Syllabus: GEOL 2021 – Map and Airphoto Interpretation
Spring 2013 (132)
GEOL 2021 - 101
Map and Airphoto Interpretation
Call Number: 24413
Lab: Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:50 PM in room MC 523
January 15, 2013  April 30, 2013
Professor: Claude E. Bolze
Tulsa Community College
909 S. Boston Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119
Cubicle No.: MC 527
Phone No.: 918-595-7246
E-mail: claude.bolze@tulsacc.edu
Cubicle Hours: Monday thru Thursday from 7:30 to 10:00 AM
Science and Mathematics Division
Associate Dean: Dr. Connie Hebert
Office No.: MC 620 and Phone No.: 918-595-7334
Course Prerequisite: GEOL 1014 or GEOG 1014 or Equivalent Course
Textbook:
Lab Studies in Physical Geology by R. C. Finch, 4th ed., published 2001 by Hunter Textbooks Inc.,
823 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, ISBN 0-88725-261-3.
Catalog Description:
Recognition of landforms and geologic features on topographic maps and airphotos. Includes
interpretation of geologic maps and fundamentals basic to all types of contour maps. No Lecture.
Laboratory 3 hours. Prerequisite: GEOL1014 or GEOG 1014.
Course Objectives:
Map and Airphoto Interpretation is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
1. Students lean to visualize topography when looking at contour maps.
2. Students recognize various types of landforms on topographic maps.
3. Students interpret the geological process that produced the landform.
4. Students recognize environmental problems associated with the landforms and recommend
solutions.
5. Students interpret structural geology and geologic history from geologic maps.
6. Students draw topographic profiles and geological cross-sections.
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Teaching Methods:
Map and Airphoto Interpretation is a lab course. Exercises will be assigned from a lab manual. The
exercises in the lab manual are designed to be self-explanatory and self-contained. The questions
asked and problems presented can be answered and solved using the information supplied in the
manual, with a minimum of supervision or additional explanatory material. For these reasons, you will
be completing the exercises on your own. In other words, the assignments are “take-home”. You will
not be completely on your own because I am available for help.
Assignments:
A list of assignments is attached.
The first four (4) assignments are the basics of topographic map reading and aerial photo
interpretation. The next seven (7) exercises involve your ability to “see” the topography represented
by the contour lines on the topographic maps, and to point out geologic features that can be “seen” on
the maps. The last exercise involves geologic maps which show topography and the geology
underlying the topography.
In all the exercises you will be asked to think about the landforms, their relationships to underlying
rocks, and the geologic processes that shaped the land. These questions will be posted to you in the
text of the exercises. Shortened “reminder” versions of the questions accompany the answer sheets,
but always be sure you are answering the questions in the exercises, not relying on the shortened (and
sometimes incomplete) questions on the answer sheets. These answer sheets are found at the end of
the lab manual and are identified as pages A1-A88. Various questions have you draw on a specific
topographic map. These questions are followed by the statement “Instructor may examine.” Note The instructor will examine.
Exercise 9 through Exercise 13 is due by Tuesday February 26 or March 5.
Exercise 14 through Exercise 20 is due by Tuesday April 23 or April 30.
For grading, bring your completed work to me. We will review your work together.
Grade Scale
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
= A = 202 – 225 points
= B = 180 – 201 points
= C = 157 – 179 points
= D = 135 – 156 points
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Attendance Policy: Past experience has shown that regular and prompt attendance is vitally
important for successful completion of this course. Those students who decide not to complete the
course must withdraw themselves from the course. Failure to complete work does not constitute a
withdrawal from Tulsa Community College and those students will receive a grade based upon the
points earned at the end of the semester.
Course Withdrawal: The deadline to withdraw from a course shall not exceed 3/4 the duration
of any class. Contact the Counseling Office at any TCC campus to initiate withdrawal from a course
('W' grade) or to change from Credit to Audit. Check the TCC Academic Calendar for deadlines.
Students who stop participating in the course and fail to withdraw may receive a course grade of “F,”
which may have financial aid consequences for the student.
Communications:
Email communications: All TCC students receive a designated “MyTCC” email address (ex:
bob.buck@mail.tulsacc.edu). All communications to you about TCC and course assignments will be
sent to your MyTCC email address; and you must use MyTCC email to send email to, and receive
email from, the instructor regarding this course.
Inclement Weather: TCC rarely closes. If extreme weather conditions or emergency situations
arise, TCC always gives cancellation notices to radio and television stations. This information is also
posted on the TCC website (www.tulsacc.edu).
General Education Goals: General Education courses at TCC ensure that our graduates gain
skills, knowledge, and abilities that comprise a common foundation for their higher education and a
backdrop for their work and personal lives. TCC’s General Education goals are: Critical Thinking,
Effective Communication, Engaged Learning, and Technological Proficiency.
Classroom Etiquette: Open and mutually respectful communication of varied opinions, beliefs,
and perspectives during classroom or online discussion encourages the free exchange of ideas that is
essential to higher learning and to the ability to learn from each other.
Syllabus Changes: Occasionally, changes to the syllabus may be necessary. Students will be
notified of any changes to the syllabus in writing.
Students with Disabilities: TCC provides accommodations for qualifying students in
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For information, students may contact the
disabled Student Resource Center, 918-595-7115, or the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing, 918-595-7428V, 918-595-7434TTY.
Institutional Statement: Each student is responsible for being aware of the information
contained in the TCC Catalog, the TCC Student Policies & Resources Handbook, and semester
information listed in the class schedule. All information may be viewed on the TCC website:
www.tulsacc.edu
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Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating) is defined as the deception of others
about one’s own work or about the work of another. Academic dishonesty or misconduct is not
condoned or tolerated at campuses within the Tulsa Community College system. Tulsa Community
College adopts a policy delegating certain forms of authority for disciplinary action to the faculty.
Such disciplinary actions delegated to the faculty include, but are not limited to, the dismissal of
disrespectful or disorderly students from classes. In the case of academic dishonesty a faculty member
may:
 Require the student to redo an assignment or test, or require the student to complete a
substitute assignment or test;
 Record a "zero" for the assignment or test in question;
 Recommend to the student that the student withdraw from the class, or administratively
withdraw the student from the class;
 Record a grade of "F" for the student at the end of the semester.
Faculty may request that disciplinary action be taken against a student at the administrative level by
submitting such request to the Dean of Student Services.
Grade Scale
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
= A = 202 – 225 points
= B = 180 – 201 points
= C = 157 – 179 points
= D = 135 – 156 points
Last day to withdraw with a "W" grade: Friday, April 12.
Note: This Syllabus and Schedule are subject to change. Students will receive in writing any changes
to this Syllabus and Schedule.
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