EAST GEORGIA COLLEGE

A Two-Year Unit of the University System of Georgia

HISTORICAL GEOLOGY 1122 SYLLABUS

Spring 2012

 

I.          INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Glenn B. Stracher, Ph.D.

 

II.        COURSE DESCRIPTION: GLY 1122, Historical Geology, is a course designed to provide both science and non-science majors alike with information about the physical and biological evolution of earth throughout geologic time. Absolute and relative age dating, fossil identification, and written exercises emphasizing application of the scientific method to geology are emphasized in the lab.  Course Description from EGC Catalog (http://www.ega.edu/registrar/catalog/Catalog0809.pdf

 

III.       PREREQUISITES: College Algebra is recommended.

 

IV.       TEXTBOOK: The Changing Earth, 5td edition, 2006, J.S. Monroe and R. Wicander, West Publishing Company,

            ISBN: 0-495-01021-9..

 

V.        LABORATORY MANUAL: Laboratory Studies in Earth History, 9th edition, 2008, H.L. Levin, and M.S. Smith, McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 978-0-07-305072-0.

 

VI.       COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOME LINKAGES (3, 4, 5): In this course you will learn:

1.  Learn the principles of geology necessary for deciphering the physical and

     biological evolution of earth.

2.  Learn to apply sound deductive reasoning by proper application of the

     scientific method.

3. Gain an appreciation for the impact of science in deciphering the history of earth.

 

VII.     EVALUATION: Your final grade is based on:

1.   Two lecture exams and one final exam, each worth 100 points.

2.      Nine written lab assignments and one laboratory exam--each worth 100 points.

3. A Microsoft PowerPoint (PP) presentation, worth up to 20 extra points on a lecture exam.

4. Several movie summaries worth 2.5 points each.

 

VIII.    GRADING: The final grade you earn for the course is based on the average of your lecture and laboratory grades, i.e.,

             Ten points will be deducted from your final grade for not completing the PP talk. Two and a half points

             will be deducted from your final grade average for each movie summary not completed.

 

IX.       ATTENDANCE : In order to succeed in this course, you are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions, and field trips in accordance with EGC policy stated in the college catalog. The penalty for missing more than five classes is an automatic F, regardless of the reason, unless you withdraw during the time allotted for doing so. In addition, please arrive on time for class. Each time you are late counts as a day absent. If your personal circumstances require you to be absent more than five times during the semester or mean that you cannot arrive to class on time, please drop this course.

 

X.        OFFICE INFORMATION: Science and Mathematics Building, Room C215, Phone: (478) 289-2073, E-mail: stracher@ega.edu. Office Hours: M and W: 9:30-11 a.m.; 1-2 p.m., T and R 9:30-12 p.m.

 

XI.       MAKE-UP WORK POLICY: EXAMINATIONS--For each exam missed, a make-up exam is required in addition to a 15 page (not including figures) historical geology research term paper. This paper must be typed, double-spaced, and include a title page with your name on it as well as an abstract and bibliography. If the paper is not done this way or is not completed, a grade of zero will be averaged in with the make-up lecture exam. 

 

XII.     TAPING of CLASS: Students who would like to audio or videotape a class or a portion of it must receive permission from the instructor. For institutional purposes, all GSAMS classes are subject to being videotaped.

 

XIII.    PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING: The penalty for plagiarism on written assignments and for giving or receiving information during the course of any examination is an automatic grade of F and possible expulsion from East Georgia College. Plagiarism & Academic Dishonesty (please see EGC Student Handbook http://www.ega.edu/counseling_center/handbook2008.pdf)

 

XIV.    ADA STUDENTS: If there is a student in this class who has special needs because of a learning disability or other kind of disability, he or she should discuss this problem with the instructor.  ADA statement can be found at http://www.ega.edu/counseling_center/disabilityaccommodations.htm

 

XV.      LABS: Labs are a mandatory course requirement and are worth 100 points each.  All labs must, without exception, be completed in class.  If you leave early, you will not receive any credit for the lab, even if you have a lab partner and are turning in a joint project. Written labs are due when announced.  Each lab turned in late will automatically lose 50 points.  No lab will be accepted at any time after class on the first day after it was due.

 

XVI.    HORSEPLAY: If I find your in-class behavior to be personally disruptive, you will be given a disorderly-conduct warning in front of your classmates.  If your behavior is personally disruptive a second time, you will be asked to leave the class and your final grade will be an F.

 

XVII.  CELL PHONES AND COMPUTERS: Cell phones and personal computers must be turned off in class at all times. If they are not, you will be asked to leave class, this counting as a day absent.

 

XVIII.   COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY: Students are responsible for their own academic progress. Decisions

            regarding withdrawal from courses should only be made after consultation with

            an academic advisor. Before withdrawing from a course, students must meet with a Financial Aid representative to

            discuss their personal financial aid situation. More information regarding withdrawal from courses can be found in the

            EGC catalog at http://www.ega.edu/registrar/catalog/Catalog0809.pdf

 

XIX. CAMPUS EMERGENCY POLICY:

  1. In the event the fire alarm is sounded, everyone must evacuate the building at once and in a calm and orderly fashion, using the nearest exit. In the event of a severe weather warning everyone must proceed immediately to the nearest designated shelter area which are marked by a small tornado symbol. All severe weather shelter locations are posted on the EGC website. Each student should, on the first day of class, determine the location of the nearest exit and the nearest designated shelter area for each of his or her classrooms. If you have difficulties locating either ask your instructor to assist you.
  2. The Connect-ED system is a communication service that enables East Georgia College administrators and security personnel to quickly contact all East Georgia College students, faculty and staff with personalized voice and text messages that contain emergency-related campus information (e.g., campus closing, campus threat, health scare, etc.) With Connect-ED, East Georgia College students can be reached and provided with vital instructions anywhere, anytime, through their cell phones, home phones, e-mail, TTY/TDD receiving devices, or other text-receiving devices. (http://www.ega.edu/connected.pdf)
  3. EGCS students should make themselves familiar with Georgia Southern University’s Emergency Response Plan http://services.georgiasouthern.edu/ess/Emergency%20Response%20Plan.pdf

          In the event of an emergency, EGCS students should follow the instructions of EGCS faculty and staff members and GSU campus officials.

 

 XX.   LECTURE TOPICS: The major topics covered are listed below. 

 

             MAJOR TOPICS COVERED:      

 

1.                  Chapters 1-6: Fundamentals

 

LECTURE EXAM I

 

2.                  Chapter 17: Absolute Geologic Time + Additional Course Material I Have Developed.

 

LECTURE EXAM II

 

3.                  Chapter 17: Relative Geologic Time

 

4.         Chapter 18: Fossils

 

LABORATORY  EXAMINATION

 

5.         Selected topics in Historical Geology

 

FINAL EXAM

 

XXI.   GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOME:

(3) Students will demonstrate skill in logic and critical thinking.

(4) Students will demonstrate proficiency at solving problems algebraically, numerically,
     and graphically.

(5) Students will apply scientific principles to solve a variety of problems.