Dr. Keith B. Miller                                                                    Spring 2009

 

 

GEOLOGY 100 Ð Section B

(M,W,F  2:30 - 3:20  pm)

 

EARTH IN ACTION

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  This course will familiarize you with the structure and composition of the Earth, and the dynamic physical processes that continually mold its surface.  It will give you an awareness of the interplay of diverse processes that regulate Earth systems.  Such knowledge is critical for the intelligent evaluation of many complex scientific, technological, and environmental issues that face our society.

 

TEXT:  You will be required to have both the text and the workbook listed below.  The Geotours Workbook is available FREE with the purchase of the textbook, and will be the basis of homework assignments and activities.  The text is available both as a paperback and as an e-book, and can be purchased through the bookstore as well as online at  <http://www.wwnorton.com/students>.

 

 

EARTH: PORTRAIT OF A PLANET

Third Edition -- 2008

Stephen Marshak

W.W Norton

 

GEOTOURS WORKBOOK

M. Scott Wilkeron & Stephen Marshak, 2008

W.W. Norton

 

Paper text and Geotours Workbook:  ISBN 978-0-393-18306-1

e-book text and Geotours Workbook:  ISBN 978-0-393-18581-2

 

READINGS:  The assigned readings are all from the text listed above.  Class lectures will complement, but not reiterate, the text.  You are encouraged to read the assigned chapters before class.  You will find that this preparation will greatly improve your understanding of the lecture. 

Also available to you is an online StudySpace that includes review materials, virtual fieldtrips through Google Earth, animations, and science news updates.  This student website is available at  <http://www.wwnorton.com/studyspace>.

 

WORKBOOK ASSIGNMENTS: The Geotours Workbook will be used regularly for self-guided activities and assignments outside of class.  These activities will help you to visualize concepts discussed in class and in the text.  The tools available online through Geotours will enable you to use Google Earth to view satellite images in three dimensions, and manipulate those views from any perspective, elevation, or direction.  The online tools will also allow you to compare satellite images with geologic descriptions and diagrams given in the text.  You will be asked to submit written answers to the workbook questions as homework assignments.

 

Class Schedule

 

DATE                   TOPIC                                   READING

 

Jan. 16                     Introduction                                                 Prelude

Part I: The Structure and Dynamics of the Solid Earth

Jan. 21, 23                The Structure of the Earth System                Ch. 2

Jan. 26, 28, 30           Plate Tectonic System                                  Ch. 3, 4

Part II: The Materials of the Earth and How They are Formed

Feb. 2, 4                   Minerals: Earth Materials                           Ch. 5

Feb. 6, 9, 11              Magma & Igneous Rocks                               Ch. 6

Feb. 13                     -------- EXAM   1 --------

Feb. 16, 18, 20           Sediments & Sedimentary Rocks                  Ch. 7

Feb. 23, 25                Metamorphism & Metamorphic Rocks         Ch. 8

Part III: Results of the EarthÕs Internal Forces

Feb. 17, Mar. 2         Volcanic Eruptions                                       Ch. 9

Mar. 4, 6                  Earthquakes                                                Ch. 10

Mar. 9, 11                Mountain Building                                       Ch. 11

Mar. 13                    -------- EXAM   2 --------

Mar. 23, 25, 27          Deep Time                                                   Ch. 13

 

Part IV: Processes at the EarthÕs Surface

Mar. 30, Apr. 1         Rivers: Flowing Water                                Ch. 17

Apr. 3, 6                  Groundwater                                               Ch. 19

Apr. 8, 10                 Coasts: Waves and Tides                             Ch. 18

Apr. 13, 15               Glaciers: Moving Ice                                    Ch. 22

Apr. 17                    -------- EXAM   3 --------

Part V: Earth Resources and the Impact of Human Activities

Apr. 20, 22               Mineral Resources                                        Ch. 15

Apr. 24, 27, 29          Energy Resources                                          Ch. 14

May 1, 4, 6               Global Change                                            Ch. 23

May 8                      Final Words                                               

May 11                    -------- FINAL EXAM --------

(4:10 Ð 5:40 PM)

 

 

OFFICE HOURS:            

Room 212  Thompson Hall

M, W   10:30-11:30 AM and other times by appointment.

 

Please take advantage of my office hours to obtain help.  If you have any questions concerning either the readings or lecture see me as soon as possible!  My e-mail address is  <kbmill@ksu.edu>.

 

CLASS ATTENDANCE:  Regular class attendance is essential for you to be able to succeed in this course.  Material will be presented in class that is not discussed in your text.  Simply reading the text will not be adequate. 

 

GRADING:  There will be three exams on the dates indicated in the class schedule.  These three exams together will be worth 55% of your final grade.  Each of these exams will cover only the material since the previous exam.  A review session is scheduled for the class immediately preceding each exam.  A final exam worth 20% of your grade will be given during finals week.  The final will consist of two parts:  one covering material since the last exam, and a second comprehensive part.  The Geotours Workbook assignments will comprise the final 25% of your grade.

 

MAKEUP EXAMS:  Makeup exams will be allowed ONLY if you have a written signed excuse for the date of the exam from your medical doctor, academic dean, or advisor.  These excuses must be written on letterhead stationary from the appropriate doctor, dean, or advisor.  I also must be notified of the absence either before the exam or by the next regularly scheduled class period. 

 

LATE WORK:  Points will be deducted from Geotours Workbook assignments submitted after the announced due date.  No worksheets will be accepted more than one week after the deadline. 

 

EXTRA CREDIT:  Up to two additional Geotours Worksheets can be completed for extra credit.  These will be worth a maximum of 2.5 percentage points each. 

 

HONOR CODE:  An honor system for undergraduate students at K-State has been in effect since 1999.  In this system, the honor pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated:  ÒOn my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work.Ó  You will be required to sign this pledge on all exams. 

An honor system violation is any form of cheating during exams (copying, use of any aids or notes, taking exams for another student, etc.).  It also includes use of an  i-clicker by any person other than the student to whom it is registered.

A grade of XF can result from a breach of academic honesty.  An XF would be failure of the course with the X on the transcript indicating failure as a result of a breach of academic honesty.

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

Jan. 15                     Classes start

Jan. 19                     University Holiday

Feb. 19                     Last day to drop course w/out ÒWÓ

Mar. 16-20               Spring Break

Mar. 23                    Last day to drop

Apr. 18                    Open House

May 8                      Last day of classes

    

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT:  Copyright © 2003 (Keith B. Miller) as to this syllabus and all lectures.  During this course students are prohibited from selling notes to, or being paid for taking notes by, any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course.