HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE NORTHWEST
COURSE OUTLINE FOR
Geol 1403 Physical Geology
Spring/2012
Class Number: 78860; Class Section: 0045
Time and location
6:00PM-9:00PM Days: Monday & Wednesday (Lecture & Lab; Room # 203). Spring Branch Campus.
Instructor
Bob Van Nieuwenhuise
Phone: 281-414-1241
The following two texts will be used:
E-mail:
robert.vannieuwenhuise@hccs.edu
Web site http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/r.vannieuwenhuise
Textbook
Laboratory Manual
Exercises in Physical Geology, 12/E, Prentice Hall
W. Kenneth Hamblin & James D Howard
Earth's Dynamic Systems by W. K. Hamblin and E.H. Christiansen
10th edition, Pearson Publishers, 2007
Buy used at Bookstore or download free WEB Edition at http://earthds.info/
Study Guide: http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_hamblin_eds_10
ISBN-10: 013144770X
ISBN-13: 9780131447707
Course Catalog Description
GEOL 1403 Physical Geology Credit: 4 (3 lecture, 3 lab)
This is the study of the nature of the earth, including the physical processes operating on and inside the earth. This
includes learning about rocks and minerals, topographic maps, geologic time, natural disasters and related topics through
both lecture discussions and laboratory applications. This is a Core Curriculum Course.
Prerequisites: Must be placed into college level-reading (or take GUST 0342 as a co-requisite) and be placed into
college-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349 as a co-requisite).
Course Intent
This course is intended as a science requirement course for students majoring in any program leading to an associate degree
or higher.
Course Content
See the course schedule below for the topics (listed by chapter title) that will be covered in this class. College level Earth
Science is very similar to Physical Geology, but will usually cover the topics in slightly less detail and will place a greater
emphasis on the interaction between man and his environment.
1
Attendance Policy
The HCCS attendance policy is stated in the Schedule of Classes: “Students are expected to attend classes regularly.
Students are responsible for materials covered during their absences, and it is the student's responsibility to consult with
instructors for make-up assignments. Class attendance is checked daily by instructors. Although it is the responsibility of the
student to drop a course for non-attendance, the instructor has full authority to drop a student for excessive absences. A
student may be dropped from a course for excessive absences after the student has accumulated absences in excess of
12.5% of the hours of instruction (including lecture and laboratory time).” This is only 4 days of unexcused absences.
HCCS is now monitoring this weekly. If circumstances prevent you from attending classes, please inform me. I realize
that sometimes outside circumstances can interfere with school, and I will try to be as accommodating as possible. Please be
aware of the attendance policy.
Last Day for Administrative and Student Withdrawals:
This date is stated in the Schedule of Classes as March 29th, 2012. After the withdrawal date no W can be given, you
must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course. I urge any student who is contemplating withdrawing from the class to
see me first! You may be doing better than you think. Either way, I want to be accessible and supportive. I do not believe in
"weed out" classes, and I consider you to be much more than just a name or number! If you need assistance, do not hesitate
to contact me (my phone number and e-mail address are listed above). I'm here to help.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Students who repeat a course three or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other
Texas public colleges and universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing
homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that
might be available.
Disability Support Services (DSS)
HCCS is committed to comply with the American with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504)
"Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to
arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office” If you have any special needs or disabilities which may affect your ability to succeed in college
classes or participate in college programs/activities, please contact the office of disability support services at the college.
Upon consultation and documentation, you will be provided with reasonable accommodations and/or modifications.
Please contact the DSS office as soon as you begin the term.
Also visit the ADA web site at: http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/index.htm. Faculty Handbook/ Faculty
Orientation is also available at http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/faculty.htm
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements.
Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by the college system against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Penalties can include a grade of "0" or "F" on the particular assignment, failure in the course, academic probation, or
even dismissal from the college. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and
collusion.
Laboratory Policy
On the first day of lab, a safety discussion will be given. Generally, our labs include lab manuals and inert materials. A weak
solution of HCL (10%) is used to test for calcite as a mineral or as a constituent in rocks. A safety discussion will be given.
2
Code of Conduct
Students are expected to behave in a mature respectable manner. Please review the code of conduct at this URL listed below
or go to the search box in the HCCS website (www.hccs.edu)
http://www.hccs.edu/portal/site/hccs/search?q=code+of+conduct&cx=016710568465236898797%3Atojgeb478o&cof=FORID%3A1
Exams and Make-up Policy
Examinations will consist of two non-cumulative regular exams plus a comprehensive final. Exams must be made-up.
Remember that the final exam will be comprehensive and is usually more difficult than the regular exam (meaning that it
will cover all of the material from the whole semester, not just the last part). If you do not miss any of the regular exams, I
will replace your lowest exam score with your final exam score if the final exam grade is higher.
Please note:
1) All students are required to take the final (no student can be exempted),
2) After the withdrawal date no W can be given. You must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course.
Assignments: Outside of laboratory reports, special assignments are normally not required.
Grading: The overall score is based on the following:
Two Lecture Exams
30%
Lab Exams
10%
Laboratory Reports (11)
30%
Pop Quizzes
10%
Final Exam
20%
Overall Score = 0.55(Average of three regular exams) + 0.20(Laboratory grade) + 0.25(Final Exam)
The course grade is then obtained from the overall score:
90 - 100
A
Final Average
Letter Grade
80 – 89
B
70 – 79
C
60 – 69
D
< 60
F
Other Information
A tutoring schedule will be posted in the classroom and lab for Geology 1403. Your best immediate source of information is
your textbook - make thorough use of it.
