EAST GEORGIA COLLEGE

A Two-Year Unit of the University System of Georgia

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY 1123 SYLLABUS

Spring 2012

 

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

 

II.        COURSE DESCRIPTION: GLY 1123, Environmental Geology, is a course designed to provide both science and non-science majors alike with information about the connection between geologic processes and human activities.  The course will focus on the constraints imposed by geologic processes on human activities.  Course Description from EGC Catalog (http://www.ega.edu/registrar/catalog/Catalog0809.pdf

 

III.       PREREQUISITES: College Algebra is recommended.

 

IV.       TEXTBOOK: Environmental Geology, 9td edition, 2006, Carla W. Montgomery, McGraw Hill, ISBN: 978-0-07-352408-5.

 

V.        LABORATORY MANUAL: Laboratory assignments, if conducted, will be given as handouts in class.

 

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

1.  Learn the principles of geology necessary for understanding and making sound environmental decisions about natural catastrophes as well as the

     possible use and disposal of natural resources.

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

3. Gain an appreciation for the impact of anthropogenic activities on earth's environment.

 

VII.     EVALUATION: The instructor reserves the right to revise the grading policy at any time during the semester that the course is taught.  In general, your final

            grade is based on:

1. Two lecture exams, each worth 100 points and worth 20% of the final grade.

2. Written homework assignments worth 10% of the final grade.

3. Microsoft PowerPoint (PP) presentations given by students in class after each topic lectured about by the instructor and a final exam PP presentation,

    worth 70% of the final grade.  The final PP presentation must consist of at least 25 slides, be about a topic announced by the instructor, and it must be

    submitted by the date and time announced in class by the instructor.  If a final PP presentation is not submitted by the time and date announced, the final

    grade calculated below will be lowered by one letter grade.

 

VIII.    GRADING: The final grade you earn for the course is calculated as indicated below.  Note the penalty mentioned above for not submitting a final examination Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Final Grade = 0.7 x Average of PP Grades + 0.2 x Average of Two Lecture Exams + 0.1 x Average of Homework Assignments

 

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: 10:45 a.m.- 12 noon; 1-2 p.m., T and R: 9:45 a.m.-12 noon.

 

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) environmental 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.

 

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. For college policy concerning Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty, see the EGC Student Handbook http://www.ega.edu/counseling_center/handbook2008.pdf

 

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

 

XV.      LABS: Labs, if conducted, are a mandatory course requirement worth 100 points each and will be averaged in with homework assignments in determining the final grade.  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 WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS:      

 

1.                  Chapters 1-2: Foundations

 

2.                  Chapters 3-5: Internal Processes

 

3.                  Chapters 6- 10: Surface Processes

 

4.         Chapters 11- 15: Resources

 

5.         Chapters 16-18:  Waste Disposal, Pollution, and Health

 

6.         Chapters 19-20: Environmental Law and Policy, Land Use Planning, and Engineering Geology

 

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.