WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERISTY
____________ CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCES
WAYLAND MISSION STATEMENT: Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students
in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for
professional success and service to God and humankind.
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GEOL 4403-section; Sedimentation and Stratigraphy
TERM:
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE PHONE NUMBER AND WBU EMAIL ADDRESS:
OFFICE HOURS, BUILDING, AND LOCATION:
CLASS MEETING TIME AND LOCATION:
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A study of the origin, evolution and interpretation of sedimentary
rocks using microscopic to field characteristics; understand sedimentary processes and
interpretation of depositional environments; understanding of stratigraphic principles and will be
exposed to various stratigraphic interpretations such as: sequence stratigraphy, biostratigraphy,
magneto-stratigraphy. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. $45 fee.
PREREQUISITE: GEOL 3401, or consent of instructor.
TEXTBOOK: Sedimentary Geology An Introduction to Sedimentary Rocks and Stratigraphy 2nd
ed., D. R., Prothero, and F. Schwab, (2004)
LAB BOOK: TBA
*Choose from official booklist
COURSE OUTCOME COMPETENCIES:
Upon completion of the course the student will
1. understand concepts of the origin and transport of sedimentary materials.
2. know the physical properties of sedimentary rocks.
3. know the composition, classification, and possible diagenesis of sedimentary rocks.
4. know the various depositional environments and related sedimentary rocks.
5. be familiar with the principles of basin analysis and different specialized uses of stratigraphy.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: The university expects students to make class attendance
a priority. No makeup, late work or redoing of work will be permitted except for makeup work
for excused absences due to official university business or very serious illness (hospital time).
Excused absences will be granted if the student contacts the instructor prior to the scheduled
class time in which the absence is to occur. In the case of an emergency where the student is
unable to contact the instructor, a valid form of documentation must be given to the instructor
verifying why the student was absent. Students are expected to make up work within one week
of the absence and need to schedule a time with the instructor.
Notice of excused absences for official university business should be provided on 8.5x11
paper. Notice should be given prior to the absence or no makeup will be allowed. Notice should
include the following 3 items: 1. Name, 2. Date of absence, & 3. Reason for absence.
On dates when grades will be taken for test, quiz, etc., any student more than 15 minutes
late will NOT be allowed to do the work for a grade and are considered absent.
STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Wayland Baptist University observes a zero tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty. Per
university policy as described in the academic catalog, all cases of academic dishonesty will be
reported and second offenses will result in suspension from the university.
DISCRIMINATION POLICY: It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled
person be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to
discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), it is the policy of
Wayland Baptist University that no otherwise qualified person with a disability be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational
program or activity in the university. The Coordinator of Counseling Services serves as the
coordinator of students with a disability and should be contacted concerning accommodation
requests at (806) 291-3765. Documentation of a disability must accompany any request for
accommodations.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING CRITERIA: Students will be evaluated by
examinations, quizzes and lab activities, etc. as described in this syllabus under the heading
“Evaluation”.
EVALUATION:
University Grading System: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=below 60.
The final class grade will be based on the average of grades that are earned as listed below.
Participation 20%
Activities
65%
Tests
15%
Exams: the first two exams will consist of a variety of testing methods that include definitions,
short answers, and essays. On essay questions, make sure you write in complete sentences, and
clearly explain what is being asked of you; i.e., this means do not provide a list of answers – but
explicitly write in complete sentences. Diagrams are always encouraged, but make sure labels
are provided as well as thorough explanations.
Students shall have protection through orderly procedures against prejudices or capricious
academic evaluation. A student who believes that he or she has not been held to realistic
academic standards, just evaluation procedures, or appropriate grading, may appeal the final
grade given in the course by using the student grade appeal process described in the Academic
Catalog. Appeals may not be made for advanced placement examinations or course
bypass examinations. Appeals are limited to the final course grade, which may be upheld, raised,
or lowered at any stage of the appeal process. Any recommendation to lower a course grade must
be submitted through the Executive Vice President/Provost to the Faculty Assembly Grade
Appeals Committee for review and approval. The Faculty Assembly Grade Appeals Committee
may instruct that the course grade be upheld, raised, or lowered to a more proper evaluation.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
(Actual dates & book chapters may be included. This schedule includes student presentations
which may be omitted.)
Subject
1. Introduction, grain analysis
2: Weathering & erosion, soil formation
3. Sedimentary transport, fluid flow dynamics, deposition
4. Continental sedimentary Structures
5. Clastic rocks - conglomerates, breccias, and sandstones
6. Clastic rocks - siltstones, mudstones, and shales
7. Clastic diagenesis, sandstone petrography
8. Depositional environments - continental
9. Marginal Marine Environments
10. Siliciclastic Marine Environments
11. Carbonate and Evaporite Environments
12. Lithostratigraphy
13.Seismic, Sequence, and Magnetic Stratigraphy
14. Biostratigraphy
15. Chronostratigraphy and Geologic Time
16. Basin Analysis, Tectonics, and Sedimentation
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Optional
FIELD TRIP: An extended weekend trip to Big Bend National Park will be announced later in
the semester. Details of will be discussed at a later date.
OTHER POLICIES:
Cell phone use: no cell phones are allowed during the lecture portion of the class. Unless you
have made arrangements with the instructor, put your cell phone away.
“Tor-chore”: at no time does the instructor inflict “tor-chore” upon the students. “Tor-chore” is
manifested by the stress and incompetency of the student. If “tor-chore” ensues, please refrain
from throwing or stabbing large sharp objects to self or those around you. A stress release
station will be placed within the room to allow for stress release. Simply bang head at
designated stress release station.
Safety: Take note of nearest stress release station.
______________________________________________________________________________
LAB:
Time: lab will begin approximately at 9:30 after the lecture portion of the class. Instructions and
materials will be given, and then the students work the remaining portion of class. Use your time
wisely, you will be expected to work on your own and turn in assignments at their scheduled due
dates.
Content:
Grain morphology
Grain size and sorting
Grain settling
Sedimentary structures
Clastic rocks – conglomerates, breccias, sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, and shales
Sandstone petrography: grain analysis, composition, diagenesis
Clean-up: Please keep the work stations and lab clean. Store your materials and work in a
drawer in the middle room. Do not leave materials and work out when not working on
assignments!!!
This outline and other syllabus items are subject to change at university or instructor discretion.
Revised 03/18/15