UCC/UGC/ECCC
Proposal for Course Change
FAST TRACK
(Select if this will be a fast track item. Refer to Fast Track Policy for
eligibility)
If the changes included in this proposal are significant, attach copies of original and proposed
syllabi in approved university format.
1. Course subject and number: GLG 430
2. Units:
See upper and lower division undergraduate course definitions.
3. College:
CEFNS
5. Current Student Learning Outcomes of the
course.
4. Academic Unit:
4
SESES
Show the proposed changes in this column (if
applicable). Bold the proposed changes in this
column to differentiate from what is not
changing, and Bold with strikethrough what is
being deleted. (Resources & Examples for
Developing Course Learning Outcomes)
The goal of this course is to acquaint you with the
scientific study of landscapes. You will learn to
describe and interpret the origin of Earth’s surface
features. You will gain an understanding of the
geological processes that shape the landscape,
especially: fluvial, eolian, hillslopes, and glacial
processes, and you will learn about the surficial
materials that make up landforms.
6. Current title, description and units. Cut and
paste, in its entirety, from the current on-line
academic catalog* http://catalog.nau.edu/Catalog/.
GLG 430 – Geomorphology
Description: Interpretation of the development,
history, and significance of landforms. 3 hrs. lecture,
3 hrs. lab, plus field trips. Letter grade only.
4 units
Effective Fall 2013
The goal of this course is to acquaint you with
the scientific study of landscapes. You will
learn to describe landforms and interpret the
origin of Earth’s surface features and
materials. You will gain an understanding of
the surficial geological processes that shape
the landscape, especially: fluvial, eolian,
hillslopes, and glacial processes , and you will
learn about the surficial materials that make
up landforms.
Show the proposed changes in this column Bold
the proposed changes in this column to differentiate
from what is not changing, and Bold with
strikethrough what is being deleted.
GLG 430 259 – Principles of Geomorphology
Description: Interpretation of the development,
history, and significance of landforms. 3 hrs.
lecture, 3 hrs. lab, plus field trips. Cross List
with GSP 259. Letter grade only.
Prerequisite: (GLG 100 or GLG 110 or GLG 112 with
grade of B or better) or GLG 101) and (GLG 100L or
GLG 110L or GLG 112L with grade of B or better) or
GLG 103)
4 3 units
Prerequisite: [GLG 101 or (GLG 100 or GLG 112
with a grade of B or better)] or GSP 150 (GLG
100 or GLG 110 or GLG 112 with grade of B or
better) or GLG 101) and (GLG 100L or GLG 110L
or GLG 112L with grade of B or better) or GLG
103)
*if there has been a previously approved UCC/UGC/ECCC change since the last catalog year, please copy the approved
text from the proposal form into this field.
7. Justification for course change.
(1) Expand course offerings for lower-division GLG majors while reducing the current bulge in
upper-division course progression.
(2) Eliminate redundant course offering by cross-listing between GLG and GSP.
(3) Use efficiency to expand range of topics by offering a new advanced course in
geomorphology.
8. Effective BEGINNING of what term and year?
See effective dates calendar.
Fall 2014
IN THE FOLLOWING SECTION, COMPLETE ONLY WHAT IS CHANGING
CURRENT
Current course subject and number:
PROPOSED
Proposed course subject and number:
GLG 430
GLG 259
Current number of units:
Proposed number of units:
4
3
Current short course title:
Proposed short course title (max 30 characters):
GEOMORPHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF GEOMORPHOLOGY
Current long course title:
Proposed long course title (max 100 characters):
GEOMORPHOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF GEOMORPHOLOGY
Current grading option:
letter grade
pass/fail
or both
Current repeat for additional units:
Proposed grading option:
letter grade
pass/fail
or both
Proposed repeat for additional units:
Current max number of units:
Proposed max number of units:
Current prerequisite:
Proposed prerequisite (include rationale in the
(GLG 100 or GLG 110 or GLG 112 with grade of justification):
B or better) or GLG 101) and (GLG 100L or GLG [GLG 101 or (GLG 100 or GLG 112 with a grade
of B or better)] or GSP 150
110L or GLG 112L with grade of B or better) or
GLG 103)
Current co-requisite:
Proposed co-requisite (include rationale in the
justification):
Current co-convene with:
Proposed co-convene with:
Current cross list with:
Proposed cross list with:
NONE
GSP 259
Effective Fall 2013
9. Is this course in any plan (major, minor, or certificate) or sub plan (emphasis)? Yes
No
If yes, describe the impact. If applicable, include evidence of notification to and/or response
from each impacted academic unit.
