WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
REQUIRED CHECKLIST FOR ALL CURRICULAR PROPOSALS
Course or Program: GEOS 199 Dynamic Earth Laboratory
This checklist enables A2C2 representatives to endorse that their departments have accurately followed the Process for Accomplishing
Curricular Change. For each course or program proposal submitted to A2C2, this checklist must be completed, signed by the submitting
department's A2C2 representative, and included with the proposal when forwarded for approval. Peer review of proposals is also strongly advised,
e.g., departments should discuss and vote on the proposals as submitted to A2C2, rather than on just the ideas proposed or drafts of proposals.
If a proposal fails to follow or complete any aspect of the process, the Course and Program Proposal Subcommittee will postpone consideration
of the proposal and return it to the department's A2C2 representative for completion and resubmission. Resubmitted proposals have the same status
as newly submitted proposals.
Note: This form need not be completed for notifications.
1.
The appropriate forms and the “Approval Form" have been completed in full for this proposal. All necessary or relevant descriptions,
rationales, and notifications have been provided.
____X___ Completed
2a. The “Financial and Staffing Data Sheet" has been completed and is enclosed in this proposal, if applicable.
___X____ Completed
________ NA
2b. For departments that have claimed that “existing staff" would be teaching the course proposed, an explanation has been enclosed in this proposal
as to how existing staff will do this, e.g., what enrollment limits can be accommodated by existing staff. If no such explanation is enclosed, the
department's representative is prepared to address A2C2's questions on this matter.
____X___ Completed
________ NA
3.
Arrangements have been made so that a department representative knowledgeable of this proposal will be attending both the Course and
Program Proposal Subcommittee meeting and the full A2C2 meeting at which this proposal is considered.
___X____ Completed
Name and office phone number of proposal's representative: ___ William Beatty ___457-2241_____ WBeatty@winona.edu _
4.
Reasonable attempts have been made to notify and reach agreements with all university units affected by this proposal. Units still opposing a
proposal must submit their objections in writing before or during the Course and Program Proposal Subcommittee meeting at which this
proposal is considered.
___X____ Completed
________ NA
5.
The course name and number is listed for each prerequisite involved in this proposal.
____X___ Completed
________NA
6.
In this proposal for a new or revised program (major, minor, concentration, etc.), the list of prerequisites provided includes all the prerequisites
of any proposed prerequisites. All such prerequisites of prerequisites are included in the total credit hour calculations.
________ Completed ___X___ NA
7.
In this proposal for a new or revised program, the following information for each required or elective course is provided:
a.
The course name and number.
b.
A brief course description.
c.
A brief statement explaining why the program should include the course.
________ Completed
____X___ NA
8.
This course or program revision proposal:
a.
Clearly identifies each proposed change.
b.
Displays the current requirements next to the proposed new requirements, for clear, easy comparison.
___ ____ Completed
____X___ NA
9.
This course proposal provides publication dates for all works listed as course textbooks or references using a standard form of citation.
Accessibility of the cited publications for use in this proposed course has been confirmed.
___X____ Completed
________ NA
__________________________________________________
Department's A2C2 Representative or Alternate
_____1/22/2010_______
Date
[Revised 9-05]
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WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
PROPOSAL FOR NEW COURSES
Department GEOSCIENCE
Date 19 JANUARY 2010
Refer to Regulation 3-4, Policy for Changing the Curriculum, for complete information on submitting proposals for curricular changes.
GEOS: 199
DYNAMIC EARTH LABORATORY
Course No.
Course Title
This proposal is for a(n)
__X__ Undergraduate Course
______ Graduate Course
Applies to:
___X___ Major
___X___ Minor
___X___ University Studies*
__X__ Required
__X__ Required
_____ Elective
_____ Elective
Prerequisites
Any Geoscience course numbered 100-150- can be co-enrolled
Grading method __X___ Grade only
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Credits
______ P/NC only
______ Not for USP
______ Grade and P/NC Option
Frequency of offering Every semester (Fall & Spring)
*For University Studies Program course approval, the form Proposal for University Studies Courses must also be completed and submitted
according to the instructions on that form.
Provide the following information:
A.
Course Description
1. Catalog description.
2. Course outline of the major topics and subtopics (minimum of two-level outline).
3.a Instructional delivery methods utilized: (Please check all that apply).
Lecture: Auditorium
ITV
Online
Web Enhanced
Service Learning
Travel Study
Lecture: Classroom X
Laboratory X
Other: (Please indicate)
3.b. MnSCU Course media codes: (Please check all that apply).
3. Internet
6. Independent Study
None: X
1. Satellite
4. ITV Sending
7. Taped
2. CD Rom
5. Broadcast TV
8. ITV Receiving
4. Course requirements (papers, lab work, projects, etc.) and means of evaluation.
5. Course materials (textbook(s), articles, etc.).
6. Assessment of Outcomes
7. List of references.
B.
9. Web Enhanced
10. Web Supplemented
Rationale
1.
