UCC/UGC/YCC
Proposal for Course Change
FAST TRACK
(Select if this will be a fast track item. Refer to UCC or UGC Fast Track Policy for eligibility)
1. Effective BEGINNING of what term and year?:
Spring 2012
See effective dates calendar.
2. College:
CEFNS
4. Current course subject and number:
3. Academic Unit:
GLG 542
5. Current title, description and units. Cut and
paste, in its entirety, from the current on-line
academic catalog*.
(www4.nau.edu/aio/AcademicCatalog/academiccatalogs.htm)
GLG 542 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL
GEOLOGY (3)
Advanced study of deformation of Earth's crust.
Stress and strain theory, deformation
mechanisms, geometry, kinematics, and
dynamics of orogenic belts. Letter grade only.
Prerequisite: GLG 315 and 435.
*if there has been a previously approved UCC/UGC/YCC
change since the last catalog year, please copy the
approved text from the proposal form into this field.
Revised 06/22/2011
Geology
Bold the proposed changes in this column to
differentiate from what is not changing, and
Bold with strikethrough what is being
deleted.
GLG 542 ADVANCED STRUCTURAL
GEOLOGY (3 4)
Advanced study of deformation of Earth's
crust. Stress and strain theory, deformation
mechanisms, geometry, kinematics, and
dynamics of orogenic belts. 3 units lecture, 1
unit lab. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: GLG
315 and 435 Graduate status in Geology.
6. Is this course in any plan (major, minor or certificate) or sub plan (emphasis or concentration)?
Yes
No
If yes, describe the impact and attach written responses from the affected academic units
prior to college curricular submission.
7. Is there a related plan or sub plan change proposal being submitted?
If no, explain.
Yes
No
8. Does this course include combined lecture and lab components?
Yes
If yes, note the units specific to each component in the course description above.
No
9. Is there a course fee?
No
Yes
10. Justification for course change.
Over the past several years, when the department has taught this course, it was
accompanied by GLG 698 as a 1 unit lab. The department believes it should make this
change permanent by including a 1 unit embedded lab with GLG 542.
IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION, COMPLETE ONLY WHAT IS CHANGING
If the changes included in this proposal are significant, attach copies of original and
proposed syllabi
CURRENT
Current course subject and number
PROPOSED
Proposed course subject and number
Current number of units
3
Current short course title
Proposed number of units
4
Proposed short course title (max 30 characters)
Current long course title
Proposed long course title (max 100 characters)
Current grading option
letter grade
pass/fail
or both
Current repeat for additional units
Proposed grading option
letter grade
pass/fail
or both
Proposed repeat for additional units
Current max number of units
Proposed max number of units
Current prerequisite
GLG 315 and 435.
Current co-requisite
Proposed prerequisite
Graduate status in Geology
Proposed co-requisite
Revised 06/22/2011
Current co-convene with
Proposed co-convene with
Current cross list with
Proposed cross list with
Answer 11-15 for UCC/YCC only:
11. Is this course an approved Liberal Studies or Diversity course?
If yes, select all that apply. Liberal Studies
Diversity
Both
Yes
No
12. Do you want to remove the Liberal Studies or Diversity designation?
If yes, select all that apply. Liberal Studies
Diversity
Both
Yes
No
Yes
No
14. Is the course a Common Course as defined by your Articulation Task Force? Yes
No
15. Is this course a Shared Unique Numbering (SUN) course?
No
13. Is this course listed in the Course Equivalency Guide?
Scott Galland
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Yes
11/15/2011
Date
Approvals:
Department Chair/ Unit Head (if appropriate)
Date
Chair of college curriculum committee
Date
Dean of college
Date
Revised 06/22/2011
For Committee use only:
UCC/UGC/YCC Approval
Approved as submitted:
Revised 06/22/2011
Date
Yes
No
Approved as modified: Yes
No
PROPOSED SYLLABUS
College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Science
School of Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability
Geology 542 – Advanced Structural Geology (4 units)
Spring 2012 – Lecture: TuTh 9:35-10:50 a.m.
Lab Tu 1:50-4:50 p.m.