Geology B.S.(all emphases), Geology Minor(elective), Environmental Science-Applied Geology
Emphasis; B.S., Earth Science-Secondary Education; B.S.Ed. All of these programs are
administered within a single academic unit (SESES).
10. Is there a related plan or sub plan change proposal being submitted?
If no, explain.
Substitute “GLG 259 + 259L” for “GLG 430”
Yes
No
11. Does this course include combined lecture and lab components?
Yes
If yes, include the units specific to each component in the course description above.
No
Answer 12-15 for UCC/ECCC only:
12. Is this course an approved Liberal Studies or Diversity course?
If yes, select all that apply.
Liberal Studies
Diversity
Yes
No
Yes
No
14. Is this course listed in the Course Equivalency Guide?
Yes
No
15. Is this course a Shared Unique Numbering (SUN) course?
Yes
No
13. Do you want to remove the Liberal Studies or Diversity designation?
If yes, select all that apply.
Liberal Studies
Diversity
Both
Both
FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN CAMPUS
Scott Galland
11/5/2013
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Department Chair/Unit Head (if appropriate)
Date
Chair of college curriculum committee
Date
Dean of college
Date
For Committee use only:
Effective Fall 2013
UCC/UGC Approval
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
EXTENDED CAMPUSES
Reviewed by Curriculum Process Associate
Date
Approvals:
Academic Unit Head
Date
Division Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized Learning)
Date
Division Administrator in Extended Campuses (Yuma, Yavapai, or Personalized Learning)
Date
Faculty Chair of Extended Campuses Curriculum Committee (Yuma, Yavapai, or
Personalized Learning)
Date
Chief Academic Officer; Extended Campuses (or Designee)
Date
Approved as submitted:
Yes
No
Approved as modified:
Yes
No
Effective Fall 2013
CURRENT SYLLABUS:
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
Department of Geology
Geomorphology (GLG 430)
Fall 2013
Instructor:
Teacher’s Assist:
Office Hours:
Credit Hours:
Lecture:
Lab:
Lee Amoroso (Geology Annex A212; 523-8965; (lee.amoroso@nau.edu)
Kurt Winner (kbw45@nau.edu), Taylor Beatrice Sanchez (tbs45@nau.edu)
Amoroso, Geology Annex A212: 10:30 – 12:30 MW or by appointment
4 (3 hr lecture, 3 hr lab, Saturday field trips)
12:45 - 2:00 TTh, Bldg. 21 Rm 223
1:50 - 4:50 M, Geology Rm 111 and in the field
Required Text:
Ritter, DF, Kochel, RC, and Miller JR. Process Geomorphology, 5th Edition.
Waveland Press
*Other readings will be required and posted under GLG 430/Readings on BBlearn.
Prerequisite:
Introductory Physical Geology or Physical Geography
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to geological processes that operate at the Earth’s surface and those that
were active during the recent geologic past.
Course Objectives:
The goal of this course is to acquaint you with the scientific study of landscapes. You will learn to
describe and interpret the origin of Earth’s surface features. You will gain an understanding of the
geological processes that shape the landscape, especially: fluvial, eolian, hillslopes, and glacial
processes, and you will learn about the surficial materials that make up landforms.
Course Requirements and Expectations:
You are expected to attend the lectures, laboratories, and field trips, and to study the assigned sections
in textbook, articles, and class handouts. All homework and laboratory assignments must be turned in on
time. No material will be accepted after the due date and there will be no make-up exams, unless by
prior arrangement.
Course Readings:
There will be periodic, relevant readings assigned. I expect to be able to discuss those readings in class,
so that we can answer critical questions pertaining to surface processes. While you will not be quizzed,
or graded on these discussions, the test content will NOT be limited to the text and my lectures.
Readings will always be included.
Field Trip:
The weekend field trip is mandatory. We will be traveling to the Lee’s Ferry area that has good
exposures of Colorado River related gravels, landslide deposits, and eolian features. We will discuss the
trip in much greater detail as it approaches.