2.
3.
C.
Web Supplemented
Internship/Practicum
Statement of the major focus and objectives of the course.
Specify how this new course contributes to the departmental curriculum.
Indicate any course(s) which may be dropped if this course is approved.
Impact of this Course on other Departments, Programs, Majors, or Minors
1.
2.
Does this course increase or decrease the total credits required by a major or minor of any other department? If so, which
department(s)?
Attach letter(s) of understanding from impacted department(s).
Definitions:
01-Satellite:
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02- CD Rom:
03- Internet: Predominately = where all, or nearly all, course activity occurs in an online environment. One to two activities may occur faceto-face in a classroom, with the maximum being two activities.
04 – ITV Sending: a course in which students are in the classroom with the instructor, other students join via interactive television
technology from other geographically separate locations
05 – Broadcast TV:
06 – Independent Study: a course in which the teacher develops specialized curriculum for the student(s) based on department guidelines in
the University course catalog
07 – Taped: a course in which the teacher records the lessons for playback at a later date
08 – ITV Receiving: a course in which students are not in the classroom with the teacher, other students join via interactive television
technology from other geographically separate locations
09 – Web Enhanced- Limited Seat Time: For a course in which students are geographically separate from the teacher and other students for a
majority of required activities. However, some on-site attendance is required. The course includes synchronous and/or asynchronous
instruction.
10 – Web Supplemented- No Reduced Seat Time: For a course utilizing the web for instructional activities. Use of this code may assist your
college/university in tracking courses for “smart classrooms” and/or facility usage.
Attach a Financial and Staffing Data Sheet.
Attach an Approval Form with appropriate signatures.
Department Contact Person for this Proposal:
_____William Beatty________________________________
Name (please print)
__507-457-2241__
Phone
____WBeatty@winona.edu________
e-mail address
[Revised 7/5/07]
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A. Course Description
The coursework for GEOS 199 is currently taught as the lab portion of GEOS 120. Once it is split from GEOS 120, GEOS 199 will
become the laboratory counterpart to all introductory Geoscience courses. Students who would normally register for GEOS 120(4
S.H.) would then register for GEOS 121 (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.). Because we attract many of our majors through exposure in
our intro-level courses, students from any other introductory Geoscience course could register for GEOS 199 as a stand-alone
laboratory course and gain the required laboratory experience before moving into upper-level Geoscience courses. Requiring GEOS
199 for entrance to the various Geoscience majors will ensure that all students are prepared to move into more advanced coursework
while allowing them alternate pathways into the major.
GEOS 199 – Dynamic Earth Laboratory
Course Catalog Description
199 – Dynamic Earth Laboratory – 1 S.H.
This lab allows students to actively engage in solving geologic problems through hands-on activities and exercises. Examples include
observation, testing, and identification of mineral and rock specimens, construction and interpretation of geologic and topographic
maps to gain understanding of geologic processes such as plate tectonics, and building basic skills with new technologies important to
the geosciences (such as GIS). During each lab, students record observations, analyze findings, and discuss results. Prerequisite or
concurrent: Any GEOS course numbered 100-150. Offered every semester.
Course Outline
Topics to be covered include:
1. Units & conversions
a. Significant figures
b. Scientific notation
2. Topographic maps
a. Topographic profiles and vertical
exaggeration
b. Analysis of a topographic quadrangle map
3. Geological investigations using Google Earth & GIS
4. Mineral properties & identification
a. Mineral properties and uses
b. Mineral identification
5. Description and interpretation of igneous,
sedimentary & metamorphic rocks
a. Rock cycle
b. Igneous processes and rocks
c. Sedimentary processes and rocks
d. Metamorphic processes and rocks
e. Hand sample analysis and interpretation
6. Plate tectonics
a. What drives plate tectonics
b. The origin of magma
c. Measuring plate tectonics
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Geologic time
a. Determining relative ages of rocks
b. Radiometric dating
c. Interpreting a geologic cross section
Geologic structures & geologic maps
a. Block diagrams
b. Analysis of a geologic map
Stream processes
a. Stream processes and landscapes
b. Meander evolution
c. Stream erosion and mass wasting
Groundwater processes
a. Groundwater movement
b. Land subsidence
Glacial processes
a. Glacial landforms
b. Glaciations in Wisconsin
Earthquake hazards & seismic data
a. Graphing seismic data
b. Locating the epicenter of an earthquake
c. Determining relative motions along a fault
Weathering
a. Physical weathering processes
b. Chemical weathering processes
Instructional delivery methods utilized
Lecture: Classroom
Laboratory
MnSCU Course media codes
None
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Course requirements and means of evaluation
Students will gain an understanding of how geologists approach scientific problems and the methods used to solve those
problems. Through individual and group work, they will develop skills in critical thinking, multiple working hypotheses, and
using mathematics and technology to solve geologic problems. Many times they will be challenged to synthesize ideas or
interpretations from a list of observations or facts.
