Department: Physical Sciences (Geology)
PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Spring 2013
Geol 1403 - 111 Crn# 40401
Course location and
times:
Missouri City Campus
(Rms: 213/217)
Tuesday/Thursday: 2.00 pm-6.00 pm
Course semester
credit hours:
Course contact hours:
Course length:
Instruction type:
4 Semester Credit hours
Instructor:
Ravindra (Ravi) S.Tipnis, PhD.
Phone:
713-718-7773
Email address:
ravindra.tipnis@hccs.edu
Office location and
hours:
(By appointment)
T/Th
96 total hours
12 weeks
In-person Lecture
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to enable students to use fact and observations to
make geologic interpretations about geologic processes operating today and in the
past. Key questions to be addressed include a. major elements of plate tectonics and
internal processes, b. external processes and how they modify the landscapes, c.
impact of geologic processes on local environment and review and understanding of
earth materials (minerals & rocks).
The students with learn to use interpret data from Topographic Maps, Rocks &
Minerals and also undertake a Group Project (Faults in Houston Area) and a Research
Report on a topic related to Plate Tectonics.
Course Prerequisites:
Completion of developmental English classes (ENGL 0310/0349 or higher), or
passing grades on the English portion of the college assessment exam, and GUST
0342 are requirements.
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Course Goals:
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.
Student Learning Outcomes
Academic Discipline/CTE Program Learning Outcomes
Program SLO #_ 1 _: Students will recognize scientific and quantitative methods. Students will
evaluate the differences of scientific approaches and communicate these findings, analyses, and
interpretations in oral and written communication.
Program SLO #_ 2 _: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems
facing modern science, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, religion, and public
policies.
Program SLO #_ 3 _: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science
and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.
Program SLO #_ 4 _: Students will identify and recognize the differences in competing scientific
theories.
Course Student Learning Outcomes (SLO): 4 to 7
1. Level 1: Knowledge: 1. Define Physical Geology in terms of the Earth's materials, features, and
processes that shape landforms. 2. Define the formation and position of the Earth in the Solar
System. 3. Define the major features of the Oceanic and Continental Crusts. Level 3: Application
1. Interpretation and application of topographic maps and geologic profiles. Level 4: Analysis 1.
Analyze, organize and contrast Minerals and Rocks in terms of physical properties, textures, and
compositions. Level 6: Evaluation 1. Evaluate the models of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics.
Learning Objective
Learning Objectives (Numbering system should be linked to SLO - e.g., 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, etc.)
Level 1: Knowledge:
1. Define Physical Geology in terms of the Earth's materials, features, and processes
that shape landforms.
2. Define the formation and position of the Earth in the Solar System.
3. Define the major features of the Oceanic and Continental Crusts.
Level 3: Application
1. Interpretation and application of topographic maps and geologic profiles.
Level 4: Analysis
1. Analyze, organize and contrast Minerals and Rocks in terms of physical
properties, textures, and compositions.
Level 6: Evaluation
1. Evaluate the models of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics.
1. Level 1: Knowledge:
2
1. Name the Geological terms used in describing Earth's materials, features, and
processes that shape landforms.
2. Identify the position of the Earth in the Solar System.
3. Identify the major of the Oceanic and Continental Crusts.
Level 3: Application
1. Read, interpret, analyze and understand topographic maps and geological profiles
in terms of relief, contour intervals, and elevation.
2. Construction of topographic maps based on field data.
3. Construction of a Geological Profile of a major US landform
Level 4: Analysis
1. Construction of charts to organize and contrast mineral properties, rock textures
and compositions
Level 6: Evaluation
1. Defend or criticize the explanation for Continental Drift.
2. Evaluate the drift of the continents from the formation of Pangaea to present day
positions.
3. Justify Plate Tectonic Theory and how it relates to earthquake and volcanic
hazard assessment.
Classroom discussion, take-home assignments, written examination and
laboratory exercises/exams will measure the student’s achievements as
part of successful course completion.
Course Calendar:
Week
Lecture Schedule
EARTH SYSTEM
2/12 & 2/14
Week 1
2/19 & 2/21
Week 2
Lab Schedule
LAB 1-Plate Tectonics
Chs.1 & 2: Introduction to Dynamic Earth
& Plate Tectonics
Ch. 2 : Plate Tectonics (continued) & Ch 3Minerals
Take Home Assignment 1> Plate TectonicsAttached To Syllabus
LAB 2- Plate Tectonics
[continued]
Review Test 1
2/26 & 2/28
TEST 1 # 1 [Chs 1 & 2]
LAB 3-Minerals
Week 3
Ch. 4 : Igneous Rocks
3/5 & 3/7
LAB 4-Igneous Rocks
Ch.12- Volcanoes/Igneous rocks
3
Week 4
TEST 2 Minerals & Igneous Rocks (Chs 3, 4
& 12)
Assignment 2 – Yellowstone Supervolcano
3/19 & 3/21
Chs. 5 & 6 Sedimentary & Metamorphic Rocks
LAB EXAM 1Minerals & Igneous
Rocks
Ch. 8: Geologic Time
LAB EXAM 1
Week 5
3/26 and
3/28
Ch. 7: Rock Deformation
Week 6
Geologic Time Labs
“Take Home Assignment 3”-MASS
EXTINCTION
Review for Test 3
4/2 and 4/4
LABS on Geologic
Time
TEST 3- Chs 5, 6 , 7 & 8
Week 7
4/9 to 4/11
Chs. 13 & 14 > Earthquakes & Interior of Earth
Week 8
EARTHQUAKE LAB &
LAB 9-Intro to
Topographic Maps
Assignment 4 Japan Tsunami
Withdrawal Date April 9, 2013
]
4/16 & 4/18
Ch. 9 Planetary Geology
Ch 11: Geobiology
Topographic Maps
continued
4/23 to 4/25
TEST 4 [Chs 9, 11, 13 &14 ]-
Topographic Maps
Week 10
“Take Home Assignment 4”
LAB EXAM 2Topographic MapsLAB 9
Week 9
4/30 & 5/2
Ch. 16: Weathering/Erosion & Mass Wasting
Ch. 17: Hydrological Cycle
Week 11
Ch 18: Ground Water
Ch 19: Aeolian-Wind
5/7 & 5/9
TEST 5: Chs 16, 17, 18 & 19
Ch 20-Marine Processes
Ch 23-Energy & Environment
Week 12
No Lab-only lectures
Review for Final
Exam
Extra Credit Report
4
Due
Exam
Week
Final Exam [Chs 20 & 23- 40%],
May 7- May [Chs 2, 9, 11, 13- 60%]
13
Final Exam > 5/9/13, 2.30 pm-4.30 Pm Room
213
Note that your instructor reserves the right to change the schedule as needed at
any point during the course.
Instruction Methods:
Physical Geology has become a very useful subject for understanding dynamic geologic
activities such as Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Volcanoes and shoreline changes as well as
topics related to Energy and Environment.
While the primary focus of the course will be on recommended text book covered
through class lectures including illustrations, animations; considerable knowledge in this
field can be gained through assignments, labs and group activities. Thus, the Lecture
material will not only correspond to the topics covered in the required textbook, but will
also include more details on certain specific topics. Topics and concepts covered during
lecture or included in the assigned reading will be included in exams.
Additional Instructional activity will include mandatory Lab Component that will cover
numerous laboratory exercises from the Lab Manual and also “hands on” activities such
as mineral and rock identifications. Cooperative group work is encouraged.
Text Books
Lecture: Understanding Earth, 6th Edition, John Gotzinger & Tom Jordan; Freeman
