Geology 104—Earth Science

San Diego Mesa College

Fall 2009 

Section: 79095

Units: 3.0

Class Meeting Times: Monday nights, 7:05-10:10 pm, H314

Required Text: Earth: Earth Science, 11^th Ed. Tarbuck and Lutgens (ISBN 9780131497511 or 0131497510); 12^th edition okay too. 

Class Website: http://classroom.sdmesa.net/dbarrie/ 

Instructor:  Don Barrie

Office: F207C

Voice Mail: (619) 388-2942

Mailbox: Room K202

Email addresses:

     Weekly Office Hours (F207C): Mon & Wed  9:00-11:00 am; Thurs 12:00-1:00 pm; and by appointment 

     Additional Office Hours: 6:15—6:45 pm on exam days, in Cafeteria

     Course Description

This course investigates Earth's major physical systems, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, as well as Earth's place in the solar system. As such, this course provides a brief synthesis of pertinent topics in geology, physical geography, oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. It is intended for those with a general interest in the Earth sciences and those wishing to satisfy requirements for a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. 

Student Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to: 

1.    Describe the scientific method; distinguish scientific observations, hypotheses, theories, and laws. 

2.    Analyze Earth's origin and early evolution in terms of the nebular hypothesis; contrast Earth's compositional layers (e.g., core, mantle, crust) and Earth's mechanical/behavioral layers (e.g., lithosphere, asthenosphere). 

3.    Summarize the theory of plate tectonics, including supporting lines of evidence, and discuss the principal types of plate boundaries and their characteristic geologic features. 

4.    Summarize the defining characteristics of a mineral; differentiate igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in terms of their origin; analyze rock textures in terms of the physical processes controlling their development; explain the rock cycle. 

5.    Assess various surficial processes (e.g., weathering, mass movement, surface water/groundwater processes, glaciation, aeolian processes) shaping Earth's landscapes in terms of their underlying physical causes. 

6.    Appraise the causes and worldwide distribution of earthquakes in terms of plate tectonic theory; explain how seismic wave analysis contributes to our knowledge of Earth's interior.

7.    Distinguish between relative and absolute dating methods; describe general changes observed in the fossil record between Precambrian time and between the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Eras. 

8.    Distinguish various ocean floor features, including continental margin, mid-ocean ridge, and deep-ocean basin features.

9.    Analyze changes in the various physical and chemical properties of sea water in terms of latitude and depth.

10. Assess the broad characteristics of global oceanic circulation; analyze the origin of ocean waves and tides in terms of force and energy flow; differentiate erosional and depositional shoreline features. 

11. Describe the overall structure and composition of Earth's atmosphere; analyze various atmospheric processes and circulation patterns in terms of force and energy flow; compare and contrast tropical and extra-tropical cyclonic weather systems. 

12. Contrast the Ptolemaic and Copernican models of the Solar System; describe the contributions of Newton and Galileo to modern astronomy.

Prerequisites   

ENGL 051 and ENGL 056, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or assessment Skill Levels W5/R5. 

You are expected to be able to read and write at the college level.  I highly recommend that you satisfy the minimum transfer requirements in English prior to taking this class.  Each exam will have a writing component. 

Academic Calendar Dates 

You are responsible for observing all important administrative deadlines, including add/drop, credit/no credit, and course withdrawal dates.  Check the class schedule or consult with Admissions regarding administrative deadlines.  Please be aware of the following dates and deadlines: 

·         Sept 4^th              Last day to receive/process/pay for Add Codes & to Drop with no W recorded

·         Sept 7th             Holiday (Labor Day)—classes not in session

·         Sept 8^th              Last day to drop w/refund and/or non-resident tuition

·         Sept 25^th            Last day to file a petition for Pass/No Pass

·         Oct 30^st              Withdrawal deadline/No drops accepted after this date

·         Nov 13^th              Holiday (Veteran’s Day)—classes not in session

·         Nov 23-28^th        Classes not in session (Thanksgiving week) 

Grading Policy 

All students will receive a letter grade unless prior arrangements for credit/no credit have been made. Grading will be based on a point system as described below:  

Total possible points: Approximately 545 pts--assuming 4 exams (100 pts/ea), 8 short exercises (5 pts/ea), 4 homework assignments (20 pts/ea), and a field trip assignment (25 pts).

Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:  

100-90% of total points = A

89 - 78% of total points = B

77 - 65% of total points = C

64 - 55% of total points = D

     <55% of total points = F

Exams (100 pts poss/ea)

There will be 4 exams throughout the semester.  Exams are generally non-comprehensive (i.e., will not cover material from previous exams, except where such material is relevant to exam material). Exam material will be taken from lectures, videos, homework assignments, short exercises, and reading material. Exam questions may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, discussion, and essay questions. To prepare for exams, I recommend that you form a study group with at least one other person.  Very often, someone else’s perspective can be helpful.  Also, if you have to explain something to one of your study partners, chances are you’ll learn the material better yourself. 

For each exam, please bring in 1 short Scantron Form 815-E (15 questions) for multiple choice/true-false questions. 

Reading Assignments  

You are expected to complete outside reading assignments from the textbook.  I recommend that you skim the assigned reading before class, followed by a more careful reading of the assigned text material after the lecture.  

Short Exercises (5 pts poss/ea) 

Up to 9 short exercises (5 pts poss/ea; lowest score dropped) will be completed in or outside of class throughout the semester. These assignments are generally due at the end of the same class period in which they are assigned (or the very next class period in some cases) and cannot be made up.  The exercise with lowest score will be dropped, so you won’t be penalized for missing just 1 exercise). 

Homework Assignments (20 pts poss/ea)

Four written homework assignments (20 pts poss/ea) will be completed throughout the semester. Homework assignments will consist of selected review questions from each chapter of the textbook.

Textbook review question responses must be typed (single-spaced, 12-pt font, 1-inch margins), saved as Microsoft Word or pdf files, and submitted via email to dsbarrie@yahoo.com. Please write “Geol 104 Hmk” in the subject line of your email so I know what section you’re in.  Also, please paste your homework directly into the body of your email rather than submitting as an attachment. 

Computer problems do not constitute a valid excuse for failure to submit homework assignments on time.  If your computer crashes, please submit your homework from a different computer. 

Homework assignments submitted up to 24 hours after the due date/time will be docked 25%. No homework assignments will be accepted after 24 hours from the due date. 

Field Trips  (see course website for details; 25 pts poss/ea)

The instructor will lead four weekend field trips (dates below), including two half-day, one full day, and  one overnight trip, throughout the semester. 

You are required to complete at least one field trip assignment throughout the semester. If you cannot or choose not to attend any of the instructor-led field trips, you may complete an alternate assignment in lieu of a field trip (see below).

Field trips, both instructor-led and self-guided, are designed to give students the opportunity to apply the scientific principles they're learning in class to actual situations in the natural world.  Students will not be tested on the details of the local environment, but rather on general principles, so those students who cannot attend an instructor-led field trip will not be penalized in any way, nor will they be at any disadvantage on exams. 

Instructor-led Field Trip Dates:

·       Sat, Sept. 26th, 9 am to 1 pm (Tourmaline Beach & Mt. Soledad).

·       Sat, Oct 10^th, 9 am to 1 pm (Torrey Pines State Beach; parking fee may be required).

·       Sat, Nov 14^th, 9 am to 5 pm (Cuyamaca/Laguna mountains)

·       Overnight trip to Anza Borrego (date to be announced; camping/meal fee)

Alternate Field Trip Assignments

Instead of attending an instructor-lead field trip, you may:

·       Complete a self-guided field trip to Torrey Pines Beach, Tourmaline Beach, the Eagle/High Peak Mine in Julian (see class website for details)  OR...

·       Complete a self-guided tour of the geology display at the San Diego County Museum of Natural History

 Extra Credit

You can earn up to 10 points extra credit by completing a second field trip assignment (details below): 

·       If you attend one instructor-led field trip, you may earn 10 points extra credit by attending a second field trip OR by completing one of the Alternate Field Trip Assignments listed above.  Note: if you attend the instructor-led Tourmaline Beach/Mt. Soledad field trip, you cannot also do the self-guided Tourmaline Beach field trip for credit. 

·       If you complete one of the Alternate Field Trip Assignments listed above in lieu of attending a field trip, you may earn 10 points extra credit by completing the other alternate assignment or by attending an instructor-led field trip. 

·       If you attend the weekend field trip (both days), you’ll earn 25 field trip points and 10 extra credit points. 

As opportunities arise, the instructor may also offer an additional 5 pts extra credit for participation in on-campus environmental stewardship events (e.g., films, public lectures, working in organic garden, etc.) that relate to the course material. 

Honors Contracts 

Interested in gaining a deeper understanding about some aspect of this course?  Consider doing an honors contract.  An honors contract enriches a non-honors class by establishing an intensive course of study for a deeper understanding of the class. Unit credit remains the same as for a regular class, but notes an honors designation on the transcript—a real plus if you’ll be applying to a 4-year college.  

Opportunities for honors contracts in this course abound!  Mesa College has established an on-campus organic garden, with lots of possibilities for field projects and independent learning focusing on environmental sustainability. 

If you think you might be interested in doing an honors contract, please contact the instructor within the first week of class. For more information about honors contracts, please visit the Honors Program website: http://www.sdmesa.edu/honors/. 

Cheating/Plagiarism 

Don’t even think about it! Cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will be subject to the disciplinary procedures given in District Policy 3100, which may include receiving a failing grade for the course. Any cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Student Affairs. Specifically, the following behaviors are examples of cheating/plagiarism (this list is not exhaustive): 

·       Using unauthorized notes while taking an exam.

·       Copying another student’s work (other than course notes) inside or outside of class.

·       Turning in homework identical to another student’s (both parties will receive zero score).

·       Copying from any source (including the Internet) without citing the source.

·       Turning in work completed for another class (unless pre-authorized by the instructor).

·       Passing off any work as your own that is not.  

Attendance Policy 

Attendance is very important; therefore, attendance will be taken each day.  By District policy, you may be dropped from the course with 2 unexcused absences; however, please do not assume that I will automatically drop you! To inform me of an anticipated absence, please email me or leave a message in my box in the mailroom, K202. If you miss class, make arrangements with a classmate to keep you informed on lecture topics, handouts, and assignments.

Tardiness: Class begins at the set hour.  In a professional setting, tardiness is not acceptable.  It is disruptive to the learning environment.  Promptness reflects professional courtesy and is expected.  My policy on tardiness is: two tardy arrivals equates to one absence.  Leaving a class early is the same as a tardy. 

Missed Exams 

Missed exams can only be made up only if you meet the following three criteria: (1) you provide sufficient justification for missing the exam (e.g., illness); (2) you provide adequate written documentation (i.e., doctor’s note, etc.), and (3) you notify me of a missed exam within 24 hours.  In this case, you will be given one opportunity to take an alternate exam during my scheduled office hours. 

Classroom Behavior

You are expected to respect and obey all standards of student conduct while in class and on campus. The student Code of Conduct, disciplinary procedure, and student due process (Policy 3100 and Procedures 3100.1 and 3100.2) can be found in the Mesa College catalog, student handbook, and at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

Please note that the following behaviors are not acceptable in class: (1) using your cell phone, except to enter due dates into your calendar, (2) sleeping, (3) talking excessively loud during a lecture such that you become a distraction to other students or the instructor, (4) sending text messages. If you engage in any of these behaviors, the instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave class. 

Accommodation of Disability

If you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible.

Statement of Retention:

It is Mesa College’s policy to encourage learning through student retention.  Therefore, if you are considering dropping this course after you have invested some time in it, please consult with me after class or make an appointment to see me.

Tentative Lecture Schedule and Related Reading Assignments from Tarbuck and Lutgens, Earth Science, 11^th ed.