HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SOUTHWEST COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE – GEOL 1404 – HISTORICAL GEOLOGY
Fall 2012
Class Number: 27359
Time and Location
12:30 pm -3.30 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.eduFree 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 , 9th 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 November 2-l2.
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 December 5.
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 20% 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]
Quiz’s [Q 1 to Q 4]
Tests 1 & 2
Assignments
Final Exam
20%
20%
30%
15%
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 [August 27 & 29, 2012]
Chapter 1. Science of Historic Geology
Chapter 2. Principles of Geology
Lab related to Clastic Sediment/Soil Classification
Week # 2
Geologic Time Review [Sept 3 & 5, 2012]
Chapter 3. Geologic Time
Chapter 4. Rocks & Minerals-Mini Review
LAB: Geologic Time/Principles of Geology
Week # 3
Sedimentation/Paleo [Sept 10 & 12, 2012]
Chapter 5 Sedimentary Archives
Chapter 6 Fossils-Life on Earth
LAB: Sedimentary Rocks/Environments
Week # 4
TEST 1 [Chapters 1 to 6] Sept 17, 2012
Plate Tectonics [Chapter 7] Sept 19, 2012
Week # 5
Plate Tectonics [Chapter 7 Cont) [Sept 24 & 26]
Quiz 1: Plate Tectonics (Ch 7 only)
LABS: Plate Tectonics
Assignment #1: Wilson’s Cycle [3 points]
Week # 6
Earth’s Earliest Rocks [Oct 1 & 3, 2012],
Chapter 8. Archaen
Chapter 9. Proterozoic
LAB: Ancient Shorelines & Paleogeography
Week # 7
Earth’s Earliest Rocks [Oct 8 & 10, 2012]
Chapters 8 & 9 Archaen/Proterozoic
Quiz 2 [Chs 8 & 9]
LAB: Pre-Cambrian Problems
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Week # 8
Paleozoic Time Period [Includes Chs 10 to 12] [Oct 15 & Oct 17, 2012]
Chapter 10> Early Paleozoic
Chapter 11> Late Paleozoic
Paleozoic Paleogeography & Paleoenvironments
Week # 9
Paleozoic Time Period [Chs 10 to 12] [Oct 22 & 24, 2012]
Chapter 12. Paleozoic Fossils
LAB: Review Paleozoic Fossils/Fossil Groups
Assignment 2: Paleozoic Extinctions [3 points]
Week #10
Mesozoic Time Period [includes Chs 13 to 14] [Nov 5 & 7, 2012]
Chapter12. Mesozoic Historical Geology
QUIZ #3 on Nov 5, 2012 [Paleozoic> Chs 9 & 10]
Lab: Mesozoic Fossils
Week # 11
Mesozoic Time Period [includes Chs 13/14[Nov 12 & 14, 2012]
Chapter 14> Mesozoic Life
Assignment 3: Mesozoic Extinction [3 Points]
Week # 12
Cenozoic Time Period [includes Chs 15 & 16;Nov 19 & 21,2012]
Chapter 15> Cenozoic Historic Geology
Cenozoic Paleogeography Lab
Week # 13
Cenozoic Time Period [Nov 26 & 28]
Chapter 16> Focus on Pleistocene Glaciation
Assignment 4: Cenozoic Extinction
Quiz 4 [Chs 15/16] on Nov 28
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Week # 14
Human Origin [includes Ch 17, Dec 3 & 5, 2012]
Lecture on Ch 17
Final Exam Review [70% from Chs 10 to 17; 30 % Chs 1 to 9, most from Ch 7]
CRN # 27359 FINAL EXAMINATION : Wednesday May 12 @ 12:30 pm
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