GEOL 100: Physical Geology
Fall 2006
Instructor: Dr. Andy Breckenridge
Office: Zurn 9
Office Hours: 2:00-4:00 MW and
Tu 1:00-2:00, & by appointment
Textbook: Essentials of Geology (2nd ed),
Marshak
Phone: 824-3646
Email: abreckenridge@mercyhurst.edu
Course Description
Physical Geology is the science of the Earth, the materials of which it is composed, and the
processes that are acting upon them. By necessity this is a survey course; topics will include
minerals, rocks, earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, geologic structures, the rock cycle, and
surface/subsurface processes.
Prerequisites
No previous courses are required.
Objectives
The Earth is a fantastically complex place. Appreciation for the complexity, timelessness, and
awesome nature of the Earth requires a modest foundation in the processes that affect the Earth –
the science of geology. Much of the science of geology is directly relevant to our lives. By the
end of this course you will: appreciate the geology and geologic processes that surround you,
have a greater understanding of the relationship between human beings and the natural world, and
evaluate many of the factors affecting the Earth's past, present, and future.
Expectations: how to do well in this class
For most of you, this will be your first exposure to the field of geology, a subject I dearly love. I
want you to enjoy this class, but expect to be challenged as a student. There is nothing inherently
‘easy’ about the field of geology, or this course, but I think if you follow my guidelines for
success, you will enjoy this class.
Guidelines for success
Attend all lectures and labs and be respectful of your classmates. If an absence is foreseeable,
you need to contact me prior to missing class or lab.
Ask questions during class and participate in lecture. I’ll frequently ask for responses from the
class – don’t be shy, speak up and be heard. I don’t expect you to always know the right answer,
but I expect you to try.
Read the textbook. I like this textbook. The book is finely illustrated and the material affably
presented. You will need to read and study the textbook on a daily basis.
Read the study guides. I will provide study guides for every quiz and test on blackboard at least
48 hours in advance. I use these study guides to help write the tests and quizzes.
Visit me during office hours or after class. One of the greatest advantages of a school like
Mercyhurst is your accessibility to your professors – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE
OPPORTUNITIES. I am here for you, you are not taking away my time by coming into my
office. If you have a question about a test, want help with your research paper, are concerned
about your grade, don’t understand a subject I covered in class, or just want to say hello, please
don’t hesitate.
Students with a disability, who may require accommodations to actively participate in this class
should contact the Learning Differences Program on campus: 4th floor Main, 814-824-2450, M-F
8:30-4:30
Lecture Schedule
Day
Subject
9/1
Introduction: book keeping and ice breaker
9/6
Origin Solar System & Earth’s Interior
9/8
Geologic time, Evolution of Climate & Life
9/11
Plate tectonics
9/13
Rock Cycle & Earth Systems
9/15
Plutonism and Volcanism
9/18*
Plutonism and Volcanism
9/20
Plutonism and Volcanism
9/22
Weathering, Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation
9/25
Weathering, Erosion, Transport, and Sedimentation
9/27*
Depositional environments: rivers, lakes, and deserts
9/29
Depositional environments: rivers, lakes, and deserts
10/2
Depositional environments: oceans
10/4
Midterm Exam
10/6
Metamorphism
10/9
Dating Methods
10/11
Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Seismology
10/13@
Deformation of Rock
10/16*
Mountain Building
10/18
Mountain Building – Computer Lab
10/23
Glaciers and the ice age
10/25
Glaciers and the ice age
10/27
Groundwater
10/30
Earth’s Resources
11/1
Fossil Fuels
11/3
Global Warming (class debate)
11/6*
Climate Change
11/8
US National Parks
11/10@
Mars and Venus
11/13 – Mon Final Exam for 8:00 am Class
11/15 – Wed Final Exam for 12:30 pm Class
Reading
Prelude
Ch. 1 & 2
Ch. 13
Ch. 3 & 4
Intlude A,B
Ch. 6
Ch. 9
HMWK
PT A
PT B
PT C
V. Txt
Ch. 7
Ch. 17
Ch. 21
Ch. 18
Ch. 8
Ch. 12
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
Ch. 22
Ch. 22
Ch. 19
Ch. 15
Ch. 14
Ch. 23
E.6
* = short quiz at beginning of class
@ = report due
Note that the scheduling of lecture topics and reading assignments is tentative.
MtBldg
Glciers
Grdwtr
Grading and Coursework
Lecture
Points (100 possible)
Midterm
24
Final Exam
25
Quizzes × 4
12
Homework
12
Report
12
Participation
10
Global Warming Debate
5
Total:
100
Total Points
90+
87-89
80-86
77-79
70-76
67-69
60-66
<60
Grade
A
B+
B
C+
C
D+
D
F
NOTE THAT LECTURE AND LABS ARE GRADED SEPARATELY.
Lecture (Geol 100) is a 3-credit course, and lab (Geol 102) is a 1-credit course.
Lecture
Tests and Quizzes: There will be a midterm and a final exam. The lecture tests will take the form
of short answer and short response (essay). A portion of the exam will include identifying images
and answering questions about the images. To help you prepare for the lecture tests I will have
four short quizzes at the beginning of class and these questions will be structured similarly to
those on the exams. There will be two quizzes prior to each exam. Any missed exam or quiz due
to illness will require a doctor’s note.
Report: I want you to find a short article concerning geology in the news (something you find
interesting) and expand on this topic with a 4-6 page research report. We will discuss this report
further in class and there will be a separate handout regarding the details. The report will be due
around midterm, and you will re-submit the paper at the end of the quarter.
Homework and Participation: We will have warm-up questions at the beginning of class.
Sometimes these warm-up questions will be based on homework. At other times I will use these
warm-up questions for attendance but will not grade the exercise; however, I will often ask for
class input based on these exercises and I expect you to participate. I will keep a tally of how
often you speak up and class, either to ask questions or to respond to questions, and use this
record as the basis of the participation grade.
Attendance: Certain material presented in lecture and lab is essential to this course and cannot be
accessed by other means. I understand emergencies sometimes arise that necessitate that you
miss a class, so I will not penalize you for one absence; but for each subsequent unexcused
absence, 1 point will be deducted from your participation grade.