& Co Publishers., ISBN -13:978-1-4292-1951-8; ISBN-10: 1-4292-1951-3 [2010]
Laboratory: Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology, 9th Edn: Edited by R.M.
Busch; Prentice-Hall Publishers
Student Assignments:
& Exams
Student Assessments:
Students are required to read assigned chapters/materials and
complete “Take Home Assignments” 1 thru 5 (see above).
Each assignment is due after “one” week. These will make up
20% of the Total Grade.
Test 1 to 5 will make up 40% of Total Grade. One (1) of the
tests will be dropped but student should take all five
tests.
Students will be evaluated using the Tests , Assignments, Lab
Activity & Final Exam.
Extra Credit “Task” will include a “Group Project” with each
group consisting of not more than “2” students that will review
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the “Faults in Greater Houston Area” & their Impact on
Houston Real Estate & Construction [on or before May 7,
2013]
Instructional Materials:
HCC Policy Statement:
ADA
HCC Policy Statement:
Academic Honesty
HCC Policy Statement:
Student attendance,
repeaters, withdrawal
deadline
See Above
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. Instructors are authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office. If you have any special needs or
disabilities that may affect your ability to succeed in college
classes or participate in any college programs or activities,
please contact the DSS office for assistance. At Southwest
College, contact:
Dr. Becky Hauri
5407 Gulfton
Houston, Texas 77081
Phone: 713-718-7909
Fax: 713-718-7781
TTY: 713-718-7909
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.
Attendance
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.
Instructors check class attendance daily. 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).
Habitual tardiness is considered an unprofessional
behavior. This includes missing the remainder of lecture
after a “lecture-break; walking in & out in a “freelance
manner; talking/texting in class; responding to cell
phones amongst others. Students are expected to be in
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attendance for the entirety of the scheduled class and are
responsible for completing assignments scheduled
during their absence/s. It is the responsibility of each
student to amend their professional/personal schedule to
meet the class schedule.
Repeaters
Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may
soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other
Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your
instructor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other
assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are
not receiving passing grades.
Withdrawals
Withdrawal from the course after the official day of record (see
current catalog) will result in a final grade of “W” on the
student transcript and no credit will be awarded. It is the
student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a request for
withdrawal from any course. Students will be required to
formally request a drop from their instructors prior to the
administrative drop date deadline (April 4, 2013).
Abandoning the course or failing to formally drop, will result in
a grade being given based on the work completed for the
entire course (including missed exams).
The State of Texas has begun to impose penalties on
students who drop courses excessively. For example, if you
repeat the same course more than twice, you have to pay
extra tuition. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature
passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more
than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational
career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
Receiving a "W" in a course may affect the status of your
student Visa. Once a W is given for the course, it will not be
changed to an F because of the visa consideration. Please
contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you
have any questions about your visa status and other transfer
issues
Instructor Requirements:
Basic requirements
Students should be on time for class and be prepared with required materials including
textbook and lab manual. Full class attendance is required including lecture and lab
portions. Full attention during lecture is required.
Phones/electronic devices
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Absolutely no phone or other personal electronic devices are to be used during class
(lecture and lab). This includes making or taking a call, reviewing messages, texting,
playing games, checking email, surfing the web, anything that involves a phone or other
personal electronic device. If your work or family situation requires that you be available
via phone, your phone can be on vibrate mode and you can take the call during our
regular scheduled breaks or you can exit the class to review the call. Notify your friends,
family, employers, and anyone else who regularly contacts you that you will be in class
and that you should be contacted only when necessary. The taking of calls during class
is not only disruptive but it is also discourteous to classmates and the instructor.
Testing procedures
Be sure to arrive early for your examinations. There are time limits for exams. You will
not be given extended time for testing if you arrive late.
Entering and exiting the lecture room or lab room is not permitted once exams have
begun. Please be sure to use bathroom before or after.
Do not come late to the class or leave early. The absences, late entrances or leaving the
class early will be recorded in the attendance sheet and submitted to the Department.
Please buy yourself a good eraser when you have written exams. In my experience, the
students perform the best when they take active interest in attending the lectures and reading the
textbook.
Each student, “he” or “she” must understand the consequences of CHEATING, PLAGIARISM and
COLLUSION (see Student Handbook) and the fact that such action(s) could result in a grade of
“0” or “F” in that specific activity, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from College System.
Deportment
Students are expected to conduct themselves as adults. This includes courteous and
respectful behavior towards instructor and classmates. Disruptive behavior or any
behavior that interferes with any educational activity being performed by the instructor
will not be allowed. Additionally, no student may interfere with his/her fellow students’
right to pursue their academic goals to the fullest in an atmosphere appropriate to a
community of scholars. Disruptive behavior may result in removal from the class.
GRADING
HCC Grading
Scale:
A = 90 -100%
B = 80 - 90%
C = 70 - 80%
D = 60 - 70%
F = less than 60%
Instructor Grading Criteria:
Students must adhere to testing schedule. Failure to take a test will result in a “0” for the
missed exam. Exceptions include work, family, or personal (health) emergency, and
must be documented.
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Only one make-up exam per semester is allowed (with proper documentation) and must
be arranged with instructor ASAP.
Examination format
Lecture exams will include multiple choice questions and essay/short answer
questions.
Grade Calculation
Assessment Activity
Total Grade %
TESTS [1 to 5]> one dropped
Final Exam [Comprehensive]
Assignments 4
Lab Activity [2 Exams + other tasks]
40
20
20
20
Group Project
5
Final Score
100
Recommendations for Success:
 Learning is an active process and it requires time, effort, energy and
perseverance. It requires practice and your dedication.

