GEOL 1113 (sec 003) 3 credits                                               General Geology – Ozark Hall 25
Fall 2009; M W F 10:30 – 11:20

Instructor: Dr. Ralph Davis

Office: Room 113b Ozark Hall

Phone: 575-4515   Email: ralphd@uark.edu   URL: http: //comp.uark.edu/~ralphd

Office Hours: M  9:30-10:20; W 2:30-3:20; T Th 8:30-9:20; F 8:30-9:20

Textbook: C.C. Plummer, D.H. Carlson, and D. McGeary, Physical Geology, 12th Edition, McGraw Hill

Purpose:  Survey of geological processes and products, and their relationships to landforms, natural resources, living environments and human beings.  The primary goal is to understand our current state of geologic knowledge, and the relationship of  physical Earth processes to describe how the Earth functions.  This is accomplished by relating Earth processes to the overarching unifying theory of plate tectonics.

 

Specific Course Outcomes:

  1. Develop an appreciation of geologic time.
  2. Learn to recognize major rock types and rock forming minerals.
  3. Appreciate the Scientific Method and how it relates to the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
  4. Understand how basic geologic principles relate to the origin and distribution of our natural resources.
  5. Understand and appreciate the importance of a three-dimensional analysis of earth structures.
  6. Understand how major landforms relate to geologic processes.
  7. Appreciate the origin of major geologic hazards.

 

Exams, Quizzes and Grades:  There will be a total of 5 exams (see lecture schedule). The first 4 are section exams. These will cover the material which was not included on the previous exam. The 5th is a comprehensive final exam.  NO Make-Up Exams are given without prior approved absence.

Quizzes:
Random quizzes will be given during class time throughout the semester.  Your average score on the quizzes will count for 100 pts of your overall grade.  NO Make-UP Quizzes will be given.

 

Grades:

Four Section Exams (100 points each)                          400 points

Final Exam (comprehensive)                                                     200 points

Quizzes                                                                                    100 points

Total Possible Points                                                                 700 points

 

Final course grade is calculated by summing all points earned from section exams, final exam and quizzes and dividing by the total possible points: ((total points earned on four section exams + points earned on final exam + points earned on random quizzes)/700 points total)) x 100 = Final Percentage Score

 

Grading Scale:

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

65-79 = C

55-64 = D

<55 = F                                  

Academic Honesty:  Academic honesty is essential to the work we do. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cases of academic dishonesty will be dealt with in accordance with academic regulations (see pages 35-36, University of Arkansas, Catalog of Studies, 2009-2010).

 

Inclement Weather Policy
The general policy of the University is to remain open regardless of weather conditions. You are expected to make your own determination about whether to attempt to come to class. You should make every attempt to get to class within the bounds of your personal safety. Class will not be held if the University is closed or if the transit buses are not able to operate. I will attempt to notify you via one of three mechanisms in the event class is cancelled due to inclement weather: 1) email notification, 2) voice mail notification, or 3) post a notice to the WEB site for the class.

 

Schedule-GEOL 1113 (sec 003): General Geology: Fall 2009
Date            Class                                         Topic                                                                  Text Chapter
Aug 24             1                        Introduction                                                                             1

                                                           

Aug 26             2                        Intro-Earth’s Interior, Plate Tectonics, Geologic Time                1

Aug 28             3                        Atoms, Elements and Minerals                                                 2

Aug 31             4                        Minerals (continued)                                                                2

Sept 2               5                        Rock Cycle, Intrusive Igneous Rocks                                        3

Sept 4               6                        Intrusive Igneous Rocks (continued)                                         3

Sept 7                                         No Class – Labor Day Holiday

Sept 9               7                        Volcanism and Extrusive Igneous Rocks                                   4

Sept 11             8                        Extrusive Igneous Rocks (continued)                                        4

Sept 14             9                        Weathering                                                                             5

Sept 16             10                       Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks                                             6

Sept 18             11                       Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks (continued)                           6

Sept 21            12                      Exam 1

Sept 23             13                       Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks                                   7

Sept 25             14                       Metamorphic Rocks (continued)                                               7

Sept 28             15                       Time and Geology                                                                   8

Sept 30             16                       Time and Geology (continued)                                                  8

Oct 2                17                       Geologic Structures                                                                 15

Oct 5                18                       Geologic Structures (continued)                                                15

Oct 7                19                       Seismology and Earthquakes                                                    16

Oct 9                20                       Earth’s Interior                                                                        17

Oct 12              21                       Earth’s Interior                                                                        17

Oct 14              22                       Crustal Form; The Sea Floor                                                    18

Oct 16              23                       Moving Continents; Plate Tectonics                                          19

Oct 19             24                      Exam 2

Oct 21              25                       Crustal Form; Mountains and Continents                                   20

Oct 23              26                       Crustal Form; Mountains and Continents                                   20

Oct 26              27                       Mass Wasting                                                                         9

Oct 28              28                       Mass Wasting                                                                         9

Oct 30              29                       Stream Erosion/Deposition; Channel Morphology                       10

Nov 2               30                       Streams (continued)                                                                 10

Nov 4               31                       Ground Water                                                                         11

Nov 6               32                       Ground Water; Karst and Cave Formation                                11

Nov 9               33                       Glaciers and Glaciation                                                            12

Nov 11             34                       Glaciers and Glaciation (continued)                                           12

Nov 13            35                      Exam 3

Nov 16             36                       Wind Erosion/Deposition; Deserts                                            13

Nov 18             37                       Wind Erosion/Deposition; Deserts (continued)                           13

Nov 20             38                       Waves, Beaches and Coasts                                                    14

Nov 23             39                       Waves, Beaches and Coasts (continued)                                   14

Nov 25                                       No Class – Fall Break/Thanksgiving

Nov 27                                       No Class- Fall Break/Thanksgiving

Nov 30             40                       Geologic Resources                                                                 40

Dec 2               41                       Geologic Resources                                                                 21

Dec 4               42                       Geologic Resources                                                                 21

Dec 7               43                      Exam 4

Dec 9                                         Dead Day

Dec  12                                      Comprehensive Final Exam: Saturday, Dec 12 3:00 pm -5:00 pm