Dr. Ernest M. Duebendorfer. Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Room 211, Geology Annex - or by appointment
Email: ernie.d@nau.edu
Phone: (928) 523-7510
Course Prerequisites: Graduate status in Geology
Course Description: Advanced study of deformation of Earth's crust. Stress and strain theory, deformation
mechanisms, geometry, kinematics, and dynamics of orogenic belts. 3 units lecture, 1 unit lab. Letter
grade only.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will learn techniques of modern structural geology and structural
analysis. The seminar part of the course will focus on current controversies in extensional, contractional,
and strike-slip tectonic settings via pertinent readings from the literature. Upon completion of the course,
students will be able to:
 conduct strain analysis
 decipher complex deformational histories
 use microstructures to determine deformational mechanisms
 determine kinematics of fault data sets and ductile shear zones
 use expertise regarding deformational processes and resulting structural styles in various tectonic
settings
Course Structure/Approach: Lecture/Seminar/Lab. There will be two required field trips. You will be
asked to give several informal presentations during the course of the semester. Student participation in
class discussions is expected. Laboratory exercises and problems will be assigned.
Textbook and required reading: Passchier, C.W. and Trouw, R.A.J., 2006, Microtectonics, 2nd ed. Berlin,
Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag, 366p.
There will also be extensive reading from the current literature. Specific papers will be determined as the
course progresses.
Course Outline:
Week of
January 24
Revised 06/22/2011
Topic
Review of the “big picture” and basic
structural concepts
Lab
Exercise 1: Isostasy and introduction to
strain
January 31
Strain – theory and practical applications Exercise 2: Strain exercise 1
February 7
Strain – theory and practical applications Exercise 3: Strain exercise 2
February 14
Deformation mechanisms - grain-scale;
Penetrative fabrics (cleavage, foliation,
lineation)
February 21
Kinematic analysis of ductile shear
zones/microstructures
February 28
Analysis of brittle fault systems/brittle
Exercise 5: Penetrative fabrics 2
kinematic indicators
Field trip: Cerbat/Hualapai Mts. 3/4-3/6
March 7
Polyphase deformation
Thermochronological applications to
tectonic studies
EXAM
March 14
SPRING BREAK
March 21
Extensional tectonism
Exercise 6: Fault rocks/kinematic
analysis
Field trip: Extensional tectonics 3/24-27
March 28
Extensional tectonism
Exercise 7: Porphyroblast-matrix
relations
April 4
Contractional orogenic belts
Exercise 8: Polyphase
deformation/thermochronology
April 11
Contractional orogenic belts
April 18
Transpressional/transtensional tectonism
April 25
Transpressional/transtensional tectonism
May 2
Student presentations
Term projects due 5/6
Exercise 4: Penetrative fabrics 1
SPRING BREAK
Exercise 9: Balanced cross sections
Final exam due Wednesday, May 11 at 5 p.m
Assessments of Student Learning Outcomes. The methods of and timeline for assessment of the
student learning outcomes are described below
 Laboratory/field exercises
 Exams (2)
 Term project/presentation
 Course participation
Revised 06/22/2011
Grading System:
 Laboratory/field exercises
 Exams (2)
 Term project/presentation
 Course participation
= 30% (variable credit per problem)
= 40% (probably take home)
= 20% (75% paper, 25% presentation)
= 10% (includes informal presentations and discussion)
Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Course Policy:
Late Assignments: Up to 24 hours late (or fraction thereof). Late penalty of 20%.
24-48 hours late: penalty of 40%. More than 48 hours no credit
Please review basic concepts of stress and strain in your introductory structural geology textbook. Please
come prepared to discuss the following during the next class period.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Scale terms used in structural geology
Difference between penetrative and no penetrative structures
Meaning of the terms: geometry, kinematics, dynamics (and their role in structural studies)
Shorthand notation for different generations of structures (i.e., relative timing of events; D1, S1, etc.)
What are the primary components of deformation?
Cell phones should be turned off during class periods
University Policies:
SAFE ENVIRONMENT POLICY NAU’s Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to
prohibit discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. The goal of this
policy is to prevent the occurrence of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status and to prevent sexual harassment,
sexual assault or retaliation by anyone at this university.
You may obtain a copy of this policy from the college dean’s office or from the NAU’s Affirmative
Action website http://home.nau.edu/diversity/. If you have concerns about this policy, it is important
that you contact the departmental chair, dean’s office, the Office of Student Life (928-523-5181), or
NAU’s Office of Affirmative Action (928-523-3312).
