Tentative Syllabus
Environmental Geology – 103
Spring 2015
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
BobV@usca.edu
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 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 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 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.
13T
15Th
20T
22Th
27T
29Th
03T
05Th
10T
12Th
17T
19Th
24T
26Th
03T
05Th
10T
12Th
17T
19Th
24T
26Th
31T
02Th
07T
09Th
14T
16Th
21T
23Th
TBD
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 (minerals)
Chp.4 Geosphere Materials cont.; Lab #1 (rocks)
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 (Mar.8-15)
No Class Spring Break (Mar.8-15)
Chp.10 Water Resources Lab #6
Chp. 10 Water Resources cont.
Chp.11 Soil Resources
Chp.12 Mineral Resources; Lab #7
Chp. 13 Energy Resources
Chp.13 Energy Resources cont. Lab #8
Exam #3 (Chps 10-12)
Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change; Lab #9
Chp. 14 Atmosphere & Climate Change cont.
Chp.15 Managing Human Impact Lab # 10
Independent Lab Report Presentations
Independent Lab Report Presentations (Independent Lab report due)
Final Exam (Chps. 13-15)