the 7th week, if a student stops attending class, they will be given a letter grade unless they ask (in writing) for a Withdraw.  Students may ask for a Withdraw from the course (in writing) until the end of the 8th week.  If a student has not asked for a withdraw by the end of the 8th week, they will receive a letter grade for the course.  An incomplete will only be issued when all key components of the course have been completed with the exception of one item.  A student’s accumulated grade to that point must be of a C or better to qualify for an incomplete.  To receive an incomplete you MUST speak with the instructor and submit your request in writing.  If you have chosen a pass/no pass grading option for this course, you must earn a C or better to receive the passing grade.  If you decide to change your grade to a pass/no pass you must do this before the 10th week of the class.  The instructor reserves the right to make exceptions to the terms above on a case by case basis.

 

 Student Honor Policy: Plagiarism and cheating will NOT be tolerated.  While students are encouraged to interact in small groups during class assignments and lab, any cheating or copying will result in a zero for that assignment and may result in consequences at the administrative level.

 

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.

 

Please turn off all cell phones on entering the classroom.  Cell phones are NOT to be used in lecture or lab!! 

 


Laboratory:  (Hours M &W 1:30-4:20; T 9-11:50)

Objectives: This lab is designed to compliment the lecture.  The focus of the lab is to examine and learn about the different rocks and minerals that make up the earth.  By the end of the term the student should be able to identify basic ore and rock forming minerals, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.  Additionally, students should understand the processes involved in the formation of these rocks and minerals

 

Grading:  Grading is based on 8 lab assignments, 3 quizzes and 3 exams.  If a quiz or exam is missed for a legitimate reason it is your responsibility to make it up within one week of the original quiz/exam date. 

 

  • You MUST attend the first lab session (during week 1), or your place can be given to another student attempting to add the lab.  You must pass the lab with an average score >60% to pass Geology 101/201.

 

  •  Lab exercises are to be done in PENCIL and will be turned in each week at the end of your lab period.  Lab assignments will be returned before the next lab.  If you work the entire lab period but do not finish the lab, positive consideration will be given toward your grade.  However, it is your responsibility to learn the material and be prepared for quizzes and tests even if you don’t finish the labs.

 

  • If you miss a lab, it is YOUR responsibility to go over the materials before the next lab period.  THERE ARE NO MAKE UP LABS.   Once the last lab for the week is over (Wed. afternoon) it is your responsibility to go over the lab with a fellow student and understand the material missed.  DO NOT attend any lab other than the one you registered for unless you get PRIOR approval from the instructor…NO EXCEPTIONS!   It is important that you don’t miss labs. One lab can be dropped (you are not penalized for missing one of the labs) but you CAN NOT pass the lab if you miss more than 2 lab meetings. If you attend all 9 labs you can receive extra credit towards your lab grade.  You MUST pass the lab in order to pass the course so try not to miss any of your labs.

 

  • IF YOU ARE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES LATE FOR LAB YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY HAVE 1 POINT DEDUCTED FROM YOUR LAB TOTAL FOR THAT DAY

 

  • IMPORTANT: Your lab grade represents 25% of your total course grade and you must pass the lab with at least 60% of the lab points to pass the class.       

              Lab grade is calculated as follows:  50% from lab work; 20% from quizzes; 30% from exams

               

Schedule of Topics, Reading Materials, and Lab Exercises for G101/201

 

Week   Dates   Lecture Topics (Tentative)                         Reading                  Labs

    1          9/28-        Introduction & the scientific method,                      Chp 1                            Lab 1: Crystal growth

                10/2         Rock types & rock cycle, Geologic time                                            

     

    2          10/5 -       Earth’s formation and plate                                     Chp. 2                           Lab 2:  Intro to minerals.

                10/9         tectonics overview                                                   pg 39-56                        EXIT QUIZ ON LABS 1 & 2       

 

    3          10/12 -     Atomic structure, atomic bonding,                          Chp. 3                           Lab 3:  Ore Minerals

                10/16       chemical formulas                                                   p 60-66                                                     

 

    4          10/19 -     Mineral groups and bonding in                               Chp. 3                           Lab 4: Rock forming minerals

                10/23       minerals                                                                   p 62-81                          (Feldspars & Quartz)

                                                                                                                                                      EXAM ON ORE MINERALS

               

    5          10/26-      Introduction to igneous rocks &                              Chp.4                            Lab 5:  Other rock forming minerals

                10/30       Intrusive igneous rocks

                                MIDTERM Wed 10/28 or Thur 10/29                                                     

               

    6          11/02-      Volcanoes and volcanic rocks                                 Chp. 5                           Lab 6: Igneous rock textures

                11/06                                                                                                                             QUIZ ON LABS 4 & 5

   

    7          11/9 -       Volcanoes continued                                               Chp. 5                           Lab 7: Igneous rock ID                                

                11/13       NO CLASS WED (VETERAN’S DAY)                                                        Make up lab Fri 1:30-4:20

   

    8          11/16-      Weathering and soil formation                                Chp 6                            Lab 8:  Sedimentary rocks

                11/20                                                                                       133-150                         EXAM: ROCK FORMING MINERALS

                                                                                                               

    9          11/23-      Sedimentary rocks                                                   Chp. 6                           Lab 9:  Metamorphic rocks

                11/27       NO CLASS THURS (THANKSGIVING)               150-163                         QUIZ ON LABS 6, 7 & 8

   

    10        11/30-      Metamorphic rocks                                                 Chp. 7 (all)                      LAB FINAL (Rock Identification)

                12/04                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                           

    11        12/8 -     MW CLASS:  FINAL IS MONDAY DEC. 7th   FROM 12-2 PM in P101                                          

                12/12     TTH CLASS:  FINAL IS TUESDAY DEC. 8th FROM 2-4 PM  Room TBA