Physical Geology
Course Details
Course Number: GEOS 1134 | Section Number: 101
Fall 2012
Location: Bolin Hall
Classroom Number: 100
Days & Times:
Lecture: 9:00-9:50 MWF
11A Lab M 1:00 - 2:50 PM
11B Lab M 1:00 - 2:50 PM
11C Lab M 3:00 - 4:50 PM
11D Lab T 1:00 - 2:50 PM
11E Lab T 3:00 - 4:50 PM
Textbooks
EARTH:INTRO TO PHYSICAL GEOLOGY
Tarbuck and Lutgens with Tasa - overview of physical geology processes and products
ISBN: 9780321663047
GEOS LAB MAN. UPDATED F11 W/STEREOTICON
Pearson custom lab manual - new edition with black cover - clean copy
ISBN: 9781256030867
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Jonathan Darrel Price
Course Objectives
Physical Geology students are introduced to…
 The nature of scientific investigation and modern methods of characterizing nature.
 The structure and processes of the solid earth, the transfer of matter and energy in the planet,
and the resulting interactions with the surface environment.
 The development of the planet and the processes that have shaped it over its history,
including plate tectonics, partial melting and magmatism, orogenesis (mountain building),
rifting, deformation, weathering and erosion, sedimentation, and hydrospheric processes.
 Attributes of geologic resources and their general impact on and interactions with society:
energy, minerals, ground and surface water, soil.
 The local geologic environment, its nature and origins, and its relationship to the greater
North American continent.
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And they are enabled to…
 Critically assess, evaluate, and analyze scientific data
 Effectively communicate scientific information
 Use elements of physics, chemistry, and biology to constrain the nature of the planet and its
history.
 Properly assess and characterize the basic materials of the solid earth.
Course Expectations
Completion of the course requires that students successfully accumulate a passing score
through the following evaluations:
Comprehension quizzes: 10% of the total grade
Two (2) hour long in-class examinations: 16% of total grade, each (total = 32%)
One (1) comprehensive final examination: 21% of total grade
Laboratory assignments/quizzes: 25% of total grade
Laboratory mineral and rock hand sample exam: 5% of total grade
Laboratory final: 7% of total grade
Grading Standards
In this class, the following numerical equivalents for grades are used: A = 100-90% | B = 89-80%
| C = 79-70% | D = 69-60% | F = 59-0%.
Final Exam: 12/3/2012 8:00 AM
Submission Format Policy
Materials may be submitted in person to your instructor.
Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be)
submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me
and the other instructor involved in advance.
Late Paper Policy
This is a large class that requires substantial effort on the part of your instructors. Late work
demands additional time and penalizes the rest of the class. Late materials will be accepted for
only one week following the due date and will be evaluated for discounted credit. If you are
aware of a pending absence that will interfere with an assignment due date, please complete
and submit the work early.
There are no makeups for the comprehension quizzes.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own
work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in
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"Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft
of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.
Student Honor Creed
As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."
As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered,
responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these
responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing
responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character
are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve
to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic
honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete
honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in
examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as
one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has
the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge
that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic
dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic
integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by
University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the
MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003
MSU Student Senate.
Students with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides
comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this
legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the
Clark Student Center, 397-4140.
Safe Zones Statement
The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a
human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual
orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and
encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL
students consider the classroom a safe environment.
Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and
MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address
to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.
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Attendance Requirements
Attendance for lecture is required. Please show up early and leave only when excused. This
lecture commences at 9 AM - this is an early hour for some - plan accordingly. Attendance will
be evaluated by a randomly-distributed sign-in sheet. It is your responsibility to sign-in each day
the sheet is available
Lab attendance is also required for completion of this class. If you fail to attend and complete
more than 2 laboratory sessions, you will be either be dropped from the class or you will receive
a failing grade.
Absences will only be excused through Dr. Price. Legitimate excuses submitted prior to the
lecture or laboratory assignments will be honored; those submitted after an absence will not be
accommodated.
Illness is a legitimate excused absence. If you have a fever or are exhibiting symptoms you
deem contagious:
email Dr. Price at jonathan.price@mwsu.edu - subject line "ill" is sufficient
go to the health center or personal physician for an evaluation
Writing Proficiency Requirement
All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing
proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60
hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English
2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to
take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have
any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at
http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.
Schedule of Topics
Week Date
Topic
1 8/27/2012 Introduction to the class
8/29/2012 Introduction to science
Text
Lab Topic (chapt)
Ch. 1
8/31/2012 Introduction to science
2
3
9/5/2012 Introduction to geology
9/7/2012 Introduction to geology
9/10/2012 I feel the earth move…(plate tectonics)
9/12/2012 I feel the earth move…(plate tectonics)
Ch. 2
Geospatial (2)
Ch. 3
Minerals (3)
9/14/2012 I feel the earth move…(plate tectonics)
4
9/17/2012 Buiding blocks (minerals)
9/19/2012 Buiding blocks (minerals)
9/21/2012 Buiding blocks (minerals)
5
5
9/24/2012 Hot Rocks (igneous)
Ch. 4
More mins/rocks (3-4)
Ch. 5
Igneous rocks (5)
Ch. 6
Sedimentary rocks (6)
9/26/2012 Hot Rocks (igneous)
6
9/28/2012 Exam 1
10/1/2012 Baking (volcanoes and intrusions)
10/3/2012 Baking (volcanoes and intrusions)
10/5/2012 Baking (volcanoes and intrusions)
7
10/8/2012 Exposure (weathering)
10/10/2012 Exposure (weathering)
10/12/2012 The dirt on soil
8 10/15/2012 The dirt on soil
10/17/2012 Mountains to the shore
10/19/2012 Mountains to the shore
9 10/22/2012 Cold Rocks (sedimentary)
10/24/2012 Cold Rocks (sedimentary)
10/26/2012 Warm Rocks (metamorphic)
10 10/29/2012 Warm Rocks (metamorphic)
10/31/2012 Measuring time
11
11/2/2012 Deep time
11/5/2012 Exam 2
Metamorphic rocks
(7)
Ch. 16, 18-20
Ch. 7
Identity exam
Ch. 8
Time (8)
Ch. 9
Ch. 13&22
Structures (9)
11/7/2012 Deep time
11/9/2012 Deep time
12 11/12/2012 Deformation
11/14/2012 Deformation
11/16/2012 Shaking (earthquakes)
Ch. 10
Ch. 11
13 11/19/2012 Shaking (earthquakes)
14 11/26/2012 Deep Earth
11/28/2012 Smashing up (convergence)
11/30/2012 Breaking up (divergence)
15
Streams (11)
Ch. 12
Groundwater (12)
Ch. 14
Ch. 15
12/3/2012 As the days go by…(groundwater)
12/5/2012 As the days go by…(groundwater)
Ch. 17
12/7/2012 Black gold (energy)
Ch. 21
F 12/10/2012 Lecture Final Exam - 8 AM
Earthquakes (10)
Lab final