GEOL 103: Environmental Earth Science - Tentative Syllabus
2015, 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 effects of these
hazards and the effects 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: 390 points (130 pts each) on three exams
75 points on one quiz
100 pts. team presentation
150 pts. comprehensive final exam
35 pts. class participation, including attending class
regularly and on time
750 pts. Subtotal
Laboratory -- 25% of class grade*
Maximum possible points:
30 pts. a 2-3 page, typed, double- spaced paper
220 pts. (20 pts each) on 11 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 points or better = A; 800 pts. or better = B; 700 pts.
or better = C; 600 pts. or better = D; less than 600 pts. = F.
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. 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. 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” or related topic. 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.
TOPIC CHOICES FOR LAB PAPER: 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? (to
achieve a sustainable quality of life) e) Katrina – what happened? f) Other?
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Chapters in Keller
Introduction & Fundamental Concepts
1, 2, 3
LAB: What Should/Would you do? (A&C);
Internal Earth Structure; Rocks and Minerals
2 LAB and FIELD TRIP: Minerals and Rocks; Plate Tectonics
3 Plate Tectonics cont’d; Natural Hazards; Earthquakes;
LAB: Earthquakes
5, 6
4 Volcanoes; LAB: Volcanoes; assign teams; Tsunamis; Ecology 7, 8, 4
June 1
8
9
10
11
EXAM #1(Ch. 1, 2, 3, 5)
Rivers and Flooding; Landslides
Coastal processes; LAB: Coastal Land Use
FIELD TRIP; Water; plan team presentation topic/assign tasks
15
16
17
18
Mineral Resources; LAB: Locating Mineral Resources
Water Pollution; EXAM #2 (Ch. 4, 6 – 10)
FIELD TRIP; Meteorites, etc.; Energy
Energy cont’d; LAB: Cost of Energy
22
23
24
25
Energy cont’d; Waste Disposal
in Ch. 19
Waste Disposal cont’d; EXAM #3 (Ch. 11 - 15)
FIELD TRIP
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS; Air pollution; Global Change
19, 18
29 QUIZ #1 (Ch. 16); Soils; Environmental Health & Society
30 LAB PAPER DUE; LAB: Urban Land Use; review
July
9, 10
11
13
15
14
12, 16
17, 19
1 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM, (including Ch. 17 – 19) (8 – 11am)