Important Dates:
01/17/2012:
Classes Begin
01/30/2012:
Official Day of Record, Any student not making at least one class by this date will be dropped.
02/20/2012:
President Day Holiday – no class
03/12-18/2012: Spring Break Holiday- No Classes 03/12/2012 or 03/14/2012
03/29/2012:
Last Day for Administrative/ Student Withdrawals with a grade of “W”, 4:30 PM
“After the withdrawal date no W can be given, you must receive a regular grade (A-F) in the course.”
04/06-08/2012:
05/06/2012:
05/07-13/2012:
05/09/2012:
05/14/2012:
05/18/2012:
Spring Holiday. This has no effect on our class.
Instruction Officially Ends
Final Exam Week & Finish Labs
Final Exam
Grades Due by Noon this Monday (Probably due by noon May 11th, 2012).
Grades Available to Students. I will provide before I give to the department.
General Suggestions
Always read your Chapters in advance. If you cannot read the entire chapter, read the summary in the back and then read the
details after the lecture. Be prepared. I will give ten (10) pop quizzes.
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COURSE SCHEDULE
CLASS
DATE
01 (W)
02 (M)
03 (W)
04 (M)
05 (W)
06 (M)
07 (W)
08 (M)
09 (W)
XX (M)
10 (W)
11 (M)
12 (W)
01/18
01/23
01/25
01/30
02/01
02/06
02/08
02/13
02/15
02/20
02/22
02/27
02/29
13 (M)
14 (W)
XX (M)
XX (W)
15 (M)
16 (W)
17 (M)
18 (W)
19 (M)
20 (W)
21 (M)
22 (W)
23 (M)
24 (W)
25 (M)
26 (W)
27 (M)
28 (W)
29 (M)
30 (W)
03/05
03/07
03/12
03/14
03/19
03/21
03/26
03/28
04/02
04/04
04/09
04/11
04/16
04/18
04/23
04/25
04/30
05/02
05/07
05/09
DISCUSSION TOPICS & ACTIVITIES
Introductions, Overview of Course, Chapter 1: Planet Earth; Chapter 2: Geologic Systems
Lab 1: Minerals; Learn critical minerals and their properties
Chapter 3: Minerals; Chapter 4: Igneous Rocks
Chapter 4: Igneous Rocks, Continued; Chapter 5: Sedimentary Rocks
Lab 2: Minerals: Learn critical minerals and their properties; Review Mineral Lab Exam I
Chapter 6: Metamorphic Rocks; Chapter 7: Structure of Rock Bodies
Lab Exam I: Minerals; Lab 2: Rocks (Lab Chapters 3, 4, 5)
Chapter 8: Geologic Time: Relational; Chapter 10 Weathering; Review Exam 1:
Exam 1 (Chapters 1-7) ; Lab 2: Rocks (Lab Chapters 3, 4, 5);
No Classes: President’s Day!
Chapter 17: Plate Tectonics: Continue (Lab 2: Chapters 3, 4, 5); Note: Religious Day
Chapter 11: Slope Systems (Mass Wasting); Chapter 12: River Systems (Fluvial)
Chapter 13: Groundwater Systems; Review for Rock Lab Exam II; Rocks; Lab 3: Exercise 6:
Grand Canyon
Lab Practical Exam II; Chapter 14: Glacial Systems
Finish Lab 3, Exercise 6: Grand Canyon; Lab 4: Exercise 10: Mass Movement;
SPRING Break, No Class.
SPRING Break, No Class.
Chapter 15: Shoreline Systems; Chapter 16: Eolian Systems; Review: Exam 2
Finish Lab 4: Exercise 10: Mass Movement; Exam 2 (Chapters 8, 10, 11, 12 13, 14, 17)
Chapter 18: Seismicity and Earthquakes
Lab 5: Exercise 7: Maps and Aerial Photos
Chapter 19: Divergent Plate Boundaries. Chapter 20: Transform Plate Boundaries
Lab 6: Exercise 17: Seismology; Lab 7: Exercise 18: Plate Tectonics
Chapter 21: Convergent Plate Boundaries; Chapter 22: Hot Spots & Plumes
Continue Lab 7; Lab 8, Exercises 19, 20: Divergent &Transform Boundaries
Chapter 24: Earth Resources; Lab 9: Chapter 16: Structural Geology
Continue Lab 9; Lab 10: Exercise 11: Ground Water;
Finish Lab 10; Lab 11: Chapter 6: Geologic Time
Finish up all labs.
Buffer Day: if behind. I will add a Lab if not
Buffer Day: if behind. I will add a Lab if not
REVIEW FINAL EXAM
FINAL EXAM
Chapter 23: Tectonics and Landscapes
EXAM SCHEDULE
FEBRUARY 8
Lab Practical I -
FEBRUARY 15
Lecture EXAM 1
– Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6 & 7
.
MARCH
Lab Practical II
-
.
Lecture Exam 2
–
5
MARCH
21
1133310111,12, 13, 14
MAY 14
FINAL EXAM
MINERALS
ROCKS
Chapters 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 &17
–
All Chapters
Note: Dates are subject to change
4
.