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES If you have a documented disability, you can arrange for
accommodations by contacting Disability Resources (DR) at 523-8773 (voice)or 523-6906 (TTY),
dr@nau.edu (e-mail)or 928-523-8747 (fax).Students needing academic accommodations are required
to register with DR and provide required disability related documentation. Although you may request
an accommodation at any time, in order for DR to best meet your individual needs, you are urged to
register and submit necessary documentation (www.nau.edu/dr) 8 weeks prior to the time you wish to
receive accommodations. DR is strongly committed to the needs of student with disabilities and the
promotion of Universal Design. Concerns or questions related to the accessibility of programs and
Revised 06/22/2011
facilities at NAU may be brought to the attention of DR or the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal
Opportunity (523-3312).
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD Any study involving observation of or interaction with
human subjects that originates at NAU—including a course project, report, or research paper—must be
reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects
in research and research-related activities.
The IRB meets monthly. Proposals must be submitted for review at least fifteen working days before
the monthly meeting. You should consult with your course instructor early in the course to ascertain if
your project needs to be reviewed by the IRB and/or to secure information or appropriate forms and
procedures for the IRB review. Your instructor and department chair or college dean must sign the
application for approval by the IRB. The IRB categorizes projects into three levels depending on the
nature of the project: exempt from further review, expedited review, or full board review. If the IRB
certifies that a project is exempt from further review, you need not resubmit the project for continuing
IRB review as long as there are no modifications in the exempted procedures.
A copy of the IRB Policy and Procedures Manual is available in each department’s administrative
office and each college dean’s office or on their website:
http://www.research.nau.edu/vpr/IRB/index.htm. If you have questions, contact the IRB Coordinator
in the Office of the Vice President for Research at 928-523-8288 or 523-4340.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic
integrity. As members of the academic community, NAU’s administration, faculty, staff and students
are dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and are committed to maintaining the academic
integrity essential to the education process. Inherent in this commitment is the belief that academic
dishonesty in all forms violates the basic principles of integrity and impedes learning. Students are
therefore responsible for conducting themselves in an academically honest manner.
Individual students and faculty members are responsible for identifying instances of academic
dishonesty. Faculty members then recommend penalties to the department chair or college dean in
keeping with the severity of the violation. The complete policy on academic integrity is in Appendix G
of NAU’s Student Handbook http://www4.nau.edu/stulife/handbookdishonesty.htm.
ACADEMIC CONTACT HOUR POLICY The Arizona Board of Regents Academic Contact Hour
Police (ABOR handbook, 20296, Academic Credit) states: “an hour of work is the equivalent of 50
minutes of class time . . . at least 15 contact hours of recitation, lecture, discussion, testing or
evaluation, seminar, or colloquium as well as a minimum of 30 hours of student homework is required
for each unit of credit.”
SENSITIVE COURSE MATERIALS If an instructor believes it is appropriate, the syllabus should
communicate to students that some course content may be considered sensitive by some students.
“University education aims to expand student understanding and awareness. Thus it necessarily
involves engagement with a wide range of information, ideas, and creative representations. In the
course of college studies, students can expect to encounter – and critically appraise – materials that
may differ from and perhaps challenge familiar understandings, ideas, and beliefs. Students are
encouraged to discuss these matters with faculty.”
Revised 06/22/2011
EXISTING SYLLABI
Geology 542 – Advanced Structural Geology (3 units)
Geology 698 (1 unit) – Mandatory Lab for GLG 542
Spring Semester 2011
Dr. Ernest M. Duebendorfer
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Room 211, Geology Annex
- or by appointment
Course format:
Textbook:
Lecture/Seminar/Lab. There will be two required field trips. You will be asked
to give several informal presentations during the course of the semester. Student
participation in class discussions is expected. Laboratory exercises and
problems will be assigned.
There will be extensive reading from the literature
Expect modest to substantial Xeroxing costs
Grading:
Laboratory/field exercises
Exams (2)
Term project/presentation
Course participation
= 25% (variable credit per problem)
= 40% (probably take home)
= 25% (75% paper, 25% presentation)
= 10% (includes informal presentations
and discussion – not a freebie)
Late Assignments:
Up to 24 hours late (or fraction thereof): late penalty of 20%
24-48 hours late: penalty of 40%
More than 48 hours no credit
Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
Please review basic concepts of stress and strain in your introductory structural geology textbook.
Please come prepared to discuss the following during the next class period.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Scale terms used in structural geology
Difference between penetrative and nonpenetrative structures
Meaning of the terms: geometry, kinematics, dynamics (and their role in structural studies)
Shorthand notation for different generations of structures (i.e., relative timing of events; D1, S1,
etc.)
(5) What are the two ultimate sources of stress in the Earth’s lithosphere
(6) What are the primary components of deformation?