Before each lab students will be given a reading assignment and pre-lab exercises to be completed before coming to lab.
During problem-solving exercises in the lab, they will have the opportunity to work in small groups, sharing and critically
evaluating their own data and observations as well as the observations and interpretations of others in the group. At the end of
each lab they will be asked to review their work with the instructor and demonstrate their understanding of the material covered
that week. Students will also be asked to demonstrate proficiency in the skills they have learned, such as identifying minerals
and rocks, reading and interpreting topographic and geologic maps, interpreting scientific data and formulating solutions to
geologic problems, through practical laboratory exams. The weekly checkouts, along with the exams, will help both students
and the instructor track progress throughout the semester.
Course Materials
Textbook: Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology (8th Edition), Richard M. Busch, Ed. American Geological
Institute/National Association of Geoscience Teachers
List of References
Gritzinger, J., er al. (2006) Understanding Earth. W. H. Freeman, New York.
Jones, C. and Jones, N. (2009) Lab Manual for Physical Geology. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
Marshak, S. (2007) Earth: Portrait of a Planet. W. W. Norton & Company, New York.
Reynolds, S. J., et al. (2010) Exploring Geology. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
Smith, G. (2009) How Does Earth Work? Physical Geology and the Process of Science. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
New Jersey.
Zumberge, J. (2008) Laboratory Manual for Physical Geology. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York.
B.
Rationale
Major Focus and Course Objectives
Course objectives will be achieved via lecture, homework and lab assignments.
In this course, students will:
 learn how scientists approach and solve problems relevant to geology;
 learn the unique methods employed in interpreting and solving geologic problems;
 investigate complex problems and learn to integrate series of concepts and methods learned in introductory Geoscience
courses;
 develop inductive reasoning skills in exercises such as the identification of minerals and rocks or the interpretation of
geologic and topographic maps;
 develop mathematical skills such as using proportionalities and ratios, calculating gradients, measuring the offset in
earthquake wave arrival times, and determining earthquake location by graphical methods; and
 build collaborative learning skills.
How the Course Will Contribute to the Geoscience Department Curriculum
The coursework for GEOS 199 is currently taught as the lab portion of GEOS 120. Once it is split from GEOS 120, GEOS 199
will become the laboratory counterpart to all introductory Geoscience courses. Students who would normally register for
GEOS 120(4 S.H.) would then register for GEOS 121 (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.). Students from any other introductory
Geoscience course could register for GEOS 199 as a stand-alone laboratory course and gain the required laboratory experience
before moving into upper-level Geoscience courses. Requiring GEOS 199 for entrance to the various Geoscience majors will
ensure that all students are prepared to move into more advanced coursework.
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Course(s) which may be dropped
GEOS 120 will no longer be necessary as the lab and lecture are being separated into two separate courses that the student will
register for concurrently.
C.
Impact of this Course on other Departments, Programs, Majors, or Minors
No impact on courses taught in other departments is anticipated. Students who would normally register for GEOS 120(4 S.H.)
would now register for GEOS 121 (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.). This course does not duplicate the content of courses
taught in other departments. There is no anticipated effect on prerequisites.
Would Approval of this Course Increase/Decrease the Total Credits Required by any Major/Minor of any other
Department?
Approval of GEOS 199 would not change the number of credits required for any major or minor in other departments. Students
who would normally register for GEOS 120(4 S.H.) would now register for GEOS 121 (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.).
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WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
FINANCIAL AND STAFFING DATA SHEET
Course or Program GEOS 199 Dynamic Earth Laboratory
Include a Financial and Staffing Data Sheet with any proposal for a new course, new program, or revised program.
Please answer the following questions completely. Provide supporting data.
1.
Would this course or program be taught with existing staff or with new or additional staff? If this course would be taught by
adjunct faculty, include a rationale.
GEOS 199, Dynamic Earth Laboratory, will be taught by existing staff. The course is being split from GEOS 120, a 4-credit
lab course currently taught every semester. After this course is approved, students who would normally register for GEOS
120(4 S.H.) would register for GEOS 121 or any other 100-level GEOS course (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.). Because this
represents a shift from one existing 4-credit course to one 3-credit course and one 1-credit course, staffing requirements are
already in place.
2.
What impact would approval of this course/program have on current course offerings? Please discuss number of sections of
current offerings, dropping of courses, etc.
This course would not affect current course offerings. Students who would normally register for GEOS 120(4 S.H.) would
now register for GEOS 121 (3 S.H.) and GEOS 199 (1 S.H.). Approval of GEOS 199 would allow students from any other
introductory Geoscience course to register for a stand-alone laboratory course and gain laboratory experience before moving into
upper-level courses.
3.
What effect would approval of this course/program have on the department supplies? Include data to support expenditures for
staffing, equipment, supplies, instructional resources, etc.
GEOS 199 is currently taught as the laboratory portion of GEOS 120. All materials used for this course are currently accounted for in
the department budget, thus no additional funding will be necessary to begin this course.
[Revised 9-05]
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