Geological Sciences 101
Geology of Planet Earth – Syllabus
MW – Fall 2015
George Davis
E-mail: george.davis@csun.edu
Office Hours: MW 12:15 – 1:15
Or by appointment--Live Oak Hall, 1220
Geology of planet Earth is a general survey course on the science of our planet. The course is
intended to provide you with a basic understanding of your natural surroundings so that you may
better enjoy them and make informed decisions about the myriad of problems facing your
physical environment. When you have completed this course you will have gained a basic
understanding of Earth materials – minerals and rocks – and of earth processes such as plate
tectonics. You will have learned about resources derived from the environment, fossil fuels, and
mineral ores, and hazards inherent in that same environment including earthquakes, volcanoes,
and landslides. You will understand how geology applies to you as a resident of southern
California and the world.
Required text: Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Tasa, Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology: 2014,
11th Edition with Mastering Geology, Peterson Education, Inc., three ring binder prepped.
Exams and Grading: There will be three midterm exams, each worth 100 points, and a final,
worth 150 points, for a total 450 exam points. You will need a SCANTRON Form No. 882-E for
each of the four tests. The final, will emphasize materials covered after the third midterm, but will
include questions from the first three tests as well. All exams cover materials discussed in class as
well as the chapter readings.
There may also be an additional number of points (to be determined throughout the course)
associated with Mastering Geology web assignments, possible in-class assignments, pop
quizzes, projects, etc. Assignments will be due on specific, announced dates and will not be
accepted late. Any pop quizzes will be given in the first 5-10 minutes of class so don’t be late;
missed quizzes may not be made-up. There will be no make-up exams. Failure to take the
final exam will result in a grade of F.
Grading scale (straight percentage – no curve):
A
B
C
D
F
90 - 100%
80 - 89%
67 - 79%
50 - 66%
< 50%
Extra Credit: Anyone feeling the need for extra credit may, at any time during the course, visit
either the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (across from USC) in Exposition
Park or The George Page Museum (La Brea Tar Pits on Wilshire Blvd.) in Hancock Park. You
may earn up to 15 points extra-credit by writing a three page, double-spaced, typed report on any
exhibit that entails a direct aspect of Geology (mineralogy, paleontology, etc.). Submit your paper
(along with proof of your visit - i.e., receipt or ticket stub for either museum) no later than
Monday, November 30, 2015. Papers will not be accepted after that date.
Field Trip: None planned at this time. Should conditions change, you will be notified in advance.
1
Your responsibilities for succeeding in this class
(The assumption is made that you wish to succeed)
The following must be adhered to for successful completion of this course:
1. If you do not understand something, please ask questions.
2. Use your Physical Geology class time for Physical Geology! Take notes for the current
session. If you have missed a lecture and need to copy a classmate’s notes, find a
photocopying machine — it’s a lot faster than copying by hand.
3. Give yourself time to study. The general consensus is that to do well in a class, the average
student should spend two hours outside study for each hour spent in class. Only you know if
you are average or not and need more or less time. Regardless, review notes as soon as
possible after class to fill in unfinished diagrams and partial sentences while they are still fresh
in your mind.
4. Historically the first exam is a wake-up call. Pay attention and don’t hit the snooze button. If
you do not do well on the exam. Ask for help then, not later.
5. Cheating/Plagiarism. DON’T!!! If caught, you will automatically fail the course, and a report
will be filed with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. In
short I abide by the CSUN rules on academic cheating. Those rules are on the CSUN website.
I suggest you access and read them.
6. Some No’s:
No eating in class — drinks are OK
No electronics (I-pods, cell phones, etc.) during class.
Note: During tests, you will turn off your cell phones and place them in your packs,
purses, or some other location where they are inaccessible.
No text messaging during class. If seen, you will be asked to leave the class
7. Come to class. Attendance is mandatory. Historically, those who fail the class have cut the
class. AND be on time. Lateness will not be excused past the first week of class. And anyone
coming in late, please use the rear door. I do not appreciate the rudeness of someone who is
late walking between myself and the class while I am lecturing. Be prepared to spend the
entire time in class.
8. This should not be a problem, but if you are taking more than one class, check your final exam
schedules early to determine if there will be any time conflicts that need to be resolved.
9. When you e-mail me, you must start your subject line with PG9 or PG11 depending on your
class time. If I don’t see this in the subject line I will simply delete the post.
Example:
Subject:
PG9 ; “My last test” or
PG11; “My last test”
You get the idea.
2
Course Outline
DATE
Materials to be covered
Relevant Chapters
Week 1 – Aug 24
Aug 26
Week 2 – Aug 31
Sep 2
Week 3 – Sep 7
Sep 9
Week 4 – Sep 14
Sep 16
Week 5 – Sep 21
Sep 23
Week 6 – Sep 28
Sep 30
Week 7 – Oct 5
Oct 7
Week 8 – Oct 12
Oct 14
Week 9 – Oct 19
Oct 21
Week 10 – Oct 26
Oct 28
Week 11 – Nov 2
Nov 4
Week 12 – Nov 9
Nov 11
Week 13 – Nov 16
Nov 18
Week 14 – Nov 23
Nov 25
Week 15 – Nov 30
Dec 2
Week 16 - Dec 7
Introduction, Why Study Geology?
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics II
Matter and Minerals
Labor Day – No class
Matter and Minerals II
Igneous Rocks
MT-1
Volcanoes
Volcanoes
Weathering
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
MT-2
Geologic Time
Crustal Deformation
Earthquakes
Earthquake Kits
Earth’s Interior
Mass Wasting
MT-3
Streams (Running Water)
Groundwater
Veteran’s Day – No class
Glaciers
Deserts and Wind
Shorelines
Global Climate Change
Earth Evolution
Permian Extinction
Energy and Mineral Resources
Ch. 1
Ch. 2, 13
Ch. 2, 13
Ch. 3
{Final}
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 10, 14
Ch. 11
Ch.12
Ch. 15
Ch. 16
Ch. 17
Ch. 18
Ch. 19
Ch. 20
Ch. 21
Ch. 22
Video/Lecture
Ch. 23
Class 16198 (9:30); Dec 9: 8 – 10 LO 1231
Class 16199 (11:00); Dec 9: 10:15 – 12:15 LO 1231
With the exception of the “Final Date and Time,”
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus and outline as conditions warrant.
3