Cell phones should be turned off during class periods
Revised 06/22/2011
Course Schedule (subject to change)
Week of
Topic
GLG 542
Lab
GLG 698
January 24
Review of the “big picture” and basic
structural concepts
Exercise 1: Isostasy and introduction
to strain
January 31
Strain – theory and practical applications
Exercise 2: Strain exercise 1
February 7
Strain – theory and practical applications
Exercise 3: Strain exercise 2
February 14
Deformation mechanisms - grain-scale;
Penetrative fabrics (cleavage, foliation,
lineation)
February 21
Kinematic analysis of ductile shear
zones/microstructures
Exercise 4: Penetrative fabrics 1
February 28
Analysis of brittle fault systems/brittle
kinematic indicators
Field trip: Cerbat/Hualapai Mts. 3/4-3/6
Exercise 5: Penetrative fabrics 2
March 7
Polyphase deformation
Thermochronological applications to
tectonic studies
EXAM
March 14
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
March 21
Extensional tectonism
Field trip: Extensional tectonics 3/24-27
Exercise 6: Fault rocks/kinematic
analysis
March 28
Extensional tectonism
Exercise 7: Porphyroblast-matrix
relationships
April 4
Contractional orogenic belts
Exercise 8: Polyphase
deformation/thermochronology
April 11
Contractional orogenic belts
April 18
Transpressional/transtensional tectonism
April 25
Transpressional/transtensional tectonism
May 2
Student presentations
Term projects due 5/6
Final exam due Wednesday, May 11 at 5 p.m.
Revised 06/22/2011
Exercise 9: Balanced cross sections
Graduate Seminar - Applied Basins Analysis – GLG698-1 – Fall 2009
1 credit
{to be taken with Evolution of Sedimentary Basins - GLG629}
Class Time: TBD
Class Room: TBD
Instructor:
Dr. Paul Umhoefer
Room - 307 Geology Annex; Phone - 523-6464; paul.umhoefer@nau.edu
Textbook:
None
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 2 – 4 pm
Purpose of Course: Sedimentary basins are the site of many of the most important natural resources
exploited by humans - coal, oil and gas, and water. Tectonic processes mainly form basins. In this
class, you will learn some of the hands-on skills necessary for the integrative analysis of basins.
These skills will complement and extend what you learn in GLG629.
Exercises: There will be seven Exercises. The exercises will vary from simple analyses that expand
on important topics in GLG629, to hands-on investigation using tools of basin analysis, to reading
and discussion of topics we will not cover in GLG629 but are related to it.
Schedule:
Exercise 1 handed out
Exercise 1 Due
Exercise 2 handed out
Exercise 2 Due
Exercise 3 handed out
Exercise 3 Due
Exercise 4 handed out
Exercise 4 Due
Exercise 5 handed out
Exercise 5 Due
Exercise 6 handed out
Exercise 6 Due
Exercise 7 handed out
Exercise 7 Due
8/27
9/3
9/3
9/10
9/10
9/17
10/15
10/22
10/22
10/30
11/5
11/12
11/12
11/24
Grading: Grading will be based entirely on the exercises – the value of each exercise is listed below.
Revised 06/22/2011
Here are short summaries of the exercise – detailed handouts will follow later in the class.
Exercise 1: {15 points} Active Basins and GeoMapApp
You will analyze the main traits of one active basin from a list I will provide, or from your own choice
of anywhere in the world. You will you Geomapapp, a world-scale topo/bathymetry tool from NSFMARGINS and Lamont Observatory, and a limited set of papers on your basin. These will allow us to
better understand how active basins are expressed in terms of topography, size, and shape.
Exercise 2: {15 points} Isostacy
This is a simple analysis of how oceanic crust subsides when it cools. The principles are similar to
thermal subsidence in other basins.
Exercise 3: {10 points} Drainages and divides in active orogens
Use Geomapapp to explore drainage patterns in active extensional and contractional orogens.
Exercise 4: {15 points} Stratigraphic Correlation & Facies Analysis
A supplement to our stratigraphic analysis in lecture.
Exercise 5: {15 points} Stratigraphic Cycles
We will explore the topic of stratigraphic cycles in more detail.
Exercise 6: {15 points} Geohistory analysis
This is a hands-on exercise in analyzing the subsidence of basins using the traditional method.
Exercise 7: {15 points} Field Trip
This will be a quantitative modeling of the thermal history of a basin using one of the main methods.
Revised 06/22/2011