GEOL 101: Physical Geology - Syllabus1PHYSICAL GEOLOGY - GEOL 101Instructors: Simon Kattenhorn and Kenneth SprenkeSummer Semester 2007: MTWRF 10.30 - 1.20 p.m., TLC 023Course ObjectivesEach of you depends on the Earth to survive. Each and every day, we rely on its water, its mineral resources, andits soil to grow our food. But do you know how the Earth works? Have you ever looked at a mountain or a lake orthe rocks under your feet and wondered how they formed or why they are there? Have you ever stood by aflowing river and wondered how it formed the valley it flows through or why it takes such a winding path downto the ocean? Have you ever wondered where underground water comes from? What about the gas we put inour cars? Or the metal from which the car is made? Where does it all come from? Have you ever wondered whywe have earthquakes? How tsunamis are produced? Why volcanoes erupt? How does the Earth impact on ourlives? How do we impact on the Earth?Our planet is full of mysteries, wonder, contradictions, and beauty. As citizens of this planet, it is ourresponsibility to understand what makes the Earth tick, consider how our planet initially formed, how itsubsequently changed, and how it may continue to change. Also, a basic knowledge of geology is sure to helpyou throughout your life. For example, buying a home may be one of the most important things you ever do. Sowhere is a safe place to buy a house? On a river flood plain where the land is fertile? At the top of a sea cliff with abeautiful view? Along the San Andreas Fault, with its associated rugged scenery? Next to a beautiful beach at thefoot of a Hawaiian volcano? How can you assess these things without knowing anything about geology and thepotential natural hazards it presents?This course will help you develop an understanding of the processes that shape our planet and will hopefullygive you a renewed appreciation for our natural wonders. You will learn about issues that will affect us all intimes to come, including geologic hazards, global warming, and planetary exploration.Course LogisticsInstructors: Simon Kattenhorn (Email: [email protected]; Office: McClure 303D; Phone: 885-5063).Ken Sprenke (Email: [email protected]; Office: McClure 403C; Phone: 885-5791). McClure is directly oppositethe Mines Building on 7th St. It is wheelchair accessible from all entrances and has two elevators (NW andSW corners).Office hours: Due to the large amount of in-class time, there are no office hours during the week. Please talk tothe instructor after class if you have questions.Course Website: http://www.uidaho.edu/~simkat/geol101summer.html. Use the course website to accesslecture notes, the lecture schedule, exam answer keys, exam grades, and any information relevant to thisclass. Exam grades are posted on WebCT, a link to which is posted on the course website. Please note thatProf. Kattenhorn’s lecture notes are fill-in-the-blank style, which means you MUST come to lectures toreceive all the information you need for the exams and you MUST print out the lecture notes before eachlecture. Prof. Sprenke will use the notes in his lectures for review purposes only.Required textbooks:Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, 8th Ed. (Tarbuck & Lutgens) – required for lecturesPhysical Geology Exercises, 2nd ed. (Hinds) – required for labsGEOL 101: Physical Geology - Syllabus2ExamsThere will be 3 exams during the course. Exam dates are shown below:EXAM 1: Friday, May 18th (in class from 10.30 – 11.20 am) - proctored by Sprenke/KattenhornEXAM 2: Thursday, May 24th (in class from 10.30 – 11.20 am) - proctored by KattenhornEXAM 3: Friday, June 1st (in class from 10.30 – 11.20 am) - proctored by SprenkeAll exams will be held in our usual lecture hall- TLC 023. All 3 exams will only cover the lecture material that wasnot covered in earlier exams (i.e., no comprehensive exams!!).All exams use a multiple choice format. You must arrive on time for each exam or risk not being admitted to takethe exam. Answer keys will be posted on the course website as soon as possible after the exam.Missing Exams: We have one word of advice about missing exams. DON'T! You will NOT be permitted to take amissed exam without a really good excuse (e.g., doctor’s note; missing leg; psychotraumatic amnesia). If youmiss an exam and have a valid excuse, contact either of us within 1 day after the exam you missed. If youknow ahead of time that you will be unable to take an exam on a scheduled day, contact one of us as soonas possible to make alternative arrangements (assuming you have a valid excuse).GradingEach exam will be worth one-third of your total grade.The following grade scale will be used for each exam: A: ≥89%; B: 79-88%; C: 68-78%; D: 50-67%; F: ≤50%. Pleasespeak to the professor if you do not fully understand the grading policies for this course.Grades for each exam are posted on the WebCT website for this course (see http://webct.uidaho.edu),preserving your student confidentiality. Log into WebCT using your UI computer account login name andpassword.LabsThe lab portion of this course (Geol 101L) is mandatory if you are taking this course to meet a science core orgeology major requirement. You do not need to take the lab if you have previously passed the lab or if you arenot taking the course for a core requirement. The lab grade is separate from the course grade and you mustenroll in Geol 101L as a separate course. You MUST attend each lab with no exceptions. Note that there are fourlabs a week, from Monday to Thursday from 2.30 – 4.20 pm. Professors Kattenhorn and Sprenke will also teachthe labs.Field TripThere will be one full-day field trip in week two of the course (Friday, May 25th). Attendance is mandatory andthere will be exam questions based on the trip. More details about the field trip will be supplied at the start ofweek 2.Disability StatementReasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify usduring the first week of class regarding accommodation(s) needed for the course. All accommodations must beapproved through Disability Support Services located in the Idaho Commons, Room 306. Phone: 885-6307.Email: [email protected]. Website: