Geol 100 – General Geology
San Diego Miramar College, Fall 2012, M/W, 5:00-6:25pm Room M105
Instructor: Ms. Gina Bochicchio
CRN # 48345
Phone: (619) 388-7496
Email: gbochicc@sdccd.edu
Required Text: Essentials of Geology, by Lutgens & Tarbuck (11th ed.)
Office Hours: Room M211M M/W: 4-5pm, T/TH: 10-11am;
Online Office Hour: W: 9-10 pm
Web Site: http://faculty.sdmiramar.edu/gbochicchio/index.htm
Student Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
 Differentiate among the 3 major types of plate boundaries and recognize their characteristic
geologic features.
 Identify common rock-forming minerals by their diagnostic properties.
 classify rock strata, faults and intrusions by age, using relative dating techniques.
GRADES: Grades are based on the following point system (out of 696):
A: 620 or above B: 550-619 C: 480-549
D: 410-479
F: less than 410
1. Quizzes/Exams (aka Celebrations of Knowledge):
 5 in-class quizzes, 50 points each with the lowest score dropped, bring Scantron
 10 Blackboard reading quizzes, 4 points each with the lowest score dropped, due before lecture
 Cumulative final, 100 points, combination of multiple choice and short essay
NO makeup quizzes, since you can use a missed quiz as your lowest grade.
2. Photo Assignment (up to 50 points): Each student will complete a photo journal showing geologic
structures that they have visited in San Diego County or elsewhere. Information about the photo
assignment will be on my web site.
3. In-class activities and computer assignments (20 points each). You must download the appropriate
worksheet from Blackboard. The dates are listed on the schedule in the syllabus. In-class activities
cannot be made up at home and are usually graded at the end of the class. The computer assignments
have a due date listed. I will drop the lowest grade for these activities.
4. Writing Assignment (up to 50 points): This is a comprehensive report on two related geologic
articles from scientific journals. This report should have be a minimum of 800 words. You will
summarize, compare, and contrast the two articles, and include a proper citation for both articles.
Information about the writing assignment is on my web site later in the semester. NOTE: All written
work must be handed in as typed copy – no emails accepted.
5. Group Presentation (up to 100 points): A major contribution to your point total will be to
participate in a team project with 2-3 other students. Your team will research a geologic topic, using
journal articles, books, the Internet and other sources. Your team will then present the results of the
research to the rest of the class. More information about the team projects, including a list of topics is on
the web site.
The following are considered “Extra Credit” in addition to the above:
**6. Field Trips (10 points per day with completed handout). More information on my web site.
7. Weekend Field Trip (10 pts per day with completed handout) Joint trip with Mesa College
scheduled for the weekend of Nov 3-4 ; more information on web site.
8. Additional Article Reviews (10 points each; up to 2 per semester): These should be about 500
words long and include the appropriate citation and bibliography.
9. Volcano Talk (up to 10 pts) – 5-minute presentation on a particular volcano.
Late Work Policy: I do not accept late work
Excused Absences: Military obligations, religious holidays for which work is not permitted, and
illness/injury with doctor’s note. Other emergencies or work obligations on a case-by-case basis. Please
let me know as much as possible in advance.
CELL PHONE/TABLET/LAPTOP: These items should be used for classwork only. Cell phones
should be silenced. Please be courteous.
Fine Print Stuff:
 It is the student’s responsibility to drop all classes in which he/she is no longer attending.
 It is the instructor’s discretion to withdraw a student after the add/drop deadline, (see below for
date) due to excessive absences. I define excessive absences as more than 3.
 Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in
the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.
 The final grade in this class will be affected by active participation, including attendance, due to
the in-class activities and oral homework assignments.
 If you have a disability and need academic accommodations, please notify me as soon as
possible.
 Academic Dishonesty: At the instructor’s discretion, you can receive a zero for the assignment, a
failing grade for the class and be reported to the administration for further sanctions.
 Please contact me before withdrawing. There may be options that allow you to remain enrolled.
 IMPORTANT DATES:
 August 31 Last day to add. Last day to drop with no “W” recorded.
 September 21 Last day for Pass/No Pass
 October 26: Last day to withdraw without an evaluative grade.
 Wed, December 12, 2012: Last Exam
*In-class assignments include 3 class periods of hands-on mineral and rock identification, one class
period using relative dating methods to analyze stratigraphic cross-sections, and 3 Google Earth activities.
You must be in class on those days to get credit for these activities.
**Field trips include trips to nearby locales such as eastern San Diego County to observe igneous plutonic
formations and desert geology and coastal San Diego to observe and map Eocene sedimentary formations.
SUSTAINABILITY ON CAMPUS
Miramar College is committed to sustainability on campus and in our classrooms, as reflected in
the SDCCD Sustainability Proclamation. To minimize the use of paper resources, please consider
when a document may be shared digitally rather than printed. When a document must be printed,
decrease the default setting on your margins to at least 0.8” and print on both sides of the paper.
Please utilize the campus and classroom recycle bins for all recyclable materials: plastic bottles
and containers (#1-7), cans, paper and cardboard. You are encouraged to bring reusable drink
containers to school rather than disposable plastic bottles. Thank you for considering your role in
keeping the campus environment clean, and conserving resources in your academic life.
Tentative Course Outline, Geol 100, Fall 2012
Date
Subject
Chapter and class activity
M 8/20
Introduction
Ch 1
W 8/22
Introduction
Ch 1
M 8/27
Plate Tectonics
Ch 15 Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
W 8/29
Plate Tectonics
Ch 15
W 9/5
Plate Tectonics
Ch 15 Google Earth worksheet
M 9/10
Minerals
Ch 2 Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
W 9/12
Ch 2
Quiz#1 Ch. 1,15
Minerals
M 9/17
Minerals
Ch 2 Bring mineral ID exercise to class
W 9/19
Igneous Rocks
Ch 3 Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
M 9/24
Igneous Rocks
Ch 3
W 9/26
Igneous Rocks
Ch 3 (Bring igneous rock ID exercise to class)
M 10/1
Sedimentary Rocks Ch 6 Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
W 10/3
Ch 6
Quiz#2, Ch 2,3
Sedimentary Rocks
M 10/8
Metamorphism
Ch 7 Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
W 10/10
Rock ID ( ch 6,7)
(Bring sedimentary and metamorphic rock ID exercise to class)
M 10/15
Ch 18 – Relative Dating
Quiz #3 Ch. 6,7
Geologic Time
Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
W 10/17
Geologic Time
Ch 18 – (Bring Correlation Exercise to class)
Sat 10/20
M 10/22
Field Trip 1
Radiometric Dating
W 10/24
M 10/29
Radiometric Dating
Volcanoes
W 10/31
11/3-11/4
M 11/5
W 11/7
Volcanoes
Weekend Field trip
volcanoes
Earthquakes
F 11/9
W 11/14
Field trip #2
Quiz#4, Ch 4,18
Earthquakes
Mountain Building
Mountain Building
Mountain Building
Quiz #5 Ch 17,14
Presentations
Presentations
Final Exam
Class wrap up
M 11/26
W 11/28
M 12/3
W 12/5
M 12/10
W 12/12
M 12/17
Sunrise Highway
Ch 18 - Radioactivity
Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
Ch 18 Carbon-14 Assignment Due
Ch 4 , Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
Volcano Talks, 1st call for presentation groups/topics
Ch 4, Volcano talks
Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Ch4 Google Earth worksheet
Ch 14 – Entire Chapter up to Probing Earth’s Interior, Bb READING
QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS,
presentation groups/topics due
Tourmaline Beach Surf Park
Ch 14 Earthquake Assignment Due
Writing Assignment due
Ch 17 – Bb READING QUIZ DUE BEFORE CLASS
Ch 17
Ch 17 Google Earth worksheet
Photo Assignment and all outstanding assignments due