Geology 10L - Physical Geology Lab
Syllabus, Spring 2014
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
Christina Stout
1016 Placer Hall
christina.stout@csus.edu
Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00
Or by appointment
Course Description:
This laboratory supplement to Geology 10 covers the identification of common minerals and
rocks; introduction to and analysis of topographic and geologic maps; rivers; earthquakes and
plate tectonics. 1 units.
Expected Learning Outcomes
After taking this course you should be able to:
 Apply the scientific method to geologic problems.
 Be familiar with and know how to interpret topographic maps.
 Describe and identify common minerals and rocks.
 Read and interpret geologic maps. Be able to identify rock type’s present, geologic
structures, and age relationships of units.
 Understand how earthquakes are measured in terms of magnitude and intensity and be
able to interpret seismic data to find earthquake epicenter and magnitude.
 Understand plate boundaries. Be able to use geologic data to determine rate and
direction of plate movement.
Text
Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology 9th edition (Busch ISBN: 9780321830487)
Required Materials
You should bring these materials to every class meeting:
Pencil and eraser
Ruler with inches and centimeter scale
Colored pencils
Calculator
Compass
Grades and Grading
Lab Exercises and Homework – 50%
The Lab exercises are designed to be completed during the assigned lab time. There will
occasionally be additional questions to complete outside of class. All lab and homework are
due at the beginning of the following lab period. No late labs will be accepted. If you miss a
lab you must try to make it up as the exams will cover all of the lab material.
Exams – 40% (20% each)
The first exam will take place after we complete rock and mineral identification. The second
exam will take place during the last week of classes and will cover all labs since the first exam.
There will be review session before each exam. No make-up exams will be given.
Weekly quiz and Participation – 10%
You are expected to read the relevant chapter in your lab manual before coming to lab each
week. At the beginning of each lab we will start off with a quiz of no more than three questions
taken directly from your reading.
Grade Assignment
Letter grades will be based on the following:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
Plus and minus grades will also be given
SacCT 9.1
Online material for this course, such as lab notes, lab keys, and handouts will be available
through SacCT 9.1. You can log in to SacCT 9.1 at http://www.csus.edu/sacct/. In order to
access the course website you will need a saclink account. If you do not have one you can get
one by going to http://www.saclink.csus.edu/saclink/, clicking on register and following the
directions.
Attendance and Class Expectations:
 Regular attendance is required. Make up labs are only allowed for you to be familiar
with the information on the exam. You will not receive points for make-up labs.
 You are expected to show up for class on time. Labs are due at the beginning of lab. If
you are late, I will not accept your lab. If you know you will not be able to make to lab,
make sure to make arrangements to turn it in early.
 If you need to leave early, please let me know beforehand.
 Please turn all electronics OFF while in class (including laptops, and cell phones). CELL
PHONE use is not permitted in class unless specified.