Effective Fall 2013
Course Grading: Your final grade will be based 65% on exams and quizzes, and 35% on lab and other
assignments:
Two “midterm” exams
Comprehensive final exam
Quizzes
Laboratory, field, and homework assignments
Research topic presentation
(Sep 26, Oct 31)
(December 16 -12:30 to 2:30pm)
(approximately weekly)
(throughout semester)
(December 3-12)
24% (2@12%)
15%
15%
35%
11%
Final Grade: Your final letter grade will be no lower than the following: 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C;
60% = D. Cutoffs may be adjusted downward. Your final score is calculated as the ratio of the points
that you earned versus the total number of available points, weighted according to the factors shown
above.
Exams:
Exams will emphasize material discussed in lecture, lab, and field trips, and contained in the textbook
and outside readings. Exams will include a variety of question formats to gauge both the depth and the
breadth of your understanding of the material. Exams will include only material covered since the
previous exam (i.e., they are not comprehensive), except the final, which will include an additional
comprehensive exam worth 5% of your final grade. The comprehensive portion will be based on
identification and interpretation of landforms seen in photos viewed in previous lectures.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will test your understanding of material covered in reading assignments. Quizzes will take place
on the day that the reading assignment is due and will comprise a few terms or questions from a short
study guide. Quizzes will be graded on a ten-point scale and the lowest score will be dropped. No
make-up quizzes will be allowed without an institutional or medical release form.
Research Topic Presentation:
You will choose a research topic relevant to geomorphology and interesting to you by November 1st, and
then present the topic to the class during our last meetings in December. I will provide a rubric
describing how you will be evaluated.
Laboratory and Field Exercises, and Other Homework:
Experience in the laboratory and in the field are essential components of this course. These will stress
the applied aspects of geomorphology. The TA for the class has primary responsibly for the lab part of
the course and will explain their policies separately.
Extra Credit:
There will be an extra credit question worth 5-10 points based on the assigned reading in each exam.
NAU Policies:
This course will adhere to policies set forth by NAU. Please see me or consult your Student Handbook
about any of the following: (1) The Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy seeks to prohibit
discrimination and promote the safety of all individuals within the university. (2) Students with disabilities
may make arrangements for class assignments so your academic performance will not suffer because of
the disability. (3) The university takes an extremely serious view of violations of academic integrity. It is
dedicated to promoting an atmosphere of honesty and is committed to maintaining the academic integrity
essential to the educational process. (4) It is the responsibility of each student to behave in a manner
that does not interrupt or disrupt the delivery of education by faculty members or receipt of education by
students, within or outside the classroom.
Effective Fall 2013
Course Outline:
Wk
1
Mont
h
Aug
2
Sep
3
4
5
6
Oct
7
Day
29
3
5
10
12
17
19
24
26
1
3
8
10
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Lecture topic
Introduction
Fluvial Processes
Fluvial Processes
Fluvial Landforms
guest lecture Dr. Kyle
House USGS
Grand Canyon hydraulics
Alluvial Fans
Journal Article Discussion
Exam 1
Eolian Intro
Eolian
Soils & Chemical
Weathering
Soils & Chemical
Weathering
Chapter
1, 2
5
6
7
Laboratory or field topic
No lab-Labor Day
Landforms of the United States.
FIELD: Walnut Creek geomorph
Terraces/River discharge
8
Eolian geomorphology
3
Urban geomorphology
Physical Weathering,
mass movement
4 Humans as geomorphic agents
Hillslope processes
Mass Wasting/ LF Field
22 Trip Prep
FIELD: Elden weathering
Guest Lecture – Dr.
24 Margaret Hiza
FIELD TRIP: Friday (25th) - Sunday (27th) –Lees Ferry area, northern Arizona
29 Mass Wasting
Landslides and factor of safety
31 Exam 2
Mass Wasting (topics
Nov
5 due)
Hillslope lab
Climate change and
7 tectonic forcing
FIELD TRIP: Saturday (9th) – Grand Falls
12 Glacial Processes
9,10 Veteran’s Day – no lab!
Periglacial
14 geomorphology
11
Karst and Coastal
19 Processes/Landforms
12,13 Glacial maps and photos
Paleoseismology/Tectoni
21 cs
26 To be announced
Karst and Beaches
29 Thanksgiving
Research topic
Dec
3 presentations
Glacial processes and landforms
Research topic
5 presentations
Research topic
10 presentations
Research topic
12 presentations/ Review
Final Exam December 16 12:30 to 2:30 pm
15
17
Note: This schedule is subject to change.
