Tentative Syllabus Environmental Geology – 103 Spring 2014 Lecturer: Dr. Bob Van Pelt Day-time Ph: (803) 646-7355 E-Mail: Robert.vanpelt@srs.gov Vanpelt_robert@yahoo.com Office Hours: Immediately prior to or after class; other times by appointment 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), and give a 5-10 minute presentation) 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 13 = 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. Attendance is expected. The class policy is that any student missing more than 20 % (6 classes) of the classes without a University-accepted excuse will be subject to dismissal from the class and assigned a final grade of F. 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 – 7:00 pm USCA Science Bldg Rm 212 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May 14T 16Th 22T 23Th 28T 30Th 04T 06Th 11T 13Th 18T 20Th 25T 27Th 04T 06Th Introduction to Course Chp.1 Living with Earth Concepts Chp.2 Earth Systems Chp.2 Earth System cont. Chp.3 Geosphere & Plate Tectonics Chp.4 Geosphere Materials; Lab #1 Chp.4 Geosphere Materials cont.; Lab #1 Exam #1 (Chps. 1-4) Chp.5 Earthquakes, Lab #2 Chp.6 Volcanoes; select Independent Lab Topic Chp.7 Rivers & Flooding; Lab #3 Chp.7 Rivers & Flooding cont. Chp.8 Unstable Land; Lab#4 Chp. 9 Coastal Changes; Lab #5 Chp. 9 Coastal Changes cont. Exam #2 (Chps. 5-9) NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK (3/11, 3/13) 18T Chp.10 Water Resources, Lab #6 20Th Chp.10 Water Resources cont. 25T Chp.11 Soil Resources 27Th Chp.12 Mineral Resources; Lab #7 01T Chp. 13 Energy Resources 03Th Chp.13 Energy Resources cont. Lab #8 10T Exam #3 (Chps 10-12) 12Th Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change; Lab #9 17T Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change cont. 19Th Chp.15 Managing Human Impact Lab # 10 24T Independent Lab Report Presentations TBD Final Exam (Chps. 13-15)