COCHISE COLLEGE Cochise College provides accessible educational opportunities that are responsive to a diverse population and lead to constructive citizenship, meaningful careers, and lifelong learning. Cochise College is committed to continuous improvement in order to provide the best possible service. A key part of this commitment involves assessing student learning outcomes. Assessment, which occurs apart from the regular grading of student work, is conducted by faculty using tests, research papers, projects, presentations or standardized examinations to discover how well students who have passed a course actually achieved the expected learning goals. Faculty members analyze the results so they can develop strategies to help improve student learning in future classes. GLG 101 Introduction to Geology I-Physical Semester: Spring 2012 CRN Meeting Meeting Site Building Room 40911 Days MW Time 9:15 a.m. to noon Sierra Science 1101 Vista COURSE PROCEDURE SHEET Instructor Information: Instructor Name: Roger N. Weller Phone Number: 378-0905 (h) Email Address: weller@cochise.edu proton3@gmail.com Course Content Plate tectonics - a scientific revolution The rock cycle Matter and minerals Magma, igneous rocks, and intrusive activity Volcanoes and volcanic hazards Weathering and soil Sedimentary rocks Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks Geologic time Crustal deformation Earthquakes and earthquake hazards Earth's interior Divergent boundaries: origin and evolution of the ocean floor Convergent boundaries: origin of continents and mountains Mass wasting: the work of gravity Running water Ground water Glaciers and glaciation Deserts and winds Shorelines Energy and mineral resources Geology of the solar system Course Description: An introduction to the physical aspects of the Earth's crust. Includes scientific measurements, maps, and the scientific method; the hands-on identification and assessment of rocks and minerals; and basic geology—earth composition, surface processes, subsurface processes, investigative tools, geologic structures, geologic resources, and Earth history Prerequisites: None Course Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to do the following: 1. Solve problems that require scientific measurement using appropriate units and converting units of measurement from the English to the metric system. 2. Identify common rock-forming minerals using common field tests. 3. Identify igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks using common field tests. 4. Classify and describe plate boundaries and their associated physical features as well as the processes that occur along these boundaries. 5. Define plate tectonics and the forces that drive it. 6. Interpret continental and marine geologic structures to determine their evolution and origin. 7. Apply relative dating techniques to rock sequences to determine geologic history. 8. Calculate the absolute age of rocks and minerals from measured amounts of radioactive isotopes by using a formula and units of measurement. 9. Read and interpret land forms from topographic and geologic maps. 10. Identify and classify aeolian, marine, river, glacial, and lacustrine landforms and features. 11. Evaluate geologic hazards in specific situations such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Required Materials and Supplies: No textbook! This will save you a bunch of money. (So you can spend it on rocks at the Tucson Gem and Mineral shows in January/February.) Access to the Internet. The course materials are all located at http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/aawellerweb.htm or go to Google and search for “Roger Weller”; the first page that pops up is the geology home page. Class Information: Performance measures, conditions and standards. The student will be evaluated on the basis of performance on the following: Classroom tests (lowest test score will be dropped) Final (cannot be dropped) Internet term paper project Grading Scale and Distribution GRADING SCALE A B C D 90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % Grade Standards—for Cochise College SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION Term Paper Tests Final Exam 20% 60% 20% A: The highest academic grade possible; an honor grade which is not automatically given to a student who ranks highest in the course, but is reserved for accomplishment that is truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding. B: A grade that denotes achievement considerably above acceptable standards and mastery of course materials C: Indicates a satisfactory degree of attainment and is the least acceptable standard for graduation from college or additional studies within the discipline. This grade implies completion of the minimum outcomes identified in the course curriculum. D: Denotes a limited understanding of the subject matter, meeting only the minimum requirement for passing the course. This grade will not transfer to another institution of higher education nor is it acceptable for additional studies within the discipline. F: Indicates inadequate or unsatisfactory attainment, serious deficiency in understanding of course material, or failure to complete requirements of the course. (Note: The section above on grade standards is strongly recommended for inclusion on the course procedure sheet but is not required.) All tests will be announced one week in advance. Final will be on Wed. Dec. 12, 2011 during regular class hours. Examination Schedule: Note: The class schedule examination schedule and procedures in this class are subject to change in event of extenuating circumstances. Instructor Policies: Academic Dishonesty: Any student caught cheating on a test will receive a grade of zero % on that test and this score will not be dropped in the calculation of the student’s grade. A second offense will result in a grade of F and will be reported to the academic Standards Committee Attendance Students who miss more than three class/lab sessions may find themselves dropped from the course. If you must be absent, please make arrangements with the instructor prior to leaving. Students have until Monday of the week that precedes the final to officially drop from the course with a grade of W. Incomplete Grades These are highly discouraged, because if not made up in 1 semester, the grade reverts to an F. Successful completions of incompletes are less than 10%. Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations as a student at Cochise College, please contact the ADA coordinator at 515-5337.