AGLY 103: Environmental Earth Science - Tentative Syllabus
2011, SUMMER SESSION II - 4 credit hours.
Instructor: Karin L. Willoughby, Office #207, Science Building.
Email: karinw@usca.edu; phone: # 641-3379
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 12:30 – 1 pm; and by appt.
Time: Lecture and Lab: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Text: Environmental Geology, Edward A. Keller (K)
Lab Manual: Environmental Issues, Astwood and Carpenter (A&C)
This course is designed to acquaint you with major aspects of human interaction
with the earth. Natural hazards caused by earth processes, the effect of these
hazards and the effect of human actions on the earth are all explored. Geologic
information will be used to study complex environmental problems. To be
successful, you will need to acquire knowledge about how the earth works, build
your ability to understand environmental issues, practice decision-making skills
for choosing among alternative environmental solutions and communicating that
knowledge and understanding to others in oral and written form.
Grading: Lecture -- 75% of class grade
Maximum possible points: 360 points (120 pts each) on three exams
120 points (60 pts each) on two quizzes
100 pts. team presentation
150 pts. comprehensive final exam
20 pts. class participation, including attending class
regularly and on time
750 pts. Subtotal
Laboratory -- 25% of class grade*
Maximum possible points: 50 pts. 2-3 page, typed double- spaced paper
200 pts. (20 pts each) on 10 lab and field
trip reports as graded in lab manual or as
written up, based on notes taken during
field trips
250 pts. Subtotal
* NOTE: Laboratory must be passed in order to pass the course. Grades are
based on: 900 pts or better = A; 800 pts or better = B; 700 pts or better = C; 600
pts or better = D; less than 600 pts = F.
TOPIC CHOICES FOR LAB PAPERS: a) pros and cons of Beach Nourishment.
b) practical tips for incorporating the "3R's" into your lifestyle. c) energy
analysis of your home/apartment (how much energy are you using?). d) What
choices do we really have to match population growth to available resources
(how can we achieve a sustainable quality of life)? e) Katrina – what happened?
Punctual and regular attendance is vital to completing all the assigned work of
this course. There will be no make-up teacher-led labs, field trips or class
lectures. The student is responsible for obtaining notes to missed material.
Make-up exams will be given only for emergencies considered acceptable to the
University and approved by the instructor. Only documented excuses (see
excuses accepted in the University Bulletin) will be approved.
If you have a physical, psychological and/or learning disability which might
affect your performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability
Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609), as soon as possible. The Disability
Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical
documentation.
TEAM PRESENTATION TOPIC: Each student must participate in an
oral/visual group presentation on the Three “R’s”. Grade will be based on quality
and quantity of individual research (turn in notes and references) and on
cooperative participation in the team effort to present research and useful tips
through a cohesive and interesting project.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
;
Chapters in Keller
June 30 Introduction & Fundamental Concepts
LAB: What Should/Would you do? (A&C);
Internal Earth Structure; Rocks and Minerals
July
Aug.
1, 2, 3
5 LAB and FIELD TRIP: Minerals and Rocks; Plate tectonics
6 Ecology; Intro. to Natural Hazards; Earthquakes;
assign teams; LAB: Earthquakes
4, 5, 6
7 QUIZ #1(Ch. 1-3); Volcanoes; Rivers and Flooding; Landslides
7, 8, 9
11 FIELD TRIP
12 Rivers and Landslides cont’d; Waste Disposal
17
13 EXAM# 1 (Ch. 4-7); plan your group presentation
14 Meet with your group and do research for presentations
18
19
20
21
Coastal processes; Water
Water Pollution; FIELD TRIP
FIELD TRIP
Mineral Resources; LAB: Locating Mineral Resources;
EXAM #2 (Ch. 8, 9, 17)
25
26
27
28
Energy; LAB: Cost of Energy
Energy cont’d; EXAM #3 (Ch. 10, 12, 13)
FIELD TRIP
LAB PAPER DUE; STUDENT PRESENTATIONS; Soils
10, 12
13
14
15
16
1 Extraterrestrial Objects; Global Change; QUIZ #2 (Ch. 14, 15) 11, 18
2 Environmental Health; Air Pollution; LAB: Urban Land Use;
review
19, 20
3 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
(8am – 11am)
New material for Final (Ch. 16, 11, 18, 19, 20)