G119 Rocks and Minerals                Fall 2008

3 credits—no prerequisite                                             W 6-8:50 pm

Instructor:  Sarah Hoover                                            Office Hrs: MW 10-12; T 1:30-2:30, TH 11-12

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

Required Texts:                                                             Office:  Pauling Center P124m

     Simon & Schuster’s guide to Rocks and Minerals

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

 

Course Content and Philosophy:  This course examines the geological processes that form various rocks and minerals.  We will learn about the environments that form ore minerals, rock forming minerals, gem stones, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.  Additionally we will examine samples and learn to identify many common  rocks and minerals.

 

Student Outcomes: This course is designed so at its completion a student should be able to discuss the geological environments where particular rocks and minerals would form.  Additionally students should be able to identify in hand sample common rocks and minerals

 

Grading: Grading is based on five quizzes, two mineral exams, a final exam, and class assignments.

 

  • Quizzes will emphasize material currently being discussed in class and are to be taken on the dates given in class.  Quiz dates and topics are listed in the syllabus 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. 

 

  • The mineral exams will be based on the identification of minerals and are listed in the syllabus.  If one of the mineral exams is missed, the score of the second mineral exam and the final will be averaged and used in place of the missed exam. 

 

  • The final exam will cover rock processes and rock identification.  The written part of the exam will count for 50% of the score and rock identification will count for 50% of the exam score.  NO make-up exams will be administered without one week  prior notice, a good reason, and a signed administrative excuse. 

 

  • Extra credit, homework, class assignments and reading (and due dates) will be assigned periodically throughout the term.  Extra credit and homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the date due and will be considered late if it is not turned in at the time it is collected.  Late homework will be assessed a 5% penalty per day it is late (including weekends).  Late extra credit will NOT be accepted.  This means that if you miss the class in which it is due, I will not accept it. The textbook for this class is designed to compliment the lectures/activities and will NOT give you the same information that you will get during our meetings.  It is important that you attend class.

 

Grading percents will be based on the following:

       Quizzes 20%;   Homework and class assignments 20%;   Mineral exams 30%;   Final Exam 30%;

 

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)

 

 

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 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, any cheating or copying will result in a zero for that assignment and may result in consequences at the administrative level.

 

Please turn off all cell phones on entering the classroom!!

 

Tentative Schedule Topics, Reading and Activites for G119

Week

Dates

Lecture Topic

Reading:

Activities

1

Oct 1

Intro to rocks and minerals;

What are minerals & mineral   

     properties

Pg:  8-9; 414-415; 55-59; 31-35; 38-46

Determining mineral properties

2

Oct 8

Mineral chemistry

Pg:  25-31

QUIZ ON WEEK 1

Mineral Chemistry activity

3

Oct 15

Economic minerals

Plates 1-156

QUIZ ON WEEK 2

Learn common ore minerals

4

Oct 22

Rock forming minerals

Plates 157-274

EXAM ON ORE MINERALS

Learn feldspars and quartz

5

Oct 29

Rock forming minerals

Plates 157-274

QUIZ ON WEEK 4

Learn other rock forming minerals

6

Nov 5

Igneous rocks (intrusive)

Pg:  415-419;  Plates: 277-322

Learn intrusive igneous rocks

7

Nov 12

Igneous rocks (extrusive)

Pg:  415-419;  Plates: 277-322

EXAM ON ALL ROCK FORMING MINERALS

Learn volcanic rocks

8

Nov 19

Sedimentary rocks

Pg:  419-421;  Plates 323-351

QUIZ ON IGNEOUS PROCESSES

Learn sedimentary rocks

9

Nov 26

NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

 

 

10

Dec 3

Metamorphic rocks

Pg: 427-426;  Plates 352-377

QUIZ ON SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES

Learn metamorphic rocks

11

Dec 10

FINAL EXAM:  Rock processes

 

FINAL EXAM INCLUDES IDENTIFICATION OF IG, SED AND MET ROCKS.