Tentative Syllabus
Environmental Geology – 103
Spring 2016
Lecturer: Dr. Bob Van Pelt
Day-time Ph: (803) 646-7355
Office Hours: Immediately prior to or after class; other times by appointment
E-Mail: Robert.vanpelt@srs.gov
BobV@usca.edu
Vanpelt_robert@yahoo.com
Text : Living with Earth, An Introduction to Environmental Geology edited by Travis
Hudson, Pearson-Prentice Hall Publishers; an e-text is available . Laptops, Tablets,
Kindles, etc. are acceptable for use in class.
Lab : Exercises provided by lecturer; Independent Lab report (select topic, prepare report
(~15 pages); extra credit - give a ~10-15 minute presentation on independent lab report.
Course Objectives : To introduce you to today’s major environmental issues and to provide you with the geological background to understand and evaluate those issues.
Course Grading : based on four lecture exams, lecture assignments, lab exercises, independent lab report/presentation, and class participation for a total of 100%. Exams 1-
3 = 45% (15% each); final exam = 15%; lecture assignments = 5%; lab exercises = 15%; lab report/presentation = 15%; class participation = 5%. Letter grades are assigned according to standard scale: 90% and above = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D, below 60 = F. You must pass the Lab to pass the course.
Attendance is expected . The level of difficulty of a science course requires attendance in order for the student to completely understand the material. Material presented in the lecture is intended to compliment the material presented in the text.
Classroom Behavior
It is the instructor’s right to remove from the classroom any student who disrupts or disturbs the proceeding of the class. Disruption of the class includes but is not limited to the use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, MP3 players; iPods, etc. unless prior approval has been given to a student or unless required for the course. In extreme cases the faculty member can request assistance from University Police. If the student who has been ejected causes similar disturbances in subsequent meetings of the class, he/she may be denied admittance to the class for the remainder of the semester and assigned a grade of F.
Reading Assignments : assignments listed on the attached schedule are from the required text and should be completed prior to class. The student is responsible for all reading material assigned, any handouts, and material presented in the lecture.
Make-up exams: make-up exams will be offered only to those students who present acceptable written excuses to the instructor. Acceptable excuses are those recognized by the University and approved by the instructor. Make-up exams will cover the same material as the original exam, however, may differ in format (e.g. essay).
Disability statement : If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability, which might affect your performance in class, please contact the Office of Disability
Services, 126 B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability Services office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.

USCA provides a Writing Center (CLAS 201) to assist you in your writing. The Writing
Center is staffed by friendly USCA students who are expert writers and who have been trained as writing consultants. If you need extra assistance on any writing assignment for this class or any other class you are taking, please try the Writing Center. You may make an appointment or just drop in. Operating hours are posted on the door. Telephone number is 649-6851, ext.3262.
Course schedule: T, TH 4:30 – 7:15 pm USCA Science Bldg Rm 212
Jan. 12T Introduction to Course
14Th Chp.1 Living with Earth Concepts
19T
26T
Chp.2 Earth Systems
21Th Chp.2 Earth System cont.
Chp.3 Geosphere & Plate Tectonics
28Th Chp.4 Geosphere Materials; Lab #1 (minerals)
Feb. 02T Chp.4 Geosphere Materials cont.; Lab #1 (rocks)
04Th
09T
Exam #1 (Chps. 1-4)
Chp.5 Earthquakes, Lab #2
11Th Chp.6 Volcanoes; select Independent Lab Topic
16T Chp.7 Rivers & Flooding; Lab #3
18Th Chp.7 Rivers & Flooding cont.
23T Chp.8 Unstable Land; Lab#4
25Th Chp. 9 Coastal Changes; Lab #5
Mar. 01T Chp. 9 Coastal Changes cont.
03Th Exam #2 (Chps. 5-9)
Spring Break 3/7 thru 3/11
15T Chp. 10 Water Resources Lab #6
17
Th
Chp.10 Water Resources cont.
22
T
Chp. 11 Soil Resources
24Th Chp.12 Mineral Resources; Lab #7
29
T
Chp.13 Energy Resources; Lab #8
31Th Exam #3 (Chps 10-12)
Apr. 05 T Chp.13 Energy Resources cont.
07Th Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change; Lab #9
12
T
Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change cont.
14Th Chp. 15 Managing Human Impact; Lab #10
19
T
Independent Lab Report Presentations
21Th Independent Lab Report Presentations
TBD Final Exam (Chps. 13-15)
cont. (Indep. Lab Rept. Due)