Effective Fall 2013
PROPOSED SYLLABUS:
College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
AND
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Geography, Planning and Recreation
Principles of Geomorphology (GLG/GSP 259)
Spring 2015
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Credit Hours:
Lecture:
Required Text:
Prerequisite:
XXXXXXXX (Office; Phone; Email)
XXXXXXXX
3 (additional lab credit available, see below)
XXXXXX
Ritter, DF, Kochel, RC, and Miller JR. Process Geomorphology, 5th Edition
Waveland Press, ISBN 13: 978-1-57766-669-1
*Other readings will be required and posted on BBlearn
Intro. Physical Geology (GLG100 or GLG112 with grade of B or better) or GLG 101,
or Physical Geography (GSP150)
Lab course:
A co-convened laboratory/field class (GLG259L) is required for Geology majors. It is optional for other
students if space is available (most seats are reserved for Geology majors).
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to landforms and earth surface processes responsible for landform
development. In other words, this is an introductory course in Geomorphology. A geologic/geographic
approach is used to explore spatial and temporal interactions between the earth’s solid surface and the
major geomorphic forces that act upon it, including tectonics, gravity, climate, humans, and flowing water,
air, and ice. The course presents a global perspective, but with there will be some emphasis placed on
the North American continent and the U.S. Southwest. Temporal scales range from millions of years to
seconds and spatial scales range from continents and mountain systems to sand ripples and grooved
bedrock.
Course Objectives:
The goal of this course is to acquaint you with the scientific study of landscapes. You will learn to
describe landforms and interpret the origin of Earth’s surface features and materials. You will gain an
understanding of the surficial processes that shape the landscape, especially: fluvial, eolian, hillslopes,
and glacial processes.
Course Requirements and Expectations:
You are expected to attend the lectures and to study the assigned sections in textbook, articles, and
class handouts. All assignments must be turned in on time. No material will be accepted after the due
date and there will be no make-up exams, unless by prior arrangement.
Course Readings:
There will be periodic, relevant readings assigned. I expect to be able to discuss those readings in class,
so that we can answer critical questions pertaining to surface processes. While you will not be quizzed,
Effective Fall 2013
or graded on these discussions, the test content will NOT be limited to the text and my lectures.
Readings will always be included.
Course Grading:
Your final grade will be based 50% on exams and 50% on other course components:
Three “midterm” exams (3@12.5%)
Comprehensive final exam
Quizzes
Homework assignments
Research topic presentation
(dates)
(date)
(approximately weekly)
(approximately weekly)
(last week of classes)
37.5%
12.5%
10%
30%
10%
Final Grade: Your final letter grade will be no lower than the following: 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% =
C; 60% = D. Cutoffs may be adjusted downward. Your final score is calculated as the ratio of the
points that you earned versus the total number of available points, weighted according to the
factors shown above.
Exams: Exams will emphasize material discussed in lecture and contained in the textbook and outside
readings. Exams will include a variety of question formats to gauge both the depth and the breadth of
your understanding of the material. Exams will include only material covered since the previous exam
(i.e., they are not comprehensive), except the final, which will include an additional comprehensive exam
worth 5% of your final grade. The comprehensive portion will be based on identification and
interpretation of landforms seen in photos viewed in previous lectures.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will test your understanding of material covered in reading assignments. Quizzes will take place
on the day that the reading assignment is due and will comprise a few terms or questions from a short
study guide. Quizzes will be graded on a ten-point scale and the lowest score will be dropped. No
make-up quizzes will be allowed without an institutional or medical release form.
Research Topic Presentation:
You will choose a research topic relevant to geomorphology and interesting to you by November 1st, and
then present the topic to the class during our last meetings in December. I will provide a rubric
describing how you will be evaluated.
Extra Credit:
There will be an extra credit question worth 5-10 points based on the assigned reading in each exam.
NAU Policies:
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional Review
Board, and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus.
Course Outline:
Wk
Day
1
2
3
4
5
6
Effective Fall 2013
Lecture topic
introduction
fluvial processes
fluvial processes
fluvial landforms
tilted rocks
surficial maps
Chapter
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Effective Fall 2013
weathering
soils
mass wasting
folds, joints, faults
volcanic landforms
glacier processes
glacier landforms
glaciers and climate change
presentations