Elizabethtown College
EGR 275
Environmental Site Engineering and Design
Syllabus
(beginning 2012)
Instructor: M. Scanlin Ph.D.
Office: Esbenshade 184
Office Phone: x1323
Home Phone: (717) 867-4867 (emergency only and before 9pm please)
Email: scanlima@etown.edu or stonemeadowfarm@comcast.net
Web site: TBA (To Be Announced)
Office Hours: TBA
Calendar: TBA
Meeting Times: TBA
Course Credit & Contact Hours: 3, 3
Catalog Description: The theory and application of geophysical imaging methods to the investigation of subsurface materials and structures that are
likely to have significant engineering and environmental implications. A wide variety of methods including seismic reflection, seismic refraction,
electromagnetic, ground-penetrating radar, potential fields, electrical resistivity, and borehold logging will be introduced and examined. Natural and manmade disasters will be discussed. *Prerequisite(s): PHY 201 and MA 122. Spring semester, even-numbered years.
Course Objectives

Acquire an appreciation and understanding of the chemical composition and physical properties of Earth materials that will support an
understanding of the geophysical response required to facilitate subsurface imaging methods.

Develop an understanding of the different types of engineering and environmental targets and the most effective geophysical methods that
can be utilized to characterize those targets.

Develop an understanding of each of the near-surface geophysical imaging methods: seismic, electromagnetic, ground-penetrating radar,
gravity, magnetic, electrical resistivity, induced polarization, geothermal, and geophysical borehole logging.

Acquire experience with the application of geophysical methods through examination of case studies and participation in field operations that
utilize these imaging techniques.

Develop an understanding of the different types of engineering and environmental targets and the most effective geophysical methods that
can be utilized to characterize those targets.
Achievement & Assessment of Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes

Reading assignments as outlined below, followed by lecture and discussion meetings will serve to introduce and develop an understanding of
the topics being presented. Weekly participation activities supplemented by discovery-oriented activities will deliver insights that re-enforce
and deepen understanding.

Assessment of performance will be accomplished through feedback provided by instructors on weekly participation activities, lab/discoveryoriented activities, and exams.
Course Learning Outcomes
ABET (Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology) requires all engineering programs to cover:
1.
(ABET-a): An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
2.
(ABET-b): An ability to design and construct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
3.
(ABET-c): An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
4.
(ABET-d): An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5.
(ABET-e): Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
6.
(ABET-f): An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7.
(ABET-g): Communicate effectively orally and in writing
8.
(ABET-h): A broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
9.
(ABET-i): A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
10.
(ABET-j): A knowledge of contemporary issues
11.
(ABET-k): An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
This course has been determined to contribute these outcomes as follows (with “h” and “j” sampled for ABET):
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
4
4
2
4
4
2
3
4
1
4
4
5 = Very strong support of ABET Program Outcome
4 = Strong support of ABET Program Outcome
3 = Moderate support of ABET Program Outcome
2 = Weak support of ABET Program Outcome
1 = Little or no support of ABET Program Outcome
Course Readings:
A sequence of handouts prepared and delivered by the Instructor at the first meeting period.
Policy Items
This course will operate according to the Elizabethtown College Pledge of Integrity. Any suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be handled
according to the guidelines under “Academic Judicial System,” in the Elizabethtown College Catalog.
If you have a documented disability and need reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements, you
must: (1) Contact the Director of Learning Services and Disability Services, Dr. Kristen Sagun, in the
Center of Student Success, BSC 226, (717)
361-1549, AND(2) Meet with me, the instructor, within two weeks of receiving a copy of the accommodation letter from Disability Services to discuss
your accommodation needs and their implementation.
The participation grade (see below) will be based on text assignments, in-class assignments, quizzes, discovery-oriented activities provided by the
instructor. By its very nature, no participation assignment can be accepted late. [If you’re not participating, for any reason, you can’t receive credit
for participation.]
Course grades will be based on a system of point accumulation as indicated below.
Part
I
(Exam I =100pts; Participation = 100pts.)
200 points
Part
II
(Exam I =100pts; Participation = 100pts.)
200 points
Part
III
(Exam II =100pts; Participation = 100pts.)
200 points
_________
Total:
600 points
Points


Grade in Course
570 – 600
A
540 – 569
A-
516 – 539
B+
498 – 515
B
480 – 497
B-
456 – 479
C+
438 – 455
C
420 – 437
C-
396 – 419
D+
378 – 395
D
360 – 377
D-
Below 360
F
Grades will be determined as outlined above. No other considerations are available.
Make-up exams available only with instructor approval (emergency only); convenience is not an
emergency. Make-up exams will differ from the scheduled exam.
Course Outline
Introduction

Engineering/Environmental geophysics involves the application of subsurface imaging techniques to locate boundaries or discontinuities in
subsurface rock materials across which there is a marked contrast in physical properties. Such contrasts can be detected remotely from the surface
because they give rise to geophysical anomalies which permit subsurface variations in physical properties to be identified and mapped.

Most targets of engineering and environmental interest are at very shallow depths below the Earth’s surface. High quality engineering investigations
require the accurate location and characterization of these targets prior to the initiation of engineering projects. Subsurface geophysical imaging
techniques represent an ideal set of tools to achieve those objectives.

Geophysical subsurface imaging methods provide solutions to a wide range of engineering and environmental problems: geotechnical site
characterization for building projects such as bridges, dams, and power plants; landslide and ground subsidence hazard detection; type and
strength of building materials; safe disposal of chemical and nuclear waste; protection of soil and groundwater; location of archeological artifacts;
and forensic engineering investigations..

To assure the active involvement of all students in the learning process, we will utilize an interactive learning/teaching approach. The central theme
of this approach involves the application of information and ideas derived from reading assignments toward the development of answers to
questions that are designed to stimulate critical thinking. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions aimed at exploring ideas
relating to topics introduced in the reading assignments and supplemental activities provided by the instructor.
Schedule of Topics & Reading Assignments
The course will cover the following material from the text and from lab exercises provided by the instructor.

Week #1: Earth’s Composition & Origin.

Week #2: Earth Materials and their physical properties.

Week #3: Rocks & their Engineering Properties.

Week #4: Earth Processes & Geophysical Principles.

Week #5: Earth Structures and Subsurface Implications

Week #6: Engineering geophysical investigations: targets & techniques. Environmental problems amenable to delineation using geophysical
methods

Weeks #7: Seismic reflection methods. Elastic wave propagation techniques. Applications to engineering and materials research problems. Exam 1

Week #8: Spring Break

Weeks #9 & #10: Seismic refraction methods. Applications to engineering and environmental problems.

Weeks#11: Electromagnetic surveys & propagation of EM fields in earth materials. Exam #2.

Weeks#12 & 13: Ground-penetrating radar methods.

Weeks#14: Geophysical borehole logging methods.

Week#15: Review of class projects and case studies.