Geology 101
Geology of Planet Earth
Spring 2016
Instructor: Karen Savage
Phone: (818) 677-2511 Office: Live oak Hall 1214, Office Hours: 9:30-10:30am TuTh and by appointment
Email: karen.savage@csun.edu
Meeting Time: TuTh11:00am-12:15pm and 12:30-1:45pm
Textbook: Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, 11th edition, by Tarbuck, Lutgens & Tasa
Course Objectives:
Geology of Planet Earth is a general survey course on the science of the Earth. The course is intended to provide
you with a basic understanding of your natural surroundings so that you may better enjoy them and make
informed decisions about the myriad of problems facing your physical environment. When you have completed
this course you will have gained a basic understanding of Earth materials (minerals and rocks) and of Earth
processes such as plate tectonic theory. You will have learned about resources derived from the environment
(fossil fuels and mineral ores) and hazards inherent in that same environment including earthquakes, volcanoes,
and landslides. You will understand how Geology applies to you as a resident of southern California and the
world. The level of difficulty of the material presented is appropriate for a college freshman who is not a science
major, thus anyone in the course should be able to earn a C or better if willing to put in the necessary study
time. Most students find that they earn better grades when they participate in study groups and complete extra
credit activities.
Geology is experiencing a boom-time growth surge in the areas of engineering geology, environmental
geology, and groundwater geology, and there are many jobs available here in southern California and other
places. The twin issues of energy and environment are critical to the world and are likely to remain so for many
years to come. So if this course interests you, you may want to consider geology for your future career.
Tentative Schedule:
Week 1
Jan 26, 28
Week 2
Feb 2, 4
Week 3
Feb 9, 11,
Week 4
Feb 16, 18
Week 5
Feb 23, 25
Week 6
Mar 1, 3
Week 7
Mar 8, 10
Week 8
Mar 15, 17
Mar 22, 24
Week 9
Mar 29, 31
Week 10
Apr 5, 7
Week 11
Apr 12, 14
Week 12
Apr 19, 21
Week 13
Apr 26, 28
Week 14
May 3, 5
Week 15
May 10, 12
Week 16
May 17, 19
Chapter(s)
Introduction to Geology
1
Plate Tectonics
2
Atoms and Minerals
3
Igneous Rocks and Volcanoes
4, 5
Weathering and Sediments, Exam 1 (Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, map)
6
Sedimentary Rocks
7
Metamorphic Rocks
8
Crustal Deformation, Exam 2 (Ch 5, 6, 7, 8)
10
Spring Break
Earthquakes, Cesar Chavez Holiday
11
Mass Wasting
15
Running Water
16
Ground Water, Exam 3 (Ch 10, 15, 16)
17
Shorelines
20
Global Climate Change
21
Geologic Time
9
May 17—Exam 4 (Ch 17, 20, 21, 9) 10:15a-12:15p (11:00am class)
May 19—Exam 4 (Ch 17, 20, 21, 9) 8:00a-10:00am (8:00am class)
The four exams will cover only the 4 chapters that precede them in the schedule. The final is semi-cumulative.
They consist of multiple choice, true-false and fill-in-the-blank questions. (20% each)
Semester Project: Instructions and ideas with be given out separately from the syllabus during the first few
weeks of classes. (10% of the semester grade).
Homework: There will be occasions when homework is assigned. This will comprise10% of the semester grade.
Exam schedule and breakdown of semester grade:
Exam 1
Feb 25
20%
Exam 2
Mar 17
20%
Exam 3
Apr 21
20%
Exam 4
May 17, or 19
20%
Semester Project
10%
Homework
10%
100%
I use the plus/minus grading system.
Grading Scale:
100-93.5=A, 93.4-90=A-, 89.4-86.5=B+, 86.4-83.5=B, 83.4-80=B-, 79.4-76.5=C+, 76.4-73.5=C, 73.4-70=C-,
69.4-66.5=D+, 66.4-63.5=D, 63.4-60=D-, ≤59.4=F
Dropping - Read the Schedule of Classes. If you decide that you don’t want to continue with this course, you
must drop the class– you will not be automatically dropped if you simply stop doing the work.
Additional InformationI adhere to CSUN’s policy on academic dishonesty. Cheating and plagiarism
will result in the assignment of a zero for the exam and notification to the Dean of
Students, which may result in disciplinary action. Plagiarism is knowingly representing
work done by others as one’s own.
Technology in the classroom:
Think about how you would feel if you were giving the presentation in this class and everyone had their heads
down interacting with their phones…would you feel like everyone was being rude? Please do not let that
happen. It is also very distracting to you and your classmates if you have your laptop, etc. open and you are not
taking notes, you are checking your facebook status or something else equally offensive. If you have an
emergency and you need to answer your phone, just take it outside. Please turn your ringer off when in class.
Other Key Points–
Your grade is non-negotiable. You will get all your work back graded and this will allow you to keep up with
your grade during the semester. If you would like to see me during the semester, that is what my office hours
are for and I will gladly work with you on how to study more effectively. By the last few weeks of class, it is too
late to consult on grades. I do not give you a grade, you earn it.
It is the responsibility of each student in this course to know and follow all written guidance given by the
instructor in this class.
These policies and schedules are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.