1 ES473 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Spring 2011 Term - Western Oregon University 4 CR TR 3:00 – 4:50 PM Natural Sciences Bldg, Rm 218 INSTRUCTOR: Dr. S. Taylor OFFICE: RM 210 Natural Sciences Bldg OFFICE HOURS: T,R 1-3 PM Phone: (w) 838-8398 (cell) 541-760-9216 By Appointment e-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.wou.edu/taylor COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course serves as an upper division introduction to environmental geology. The emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of human interaction with near-surface environments of the Earth. The range of topics include an overview of environmental and land-use regulations, geomorphic hazards (soil erosion, flooding, mass wasting, landslide, debris flow, coastal erosion), tectonic hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, ground disturbance, volcanic eruptions), water resource issues (source, supply and quality), mining impacts, and waste management. THE PROFESSOR'S PHILOSOPHY ON UPPER DIVISION EARTH SCIENCE / GEOLOGY COURSES: The upper division Earth Science / Geology course sequence is designed for students who are willing to work hard, play hard, have fun, and learn in-depth skills / concepts in a professional academic setting. By default, our student population is very diverse with a wide array of skills, interests, and career goals. The student population ranges from serious Earth Science majors with focused career objectives, to Earth Sciene minors to Science Education majors. As such, the professor is charged with serving a diverse array of student interests and career goals in the most professional manner possible. The problem-solving and technical skills acquired via training in the Earth Sciences are highly valuable (and marketable), regardless of career track. Students are expected to actively participate in the learning process and make a significant contribution to the academic integrity of the Earth Science program at Western Oregon University. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide graduates with the academic skills that will enable them to be highly competitive in graduate school or the career marketplace. GO TEAM! TEXT: Keller, E.A., 2011, Environmental Geology, 9th Ed., Prentice Hall, 624 p., ISBN-10: 0321643755 ADDITIONAL READING: Journal and assorted text readings to be provided by the instructor on an as-needed basis. CLASS NOTES: A comprehensive set of instructor class notes are available for download via the internet. The class web site is at URL http://www.wou.edu/taylor ... and follow the links to the "ES473 Environmental Geology" home page. The class notes, lab exercises, answer keys, and study guides are available as Adobe Acrobat Reader files (*.pdf file). Acrobat Reader is free and is installed on many campus PC's. For home installation, Acrobat Reader is also available for download at the class web site, but you will be responsible for properly installing the software (and will do so at your own risk!). Based on prior student suggestions, I have assembled my class notes and made them available. These notes may be freely printed at any campus internet station (e.g. ITC Bldg - Student Lab, Library, local department computer labs). The notes are in outline form and are very comprehensive. "Exam Study Guides" will also be posted on the web site as the term progresses. FIELD TRIPS Attendance on field trips is mandatory, however alternative assignments can be arranged on an as needed basis for students with irreconcilable time conflicts. Given the close proximity of the class field trips, we may also opt for use of personal vehicles.2 EVALUATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS: Student performance will be evaluated on the basis of lab exercises, writing assignments, and two (2) exams. The following is a breakdown of evaluation points and letter grades: Class/Lab Exercises (Midterm + Final Lab Portfolio) 140 pts 38% Midterm Exam 100 pts 28% Final Exam 125 pts 34% ________________________________________________________________ 365 pts 100% Final Grading Scale _______________________________________________________________ Percent Range Letter Percent Range Letter of Total Points Grade of Total Points Grade _______________________________________________________________ 94-100% A 77-79% C+ 90-94% A- 73-76% C 87-89% B+ 70-72% C- 83-86% B 67-69% D+ 80-82% B- 63-66% D 60-62% D- <60% F _______________________________________________________________ Exams: Exams will be administered at evenly spaced increments throughout the term; the final will be 20% comprehensive with test material drawn from throughout the term. Exams will largely consist of essay questions and homework-type problems. Warning: the exams are very comprehensive and will likely require a full 2+ hours to complete, please plan accordingly. SPECIAL NOTE ON EXAM ANSWERS: Never use “etc.” in an essay or short answer on an exam. This means nothing in terms of demonstrating your content knowledge. Sketches and drawings help support your written word. Make-Up Exams: Under NO circumstances will make-up exams be administered without prior arrangement (at least five days) and good reason. Please show up on exam day! Class and Lab Assignments: Class and lab assignments will be worked BOTH during class time and outside of class time each week. You will have lab, reading, and homework assignments that may take up to 3 or 4 hours to complete outside of class time, maybe more in some cases, depending on your skill levels and ability. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Due dates for class exercises will be prescribed by the instructor. Late work will be accepted up to 1 week after the due date, but will be automatically assessed a penalty of -20% off the point total. Due to the volume of students assigned to the instructor each term, he will not be able to grade the lab exercise work in detail. The homework and lab assignments will be checked for completeness, with questions randomly chosen for content and accuracy. Grade points will be assigned on the basis of these two criteria. Exercise answer keys will be posted on the class web site by the instructor. It is your responsibility to: (1) check your work against the lab / homework keys, (2) make sure you understand how to complete the exercises, (3) find help if you have trouble with lab exercises, and (4) study / learn the exercise skills and material for the