MINERAL AREA COLLEGE

 

SPRING 2010 COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE TITLE: PHS 2410AA01 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY

 

CLASS HOUR: MWF 8:00-8:50, M 1:00-3:40 W 1:00-1:50

 

Dept Chair: Brian Scheidt

 

 

INSTRUCTOR: Brian Scheidt

Office #212B AS Building

Office Telephone 573-518-2314

Email: bscheidt@mineralarea.edu

Office Hours MWF 10:00-10:50, Tues 8:30-9:20 & Thurs 12:30-1:20

 

Textbook: Geology of National Parks 6th ed.

ISBN-10: 0787299707

Harris, Tuttle, & Tuttle

2004 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

 

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Students will develop the technical vocabulary necessary to understand and correctly use terminology specific to physical geology.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of geologic processes by correctly answering a majority of the written questions presented on exams and homework assignments.
  3. Students will become aware of the scientific method and how it applies to earth studies.
  4. Students will develop an awareness of the geologic time lines concerning geology.
  5. Students will develop an awareness of the significance of the geologic studies with regards to society both past and present and with interaction between humans and the environment.

 

 

LEARNING EXPERINCES

  1. Students are expected to participate in lectures, discussions, laboratories, and field trips.  In order to do so students shall complete reading assignments prior to class time.

 

  1. Students will have an opportunity to view various visual materials designed to clarify concepts and to enhance understanding of key concepts of physical geology.

 

3.   Students will obtain a better understanding of the Earth’s interior and exterior processes and how humans interact with the Earth.

 

GRADING

              There will be a test that will cover 2-4 chapters in the textbook.  Each will consist of multiple choice, short answer and/or short essay questions.  Tests of equal value will be given during the semester.  In addition to the tests throughout the semester, there will also be a comprehensive final.  No make-up exams will be given.  Your lowest non-final test score will be dropped.  The final cannot be dropped.

 

 

              Homework will primarily be selected review questions from the end of the chapter.  Homework questions are due at the beginning of the class period.  If homework is not turned in at that time it is considered late.   Late homework assignments will be accepted however in order to be accepted (with a penalty for being late) the student must complete ALL review questions from the chapter instead of the selected questions that were assigned. Late homework may be turned in up to on week from the time it is due.

 

              Quizzes are usually unannounced and offered in the first or the last few minutes of class.  If you are late to class or miss class you will not be able to make the quiz up. 

 

              We will conduct approximately one laboratory experiment or one field trip each week.  The lab is a chance to apply what you are learning in lecture.  The field trips are designed to experience geology in its natural setting.  Instructions are given at the beginning of the class so it is very important to not arrive late on lab/ field trip days.

 

***Cell phones ringing in class are not permitted.  If cell phones ringing in class become a problem (more than one time throughout the year) points will be deducted from the next test.

 

Grading will be based on total points from the lecture tests, quizzes, and from homework assignments. 

 

Tests      (Including the final)          =                          70%

Homework & Quizzes                  =                          15%

Labs /Field Trips                          =                          15%

 

GRADE SCALE

              A= 90-100%     B=80- 89%        C=70-79%        D=60-69%        F=<60%

 

AMERICANS with DISABILITES ACT of 1990

If you have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and need any test or course material provided in an alternative format, notify your instructor immediately.  Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your needs.

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE

              It is college policy that a student will be dropped for non-attendance after two weeks of consecutive absence.  A student may also be dropped for “excessive absences.”  Two weeks of classes (other than excused school activities) at any time during the semester will be considered excessive and the student will be dropped.  The instructor will have the final authority to drop any student for excessive absence or conduct disruptive to the class.  Students are expected to arrive on time for class every two times a student will arrive late will count as one absence.  If a student misses more than two weeks of class they may be dropped from class. 

 

WITHDRAWAL

              A student who wishes to withdraw from class must complete a Drop Slip available in the Main Office.  Failure to do so may result in a failing grade for the course rather than a drop for non-attendance.  If a student wishes to withdraw from all classes for any reason, a Withdrawal from School form, available in the Student Service Office must be completed.

 

DISHONESTY POLICY

If any student conducts themselves inappropriately as indicated by the board policy manual (cheating, plagiarism, forgery, etc.) the student will receive a failing grade in the class and the student will additionally the case may be submitted to the Committee on Student Conduct and Welfare.