GEOLOGY 101 - PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
FALL 2015
This class and lab are a cell-phone and pager-free zone.
Dr. Allen Dennis
Office Hours: W, 10-12
224 Science; 641-3396 allend@usca.edu
Other times by appointment
(please write GEOL 101 at start of subject line!) Lab: 925-1205 T, Th; 140-420, Th; Class: 1215-130 T, Th.
Texts: Exploring Geology, 4th ed., Reynolds et al; 100 Topographic Maps, Debruhl, ed.
August
September
October
November
December
20
Plate Tectonics
48-73
25
27
Atomic structure, ions, bonding
Minerals
Ch. 4
74-105
1
3
Silicate minerals
(1st EXAM)
8
9
10
Bowen's Reaction Series
WPP due for Fall 15
Volcanoes and plutons
15
17
Igneous rocks
(2nd EXAM)
22
24
Weathering
Sedimentary Rocks-clastics
29
1
Chemical sedimentary rocks
Sedimentary Facies
106-137
138-169
444-463
170-203
6
8
(3 EXAM)
Metamorphic rocks
204-235
13
15
Metamorphic rocks
Earthquakes
326-363
20
22
Exam
Fall Break
27
29
31
Streams
Streams
Last date to drop with a grade of W
480-513
Groundwater
Groundwater
514-537
3
5
rd
10
12
Groundwater
Alpine Glaciation
17
19
Continental Glaciation
(5th EXAM)
24
26
Milankovitch Cycles
THANKSGIVING
1
3
Coastal geology
Coastal geology
The Final Exam for this class is scheduled for T Dec 8 at 11 am.
402-421
422-443
My objective for this class is that you learn a system of knowledge about earth materials and the processes that
are responsible for their formation. Because geology is an applied science, elements of chemistry, physics
and mathematics are required. Laboratory exercises stress practice of skills and methods of problemsolving that geologists use. Field trips are essential for making observations about the physical processes
that are active on earth, and applying lecture material. Frequent tests will allow you to monitor your
progress in mastering this system of applied knowledge.
If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in this
class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as possible. The
Office of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
Good writing is valued in this course. Please remember that written work that you produce in this class can be
included in your rising junior writing portfolio. For further information on the portfolio requirement
please consult your USCA Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin or visit Dr. Matt Miller, Director of
Writing Assessment, or Director of the Writing Room.
Grading: There will be five 30 minute exams (40 pts) and a final (80 pts). The highest score of five 30 minute
exams will be doubled. No exams will be made up, rescheduled or dropped.
Book report: You will be given a book list the first week of classes; You will choose a book from the list, read
it, and write a report on it for 30 points. Details on the report will be included on the book list.
Laboratory: 10 pts a week may be scored in the Laboratory. Scores will be based on written lab exercises.
There will be two 20 point quizzes:
240
Five exams + double the highest exam
47%
80
Final (T Dec 8 at 11 am)
16%
30
Book report (due by 5pm F 20 Nov)
6%
160
Lab Grade (120 + 40)
31%
510
Total Possible Points
Your grade will be assigned according to your total points: A > 459; B > 408; C > 357; D > 306; F < 306.
LABORATORY OUTLINE
Laboratory meets Tuesday (Sect 1), Thursday (Sect 2) 9:25-12:05, or Thursday (Sect 3) 1:40-4:20 in Sci 212.
Attendance is mandatory; missing more than 2 labs will result in an F for the course. Bring pencil with eraser
to lab.
Aug
25-27
Sept
1-3
Tectonics
8-10
MINERAL QUIZ; Introduction to topographic maps † 530-531
15-17
Igneous rock identification
22-24
*Igneous rock field trip*
29-1
*Sedimentary rock field trip*
6-8
Sed/Met rock id
13-15
*Meta Rox trip*
20-22
No lab
27-29
Streams †
Oct
Nov
3-5
Mineral identification
ROCK QUIZ
10-12
Dec
17-19
Glaciation †
24-26
No lab
1-3
Shorelines †
_________________________________________________________
There will be no makeup labs. † Bring 100 Topographic Maps book today.
* Field trip in USCA vehicles. Come in comfortable walking shoes and play clothes.
The use of any portable electronic devices (PED), incl. cell phones, pagers, MP3 players, iPods, etc., during any instructional time (class or lab) is not allowed for any reason
unless prior approval has been given to a student from the instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be turned
off and stowed for the duration of the class period. If you use a PED during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.