Tentative Syllabus Environmental Geology - 103 Fall 2008 Lecturer: Dr. Robert Van Pelt Office Hours: Immediately prior to or after Day-time phone: (803) 952-6523 class; other times by appointment E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Text: "Introduction to Environmental Geology" Fourth edition (soft cover) by Edward A. Keller, Pearson Prentice Hall publisher Lab: Exercises provided by the instructor; Independent Lab report (select environmental topic, prepare report (~15 page), and give a ~5-10 minute presentation) Course Objectives: To introduce you to some of today’s major environmental issues and to provide you with the geological background to understand and evaluate those issues. Course Grading: based on four lecture exams, Lecture assignments, Lab Exercises, Independent Lab report/presentation, and class participation. Total of 100%. Exam I-III = 45% (15% ea.); final exam = 15%, Lecture assignments = 5%; Lab exercises = 15 % Lab report = 15%; participation = 5% Letter Grades are assigned according to standard scale: 90% and above = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; below 60 = F. Attendance is recommended. Please review the University’s policy on class attendance outlined in the 2008-2009 USCA Bulletin. The level of difficulty of a science course generally requires the attendance in order for the student to completely understand the material. Material presented in the lecture is intended to compliment the material presented in the text. Reading assignments: assignments listed on the attached schedule are from the required text and should be completed prior to class. The student is responsible for all reading material assigned, any handouts, and material presented in the lecture. Make-up exams: make-up exams will be offered only to those students who present acceptable written excuses to the instructor. Acceptable excuses are those recognized by the University and approved by the instructor. Make-up tests will cover the same material as the original exam, however, may differ in format (e.g. essay). Disability statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability, which might affect your performance in class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation. USCA provides a Writing Center (CLAS 201) to assist you in your writing. The Writing Center is staffed by friendly USCA students who are expert writers and who have been trained as writing consultants. If you need extra assistance on any writing assignment for this class or any other class you are taking, please try the Writing Center. You may make an appointment or just drop in. Operating hours are posted on the door. Telephone number is 649-6851, ext. 3262.Course Schedule: T, TH 6:00 - 8:40 pm USCA Science Building Room 212 Aug. 21TH Introduction to Course 26T Chp.1 Fundamental Concepts 28TH Chp.2 Earth Structure & Plate Tectonics Sept 02T Chp.2 cont.; Chp.3 Minerals & Rocks, Lab Exercise 04TH Chp.3 cont.; Mineral & Rock Lab Exercise cont. 09T Chp.4 Ecology & Geology 11TH Chp.5 Natural Hazards 16T EXAM 1 (Chps. 1-4) 18TH Chp.6 Earthquakes 23T Chp. 6 cont.; Chp. 7 Volcanoes, Lab Exercise 25TH Chp.7 cont.; Chp. 8 Rivers & Floods 30T Chp.8 cont.; Chp. 9 Slope & Landslides Oct. 02TH Chp.9 cont.; Chp.10 Coastal Processes, Lab Exercise 07T Chp.10 cont.; select Independent Lab report topic 09TH NO CLASS FALL BREAK 14T EXAM 2 (Chps. 5-10) 16TH Chp.12 Water Resources, Lab Exercise 21T Chp.12 cont.; Chp.13 Water Pollution, Lab Exercise 23TH Chp.13 cont.; Chp. 14 Mineral Resources 28T Chp.14 cont.; Chp.15 Energy Resources 30TH Chp.15 cont.; Lab Exercise Nov. 04T NO CLASS ELECTION DAY 06TH EXAM 3 (Chps. 12-15) 11T Chp.16 Soils & Environment 13TH Chp.16 cont.; Chp.17 Waste Management, Lab Exercise 18T Chp.17 cont.; Chp. 18 Air Pollution 20TH Chp.18 cont.; Chp. 19 Global Climate Change 25T Chp.19 cont.; Chp.20 Geo. Society & Future 27TH NO CLASS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY Dec. 02T Independent Lab report presentations 04TH Independent Lab report presentations cont. 12F FINAL EXAM (Chps.