Attend class: Log on every day. Spend sufficient time reading the material
given in notes and in chapters. It is your money, time and education.

Preview the assigned chapters in the text. Read the concepts and overview
of the chapter. Review the headings, illustrations and Tables in the chapter.
Read the summary of the chapter.

For effective learning and success, read, write and recite. Repeat words
aloud and create concept maps to summarize the material.

You may require a minimum of 1-2 hour to review each “class lecture”.

Utilize CD and other visual aids that are on the Learning Web as well as
websites such as “geology.com” & “www.usgs.com”

Write answers to review questions and review from other sources as
mentioned in class.

Be prepared to write short answers to critical thinking questions and
develop problem solving skills.

Review lecture material multiple times before the exam
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ASSIGNMENTSIGNMENT 1
With the preliminary background of Plate Tectonics we know that
there are 3 Plate Boundaries: a. Convergent; b. Divergent & c.
Transform along with d. Hot Spot/Plume as listed below. In the
space provided for each plate boundary insert the following:
1. Show the motion with arrows for a. to d and draw a sketch of
the inter-relationship between the two involved plates for a,
b&c
2. Type of Earthquake Activity A. Strong, Weak, Intermediate or
“all of them”
3. Type of Volcanic Activity (Volcanism) B. Explosive, Gentle or “
Both” or “None”
4. If the ‘rate of spreading’ is 5 cms per year and the distance
between the two land masses on either side of the “midoceanic rift” is 2,000 Kms, how old is the “ocean
floor”[answer separately & show your working]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I.
CONVERGENT PLATE BOUNDARY
II.
DIVERGENT PLATE BOUNDARY
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III.
TRANSFORM PLATE BOUNDARY
IV.
HOT SPOT/PLUME
Answer to Q 4:
11