Geology 102: Geology of Planet Earth Lab
Class # 16262, Fall 2014
When: Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:45 pm
Where: Eucalyptus Hall, room 2028
Instructor: Eric McDonald
Office: Live Oak Hall, room 1224
Office Hours: Mondays 2:00 - 4:00 pm, or by appointment
Email: eric.mcdonald.155@my.csun.edu
Required Textbook:
Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology, Second Edition, by Allan Ludman and Stephen
Marshak.
Course Objective
This course complements the Geology 101 lecture; we will apply concepts learned in lecture to
the lab exercises. The concepts from Geology 101 lecture will not also be taught in this Geology
102 lab. Topics include the geologic timescale, rock and mineral identification, plate tectonics,
topographic maps, natural resources, and natural hazards.
Policies
● You must check Moodle.csun.edu and your official CSUN email account regularly for
updates and communications regarding this class.
● There are absolutely no make-up labs, quizzes or exams.
● Attendance is mandatory, except during the two weeks of Moodle labs (see schedule).
● You must contact me one week in advance of all excusable absences to attempt to attend
another Geology 102 lab period.
● You must purchase and bring the required lab manual to class every time. We will be
working directly out of this book in every class.
● You will need to go over the assigned readings prior to lab every week; they will be
essential to your success.
● Bring a notebook and a printed copy of the lab to each class. The labs will be posted on
Moodle every week, but printed copies will not be supplied in the classroom.
● The Moodle labs require a computer with internet access.
● No laptops, tablets, or phones may be used for anything not directly related to Geology
101 coursework. I will ask you to leave if I see you using these devices inappropriately.
● Be respectful of your classmates. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Any
student that disrupts the class will be asked to leave.
● If, for any reason, you are asked to leave class, you will receive a 0% on your lab for that
day.
● Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to cheating,
fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and altering answers after I have
graded your work (Please refer to Appendix E of the University Catalog).
● If evidence of academic dishonesty is found, it will result in a failing grade for the class
and notification to the Dean of Students, which may result in disciplinary action. It’s not
worth it.
Grading
Lab Assignments
Quizzes
Final Exam
65%
15%
20%
Remember to bring a copy of the lab to class every week. Labs will be due at the end of the class
period and no make-ups will be available. However, each student’s lowest scoring lab will be
omitted from the final grade. All quizzes will be on Moodle with a 48 hour time limit. The
quizzes are cumulative and you may use your notebooks and lab manuals. There are no make-up
quizzes. The lab final will cover topics from all of the labs. There will be extra credit
opportunities throughout the semester. Incomplete “I” grades will not be given.
A (>92%)
(<60%)
A- (90-91.9%)
B+ (88-89.9%)
C+ (78-79.9%)
D+ (68-69.9%)
B (82-87.9%)
B- (80-81.9%)
C (72-77.9%)
C- (70-71.9%)
D (62-67.9%)
D- (60-61.9%)
F
Schedule
Date
Lab #
Lab Topic and Homework
Class?
Aug 27
0
Introduction
Yes
No class! Labor Day.
No
Sep 3
HW: Read Chapter 1 for Lab 1
Sep 10
1
● Setting the Stage for Learning About the
Earth
Yes
HW: Read Chapter 2 for Lab 2
Sep 17
2
● The Way the Earth Works: Examining Plate Yes
Tectonics
HW: Read Chapter 3 for Lab 3
Sep 24
3
● Minerals
Yes
HW: Read Chapters 4 & 5 for Labs 4 & 5
Sep 31
4&5
● Minerals, Rocks, and the Rock Cycle
● Using Igneous Rocks to Interpret Earth
History
Yes, and
Moodle Quiz 1
● Quiz 1
HW: Read Chapters 6 & 7 for Lab 6 & 7
Oct 8
6&7
● Using Sedimentary Rocks to Interpret Earth Yes
History
● Interpreting Metamorphic Rocks
HW: Read Chapter 17 for Lab 17
Oct 15
17
● Interpreting Geologic History: What
Happened and When Did It Happen?
Yes
HW: Read Chapter 9 for Lab 9
Oct 22
9
● Working with Topographic Maps
Yes
HW: Read Chapters 10 & 12 for Labs 10 & 12
Oct 29
10 & 12 No Class!
● Landscapes Formed by Streams
● Groundwater as a Landscape Former and
Resource
Moodle only,
and Moodle
Quiz 2
● Quiz 2
HW: Read Chapters 13 & 14 for Labs 13 & 14
Nov 5
13 & 14 No Class!
Moodle only
● Processes and Landforms in Arid
Environments
● Shoreline Landscapes
HW: Read Chapter 16 for Lab 16
No Class! Veterans’ Day
Nov 12
Nov 19
16
● Earthquakes and Seismology
No
Yes, and
● Review for the Lab Final
Moodle Quiz 3
● Quiz 3
Nov 26
Dec 3
Dec 10
No Class! Thanksgiving
● LAB FINAL EXAM
No Class! Final Exams for University
No
Yes
No
This syllabus is subject to change throughout the semester. Updates will be posted on the Moodle
page.