Fall 2014 Sedimentary Geology
Geol 341 (3 units) Lecture
TuTh
Geol 341L (1 unit) Laboratory Th
12:30-1:45 pm LO 1212
2:00-4:45 pm LO 1212
Instructor: Dr. Kathleen Marsaglia, Live Oak Hall 1233, kathie.marsaglia@csun.edu, 818-677-6309
Office hours: Wednesday: 1:00-4:00 pm and by appointment;
Textbooks: A) REQUIRED: 1) Boggs, S., 2011, Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5th edition):
Prentice-Hall, Inc., New Jersey. 2) Tucker, M.E., 2011, Sedimentary Rocks in the Field, A
practical Guide (4th edition): Wiley. (Note: these two books will also be used in Stratigraphy next
semester)B) SUPPLEMENTAL: 1) Milliken et al., 2006, Sandstone Tutorial CD-Rom, AAPG
(access provided by dept.); 2) Milliken and Choh, 2011, Carbonate Petrography, an Interactive
Tutorial DVD, AAPG (access provided by the dept.); and 3) Other - There may also be some
assigned readings from the literature.
Attendance: There are NO MAKEUPS for exams or exercises associated with unexcused absences. All
absences are considered unexcused except those I deem otherwise.
COURSE GOALS –This course is meant to provide you with a good foundational knowledge in sedimentary geology that
will increase your competence and confidence as a scientist and success in future academic and professional endeavors.
Specific goals are to enable you to master: 1) concepts of sedimentary processes and the formation of sedimentary rocks, 2)
classification and properties of sedimentary rocks in hand sample and thin section, and 3) interpretation of the depositional
environments of sedimentary rocks. These goals align with three student-learning outcomes (SLOs) for undergraduate
programs in the Department of Geological Sciences.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE – No cell phones (talking and texting) or pagers in class. If you need to make a call during
open lab time, please leave the classroom to do so. I reserve the right to restrict computer note taking if students are
observed to be playing games, surfing the web and checking email during lecture. Lectures will begin promptly at the start of
the designated class time. You should already be familiar with campus parking and traffic situations, so these are not valid
excuses for chronic tardiness. If on occasion you are late, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY – Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and evidence for such will be reported to the
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs with my recommendation for disciplinary action, and assignment of a failing
grade for the course. Official California State University policy states: Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an
academic program at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, as an offense for which a
student may be expelled, suspended, or given a less severe disciplinary sanction. Such dishonesty includes but is not limited
to: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism.”
GRADING
A plus/minus grading scale will be used.
Lecture Grade (341)
40% Midterm
40% Final Exam
20% Field Trip Reports
Laboratory Grade (341L)
25% Exam 1
25% Exam 2
50% Laboratory Exercises & Projects
Preliminary Schedule GEOL 341 and 341L
Dates (Tu/Th)
Week 1
26 Aug
28 Aug
Week 2
2 Sept
4 Sept
Week 3
9 Sept
11 Sept
Topics and Activities
Reading and Assignments
Lect: Introduction, Weathering
Lect: Weathering and soils cont.
Weathering and soils Lab
Boggs - Introduction, Chapters 1 & 3
Tucker Ch. 3, p. 85-104 in Ch. 4
Lect: Siliciclastic Sediments
Lect: Siliciclastic Petrology (class field trip?)
Grain Size/Shape/Texture/Gravel Lab
Boggs Chapters 3 & 5
Tucker Chapters 3 and 4
Lect: Siliciclastic Petrography
Lect: Sandstone provenance and diagenesis
Boggs Chapter 5
Tucker Chapters 3 & 4
1
Week 4
16 Sept
18 Sept
Week 5
23 Sept
25 Sept
Week 6
30 Sept
2 Oct
Week 7
7 Oct
9 Oct
Week 8
14 Oct
16 Oct
Week 9
21 Oct
23 Oct
Week 10
28 Oct
30 Oct
Week 11
4 Nov
6 Nov
Nov 7-9
Week 12
11 Nov Tues
13 Nov
Week 13
18 Nov
20 Nov
Week 14
25 Nov
27 Nov
Week 15
2 Dec
4 Dec
4 Dec Thurs
Week 16
9 Dec Tues
11 Dec Thurs
Sand/sandstone Petrology Lab
Milliken et al. 2006 tutorial
Lect: Siliciclastic Petrography
Lect: Other Sedimentary Rocks
Sandstone Petrography Lab
Boggs Chapters 5 and 7
Tucker Chapters 3 & 4
Milliken et al. 2006 tutorial
Lect: Mudrocks and Carbonaceous Rocks
Boggs Chapters 6, 7 & 11
Lect: Carbonate Depositional Systems
Tucker Chapter 3
Mudrocks and Carbonaceous Rocks Petrology Lab
Lect: Carbonate Sediments
Boggs Chapters 6 & 11
Students may attend AAPG-SEG Expo field trip or short course in lieu of class/lab.
Lect: Carbonate Depositional Systems cont.
Lecture Midterm Exam
Carbonate Sediments and Rocks Lab
Boggs 6 & 11, Tucker Chapter 3
Lect: Sediment Transport/Deposition
Lect: Sedimentary Structures
Lab Exam 1
Boggs Chapters 2, 3,
Boggs Chapters 2, 3, and 4
Milliken and Choh 2011 tutorial
Lect: Lect: Sedimentary Structures
Boggs Chapters 3, 4, 8
Lect: Clastic Depositional Systems (CDS) Eolian
Carbonate/Evaporite/Chert Rocks Lab (shallow) Milliken & Choh 2011 tutorial
Lect: CDS Alluvial/fluvial
Lect: CDS Alluvial/fluvial
Sedimentary Structures Lecture and Lab
Boggs Chapter 8
Lect: CDS Deltas
Lect: CDS Deep Marine
Deep Marine Sediments/Rocks Lab
Field Trip – Death Valley
Boggs Chapter 9
Boggs Chapters 5-7, 10-11
Milliken et al. tutorials
Veterans Day – no class
Lect: Core description
Lab: Core Description/Interpretation
Lect: CDS Shelves
Lect: CDS Estuarine/Lagoonal/Tidal
Lab: Core Description/Interpretation
Boggs and Tucker various chapters
Boggs Chapter 10
Boggs Chapter 9
Lect: Lacustrine Depositional Systems
Boggs Chapter 8
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Lect: CDS Glacial Depositional Systems
Lect.: Review
LAB FINAL
Boggs Chapter 8
Lect: Review
Final Lab Project: Interpretation of Charnock Core III
Depositional Interpretation
LECTURE FINAL – 12:45-2:45pm
2