COURSE OUTLINE – GEOL 1404 – HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
Spring 2012
Class Number: 33124
Time and Location
8:30 pm -4:00 pm-M-W
Room - S-114, Stafford
Instructor:
Dr Ravindra (Ravi) Tipnis.
Office Hours in Room – S -114
Email: ravindra.tipnis@hccs.edu
Web site http://learning.swc.hccs.edu-
Free online Tutorial: http://hccs.askonline.net/
Textbook
The Earth Through Time. 9th. Edition. Authors: Harold L. Levin
ISBN: 0-471-69743-5. John Wiley & Sons. 2006.
LAB requirements
Laboratory Studies in Earth History by Harold L. Levin & Michael S. Smith,
McGraw Hill , 9 th Edition [Optional]
Course Catalog Description
Study of the Principles of Geologic Time, Fossils and Evolution, and Earth’s Ancient
History through Geologic Time
Course Prerequisites
Must be placed into GUST 0342 (or higher) in reading and ENGL 0310/0349 (or higher) in writing.
Course Intent
This course is intended for students majoring in one of the physical sciences or life sciences. It is also beneficial to students who are preparing themselves for higher level science courses in their respective curricula.
It strives to provide:

Transferable Science core electives to the cross discipline major.

Scientific instruction to a culturally diverse student body.
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
Information to strengthen the problem-solving abilities of those who are deficient in Science and Mathematics.

The tools necessary to interpret geological conditions and predict phenomena that may affect the student in his or her future.
Course Content
The common core elements which comprise 80% of the course are:
Principles of Geology
Understanding Concept of Geologic Time
Evolution and Fossils
Chronologic Events in Earths History through Geologic Time
Determination of Ancient Environments, Climates and Depositional Events
via study of Maps & Interpretation of Geologic Sections
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 their responsibility to consult with instructors for make up assignments”. Class attendance is checked daily.
“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”.
If circumstances significantly 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, but please be aware of the attendance policy.
Last day for Administrative and Student Withdrawals.
This date is April 22.
I urge any student who is contemplating withdrawing from the class to visit with me first.
You may be doing better than you think. Note my office hours if you need assistance.
DISABILITY and SUPPORT SERVICES
HCCS is committed to compliance with
“The American with Disabilities and the
Rehabilitation Act 1973, Section 504”.
If you have any special needs or disabilities that may affect your ability to succeed in class or to participate in activities, contact the office of Disability Support Services. Upon consultation, one will be provided with reasonable accommodations.
DSS office contact is Dr. Becky Hauri at 713- 718 7909.
Academic Honesty
* You are expected to comply with the guidelines and policies in the HCCS student handbook.
* Cheating in class examinations will result in a grade “F”, and possible expulsion from the college.
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HCCS Sexual Harassment Policy
HCC shall provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is not tolerated at HCC.
Any student who feels that he or she is the victim of sexual harassment has the right to seek redress of the grievance. HCC provides procedures for reviewing and resolving such complaints through its Grievance Policy. Substantiated accusations may result in disciplinary action against the offender, up to and including termination of the employee or suspension of the student. In addition, complainants who make accusations of sexual harassment in bad faith may be subject to equivalent disciplinary action.
Examinations
There will be two tests (Test 1 and Test 2) during the semester. Also there will be about four Assignments/Quizzes during the semester and one Final Examination at the end of the semester, based on lectures (from the Text book). All quizzes (pre-announced) will be given during the normal class period. There are no make-ups.
A Term Paper (written report) on an assigned topic (also presented orally), is expected from each student. It is due on or before April 28.
Although there is no formal Lab Exam all Lab Activity will be turned in at the end of the class for review. Lab completion is a must for receiving Course Grade.
Class Participation
The 15% included in this category addresses will not only take into account on-time completion of Labs but also tardy behavior, walking in-out of class-room or sleeping in the class.
Grades
Class Participation [Labs] 15%
Term Paper 15%
Tests 1 & 2 30%
Assignments/Quizzes
Final Exam
25%
15%
The letter grade used corresponds as follows:
“A” is equivalent to 90-100%
“B” is equivalent to 80- 89%
“C” is equivalent to 70- 79%
“D” is equivalent to 60- 69%
Other Information
The use of cell phones during class is prohibited.
All students are required to write and present verbally a Term Paper.
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Preliminary Schedule
Week # 1 Introduction to the Historic Geology [February 11, 2010]
Chapter 1. Science of Historic Geology
Chapter 2. Principles of Geology
No Lab
Week # 2 Geologic Time Review [February 18, 2012]
Chapter 3. Geologic Time
Chapter 4. Rocks & Minerals-Mini Review
Chapter 7. Plate Tectonics
LAB: Geologic Time/Principles of Geology
Take Home Assignment # 1 [5 points]
Week # 3 Emphasis on Fossils & Sedimentary Rocks [February 25, 2012]
Chapter 5 Sedimentary Archives
Chapter 6 Fossils-Life on Earth
LAB: Sedimentary Rocks/Environments
Week # 4 Review for TEST 1 [Chapters 1 to 6] March 3, 2012
Test 1
Take Home Assignment #2: Plate Tectonics
Week # 5 Earth’s Earliest Rocks [March 10, 2012],
Chapter 8. Archaen
Chapter 9. Proterozoic
LAB: Ancient Shorelines & Paleogeography
Week # 6 Paleozoic Historical Geology [March 24, 2012]
Chapter 10. Early Paleozoic
Chapter 11. Late Paleozoic
LAB: Review Paleozoic Fossils/Fossil Groups [Ch 12]
Week # 7 TEST 2 [Includes Chapters 7 to 12] [April 01, 2012]
Take Home assignment No 3: Mass Extinctions - PALEOZOIC
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Week # 8 Mesozoic Historical Geology [April 08, 2012]
Chapter 13. Mesozoic Events
Chapter 14. Mesozoic Life
LAB: Review Mesozoic Fossils/Fossil Groups
Week # 9 Cenozoic Historical Geology [April 15, 2012]
Chapter15. Cenozoic Historical Geology
Chapter16. Cenozoic Life
Take Home Assignment No 4: Mass Extinctions : Post Paleozoic :
Week # 10 Human Origins [April 22, 2012]
Chapter 18. Human Origins
Take Home assignment No 5: Glaciation
Week # 10 Project Presentation [Alphabetically]> April 29, 2012
Week # 11 Final Exam Review [70% from Chs 13 to 19; 30 % Chs 1 to 12]>
May 5, 2012l
33124 FINAL EXAMINATION : Saturday May 12 @ 9:00 pm
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