GEOL 21062 - Environmental Geology
Fall 2013 Syllabus
Instructor: David Singer
Meeting Times and Place: Monday, Wednesday; 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm; McGilvrey 339
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday 1-3 pm, or by appointment; McGilvrey 211
Course Description:
This course focuses on the fundamentals of physical geology (rock types, mineral identification,
plate tectonics, etc.), with an emphasis on human interaction with their environment. We will explore
natural processes and anthropogenic (human-impacted) effects on those processes in the context of
natural hazards, natural resources and sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
 Explain the dynamic behavior of the Earth as a complex system.
 Discuss issues related to human population growth and its impact on the natural world.
 Describe the interactions between tectonic plates and volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
 Explain the ways that people contribute to and mitigate damage as a result of natural disasters
like tsunamis, landslides, and flooding.
 Discuss evidence of global climate change and possible impacts of anthropogenic warming.
 Discuss the coastal processes and ways to prevent erosion.
 Describe appropriate locations for waste disposal.
 Explain the causes of soil, air and water pollution
In-Class Activities: listening to lecture, taking notes during lecture, participating in activities, exams.
No make-up exams will be given without a valid excuse such as a certified medical need or accident
report.
Out-of-Class Activities: reading textbook, completing in-class activities, one field trip (Details to be
announced by the end of September.)
Grading: Grades will be based on the following percent distribution:
Exam I: 25%
Exam II: 25%
Exam III: 30%
Participation during in-class activities: 20%
Reading Material and Resources: Reichard, J., 2013, Environmental Geology, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill,
ISBN-10: 0078096073
Kent Core Courses:
This course may be used to satisfy a Kent Core requirement in science. The Kent Core as a
whole is intended to broaden intellectual perspectives, foster ethical and humanitarian values, and
prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers.
GEOL 21062 - Environmental Geology
Fall 2013 Syllabus
Course Schedule:
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Date
8/26
8/28
9/2
9/4
9/9
9/11
9/16
9/18
9/23
9/25
9/30
10/2
10/7
10/9
10/14
10/16
10/21
10/23
10/28
10/30
11/4
11/6
11/11
11/13
11/18
11/20
11/25
11/27
12/2
12/4
Topic
Introduction
Introduction
NO CLASS – LABOR DAY
Earth Materials
Earth Materials
Watch “The Return of the Cuyahoga”
***submit a 1-page reflection by 9/16
Earth’s structure and plate tectonics
Earth’s structure and plate tectonics
EXAM I
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Mass wasting
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Mass wasting
Streams, flooding and coastal flooding
Soil resources
Soil resources
Water resources
Water resources
Mineral/Rock resources
Mineral/Rock resources
EXAM II
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels
Alternative energy resources
NO CLASS – VETERANS DAY OBSERVED
Alternative energy resources
Pollution and waste disposal
Pollution and waste disposal
Air resources (ozone hole, smog)
NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING RECESS
Global climate change
Global climate change
EXAM III, Final
Reading Assignment
Chapters 1 &2
Chapters 1 &2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapters 5, 6, & 7
Chapters 5, 6, & 7
Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Eby chapter 8
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
10:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 13
The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester. These changes will be
announced in class, and it is the students’ responsibility to attend class or make other necessary
arrangements to be aware of the situation.
GEOL 21062 - Environmental Geology
Fall 2013 Syllabus
Grading Policy:
The following will yield letter grades:
100-93 A; 92-90 A-; 89-87 B+; 86-83 B; 82-80 B-; 79-77 C+; 76-73 C; 72-70 COfficial dates:
The official registration deadline for this course is September 8th. University policy requires all students
to be officially registered in each class they are attending.
Students
who
are
not
officially
registered for a course by published deadlines should not be
attending classes and will not receive
credit or a grade for the course. Each student must confirm enrollment by checking his/her class
schedule (using Student Tools in FlashLine) prior to the deadline indicated. Registration errors must be
corrected prior to the deadline. Students are able to withdraw from any or all full-term courses through
November 3rd.
Statement concerning cheating and plagiarism:
University policy 3342-3-01.8 deals with the problem of academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism.
None of these will be tolerated in this class. The sanctions provided in this policy will be used to deal with
any violations. If you have any questions, please read the policy at:
http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/chap3/3-01-8.cfm and/or ask.
Statement regarding students with disabilities:
University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable
accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and
require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make
arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for
these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit www.kent.edu/sas for more
information on registration procedures).